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Subscribe to RSSGOP’s weak political position on the sequester… Just look at the polls, the lack of compromise, and the message… That said, Democrats have their own sequester problems, too… Rick Scott accepts Medicaid expansion… Look who’s coming to CPAC -- almost everybody… And when it comes to politicians, almost nothing surprises us anymore. See the Pete Domenici story.
Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, addresses the media following a Republican Conference meeting on Feb. 5, 2013 at the Capitol. From left are: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., Conference Vice Chairman Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., Rep. Susan Brooks, R-In., and Conference Chairman Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.
*** GOP’s weak position on the sequester: Yesterday we asked this question about the political back-and-forth regarding the looming automatic budget cuts that are set to take place on March 1: What if the sky doesn’t fall? But here’s the opposite question: What if it does? And if that’s the case, Republicans stand to pay the steepest political price. It’s not even close right now. For starters, look at the numbers from the first two national polls taken after the State of the Union. The new USA Today/Pew poll: “President Obama starts his second term with a clear upper hand over GOP leaders on issues from guns to immigration that are likely to dominate the year… On the legislation rated most urgent — cutting the budget deficit — even a majority of Republican voters endorse Obama's approach of seeking tax hikes as well as spending cuts.” Also in this poll, the president’s approval rating is at 51%, while the approval for congressional GOPers is at 25%. And here’s Bloomberg’s poll: “… Obama enters the latest budget showdown with Congress with his highest job- approval rating in three years [55%] and public support for his economic message, while his Republican opponents’ popularity stands at a record low [35%].” So these are the numbers when the White House’s P.R. campaign to avert the sequester has only begun and before the expected layoffs and furloughs.
*** Where’s the compromise? Besides the polling numbers, Republicans find themselves in a weak position -- politically -- because they’ve yet to propose ANY kind of compromise that recognizes they don’t control the White House or the U.S. Senate. By contrast, Obama has offered up entitlement cuts (chained CPI for Social Security is apparently still on the table), and he has indicated a willingness to make additional cuts to Medicare (he said so in the State of the Union). But Republicans are refusing to budge on any tax revenues (via closing loopholes, etc.), even though House Speaker John Boehner offered them up during the fiscal-cliff debate. “House Republicans, shrugging off rising pressure from President Obama, are resolutely opposing new tax increases to head off $85 billion in across-the-board spending reductions, all but ensuring the cuts will go into force March 1 and probably remain in place for months, if not longer,” the New York Times says. Interestingly, Karl Rove has proposed a sort of compromise for House Republicans to offer: “pass a continuing resolution next week to fund the government for the balance of the fiscal year at the lower level dictated by the sequester—with language granting the executive branch the flexibility to move funds from less vital activities to more important ones.” In other words, force the Obama administration to choose which programs and entities get funded. Of course, this comes with political risk as many Republicans will fear that the Obama administration will essentially fund what he wants at the expense of programs or projects important to Republicans.
*** A muddled message: In addition to the GOP’s poll numbers and its inability to propose a compromise, a third Republican shortcoming in this sequester debate is the message. Conservative writer Byron York sums the problem of House Speaker John Boehner describing the looming cuts as a policy “that threatens U.S. national security, thousands of jobs and more,” but isn’t earnestly trying to avoid it. “Could the GOP message on the sequester be any more self-defeating?” York asks. “Boehner could argue that the sequester cuts are necessary as a first — and somewhat modest — step toward controlling the deficits that threaten the economy. Instead, he describes them as a threat to national security and jobs that he nevertheless supports. It’s not an argument that is likely to persuade millions of Americans.” As we’ve pointed out in the past, if a party’s opinion writers -- like York and Rove -- are arguing that the party isn’t pursuing a wise course, you’re typically losing the debate.
*** Democrats have their own sequester problems: Of course, none of this is to say that Obama and the Democrats have handled the sequester politics swimmingly. The same polls that show Obama’s approval rating above 50% could easily fall during this latest fiscal standoff. What’s more, the public isn’t engaged in this battle like it has been in previous ones. (Per that USA Today/Pew poll, “barely a quarter have heard a lot about the scheduled cuts, while about as many have heard nothing at all.) And as the New York Times notes, senior Senate Democratic aides complained that the Obama White House should have demanded a better way to handle the sequester during the fiscal-cliff negotiations. “In late December, as the White House and Senate Republicans closed in on a deal to head off a far larger wave of automatic tax increases, Senate Democrats had urged the president and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to hold out for a better deal on the automatic spending cuts.” But if the sequester sky does fall, Republicans hold the weaker hand. And Democrats -- this DCCC video targeting House Republicans is an example -- are on the offensive.
*** Rick Scott accepts Medicaid expansion: Beyond the upcoming sequester, the other big political story today is Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) saying that his state will accept Medicaid expansion under the federal health-care law. While other GOP governors have refused the expansion (like Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell yesterday), Scott’s decision is significant because -- as Politico writes -- he’s “the biggest symbol of grudging Republican acceptance that Obamacare is the law of the land.” More from that article: “Scott had campaigned against the health legislation even before he began running for office, and Florida led the 26 states that fought it in court.” So Scott, who’s facing a VERY difficult race for re-election next year, isn’t just simply a conservative governor of a swing state; he’s the guy who spent MILLIONS of dollars to stop the health-care law. There’s an interesting pattern developing, and one that isn’t that surprising: Just about any Republican governor in a blue or purple state that Obama carried (or nearly carried) seems to finding a way to compromise on health care, either in setting up exchanges or on Medicaid. The lone exception is McDonnell, but he’s NOT running for re-election and the next election he faces may be with Republican primary voters in 2016.
*** Look who’s coming to CPAC: Yesterday, we also learned -- via NBC’s Sarah B. Boxer -- that Mitt Romney will be addressing CPAC next month, which will be his first public (and political) speech since his concession to Obama on Election Night. And Romney’s participation begs this question: Just who isn’t coming to CPAC? Not only will potential 2016ers (like Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Paul Ryan) be addressing the conservative confab, but so will folks many Republicans have moved on from (like Romney and Sarah Palin). The only prominent Republican we can see who won’t be addressing CPAC appears to be New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. This is all a recognition of how mainstream CPAC, which used to be considered the anti-establishment wing of the party, has become.
*** Nothing surprises us anymore about politicians: Lastly, we mention this story because it’s proof that NOTHING -- and absolutely nothing -- surprises us about politicians anymore. “Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici told the Journal on Tuesday he fathered a son outside of his marriage over 30 years ago, revealing a secret kept for decades. Statements given to the Journal by Domenici and the son’s mother, Michelle Laxalt of Alexandria, Va., identified the son as Adam Paul Laxalt, a Nevada lawyer. Michelle Laxalt formerly was a prominent government relations consultant and television political commentator in Washington, D.C. She is a daughter of former U.S. senator and Nevada Gov. Paul Laxalt,” who served with Domenici in the U.S. Senate. A little history lesson on Laxalt for our younger readers: He was essentially Ronald Reagan’s best friend in the U.S. Senate (almost on the ticket if you believe some reports back in 1980). And Domenici was a real possibility to be Bush 41’s VP in 1988.
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The dire fallout from $85 Billion in automatic spending cuts (March 1st) doesn't have to happen. The massive loss of middle class jobs & major damage to America's recovering economy - doesn't have to happen. Of all the wealthy industrialized nations, America is poised for the strongest recovery. And we don't have to mess that up. There is no need for Air Traffic Control to be cut, delays in flights; border patrol cutbacks, FBI jobs lost; more educators, police and firefighter jobs eviscerated; childcare and primary care lost. Investments to Education, Energy and Medical Research and disaster relief cut? The Pentagon says 800,000 employees world-wide will be forced to take unpaid leave. 3 months ago we voted for balance - not a 2nd economic recession c/o Republican paralysis.
GOP OWNS THE SEQUESTER: Their majority and Leaders voted for it. They took credit for it.
Ryan (R-WI) based his new Budget on it.
The Sequester cuts everything by the same percentage, without regard to how valuable the program: One solution is a smaller, interim deal - of spending cuts and tax reforms - to give some time and space for congressionals to work out a bigger deal in a balanced way.
TOTALLY SOLVABLE yet GOP congressionals leave us in no doubt: They're prepared to sacrifice all the middle class jobs, all the children, all the national security -- rather than grow the economy and care for our families, by compromising on things like closing special tax loopholes and deductions on the very, very wealthy.
Are We Really a Center-Left Nation?
For years I heard from Republicans that we are a Center-Right nation. But now President Obama is a two-term President and he is using the power of his office to express rational, reasonable middle-class beliefs. Some progressive pundits are all excited and saying the country has moved to left with Center-Left values.
With the exception of progressive attitudes toward LBGT rights, I would suggest that the American voters have hardly moved at all. The values of the nation have changed very little, but what has changed is the Republican Party that is owned and controlled by the Flat Earth Society, i.e. the Tea Party. Their movement toward the far right has created a huge vacuum in the center which has been immediately filled by moderate Republicans, Independents, Democrats, and Progressives.
Some Republicans look at the demographics and the voting trends and realize their party has moved too far to the right, but cannot move toward the center for fear of being primaried in the next election. In my book, the extreme right is engaged in extortion as they threaten legislators with their job by using intimidation and coercion; thus, the GOP cannot modify their policies or their tactics. As Bobby Jindal has said, the GOP needs to stop being the stupid party.
The GOP stupidity will continue to be manifested by their position on gun violence, women's financial and reproductive rights, blocking immigration reform, and sequestration. The GOP's agenda to severely cut the debt which will harm the nation's financial well-being is the latest example of a party that does not deserve the right to govern.
The country's values have remained the same and as long at the flat earth society holds on to those extreme policies, they will continue to lose elections and become even more irrelevant.
It was fun this morning to watch Dem uber-strategist and Louisiana
swamp creature James Carville on Morning Joe this morning. He was gleefully
describing how Barry will use the sequester cuts in ways that make sure as many
of the American people as possible will feel the pain, hoping he can pin the
blame on the Republican’s.
If the Louisiana swamp creature is right, and I believe he
is, all it demonstrates is that he and Barry are small-minded, vindictive,
petty, Dem political hacks unworthy of any respect at all from the American
people. It’s the Chicago and N’Oleans way.
For example, the Louisiana swamp creature mentioned TSA and
air traffic controller cuts that Barry could use to punish Americans with hours
long security lines, and delayed and cancelled flights. Way to go a$$holes.
Since many fliers are people on business trips, it further demonstrates that
Barry is the most anti-business President in modern history. I’ll bet Barry is
wishing he could do those cuts this week so he could punish the millions of
families that are on vacation flying with their children on the winter school
break.
Of course, our community organizer President would never, ever,
consider how a prudent business manager would deal with budget cuts like these:
Cut the most non-essential, lowest impact costs first. For example, the USDA
could permanently lay off all its federal Dingleberry Inspectors, which would
only affect the very few dingleberry eaters like Nasty DumbFux, Bev, David
Walker and Jack-off in Portsmouth.
Here’s the sad part: He’s going to do this solely for his own personal political advantage.
I guess we are now seeing what Barry meant when he said he
would have more “flexibility” after his last election ever.
Morons.
Give it a rest Joey.
Americans Just Aren't That Into You Republicans.
A new Bloomberg National Poll shows President Obama's approval rating reaching a three-year high and public approval of Republicans reaching a three-year low. The same poll found that a plurality of Americans blame the congressional GOP, not Democrats, for "what's wrong in Washington."
And an interesting twist, the Bloomberg poll results aren't the worst polling results for Republicans this morning. That prize goes to a new USA Today/Pew Research Center Poll, which suggests Americans just aren't buying what Republicans are selling.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/21/17042895-americans-arent-buying-what-gop-is-selling
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See????? Americans just aren't into Republicans.
The Budget Control Act of 2011 meant if both failed to reach an agreement on how to reduce the deficit it would go into effect. Republicans are losing the argument but winning the time war.
Now do understand why the sequester was created? The sequester was a result of the GOP's wrangling over the debt ceiling in the summer of 2011, when Republican leaders who had previously passed clean debt increases 19 times under President Bush — demanded spending cuts as the price for averting a costly default. You read all about it @Think Progress.
The sequester was designed to be ugly. So both sides are going to hold hands as they go laughingly falling off the cliff. Not hardly!!!
Republicans Aren't Trying To Stop Sequester. And Boehner, Hannity,
FOX News, FAKE NEWS, and all nut job right wingers, need to stop their LIES and finger pointing.Polls show people are blaming Republicans
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45755822/ns/msnbc-the_ed_show/#50881128
Don't kid your self. Americans are on to the Republicans.
BTW: conservative columnist Byron York is flummoxed over Boehner op ed in the Wall Street Journal. Remember Boehner said I got 98 percent of what I wanted.
Pelley: You were unable to get your own caucus behind your bill a few days ago. Do you intend to remain Speaker of the House?
Boehner: I do. When you look at this final agreement that we came to with the white House, I got 98 percent of what I wanted. I'm pretty happy.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-20086598/boehner-i-got-98-percent-of-what-i-wanted/
.-------------------------------------------
Republicans are losing the argument but winning the time war
Yesterday, one of the regular wing nuts came up with this brilliant observation. Only problem for the wing nut is it’s completely FALSE!
20+ comments later, he doubles down on the BS
Poll after poll.. eh?
Why is it I had to ask him 3 times to provide some reputable polls to back up his fantasy?
In return I received *crickets*!
Are you going to show us what you got and put your credibility on the line?
Or will you finally fess up little Ricky and just admit you’re full of IT!
You see darling Ricky, you are entitled to your own opinions, however, you are not entitled to pass them off as facts...
Like the Reverend Al says, We Gotcha! ;o)
The sequester will come. It will be targeted towards the middle income earners. We will feel the pain. It is just a matter of who frames the blame better. Next voting cycle will be the litmus for who the American People agree with.
Sick and Tired
From the article above:
The Republicans have left America for dead.
First; thirty years of trickle down your leg economics have made the wealthy filthy stinking rich and turned our Middle Class American dream into a nightmare.
Second; the GWB years pillaged our Treasury and bankrupted our economy and raped the Middle Class and Poor even more.
Third; the Boehner Mad Hatter Tea Party Congress defaulted on our nation’s debt and VOTED for the impending Sequester that’s dooming our people for generations to come.
Fourth; Faux sNewzzzzz, Rush, Beck, Drudge, and the rest of the RW kneepad media is solely responsible for the dumbing down of half the population into screwing themselves along with the rest of us all for the sole purpose of turning America into a third world, poverty stricken, gun toting Mad Max hell on earth.
The Republicans are solely to blame for their utter contempt of the Middle Class and Poor and they are condemning ALL of us to poverty simply because of their hatred of one man.
We now interrupt this program to bring you the following message:
"All my life I've been sick and tired. Now I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Fannie Lou Hamer – An American voting rights activist and civil rights leader. October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977.
Salud
Joe in Albany
It was also fun watching Joe once again quoting Bobby Jindal ... "the party of ..." Fill in the blank Joey. Come on you can do it, you wear it like a badge.
Steve Benen writes this morning: A new Bloomberg National Poll shows President Obama's approval rating reaching a three-year high and public approval of Republicans reaching a three-year low. The same poll found that a plurality of Americans blame the congressional GOP, not Democrats, for "what's wrong in Washington."
"Fierce battles are taking shape in Washington right now -- not just on the sequester, but also on a range of key domestic policies -- and Republicans find themselves on the wrong side of the American mainstream on literally all of them. The smart move would be GOP leaders to recognize the direction of the prevailing winds and start to adapt, striking compromises with Democrats that both sides can live with.
The odds of Republicans making this smart move are roughly zero."
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/21/17042895-americans-arent-buying-what-gop-is-selling?lite
________________________
Is anyone surprised by what Mr. Benen wrote? No.
Most reasonable people have always seen the internet as an opportunity for all of us to share information and to dispel lies that are quite frankly, easy to dispel now.
We all know how disastrous the Iraq War was for everybody. We all know how disastrous the tax cuts for the wealthy were. We all know how much time has been wasted in the Republican Party by their Gdamn culture issues. The country got the message because of progressive intelligent individuals such as Keith Olbermann; websites like Media Matters and Think Progress and DailyKos and Salon and The Nation.
Day after day after day we chuckle at the absurd stories that come out of the right wing; we chuckle at the likes of Rush Limbaugh and any full of it pundit on television; we can get a video up and around the internets dispelling lies in 10 minutes. No longer do we have to wait for mainstream media to do their jobs. It's what has made the internet such a success for those of us who hunger for honesty, hunger for no nonsense writers/journalists who refuse to sit back and allow us to be lied to. Over and over.
Which brings us to 2013. The Republican Party. What are they waiting for? Why do they continue to throw nonsense out there that makes absolutely no sense and can be shot down literally in a matter of minutes.
Fascinating article on how the GOP continues to shoot themselves in the foot
Media Matters: (Snips)
If you want to appreciate how vast the digital divide is that historically separates conservative failures and liberal accomplishments online, and if you want to add some context to the recent New York Times Magazine feature article on how Republicans' chronic online shortcomings dim the party's electoral chances, just look at how the two camps were marking their time in recent days.
Working with Republicans on Capitol Hill trying to block Chuck Hagel's nomination to become Secretary of Defense, Breitbart's Ben Shapiro recently posted a report suggesting Hagel had allegedly received "foreign funding" over the years from a terrorist-friendly group called Friends of Hamas, but that the payments were being kept secret. The allegation served as part of the right wing's relentless campaign to smear Hagel as being anti-Israel.
But you can't really take what the right-wing media, and specifically bloggers, are doing online and separate that from the GOP's chronic, failed attempts to use the Internet to win elections and bolster its brand. The two are permanently attached.
The truth is, liberals for years bemoaned the fact that conservatives dominated talk radio and there seemed to be something in the DNA of liberal listeners that prevented them from tuning in to like-minded radio hosts endlessly, week after week and year after year. With the Internet, the tables have been turned. Conservatives scratch their heads trying to understand the chasm and why there seems to be a natural disposition on the left to embrace the nonhierarchical style of the Web and turn it into an oversize organizing tool, while so many Republicans simply demurred.
Or worse, they have helped turn the Web into the conservative house of mirrors, as represented by the comically awful and dishonest Friends of Hamas failure.
Describing how badly Democrats are outclassing them online, a Republican operative told the Times, "They were playing chess while we were playing checkers."
Frustrated GOP activists told the Times that the party's corporate rigidity was to blame for the lack of online innovation and success, and that conservative techies are too focused on making money and not devoted enough to helping grow the cause.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/02/20/friends-of-hamas-and-why-the-gop-cant-win-the-i/192730
____________________
It does not matter how tough republicans try to be here on First Read or on tv, on the radio or anywhere. They need answers and they need leaders and they need to be honest. Without that, they're going nowhere.
All they're doing right now and all they have been doing for years is playing games with the American people and the entire country sees right through them.
I take it Albany Joe doesn't read much. Nope. Polls show Republicans look like the obstructionists they are. Their approval rating is at an all time low. If Republicans cared at all about BUSINESS they'd be on the job and not vacationing. They'd be working on a permanent compromise to the budget woes and put the UNCERTAINTY for BUSINESS to rest. But alas, that would mean Republicans have to put an end their very, very protracted TANTRUM. From the looks of it, not going to happen anytime soon. Joe's still at too.
This was Obama's idea to start with, now that it is backfiring he's looking for someone elese to balame why not, this has always been his method in the past !
frankly, the republicans will continue to be weak until they start showing compromise, and start moving back to the center. Democrats had this problem for many years when they were just too far to the left. Right now Republicans just seem to be angry vindictive old white men only interested in what the country can do for them.
I don't think they should roll over and let democrats have everything, but they need to change the perception. Start doing things that are good for the country and less for what would seem to line their own pockets
Agenda21 - I think if someone came out and owned it they would be in a stronger position for it. They can be the ones to be counted on to make the hard decisions when the going gets tough. Might not be popular but necessary.
"Guess who's coming to dinner". Remember that old movie. Well, guess who's coming to CPAC. Your right! Yes, the same old retreads and "has beens" Palin? Romney? Etc. etc. Have the Repugs learned nothing from 2012? It appears they haven't. They will continue to be a Party of the Past as long as they never change their ways. Personaly, I couldn't be happier. Mr. President, let's get a move on your agendas while the Republicans thrash around trying to figure out who they are. Can they repair the split in their Party? I doubt it. :-)
Pat, I heard the story about Breitbart yesterday, and beyond the obvious head-shaking that Shapiro would report a rumor without any independent confirmation - so much for the validity of Breitbart you RWNJs - there was an equally baffling follow up. Shapiro refuses to retract it since his congressional source hadn't told him it was false. What a sorry bunch of self-important boobs!
The only prominent Republican we can see who won’t be addressing CPAC appears to be New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. This is all a recognition of how mainstream CPAC, which used to be considered the anti-establishment wing of the party, has become.
======================
No, this is a recognition of how stupid, ideologically driven and cowardess nearly 100% of the prominent politicians in the GOP have become. CPAC hasn't changed a bit...it's the people who have no backbone and have chosen to bow instead of "lead"....which is a good explanation as to why they are always looking for "leadership" from everyone else, but themselves.
Rachel Maddow and Ezra Klein discussed the sequester last night. Rachel raised a question that I have thought about the last couple weeks of the sequester dance. Since both sides hate it, why not repeal it? Since most members of both parties (minus the tea-nuts) grasp that such huge cuts at this time would inflict unnecessary harm to the economy, why do it? Repeal it, and agree to work together to find sensible solutions using a scalpel not a hatchet. Set timelines, not legislative deadlines and self-inflicted wounds.
The intent of the sequester in the first place was for the drastic cuts to be so poisonous to both sides it would force the Super Committee to find common ground. The intent and wisdom was that common sense would prevail. The problem is that this agreement took place in 2011--the GOPTPers' only common cause was they were going to DEFEAT President Obama, win back the Senate, and add more republicans to the House...and magically, they would wave their wands and disappear the sequester. They failed on all three counts, so their little petty, politics game has now bitten them in the rearend--and they haven't a clue how to stop their butt-pain.
@ Ron Indiana:
Nice post. It covers all the salient points in clear terms- and I not only agree with both your arguments and your conclusions, I doubt I could have said it any better.
@ Joe: you need to reestablish a connection to reality.
It's off to the left- and you're so far off to the right that you can't even see it any more, let alone convince anyone of what you clearly believe: that being lost in sarcastic ignorance is the actually pinnacle of wisdom.
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Obama himself ASKED for the sequester to be part of the agreement last year. So he got it. Now the state controlled media is trying to deflect and make it sound like it is the GOP fault. Sorry, it is Obama's requested sequester that got passed. He got what he wanted. If he NOW doesn't want it then PROPOSE a solution. Not campaign speeches. Not dragging out children. Not talking about gun control. Not talk about allowing gays in the boy scouts. Not dragging out policeman and threatening all their jobs.
Act like a leader for ONCE in your life. Actually PROPOSE something. Tell Harry Reid to put a proposal ON PAPER!! Ask the Senate to vote on SOMETHING!!
This Campaigner in Chief is pathetic. He is a community organizer. That is all he is good for. He is NOT a leader. He is NOT acting presidential. Act like a leader for ONCE in your life.
This is Obama's sequester plain and simple. Twist the facts all you want but that is the facts. Obama wanted the sequester and, by golly, he GOT the sequester.
Well - it seems the G"NO"P has not changed it's moniker at all....the only vocabulary word they seem to "NO is "NO"......
Pat - Boston re the "Friends of Hamas" of course is a fictitous group - there was an op ed - in the NY Daily News yesterday from the author who coined that phrase and was talking "off the record" to a gnoper - who of course spread the word.....cheeesh....how low will they go....
Obama- Please- NO CUTS TO MEDICARE OR SOCIAL SECURITY!!!! How can you cut these two programs that are paid for by working Americans yet give out freebies to those who do not work? I have supported you in both elections because I thought you would support working class America and never make cuts to these vital programs. Do not stoop to the low level of the GOP! Protect SS and Medicare!
This is a ridiculous and revisionist claim by First Read. Or are they incapable of remembering back a whole 2 months? The Republicans have already compromised when they gave Obama his tax hikes. It's time for Obama to hold up his end of the bargain.
As everyone already knows, Boehner is lying about who is responsible for the sequester. There's more proof that it's the Boehnerquester. Here's an article about the PowerPoint that Boehner put out before the sequester deal that hyped how great it was as a weapon the GOP against Obama.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/20/the-powerpoint-that-proves-it-s-not-obama-s-sequester-after-all.html
Pat Boston MA-
Well done, Pat.
Salud
The Republican controlled House has been in session less than 57% of the days this year.
Clearly, they do not care about the American economy and American jobs.
Every business owned by a Republican should give their workers full pay to work 4 day work weeks like their beloved House Republicans. While we're at it, pay every employee at least $174,000 just like House Republicans receive for working less than 57% of the days in 2013.
Raising the Debt Ceiling - In 2006, Senator Obama said, "The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can't pay its own bills." However in 2013, he said, "To even entertain the idea [of not raising the debt ceiling], it's absurd."
Avoiding the Sequester - In 2011, President Obama said, "I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts." But now in 2013 President Obama is saying, "These cuts are not smart, they are not fair, they will add hundreds of thousands of people to unemployment roles." FYI, the House has voted to replace Obama's sequester …twice.
“pass a continuing resolution next week to fund the government for the balance of the fiscal year at the lower level dictated by the sequester—with language granting the executive branch the flexibility to move funds from less vital activities to more important ones.”
That has some interesting possibilities. Obama would then own whatever happens, and he would be forced to take responsibility for the results - something he has been running away from for the last 4 years - accepting responsibility for ANYTHING.
I am getting tired of hearing the sequester was Obama's idea. Seems to me it took congress to pass it and Obama to signed it. It takes two to tango. The whole matter rest on the republicans who cannot seem to bend to fix what they have broken with their unwarranted tax cuts for million/billionaires thus robbing the treasury of much needed money, and their refusal to compromise. No agenda, it wasn't Obama's idea to obstruct the nation or in more descriptive terms, hold the nation hostage while shielding the rich from paying their fair share. Republicans are fond of saying we can't spend our way to prosperity, however the truth is we cannot cut our way there either. That is a failure on every front, in every country that tries it, and as a matter of fact there is an article today @
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/15/rafael-correa-ecuador-elections
That might interest even the most staunch right wonder and certainly is ammunition for the left.
Houston!
I recall the Weeper of the House bragging repeatedly to any microphone within reach that he got 98% of what he wanted...
Why is he furiously trying to pin this on the President now? lol
GOP pay a steep price for a sequester? They've already paid a steep price for the ineptness of many in their party; the entire country is paying a much worse price with the libs that are now running the show.
These *ssholes on the left, including that maglignant narcissist in the Oval Office, that are claiming the sequester will have dire consequences are full of sh*t as usual. These aren't even cuts. They are reductions in additional spending. All budgets will still increase. Unemployment won't increase. Of course, the Obama Propaganda Ministry will stop manipulating the numbers to make it look like it has. When in actuality, they will just be reporting the real unemployment they have been hiding for the last few years.
What really needs to be done if we aren't going to have a $20 Trillion National debt at the end of this administration of *&^%$#s with a stolen credit card, is to freeze or reduce ALL current spending levels.
But that doesn't fit into Obama's plan to bankrupt and destroy America. So don't hold your breath.
Dee, maybe then any cuts in Medicare and Social Security should come from those who don't pay into the system. If that was done, the maybe it wouldn't hurt those who have paid into the system.
But the real problem is that Congress has used smoke and mirrors with the money generated by Social Security for years, taking from the system to fund other government programs. And both parties are equally responsible for it.
President Obama is playing chess while the Republicans are playing checkers.
And it seems Conservatives all lined up and paid their tuition to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. The following is an unconfirmed list of CPAC speakers:
Mitt Ronmey
Erick Cantor
Ted Cruz
Jim DeMint
Newt Gingrich
Wayne LaPierre
Mitch McConnell
Sarah Palin
Rand Paul
Marco Rubio
Paul Ryan
Rick Santorum
Tim Scott
Pat Toomey
Allen West
Scott Walker
So much for the "rebranding" effort.
The most serious problem with the sequester, as with all the neglected crises that continue to pile up is that neither party seems to have a clue when it comes to numbers.
On the right, no one better illustrates that point than Fairfax Bill and the towering ignoramus David Gregory had on his Meet the Press panel, Carly Fiorina. All we need is more growth, they say. That'll solve everything they say. That's true, but they CANNOT show where they will get that growth. My solution is for a beautiful fairy to come flying in with her cash-laden unicorn and dump the money in the federal treasury. My solution is no more realistic than the Fiorina/Fairfax answer.
Numbers, those nasty old numbers, show conclusively that the wealth of the lower class has declined even as the wealth of the upper class has increased. If you have no money, you cannot consume. That is the fact the Bill and Carly cannot grasp.
The left isn't going to win any awards for arithmetic comprehension either. The $85-billion sequester looks as though it's a mere 2-3% of the budget as flyweight Bill insists. Again, that's true as far as it goes, but that number figure is measured against the entire budget. The lion's share of the budget is Social Security and Medicare, which have dedicated funding sources. So, the 2-3% figure is illusory at best and downright false at worst. It is a massive cut, which explains why the Republicans are crying about defense cuts. Those cuts are much greater than 2-3%.
Democrats MUST look at entitlement reform. Means testing is the best place to begin. This isn't negotiable. It's a must. Loopholes for corporate and Big Money interests demand elimination in the tax code. That isn't negotiable. It's a must. Tax revenues must be increased. A graduated surtax on incomes above a million-dollars annually will generate huge amounts of income. Arithmetic-challenged right-wingers who insist that would raise only a small amount are full of crap. Such a tax would raise massive revenues.
Before this last election, much was made of the fact that Congress was held in very low esteem. It was horrible. Might even be in single digits. So, what happened? The vast majority of those blithering idiots were re-elected.
Makes you wonder who are the genuine, honest-to-goodness blithering idiots.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Do you ever say anything pertinent to the topic of the article?
I'm a bit confused about why the GOP DOESN'T want responsibility for the sequester. Aren't you all the party of "smaller government" and "cutting spending"? Shouldn't you be rushing to be the first in line for the responsibility? Or was that all just BS, aimed at creating a feeling of superiority over "the poors" and creating a romantic sense of "struggling for freedom"?
Fellow liberals, your comments and referenced articles are great reads this pre-snow storm morning. Cheers! I always learn something here.
Roy, quit trying to make Obama the villain here, simply put, you are a whack and Obama is right.
Utter nonsense and proof that republicans cannot lead cause they do not even understand basic ENGLISH
QUOTE Bonhead Bohner I go 98% of what I wanted after this passed now it obama's fault REALLY?
Pat Boston MA.
Breitbart's Ben Shapiro recently posted a report suggesting Hagel had allegedly received "foreign funding" over the years from a terrorist-friendly group called Friends of Hamas, but that the payments were being kept secret. The allegation served as part of the right wing's relentless campaign to smear Hagel as being anti-Israel.
Worst, Pat, the story is fake as Manti Te'o's girlfriend. No such group exists.
Joy Reid points it out in her blog.
http://blog.reidreport.com/2013/02/friends-of-hamas-breitbarts-ghost-and-whats-really-wrong-with-the-right/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
That story could have come from the ONION newspapers and the knuckleheads would take it as fact since they don't research. They just make up sh!T just like
FOX NEWSFAKE TOXIC NEWS does daily and they repeat it over and over daily.Mickey, I'm thinking more like pocket-pool! ;o)
It's comical to see all these comments about how the Republicans wanted the sequester. You people DO realize that the sequester hits defense the hardest, right ? You know .... the one area where the Republicans love to spend money. The truth is that both sides are to blame. However, we saw the Republicans give in to some tax increases on the wealthy. So now, let's see some serious spending cuts. I believe Obama was ready to do something like 4 to 1 in cuts to spending. Well, let's see them. The truth is that neither side wants to cut anything because they are all crooks and have money coming in from all sides.
GOP is daft? We've known that for a long, long time.
Obama owns Boner and Mr. Turtle.
When the sequester was being negotiated, Owebama went on record and stated that he would veto any attempt to avoid the sequester. Or didn't the mainstream media tell you?
Leave it to NBC, of course, to spin it against the GOP though.
Let Jay Carney try to document some of his phony scare tactic arguments such as " Tens of thousands of families will be without childcare" What is the source of that unfounded statement? Also what is worse --sequestration or no action whatsovever on the debt ? in the final analysis which politicians are going to do what is best for America rather than what is best for thier party?? We need bold God fearing men who will do what is right for our geat country. It might be wise for Preident Obama to meet with Dr. Ben Carson and discuss the issue.
FEO2: Thanks for the shout out. Keep posting as your thoughts are also important.
This is Obama doing. Period.
The sheep still do not see him for the inept person he is. They have to blame someone else.
PATHETIC but hey you got free cheese in the trap.
Why do you think Obama is playing pocket pool?
TOTALLY SOLVABLE yet GOP congressionals leave us in no doubt: They're prepared to sacrifice all the middle class jobs, all the children, all the national security -- rather than grow the economy and care for our families, by compromising on things like closing special tax loopholes and deductions on the very, very wealthy
Nicely stated Backhouse. The Republican Party are perfectly willing to do all you have written.
Aren't they off on vacation right now?
______________
Nice posts everybody and thank you for reading my very long post. It was a message really for the Republican Party.
What has happened to them? Their arrogance got the best of them and they stomped on everybody with little challenge from anybody.
Those days are over.
Example: Why is the Pope stepping down? Illness? I don't think so. No one thinks that.
Americans that are paying attention know that the GOP/Tea Bags are trying to ruin this country. They are the biggest terrorist threat we have. They care nothing for the middle or lower class. They see dollar signs and that is all. They say entitlements are things like SS, medicare, food, clothing, shelter???? I do not understand the mentality of these people. They are like sociopaths. Care nothing for anyone. They do seem to care about eggs and sperm but when it comes to the actual life of a child, they care nothing. It is obvious to most of us. I can't understand it but then again, I am a feeling, empathetic person unlike most of the GOP and Republicans.
Jody, Iowa
Thanks and take carr Jody don't get caught in any snow storm.
☺
The utterly clueless Pro Business writes:
No, what's really amazing is that CONGRESS put that into the law and cut their own throats, because the Republican majority does not know how to negotiate. You might think that's not the case, when Negotiator-in-Chief John Boehner crows that he got 98% of what he wanted. Now, Boehner says the real problem is the 2% that he didn't get. That's what's ruining the country.
It's so tempting to say, you just can't be that dumb. But you are and he is.
90% of the post are the sick ,lame and lazy low information voters, who don't read they let this rag firstread.nbcnews .com make their minds up from two misleading polls. How can to reason with stupid uninformed people. This country has hit bottom, when Obama selling taxpayer green tech. to help in boosting the Chinese economy NBC got you look the other way while Obama sell you out stupid.
Jody, yes well said.
And the GOP only managed to hold the House:
Because of skewed congressional districts + Dem votes concentrated in metro areas = Gerrymandering.
Beverly, it's why they can't win the White House.
They can't be trusted to tell the damn truth.
No matter what the right wing posters here say, the bottom line is the republicans will take the heat for allowing the sequester. It must be hard to be a republican these days!!!
"Already some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No," Mr. Obama said from the White House briefing room Monday evening. "I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending."
"There will be no easy off ramps on this one.," he added…
short memory liberals?
Do you guys realize how dumb this line of argument sounds?
On one hand, you call the president a guy so addicted to spending that he's actively and pathologically refusing to stop spending so much that he's going to bankrupt the country.
Then on the other hand, you try to blame him for being the one who pushed for harsh, indiscriminate spending cuts.
It's sort of like trying to simultaneously blame the mouse for eating all the cheese in the house and demanding that there be less cheese in the house... while all the while eating a cheese sandwich yourself.
At least have some internal consistency in your attack screeds.
Jontho - Put down the Koolaid. Roy is absolutely correct. But since it appears you are an Obama guy, you can't accept his failures. Until the lame stream media actually starts reporting the truth, the truth will never come out to the liberal masses.
And just what will the GOP pay their" huge political price" from? THey have exhausted their political capital as welll as abdicated their responsibility as an opposition Party by failing to offer anything of value in the way of alternatives.
ProBusiness
What's amazing is how short ultraconservatives' memories are. The sequester deal was the ransom that Obama paid to prevent the Republicans from killing the US economy over the debt ceiling in 2011. In return, the Republicans let the economy live for another year, but the US credit rating still was downgraded because S&P determined that the inability of the US government to function made US debt more risky. The Republicans have once again taken the economy hostage using the sequester deal they won in the previous hostage crisis.
Apparently, the Republicans will keep replaying the same hostage crisis over and over no matter how badly it hurts the country because they think somehow Obama will get the blame for the damage they're clearly responsible for. No wonder the Republicans are now called the Stupid Party even by Republicans.
[Mickey, I'm thinking more like pocket-pool!]
caesar here already? He's early! ;)
@Ron Indiana ... your post was fantastic. It should be submitted as an op-ed piece to the New York Times or other large paper.
It mirrors my own conclusions about the situation. A relative minority of the GOP is endangering this country for its own narrow interests. And, what's more, the rest of the Republican Party is letting it happen. Yet, it doesn't have to be that way. The rational Republicans (and seemingly diminishing group) can bypass the tea party nuts and partner with the Democrats to pass compromise legislation on a number of issues: tax reform, immigration reform, sequester. This country could finally begin to move ahead instead of being stuck in a legislative quagmire. Once that happens, the tea partiers will be exposed for the frauds that they are and will no longer be a threat, even to other Republicans.
Deven, lack logic much?
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
It occurred to me that "98%" is going to be for John Boehner what "47%" was for Mitt Romney. The Democrats should hang "98%" around Boehner's neck like a millstone and let him sink into the bottomless ocean of his own lies.
For all the stupidity and ignorance these republicans are talking, along with their ignorant talking heads, ie., Limbaugh, Hannity, Bect, etc.., blaming everything on President Obama, Bobby Jindal from Louisiana said it best, "The Stupid Party."
These people are so hell bent on slamming President Obama, they can't see they are destroying themselves.
I like that, Boehners 98% has become Romney's 47%, it hung Romney, and yep, hopefully 98% will sink Boehner.....LOL
Roy Wilson:
RE: your post #1.26
Tell us all again Roy, how does it feel to be one of the VERY FEW voices shouting from the darkness of ignorance, defending the "party of stupid"? Yes, the "party of Stupid", Republican Louisiana Govenor Bobby Jindal's words, not mine. The more right-wing-nuts, like you, spew the rhetoric of the far right, the more the people and the polls go for President Obama and relegate the Republican Party to the scrapbooks in future elections. Keep up the staunch support for the standard of the 'Party OF Stupid'! Great job Roy!
What a surprise liberals and the mainstream media want to blame Republicans for the sequester, that was Obama's idea. So far there has been no Senate Democrat or Obama drafted proposal to avoid the sequester. No surprise really, blame and excuses are all Obama is interested in as president, and it is all that is needed to satisfy liberals that will never hold him accountable for anything. Republicans need to sit back and wait for the actual proposal from Obama or Senate Democrats that avoids sequester that everyone can read, before getting involved in any more negotiations. Republicans need to insist that Senate Democrats take the lead on Obama's agenda, and until or unless a bill first passes the senate, there is no need for the House to consider anything. As long as Republicans try and lead Obama will continually move the goalpost and play the blame game. Time to see if Obama is capable of leading, and not just making up excuses or playing the blame game. Obama's brilliant plan to demand sequester has worked well, that is unless you believe this nation can't actually survive an 85 billion spending cut.
Sarah, great point.
Zathrose, why is it you conservatives pretend that the Bush/Cheney years of GOP total control--House, Senate and White House--racking up trillions in credict card, unfunded spending were figments of our imagination? Seriously, does your side think that if you simply ignore how that debt came to be, it means the GOP has zero responsibility for it? FACT: President Clinton left President Bush a budget surpluses, we were on the path to completely paying down the debt by 2016. Along comes Bush and Cheney who declared that "deficits don't matter", started to unfunded wars and a bevy of unfunded programs....and blew up the economy. Conservatives need to stop pretending that the Bush/Cheney years never happened.
Are We Really a Center-Left Nation?
Beliefs such as absolving people that break the laws, Or disregarding the 6th amendment by targeting Americans with drone strikes.
With the exception of progressive attitudes toward LBGT rights, I would suggest that the American voters have hardly moved at all. The values of the nation have changed very little, but what has changed is the Republican Party that is owned and controlled by the Flat Earth Society, i.e. the Tea Party. Their movement toward the far right has created a huge vacuum in the center which has been immediately filled by moderate Republicans, Independents, Democrats, and Progressives.
Al Sharpton (A noted democrat) has made a great living do this exact thing. Rahm Emanuell just did the same thing with Bank of America and the McMillan Group. The list could go one.
Ther eis immigration reform and there is letting people who break the law go free without consequences. Your own Obama is the one that sat there and said "I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts." Yet now says "These cuts are not smart, they are not fair, they will add hundreds of thousands of people to unemployment roles.".
Why can't Obama do what he says? You guys are so blind because of the color of his skin.
So trying to get rid of the 2nd amendment. How is that going for you Chicago? You still leading the nation in murders?
Completely ignoring the 6th amendment. I wonder what all the wrongfully convicted criminals would say oh wait they would be dead.
How about ignoring the constitution, you know by recess electing officials when it was not even a senate recess.
How about transparency in the government you know Obama promised five days of public comment before signing bills, Those executive orders seem to fit the bill
How about your complaining of super pacs, yet Priorities USA is making an indirect claims such as Mitt Romney is to blame for a woman dying of cancer.
Obama Promising not to raise the taxes on the middle class. But the latest fiscal cliff deal hiked the payroll tax by 2%, which accounted for $125 billion of the $190 billion in total tax hikes.
You do realize that we are talking about a cut of 100 billion dollars? Actually it is not even a cut it is a slowing of spending increases. This is about a 3% difference in spending. So instead of spending $1.00 we are going to spend .97 cents. Who cares who's fault it is, both houses passed it and the president signed it. It was supposed to make "cuts" to both parties desires.
How is raising taxes on anyone any different then cutting spending? Government spending does not drive the economy, consumer spending does. So when ever there is a policy that takes money out of our hands it is going to impact the economy.
If the wars where such a bad idea, how come the democrats kept them funded?
Bigger government is not good for our country. We are creating a society where it is everyone else's fault but the individual persons.
Because your Liberals cannot blame Obama for his roles in this. You guys still blame Bush for things when he
has not even been in office for more than 4 years
.
If I could put one message here with the rest, even if only three people see it, it would be for Democrats to see the importance of voting in the "smaller" congressional elections. This congress only cares about one thing- protecting the ultrarich and making Obama look bad, to hell with the well-being of the country. They were hijacked by the Norquist, the Tea Party and the ultimate hypocrite in Boehner, and now we reap what they have sowed- total noncompromise.
Gotta love Republicans sticking to their guns, "Obama is a community organizer and not a leader".
Well, how did he get elected and re-elected if he isn't a leader. Also, he seems to have done a good job organizing Americans to his ideals.
Boehner is probably kicking himself that he walked away from the Grand Bargain twice. Obama is holding out that bargain again, and Republicans are sticking their noses up at it.
2014 isn't going to be pretty for the Republicans.
Jody, Iowa
Rachel Maddow and Ezra Klein discussed the sequester last night. Rachel raised a question that I have thought about the last couple weeks of the sequester dance. Since both sides hate it, why not repeal it?
________________________________________
Gee, Jody, maybe because Barry said he would VETO any attempt to repeal it??
I love how we are so concerned about $89 Billion dollars, regardless of where the cuts come from, and yet this year the budget deficit, if following trends, will be somewhere around 12 times that much. Who is fool enough to think, as a result of the sky is falling attitude that most seem to have with regards to these much smaller cuts, that the budget is getting balanced this year.
I would like to know what Republicans received with regards to cuts for allowing taxes to be raised on the top 2%. I don't think I see the bipartisanship that Democrats keep mentioning.
You can take everything that the top 2% make (100% of their money) and still not make a dent in the budget deficit. Why are we having conversations about not cutting spending instead of the other way around.
Deven:
Simply put, you are a crazy right-wing nut job. You need to stop watching Fox News.
Barry NJ:
Thank you for the shout out. There are a good number of people who read First Thoughts, which is why I post here. Again thank you.
Yep, maybe he planted it, but the dumb republicans sure are running with it. Boehner and his crew of war-hawk lobbyists are only angry that their military "slush-fund" will be decimated by those cuts, Boehner and his crew of mis-fits couldn't care less about cuts to the poor and middle class, they are fighting for their loyalty to their rich friends.
.
The republican party is destroying themselves, and doing a might fine job.
Well, Bush had a big role in this, after all, his two illegal wars were put on America's credit card. You know, like you'll blame Obama for saddling debt onto your children/grandchildren?
I believe it was Bush who started this.
Michael Thompson, well said. I'm just not sure the GOPTPers are capable of finding the cheese, never mind taking it without getting their tails caught in the trap.
Realist17...Paul Ryan went on national TV and declared how much he loved the sequester! He said, we got what we wanted, we made sure the sequester would happen and that it could not be undone without a super-majority vote. Oh, yes, all the GOPTPers who voted for the sequester now are running as fast as they can away from it. Why are they running? Because they lost in 2012. The GOPers are not now nor have they ever been serious about the deficit and the debt--if they were serious, they would have taken the grand bargains offered by President Obama and declared victory.
I keep reading here how low the approval rating of GOP congressmen is; has there been a separate poll which shows that Dem congressman have a high apporval rating....or is this just another case of liberal lemmings conveniently manipulating or ignoring facts to promote their nutty agenda....you know, like the Obama State Media does?
I see the low info Proletariats are thumbing through their copies of The State and Revolution with great fervor this fine morning.
HAHAHAHA
I don't disagree on entitlements. In fact I read a piece today that basically called for Medicare to be transformed into Obamacare so that there is a sliding set of subsidies depending on wealth (means testing). Of course this is also referred to as premium support. Do we remember how much that term was loved in the last elections.
As to your sliding surtax, would this even come close to the $1T deficit.
Look no further than the vote buying antics of the left, they have increased welfare, SS disability, food stamps and section 8 housing 100 fold. No one is against helping to put someone back on their feet, the only problem is that we need to get liberals off their asssssss first. A new poll shows that most Americans are for deportations but not the far left liberal trash who sees them as another devide in killing off the American spirit and making you dependent on the government. LIBERALS, THE CANCER THATS KILLING AMERICA.
Jody, Iowa
Did you hear me say anything about Bush/Cheney not having any responsibility for their addition to the National Debt?! It's Obama and you Presidential Staff polishers that can't seem to accept any responsibity for your part in exploding the National Debt. But hey, let all these politicians (both sides) keep stealing the children's and grand children's future earnings. Eventually the future generations will figure out what these thieves have done to them and will burn, hang, guillotine all of the politicians and those that supported them on the government building steps. It has happened before many times and unfortunately it will happen again.
Spider,
Not the exact answer you were looking for but it is an indication.
[Jan. 12-15, 2013] Positive / Negative (net) View Of:
Barack Obama ... 52 / 37 (+15)
Democratic Party ... 44 / 38 (+6)
Republican Party ... 26 / 49 (-23)
Tea Party Movement ... 23 / 47 (-24)
Look at link below and watch the whole and listen to it close of what they are saying in the end you will see that Obama and NBC are lying to you
Sequestration Blame Game and Truth About the ‘Cuts’c.li/gGDfLpB
The Budget Control Act of 2011 did not originate in the House of Representatives. It originated in the Senate on February 15, 2011. The sponsor was Thomas Harkin (D-IA) under S.365. Harkin had NO co-sponsors on this bill.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s365/show
The bill was originally approved by the Senate, then sent to the House of Representatives, where they made one amendment. That amendment had nothing to do with sequestration. What it did do was amend the " Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002".
Once passed, in the house, it went back to the Senate where it was passed, sent to the President, and signed into law, so that Obama could have a 2.7 Trillion dollar increase to the Debt limit.
The only thing Republicans are at fault of with this bill, was expecting Democrats to actually own up to the sequestration portion of the bill, added by a Democrat, and actually make intelligent cuts. The Democrats didn't do that. They intended to have cuts that would directly effect the Military, thinking the Republicans would cave....well they aren't, and now Obama has to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off.
You see, a little over a year ago, Obama said this:
You see, from the get go, Republicans in Congress (both the Senate and House of Representatives) were trying to change the cuts in the Sequestration (though they aren't really cuts, more like a reduction in future spending), however Obama didn't want that at the time, because it was politically expedient.
Fast forward to the other day:
So this begs the question......Is Obama going to Veto himself?
He also stated this the other day:
So now it's clear. It's not about actually cutting spending with Obama, it's about how to place blame somewhere other than on himself and/or Democrats. It's about how much can he get in new revenue, to further his plans for increased spending.
Consider this. The Deficit might, and I emphasize might, be less in 2013, than it was in 2012, however, it won't be because of reduced spending. It will be because of increased revenues through increased taxation. Our spending levels are expected to be around 3.8 Trillion dollars for FY 2013.
Now, let's discuss something else. Obama right now could allow, everywhere that is set to get a share of the cuts (reduction in future spending increases), a "Transfer Authority" of a transfer of funds of sorts. Doing so would change this "Sequestration" immediately! Instead of having random cuts as the bill currently indicates, a "Transfer of Funds" would allow the areas set to be cut, to pin point exactly what will be cut, thus they will have the ability to cut in areas of waste, or areas of minimal impact. But I suspect he won't, because most people don't know about this, and to be honest, it doesn't play into his hands......AT ALL.
The quantity of the cuts are next to nothing to begin with. I mean we are talking about simply going back to 2011 spending levels. Oh how did we all get by in 2011 with so little Federal Spending? The only reason the current cuts will do any damage is because they target, in a bad way, the most damaging portions of spending, instead of specifically targeting areas of waste, duplication, and areas that are lacking necessity.
One more thing to note. We could have avoided this whole recession mess. We could have regulated Fannie and Freddie but guess who stood in the way
HR 1461 Federal Housing Financing Reform Act of 2005
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr1461
This bill, sponsored by Republicans, would have added regulation, NOT deregulated the housing financing, but Senate democrats filibustered and killed the bill that would have kept us out of this entire mess.
Do a little reading folks.
Rick:
RE: your post #1.67
Have you ever looked past your own political views to actually get a complete picture? Have you ever done any due diligence? Do you even know how to define the term, due diligence? I would suggest you take two minutes to do just the bare minimum research on the 'sequester' provision. If you do you will discover that the measure passsed the Republican controlled House of Representatives by a vote of 174 Republicans, including all the Republican Leadership, and 95 Democrats. The U.S. Senate passed the measure by a vote of 74 yeas, of which 28 of those votes were Republican. Again, all the Senate Republican leadership voted FOR the bill! The 'sequester' provision was part of the Budget Control Act passed in August of 2011, with overwhelming REPUBLICAN SUPPORT. Want facts, see the attached reliable soures for the numbers.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2013/02/19/were-the-sequester-spending-cuts-obamas-idea
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/0220/Whose-idea-was-the-sequester-And-does-it-matter-video
Now Rick if you want more of the FACTS and/or TRUTH try some of your own due diligence, in addition to what is provided above. Have a GREAT day
I find it sad that so many liberals are blinded to the fact that this is what they voted for. Both sides are to blame. THAT'S RIGHT!!! BOTH!!! One party wants it all his way and the other party wants it their way. Now I love the ones that say that the GOP should just give O what he wants. Really? If the parties were switched you'd be crying for the White House to do what Congress wants. The liberals who are blinded are hypocrites... You're as bad as the ones trying to destroy the country that I love.
Jody,
that is not a fact that President Clinton left us on track to pay off our national debt. The fact is we were heading into a depression. We also had two major hurricanes plus 9/11. I will totally agree that the Iraq and Afghanistan was stupid.
President Bush in-acted the tax cuts to boost the economy. The fact is it was working. The problem became that we had too much speculation in the housing market. This created a bubble and we are where we are today due to that.
The other fact that goes with that is that we have lowered the value of our dollar at the same time we are boosting the number of dollars that are in circulation. This once again will lead to a bubble and a callapse. This one is going to be way more painfull than what we have been dealing with. The other fact that goes with this is that other nations are doing the same thing. This is going to create another world wide bubble.
We have to stop with this fake economy. Yes President Bush spent more money than we were taking in. The fact is we have double and tripled down on this policy.
Once again, if you thought it was bad then, how can you not say it is going to be worse this time?
ProBusiness
Ah yes, it's all on Obama. After all, the House was so against it that they passed it.
The House and Senate passed it, but by golly, it's all on the President. We can twist the facts like how the House was so against it that they passed it, and that the Senate was so against it that they passed it, that we just lay this square in the lap of Obama.
Because he's a socialist/community organizer/Kenyan/whatever today's hot button description is.
Why is it so difficult for people to just step back, have a look and realize it took over 500 people to make a situation this stupid? Let's write some legislation we NEVER want to occur, that'll be so bad it'll force us to work together. That's the way we move this country forward.
This is the best government money can buy, and it's taking an awful lot of money to buy it.
No, Joe in Albany, he'd be doing it for the advantage of the majority of Americans. Relegating the Republicans to a minority party below the filibuster threshold would be one of the best things that could happen for America in our lifetimes.
The country could actually move forward, get important things done, and become prosperous again, all of which are continually being blocked and prevented at every opportunity by the GOP who refuse to allow any successes to occur while Obama is President purely for political reasons and out of spite for losing both elections and the will and support of the majority of the voters.
Don't get me wrong. I favor a two party system with checks and balances, but the GOP may need to spend a few election cycles in the penalty box to learn their lesson before they can be trusted by the voters to come back and play like responsible adults.
Hey, where is the Tea party at. Why we don't see them marching on the capitol during this whole sequester event. Oh yeah, they still mad as hell because Obama won on Nov 2012.
Of course they approved the bill, they had little choice. We were facing a government shut down and you know the Democrats would never have yelled and screamed to the media and the general public that the Republicans are trying to shut down government, throw grandma off a cliff, they don't care about the poor, they don't care about the sick, etc, etc. That's why this bill was passed, because it threatened a government shutdown if the debt limit wasn't raised. So Republicans compromised (you guys should try it sometime) and agreed to a Democrat bill S.365.
But it was Republicans who afterwards tried to get rid of the sequester portion of this bill, to which democrats fought against.
Yep, here it comes....blame Republicans.
This could have been avoided when Peppermint Patty was in charge of the FAILED Budget Deficit Reduction Committee over a year ago, however it is suspected she lead the Committee towards a path of failure on purpose.
Exactly what Mr. Obama wants. Deny, Defend, Desecrate, and Blame. Just kicking the can down the road, more Executive Orders, and more regulations imposed by his Progressive Cabinet members.
Seems the last four years is just spilling over.
Next will be the National Debt Limit.
Jason797.....Where are the American people marching on the White House since it is the main root of all our problems.
Alan, NJ asks:
That would, of course, depend on how the rates were applied. However, if the rates were high enough, yes it would. It has become an article of faith that raising taxes on the rich would raise very little. That is not true, although the rich are more than happy that the public believes that to be the case.
EEngineer has repeatedly put the numbers and facts out here. In short. Yes, we could balance the budget by raising taxes on the rich. The tax would be high, but the budget would be balanced.
Amazing how Republicans all got their panties in a bunch over this "sequester," so far as to put the blame on Obama —even though they know that Obama proposed it in order to appease them (and if you're not taking that into account, you're either being dishonest or ignorant)— but somehow, they think they can balance the budget without raising taxes.
In other words:
$1.2 trillion in cuts, mostly to domestic programs: CUT SPENDING, LOWER TAXES, LIMITED GUB'MINT... 'MURKA!! THE FREE GIFTS ARE OVER, LIBB'RUHLS.
$85 billion in cuts, mostly to defense: ERMAHGERD, THE ECONOMY WILL CRASH, OBAMAQUESTER, OBAMAQUESTER I TELL YOU!
Dougler -- You write :
Who stopped that bill in the Senate? SENATE Republicans, they had majority of the Senate and of the Banking Committee. TRY to do a little more READING.
I am late to the party today, but it did allow me time to read all of the right-wing posters' efforts to blame President Obama for the sequester. Their logic is flawed.
Yes - President Obama did suggest the sequester, sign it into law, and threaten to veto any effort to repeal it.
What you right-wing posters seem to forget it is that the main purpose of the sequester threat was to force the "Super Committee" to compromise on tax reform and spending cuts. The Republican members of the committee refused to consider ANY tax reforms that resulted in a net revenue increase, so the committee failed to come to an agreement.
The sequester is a direct result of the inability of the Republicans on the Super Committee to compromise. The blame should rightly be laid at their feet.
The other "talking point" that kept being repeated was that "President Obama got his tax increases". That is revisionist history at its worst.
The Bush tax cuts were ALL set to expire. President Obama and the Democrats were willing to compromise on spending cuts in return for an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the middle class. Once again, Republicans refused to compromise - they couldnt even pass their own "Plan B"!
This led to the Senate passing a bill to extend some of the Bush tax cuts. Left to their own devices, the Republicans would have let all of the Bush tax cuts expire.
Both of these situations prove that the Republican party in the House, and especially John Boehner, are not fit to lead. Their refusal to compromise has resulted in their low approval rating, and could result in the sequester.
ido
Because most americans arent as Stupid as you. You blame the white house for the root of all the problems without any FACTS or EVIDENCE. Go figure...
Deven Sharma
If you do a string search on this page for the words "I will veto", you'll find a bunch of posts on this single page with this Obama quote dishonestly edited to make it appear that Obama WANTED the sequester to take place. The wingnuts are coming out of the woodwork all over the internet with this latest lie.
Obama did NOT want the sequester deal. As I wrote previously, it was the ransom he paid to get the Republicans to not force the US into default on its debt in 2011. What he does want is to replace the sequester with a balanced approach of spending cuts and revenue increases. What the Republicans want is a deal that's actually worse than the sequester, because they don't want to touch the bloated sacred cow of the Pentagon. Instead of half the cuts from defense, the budget cuts they want will hit the poor, the elderly, and the middle class.
Here's the real Obama quote as it was before the wingnut misinformation specialists distorted beyond recognition:
http://mediamatters.org/mobile/research/2013/02/21/fox-manufactures-obama-veto-threat-for-replacin/192749
Some Republicans of Tea Party persuasion view the sequester as the only way to cut spending. Ideologically driven by the desire to cut spending whether we need to or not, the Tea Party isn't concerned with such mundane matters as the sequester's possible effect on our economic recovery.
Welcome to the show TNSEVOL, the right wingers are posting the same Lame ass comments as usual with no substance or FACTS to back up anything about the Sequester. Glad to see you posted the real information about the whole Sequester Deal.
What?
Are you serious? That might be the most bizarre interpretation of those events I've ever heard. In a nutshell, this is what happened:
The tea party came into congress and said, "We're sick of people in this house running up all these bills all the time!"
Which in and of itself is not a bad sentiment, but then they took a sideways turn into crazytown. Instead of saying something sensible like, "We aren't going to authorize any more stupid purchases like cellphones or videogames, " they said, "Screw it! We're not going to pay the car payment!"
And the bank who held the note on the car cleared its throat and said, "Errr... excuse me?"
And the tea party folks bucked up and bellowed, "You heard us! We're tired of owing all this money! We aren't going to authorize any more car payments until we owe less!"
And the credit bureaus said, "Uh... what? You know that if you do that, we'll have to..."
And the Tea Party guys, full of Red Bull and Adrenaline, thought they were really on to something now. So they continued to threaten not to pay the car payment so much that everyone realized that they were pretty much dealing with crazy people. The credit bureau people realize that the U.S. was, at least in part, being run by people who might actually try to sneak out the back door in the middle of the night rather than pay its bills, so they downgraded the nation based on nothing concrete - just the general suspicion that the world was now dealing with a bunch of tools. And the president was forced to sign a bunch of crap in order to get these idiots to acknowledge that we actually owed the money that we already owed.
Please, do tell, how this bill would have stopped the collapse of the housing market. Specific provisions such as eliminating the sub-prime market, or perhaps eliminated the derivatives used by Wall Street? This bill was written in response to corruption uncovered at Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae. Passing this bill would not have stopped unscrupulous lending practices at the hands of the 'shadow banking' system.
News Alert!
Websters has changed the definition of GOP.
GOP=POS (Party Of Stupid, although other acronyms would be appropriate).
This is President Obama's turd. He asked for it and got what he wanted. And as for the 85 billion being asked to be cut from the increases that Obama just received in tax increases, it will make no difference on how much is being spend per second by our government.. Every dooms day idea that our President presented to the media and the American public earlier this week was an absolute lie. No one will be layed off, no one will go with out. He just out right lied to all of us.
This whole situation is a product of our political class , Democrats and Republicans , who refuse to live within the means of the country. An 85 billion dollar cut out of a 3.6 trillion dollar budget is only 2.3%. If this paltry reduction results in any significant disruption it will be because the political class manipulated it to do so. 2.3% is de minimis. Moreover , it's not even a cut at all of what we have been spending ; it's a cut of the projected increase. Baseline budgeting is the fraud the government perpetuates on the populace.
So you've never heard of Democrats using a filibuster? Amazing.
What does the GOP and an old, breathless smoker dying of lung cancer have in common? They both continue to smoke.
Invisible Hand,
We will still be spending 1 trillion dollars more than we are taking in. So adding 86 billion dollars to that is going to put us over the top?
Any increase in taxes is going to be a drag on our economy.
We will be soon at 17 trillion dollars that we have already spent that we will need to pay for. How is that good for our economy?
so it looks like most people are more interested in who gets the blame than they are in the impact of the sequester.
no one in dc, either side, is being an adult -- democrats and republicans both voted for obama's sequester idea so responsibility is shared.
reid refusing to take the house alternate ideas to a vote is getting little attention by the media further enhancing the idea that they have become purely an obama public relations estate.
Chicago does not lead the nation in murder. Another right-wing freak talking point that is very, very, old.
I haven't posted here in probably a year since the comments back and forth always end up getting so toxic, but I felt the need to share a link to one of the best articles I've read about the Sequester. It's pretty informational and seems to be relatively objective.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/02/sequestration_deadline_is_barack_obama_or_the_republican_party_to_blame.html
(Disclosure: The author is known for a blend of Libertarian leanings, even though he writes on a Liberal site. In the past year, he has been showing such a disgust with the Republican party that he has been accused of having Liberal sympathies.)
Why is this sad? Obama's personal political advantage is also the political advantage of the majority of the country. So unless you work for al-Qaeda, why do you have a problem with Obama being able to do his job properly and improve the lot of the American middle class?
Dougler -
It has been proven innumerable times that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had little or nothing to do with the financial crisis. The problem was NOT too many unqualified people getting mortgages, the problem was the collateralized debt instruments created by an under-regulated financial industry that were over-rated by the insurance industry.
The U.S. Senate's Levin–Coburn Report asserted that the crisis was the result of "high risk, complex financial products; undisclosed conflicts of interest; the failure of regulators, the credit rating agencies, and the market itself to rein in the excesses of Wall Street".
The 1999 repeal of the Glass–Steagall Act allowed depository banks to make previously un-allowed risky investments. Banks issued mortgage-backed derivative financial instruments. Credit-rating agencies failed to accurately calculate the risk involved, and the government did not adjust their regulations to account for these relatively new financial instruments.
The very night President Obama took office on his first term, Rebublicons pledged to vote against every bill that would be good for America because it might make president Obama look good for the next election.
The republicons obstructed and voted against any bill for the next 4 years and still are doing the same exact thing they did the first 4 years, obstruct and vote against America...just to make the president look bad, and to keep giving the rich 1% everything they want.............The people voted last elections NO to republicons.
Republicons pledeged to their King Norquist to never raise taxes on the rich.
When are republicons going to denounce their pledges against America and pledge to the people and constitution of the United States?
Dougler -- Got proof they threatened a fillibuster? Remember, over 100 Democrats signed onto the original House bill you reference.
Blame really shouldn't be the issue, that's what message boards are for.
However, Obama could end this today if he wanted to. Allow Transfer Authority, which would allow the areas set to be receive cuts (reduction in future spending increases), the ability to cut where they see fit, which would allow them to cut waste, duplication, items not of necessity, etc. instead of the dictating cuts from Washington D.C.
But the fact remains, Obama won't do that.....because then he has no one to blame.
Yes and we do balame someone elese. And all of this during an internal power struggle within the Republican party between the Neoconservatives and the Teabaggers. By the time the TeaPublican party finishes it's final purge...there should be around 25 Republicans left standing...but they will be pure! Actually this fight shouldn't take long, guess who has all the money. Look to Karl Rove...completely blew the last election and he's still standing. Guess the Koch Brothers have broad shoulders.
Getting back to the balame, read the polls...Your party may well bring down the economy but you do it at your own peril
You hit the nail on the head. Remember how it used to be that they are going to "reduce taxes and cut the deficit?" In the same sentence? Until people started pointing out that that made no sense.
And even today, Obama is mocked at the slightest idea that he might raise taxes, but he is also mocked for increasing the deficit. Usually by the same person.
The problem is, it's BS they believe in. The Right has very obviously demonstrated that they simply do not understand the complexities of living in today's modern world. Their party platform is self-contradictory.
billybob,
[reid refusing to take the house alternate ideas to a vote is getting little attention by the media further enhancing the idea that they have become purely an obama public relations estate.]
Not true nothing is waiting for Harry to bring for a vote.
Legislation does not carry over from one Congress to the next. They were passed in the 112th Congress but the 113th Congress has not passed any bill to deal with the sequester.
Anyone see Jesse Jackson Jr crying his eyes out?
After taking $750,000 of campaign funds, now he feels bad?
Quick Obama, give JJ Jr a pardon, I can't stand to see a grown man crying!
and if you haven't figured it out yet, both the Dems and Repubs WANT the sequester to happen. If not, why WOULDN'T they repeal it?
King Fish, do tell us more about these 'low information' voters, that can't do stupid no sense make typing stupid Obama sell Chinese greens.
Eric -
"Well, how did he get elected and re-elected if he isn't a leader?"
Because there are alot of ignorant peolple in this country Eric.
I guess we can chalk that up to one of the impossible things someone has to believe in order to be a Republican.
Extrapolated, the whole thing looks like this:
"If you take money out of the pocket of the taxpayer, he'll have less money to spend, so obviously him having less money in his pocket is going to have a ripple effect so it's going to create a drag on the economy."
It makes a certain amount of sense, except that it's always coupled with this notion:
"Taking ALL of the money out peoples' pockets via eliminating their jobs through cuts in government spending will have no impact on the economy whatsoever."
Either the economy is consumer driven or it's not, guys. You can't have it both ways. Either people having less, (or no), money to spend is going to create recessionary forces or it isn't. Either way, your logic lacks internal consistency, which is, I guess, my watchword of the day.
Houston, ain't that the truth.
Funnier yet, is that Republicans actually think closing tax loopholes, subsidies and stopping tax breaks will be used to lower income tax rates for the rich...............LMFAO!
I honestly think many people aren't real concerned about the sequester. The CBS poll this morning said 40% don't care.
This is nothing but political gamesmanship by Obama and the left. They are playing for 2014. The sequester will have little impact at all. We are a $16t economy, and this is 2% of a $36b budget. The cuts don't even touch the spending going on now, it cuts the increase in spending. That's what obama is so peeved about. He can't keep pandering to the base. But he will use this as a hammer in 2014 in the House elections. The GOP doesn't have the stones to stand up to the collectivist ideas of obama and his entitled society. Were are not a center left nation now, we are an entitled, socialist society, where the takers outweigh the makers. Only the government knows how to take care of us. It is my opinion that neither gun control, sequestration, budget control, illegal amnesty is all a political ploy by obama and his cronies to win back the house in 2014. Not one piece of this legislation will get passed this year, it will suddenly become watershed issues for 2014 and the leftist sheeple fueled by the likes of Maddow, Shultz, Gregory et all, will be touting his majesty, the campaigner in chief as the great savior. The dims will be able to run idiots like Menendez or Warren and will win hands down. We are in a real shatzstorm that people don't even know it, if fact they are rolling around in it. Elections have consequences...I am afraid we are living it now.
dennis -- you are correct. reid sat on the legislation long enough that it expired with the end of that congressional session. gamesmanship but not leadership
and the article goes: blah blah blah freaking blah blah blah (moo)
billybob,
Since that is true why hasn’t the House passed another bill this year?
They passed a bill to repeal Obamacare again (after 33 times of it going no where in the 112th Congress) but they don’t have time to replace the sequester this year !?
Brian,12345678, you say democrats moved right? In what country? Democrats have moved so far to the left that there is maybe one inch left before they fall off the mountain. Aside from all the usual liberal commenters, republicans lost the last election,not because they didn't move far enough left, but, because they moved too far left. Conservatives stayed home in droves because they wouldn't vote against their own values and beliefs. Don't be to sure that republicans will loose their fight. They may lose a battle, but they will win the war. Wait until Obama's tax increases and Obamacare go into effect, you will see Obama's approval ratings hit rock bottom. When gasoline costs hit $8 a gallon, people will change their minds about Obama's energy policies and about a lot of his other ideas. I am waiting to see your comments when filling your 20 gallon tank costs you $200.00 . I am waiting to see solar panels and wind turbines mounted on top of your vehicles.
Okay, all you liberals get ready because you may be surprised by my comments:
This sequester is EXACTLY what Obama, the Senate, AND the House wants. Why? Because they all know we need to cut spending or we will never recover. But Republicans don't want to cut defense so when defense gets cut they can point a finger at Democrats.
But Democrats don't want to cut programs so when programs gets cut they can point a finger at Republicans.
But the end result is they BOTH want cuts but don't want to take responsibility.
It is called "politics" which means "I am going to bend over the counter every voter that does not stay informed". BOTH PARTIES!!
So you are aware I am neither Democrat OR Republican. I am a conservative. I stand for Constitutional principles. I don't trust ANY politician in D.C. as far as I can throw them. They are all crooks. They are all looking out for their next vote versus what is best for us. They throw the vast majority of us "under the bus" and most of the voters are too stupid to recognize it and continue to reelect these criminals.
I am under the philosophy we throw the whole freakin' batch of them out of D.C. and start over. But the uninformed voter doesn't do any research and reelects the likes of Harry Reid, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, and John McCain. Every one of them are crooks. Every one of them are evil. Every one of them cares only about their power and doesn't give a damn about you and I.
The only solution is to get rid of the whole bunch and start over. But the uninformed will continue to vote for these idiots and not much we can do if the majority of the population are idiots.
As Thomas Jefferson once said "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.".
Ok, so what have we learned about the GOP? We learned that, No, they cannot be allowed to remain in office AND be expected to do the people's business.
The Republicans will accept no less than being tossed out into the street as proof that we DON'T want to do it their way AGAIN because THEIR WAY has failed each and every time.
The GOP wastes 100% of its time focused SOLELY on the President of the United States and how they can take him down. The GOP are so distracted that they have become totally dysfunctional.
As far as "tax cuts boosting the economy", the economy was boosted because of Internet and computer technologies, in general automation, that increased worker productivity. However, yes, the middle-class part of those tax cuts did act as an additional stimulus and they did help.
We had too much speculation in the housing market partially BECAUSE there was too much money in the system, in part because of the Fed policy but also because the tax cut disproportionately went to the upper class; they had no idea what to do the money, so they poured too much money into housing. When you pour too much money into any asset category, it bubbles and bursts. This happened with Internet stocks in 2000 and it happened also with housing.
In general, we have a nice myth that somehow if you give rich money, they will do marvelous things things with it and generate tons of new jobs and life will be rosy. This is BS. If you give the rich more money, they will put it in Wall Street, where it will be used to create some other sort of bubble.
Tax cuts for the poor and the middle class, by contrast go immediately back into the economy and act as a stimulus. That is why liberal policies work. For thousands of years now, we have wise people telling us to be kind to the poor. Who'd've thunk it that it actually benefits everyone.
It's a pity that the Right has decided that all poor people are stupid, lazy, looking for free handouts, and most likely dishonest. I know exactly one person on foodstamps. She is 22 years old, works part time and is going to college full-time. Foodstamps allow her to eat. When she graduates, gets a job and becomes a taxpayer, we will be paid many times over for the 10's of dollars we give her in free food.
Doesn't surprise me at all. You proved yourself a nut long ago.
Sustainability award goes to First Read for their development of the recyclable title!!!
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the ______________— (fill in the blank)
Imagine the ink that will be saved over time due to the ability to cut & paste these 36 characters rather than re-typing them over and over and over!! Quite a coup First Read! Our children and our childrens children will appreciate your efforts to go green for many generations to come!
On a side note, I just LOVE the Nancy-pants theory that Obama is "Doing it" to them for political gain... Now their endless inaction and paralysis due to the parasitic infection called the tea-party coupled with their visibly open sore of racism that's gone septic is all something that someone else is "doing to them"... What an insufferable bunch of miscreants!
Love the pic at the top too... Yeller Feller & his narcissistic chimps in waiting... One of them is even leaning out to make sure her miserable mug gets hit with a flash... I'm guessing that by 2014 we will have developed the technology to affix a handle and valving system capable of flushing a punch-bowl.
RealityBites
Let me just say this. As an independent voter I voted for a republican governor last election who won. He as only been in office a few months and is already making decisions that will sink my state into further job loss this is a man i voted for and i can say i wont vote republican ever again because i can see first hand what there agenda really is and that is to hurt the middle and lower class. I am watching republicans in my state passing voter laws as stupid as getting rid of straight party voting yes they want to get rid of straight party voting because democrats had more straight party votes then republicans this does not effect me because i never do straight party voting as an independent i try to make a sound decision on who will benefit this country but instead of tackling real issues they are passing meaningless laws some of which were past this week that only hurt the middle class and the poor in my state. His term can not end fast enough i regret voting for him and i learned my lesson.
Of specific concern for me and my industry is the impact of the sequester upon Transportation and Infrastructure, specifically aviation. Essential regulatory agencies such as the FAA have been taking a beating over the past few years of congressional wrangling. Aviation in particular is in a state of great change and budgetary uncertainty is hurting much-needed modernization of aviation infrastructure. All these temporary, politically-motivated stop-gap non-solutions need to stop. We are way past finger pointing and blame.
A Republican, Bill Shuster from Pennsylvania, heads the Congressional Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Pennsylvanians - what do you think of this guy? Please be objective.
Jody, Iowa: Nice attempt at deflecting the argument (typical lib), but my post had nothing to do with Paul Ryan - I never said the GOP didn't agree to the sequester.
What I did say is that it's laughable for a so-called leader to blame something that he 1) proposed, and 2) insisted on (would veto any attempts to go against the sequester) on the republicans. And it's equally laughable for a so-called news network like NBC to buy into Owebama's assignment of blame on this.
The GOP doesn't compromise? Last I checked, the GOP compromised in raising rates for everybody who makes more than $400k. It's time for Owebama to start compromising instead of raising taxes on EVERYBODY (payroll tax, increase in taxe rates for those making over 400k, and just wait until the Obamacare taxes kick in!) It's time for some spending cuts.
All we heard from Owebama and his drones during the debt debates were about a "balanced appoach" where we would see $3-4 in spending cuts for every $1 of revenue. Well, here we are... we increased revenue for our King, but he has yet to offer up any serious spending cuts. It is Owebama who is the one who has refused to lead or compromise. That he disingenuously blames this on the GOP, and the so-called news networks and the sheep buy into it is insane.
LOL..... You can't get any more ignorant as when you're told, "I don't care about them (47%)," and then you vote for the idiot who told you that, or maybe you're part of the 1%....LOL I doubt that!
ProBusiness-
OK.
Perhaps TomasGrande should run for the Senate.
I need an alternative plan for my retirement because the lottery ticket thing hasn't panned out yet.
Salud
Michael Thompson, Charlotte, NC
That's a good description in the logical contradiction in what the Republicans are trying to sell the voters. But that's not what the Republicans really believe. Republicans don't care about tax cuts in general, as they showed last month when they went along with ending the payroll tax holiday without a peep. The payroll tax holiday was a tax cut that benefited the middle class. The ONLY tax cuts they care about are tax cuts for the rich.
The basis of the GOP's trickle-down economics is that you give the rich tax cuts and they use them to hire more workers. That works up to a certain point, but that point was passed long ago, even before Bush imposed his ruinous tax cuts. Whatever additional money the rich get now from tax cuts they reinvest overseas or use to buy Republican politicians to get more tax cuts for the rich.
As for the drastic budget cuts the Republicans want, they don't really care about deficits, either. They know very well the cuts they're demanding will badly damage the US economy. As Chris Matthews noted, that's the whole purpose of these budget cuts. They are sanctions that they want to use to get regime change in America the same way sanctions were used to get regime change in South Africa and are being used now against Iran. But the Republicans are using sanctions to achieve the opposite goal. Rather than using sanctions to overthrow an oppressive undemocratic regime and replace it with a democratic one, they are using economic sanctions to overthrow a democracy and replace it with an oppressive undemocratic REPUBLICAN regime.
This is politics. And in politics, if you have leverage, you use it or lose it.
In order to generate revenue, lower health care costs, and raise middle class incomes, Obama should tie the sequester around the republicans neck and let them go swimming if they want to.
Actually, it reminds me of Moses and Pharoah - Obama is both African American and a Christian. For african american christians, the story of Israel going from slavery to freedom is a core story in their understanding of their african american history. And While his former pastor may have blundered at his 15 minutes of fame - His church has a solid mainline theology and historical critical biblical interpretation. Again, this is the church of Reinhold Niebuhr, advisor to presidents and Time's most influential man of the 20th century.
Obama has been saying "let my (middle class) people go", and Pharoah (GOP) has been saying no.
What has followed has been a protracted negotiation, where Pharaoh again and again tries to punish the middle class, for wanting it's freedom. And again and again, another plague, (market crash, gasoline prices, unemployment, gun shootings, hurricanes, etc.) falls upon the country.
But over time, Pharoah's devotion to the God's of Egypt (wealth, power, greed), and Pharoah's cruelty to the poor, middle class, women, gays and etc., have slowly moved public sentiment (compassion - God of Israel) against him.
A first, Moses (Obama) was beaten again and again at his attempts, and the slaves complained bitterly about his incompetence - but now, things have shifted, Obama is beginning to have the upper hand. In January, he finally gets the tax rates he has been fighting for.
Now, he is going for the tax loopholes, it will be interesting to see how this march to freedom continues.
Will Pharoah draw a line in the sand, threatening to deprive the firstborn of the middle class of their (economic future) lives?
And will it in the end, crash the wealth of the upper class, and result in the slaves becoming free again?
I don't know... but it's fascinating to watch.
Final note - Obama is NOT Moses, or GOD, or Jesus Christ. BUT, it is interesting how parrallel the roles are - and how this is all playing out.
Just a question. Since when is doing the right thing the popular thing in this country? The popular thing is to pretend everything is everything with no real problems. $16 trillion plus in debt is a real problem and the elected on both sides lack the political will to address the serious nature of the debt. Leon Panetta said it was the single largest threat to national security...yet we see the headlines laced with arguments over gun control, immigration and a host of other divisive issues. Remember it was the current legislators who are directly responsible for most of the debt no matter what party they claim to belong to. Most of them belong to the party of "me first" and the rest of you can just accept that as truth demonstrated by their actions. We are now in the 5th summer of the recovery and most of the country has experienced a dramatic drop in employment, pay, and opportunity. Yet most of the posters here continue to support one party or the other. Remember the election made little change in the balance of power in Congress...America evidently did not feel safe giving either party complete control...wonder why?
No matter how you and the rest of America look at the issues until you convince the President and Congress to obey the laws they took an oath to uphold good luck. I am sick of the legislators and executive branch thinking the law does not apply to the politically elite. Enough, if you want real change a revolution at the voting booth must take place next election cycle. Vote out all incumbents and replace them with actual citizen legislators from all walks of life. Enough of the lying, cheating, attorneys who are a major block in the Congress and Presidency. We need to return to a government by the people and for the people directed by the people. The rest of the country needs a rest from these professional liars.
Next
Obama and the media Obama worshiper are helping Obama to spread the lies about Obamastration for poliyical gain.
MBC, MSNBS, and the rest are not news anymore they are puppets of the left.
"Already some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No, I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending. There will be no easy off ramps on this one"..........Barack Obama
http://www.redstate.com/alanjoelny/2013/02/20/obama-once-vowed-veto-to-keep-wapo-and-politifact-agree-sequestration-was-obamas
Bob Woodward identified where the idea of sequestration began. In a meeting with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Majority Leader, OMB Director Jack Lew, now the White House chief of staff, and White House Legislative Affairs Director Rob Nabors, said the following:
The fact is that sequestration would never be a threat if a budget would be passed by Congress. The Republicans in the House finished passing the parts of the budget on July 19, 2012. What has the Senate done with those bills? Read them twice and placed them on the calendar. That is it. Now how can anyone with any objectivity, unlike MSNBC, claim that Republicans in the House (who passed the budgets 7 to 9 months ago) are the problem, when the Democrats in the Senate have done nothing? No Debate. No Alternatives. No Votes.
Why is it that Republicans/conservatives/Tea Party members continually misquote or quote out of context?
Can they only read in phrases and not paragraphs? Is their attention span that short? Can they not hold ideas for more thatn a few seconds? Do they lack continuity?
Backhouse Comment collapsed by the community
And Barrack Obama proposed it and then threatened to veto any bill that weakened it. But it is ALL the republicans fault naturally.
Out of curiosity, has any liberal EVER accepted ANY responsibility for anything??? If you guys would spend a little time on something other than finger pointing you all wouldn't seem so pathetic.
fielden
Wait. You think it is only republicans who do that??? Surely you could not be that naive.
Joe in Albany........plagiarized:
Why do right-wingers steal comic devices from liberal comedians (i.e. Stephen Colbert)? Because there are NO right-wing comedians worth stealing from. ......and, why is that? Because sense of humor is positively correlated with intelligence.
....it must be tough being Joe in Albany. What's next? "Your" top 10 list.
Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife pleading guilty is a spending cut. Now if the homicide rate in Chicago will fall to about twice the national average, that will relieve huge medical expenses which is another spending cut. Translate these social improvements to other major old cities, and you'll start seeing a budget and social welfare to be proud of. Let Detroit go bankrupt, with no infusion of any additional aid. Another spending cut. This sequester howl is just a smokescreen to divert the public attention from Chicago, Detroit, and other Progressive Government failures. It isn't working. When Chris Matthews on Hardball isn't discussing Jackson Jr.'s guilty plea, you know a major nerve has been hit... and no recovery. Matthews won't shut up long enough to let his guests talk, so if he's silent on the "example" of Chicago, he's not going to cover up with Mitt Romney quotes of months and years ago as talking points.
The sequester situation is just another in a long line of nut-squeezings the Republicans have brought on themselves by allowing their once-proud party to be prostituted by the likes of the Koch boys and Grover Norquist. There's no way they can do the right thing, which is to work on real, long-term solutions and see the economic recovery gain momentum and DO IT NOW, because then they couldn't stand up in front of canned audiences like CPAC, beat their breasts, and weep about how they did everything they could to stop the socialistic Democrats, but "geez, guys, we just don't have the numbers".
The long-term problem for them is how to get off of this treadmill they have bought into; in order to run in general elections, they have to sell their bodies and souls to the 'wingers, but the 'wingers don't have near enough dull-witted voters to carry the national campaigns.
Ordinarily, I empathize with underdogs. but not when they keep doing the same idiotic stuff that keeps them mired in the same open sewer they created. Oh, what to do, what to do????
oskar,
Clearly that is a popular Republican talking point (Red State) since you are the third person to paste it on this page of comments alone … in the same format.
The fact is that what our President was talking about (if you had the guts to post or link the entire speech) is how we need to generate $1.2 trillion in cuts and that just because half comes from Defense will not be
an excuse to squirm their way out of the obligation to get our spending under control.
The sequester was only put into effect because the gang of 6 and neither Party could agree on what to cut.
John Boehner: I got 98% of what I wanted … now he declares the cuts to be harmful to our economy and our national security.
Gee, if our political leaders spend as much energy trying to come to grips with the sequester question as the people on these forums spend laying blame, the deal would have been done last year
Dougler:
RE: your post #1.94
DAH? The Republicans could have voted to raise the debt limit BEFORE the Budget Control Act was passed, in August of 2011! However the Republicans wouldn't do that because that would have been the best choice for OUR COUNTRY and not in the interest of their controllers and handlers, the far-right-wing-nuts. So, with the vote of the VAST MAJORITY of both the House of Representatives and Senate Republicans and ALL the Republican Leadership of both Houses of Congress they voted for the Budget Control Act! If they had voted for raising the debt ceiling limit, so that the U.S. would have the revenues to pay the bills, CONGRESS HAD ALREADY INCURRED, there would be no Budget Control Act of 2011 and NO sequester issue! CAPICE? Thought NOT! Perhaps a course in Aristotelian Logic will help you but you will still need to look at, and digest ALL the FACTS to come to a "logical" conclusion; not false and fabricated conclusion!
Wouldn't it be More Productive if Our Elected Leaders Started Working Together as AMERICANS for AMERICANS and AMERICA, instead of just bickering, stalling and posturing for the next election as democrats and republicans! The American People have had it with this unproductive BS! The way that both parties having been operating for years just stinks! Neither party has really been looking out for the best interests of the US Citizens who elect them and who they're supposed to represent.
Both parties have sold out the bulk of the American citizens, who they're supposed to represent, by allowing the "out-sourcing" floodgates to open wider and wider without taking any sensible measures to stem the tide.
It shouldn't be all about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and its citizens. All the single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull has got to go!
Both parties need to start working together and actually start doing something to fix the real problems in our country like "out-sourcing", illegal immigration, the out of control costs of health care insurance and our reliance on foreign fuel. If they don't start working together and actually start making progress by the next election, then American citizens should run a nation-wide campaign to vote out all incumbents regardless of party to send the message.
The ONLY REAL FIX is to Raise Revenue, by Bringing Back Jobs to US Citizens who Pay Income Tax.
Massive cutting just puts more people on unemployment, which just depresses the economy even further.
Returning private sector jobs to American Citizens will provide income tax revenue to OUR Government versus our government having to pay unemployment benefits to those who would be jobless instead. We need our elected officials to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. We need leaders who will actually stand up for the American people.
The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect domestic industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.
We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.
TO: ProFreedom-5130956 who wrote:
If Republicans hadn't phucked it up, then the Democrats wouldn't have to fix it.
TO: Think about it-3099387 who wrote:
Well, if Republicans would stop their "lie and deny - we never knew anybody named George "Curveball" Bush" pile-of-tricks, then we wouldn't feel the need to remind them.
Are conservatives the only people in this country that see through Obama? Are the expectations of conservatives too high when it comes to seeing a leadership role in the president? In this conservatives mind, I do not view continual blaming and campaigning as leadership. Why is it I feel every word from Obama's mouth is a lie? Liberals have a completely different view of Obama. For some reason they trust him and do not see the same things I see. This is a matter of how Obama sets his agenda and his policy. I feel like this country has been played by the administration because one day Obama says one thing and the next day he says the opposite. Sequester was his brainchild and he stated he would veto any attempt to stop it. Now he has come out and said Sequester is the worst thing imaginable. Not only that, he's blaming republicans for it. Where is the truth in anything he said? Am I the only one that sees this?
While I am still able to speak freely, drive down the road, go to places I want, there's this creeping feeling that our freedom is being taken away from us one little bit at a time. I feel our Constitution is under assault and so many liberals seem to think this is just fine. I guess it's simply fine to take guns away from law abiding citizens... what gives?
Sequestration was brought up by the Dems, and obama. If you would all go back and check, this would
not be an issue.. Obama keeps blaming everyone but his/self.. The Repubs have been trying to keep his
spending down and not a soul realizes this...Stay up on things people, or you just blindly babble.
The Democrats own Sequestration.
The media should be FEASTING on Obama over this sequester, but they unbelievably continue to blame the republicans. It's almost crazy. Let's look at the facts:
It is Obama and the democrats who have refused to compromise or even talk. Instead of getting together with house and senate leaders to hammer out a plan, our president continues to campaign and give speeches to the masses to tell them how terrible the republican house is. WHen will people wise up to him? When will the press start holding him accountable for his incredulous lack of leadership? If the press were doing their job, he would have never been elected in the first place!
American Girl - what exactly are the democrats fixing? Please elaborate.
I printed this article out and wiped my ass with it. Thanks to Taco Bell and First Read.
Go to fact check the speech of the State of the Union you can see were the lies come from.
TO: Bruce-308647 who wrote:
Wow that's a load of crap. BTW, the Republican House is the worst ever recorded in history.
Republicans don't work for Working Class Americans; Republicans don't work for the Elderly; Republicans don't work for American Families; and Republicans sure don't work for either children or the poor.
All of that explains the backwards thinking of Congressional Republicans and why they don't understand why they're so wrong.
It's because Republicans don't work for us that Republicans don't understand how Republicans' actions have such a negative affect on those people that Republicans choose not to represent, and those people are the American People, excluding the Top 1%ers.
Thread nominations
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Category: Historically analogous insight
doulos63 / #1.149
(Fascinating.)
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Category: Doggedly calling-it-like-it-is
American Girl-724855 / Multiple entries
(Thanks.)
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Category: Summarizing reality
Houston! / #1.148
(Bingo.)
TO: edgarw who wrote:
"It's The Economy Stupid" odd that you would forget.
TO: oskar-1391552 who wrote:
I already "fact checked" that bloviated lie called The War in Iraq.
Well here are the figures I could find for confiscation not taxation.
American Girl,
Have you been doing drugs that you have missed out the last four years? I do not know how you can blame the GOP for a president who has yet to get a budget that can even get one democratic vote. His great stimulus if you fact check them did real well for helping foriegn companies and nationals but did nothing to help us here other then put us further in debt. Of course you could bring up his green plan (you know the one with Solyndra) we all know how well that has worked.
So far he has put us more in debt then every president proceeding combined, he has overseen the longest streak of unemployment of over 12% (if you count the ones they ignore - you know the ones who have given up looking for jobs), even though he loves to talk about how many jobs he has created he has mysteriously forgotten about the net loss of jobs since he has been president. He has thrown the constitution under the bus (along with most his friends) and taken away our right to be tried by our pears (now he just puts people on a hit list without any judicial over-sight and kills them), he has with his presidential powers taken away our right to free speech if his majesty is present, declaired war on our religious freedoms and he has given his people the right to arrest and detain without trial Americans. Need I go on and on.
Like it or not, the facts show that compared to Obama Bush almost looks like Lincoln. Obama is by far the worst president our nation has ever had but because people do not care about their childrens future and only care about what they can get they voted this idiot back into office. Such shortsightedness will end up having your children curse you for destroying their future and there will be no one but yourself to blame.
Pity that your GOP is going straight n with a CUT of 750,000 jobs because the President won't agree to THEIR budgets that call fro DECIMATING every part of the Federal budget EXCEPT Defense. They STILL don't want to pay for the FIRST four years if the George W. Bush self proclaimed war on a country that had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with 9/11. THEY STILL do NOT want to PAY for 3 of the 4 tax cuts passed by RECONCILIATION. THE STILL do NOT want to PAY for MEDICARE PART D. PASSED by RECONILIATION.
"You guys still blame Bush for things when he has not even been in office for more than 4 years"
Whenever I hear that “stop blaming Bush” line, I chuckle at the very short memory you Republicans have. From 1976 to 1992 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Carter of everything wrong in the entire universe. Some of you even blamed him for the housing crash in 2007 even though he left office more than a quarter of a century earlier. Then from 1992 to 2008 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Clinton for everything that was wrong in the entire universe. You blamed Clinton for 9/11, for the housing crisis, even for the massive deficits of the Bush administration.
Tbenton,
I can see you are a Faux News drone and have memorized all the talking points from the radical right.
You know, we had an election in November where Americans made their choice over who was telling them the truth, who was not, and which direction the country should move.
In case you weren't aware, the Republican candidate soundly lost.
Now, you can return to your non-descript, underground bunker.
Fact is almost all of you posting are to blame. Neither party has a clue. All of you act like good little hand puppets for the party you support because you are incapable of forming a rational idea on your own. The post are so stupid left and right that none of you could come up with an idea to save your soul.
Here is an idea:
1. We get rid of all loop holes for all classes of wealth. We go to a pure graduated flat tax and everyone pays their fair share no matter where your income is derived. Everyone will be able to do their taxes on less than a sheet of paper. This alone should save everyone including government a lot of money.
2. We cut back spending across the board back to clinton era and add cost back in to cover inflation.
3. We rework the very badly writtten Obamacare. It has shown it is only increasing cost to everyone and in fact will not save us any money.I did not say get rid of it but rather we rework it. It obviously is bad if the president wants to exlude labor and many of his support groups.
4. We pass a balanced budget admendment. Yes we need to work within the confines of a budget just like everyone else does that is responsible. Government has shown themselves to be responsible so we have to force it on them by law.
5. We pass a law or admendment that says the president and both houses must pass a budget by Dec 31 of each year or they face expulsion from their elected seats.
6. We get rid of the benefits package of the politicians and institute the same beneifits packages like they would get from a middle class sector non salaried job.
7. We overhaul all programs so they are available for future generations and the current people in real need. There is over a trillion in waste in these programs.
In the end if we had to pay has we go maybe so many of you that enjoy the current government sugar high would be a bit more frugal with the purse strings. To be sure though both side are to blame. When you all grow up and get minds of your own perhaps you may think about clearing out Washington and putting fresh faces in the space. Both sides of the aisle deserve a boot out the door. Its a shame that all of you on here blaming one side of the other just are to blinded by your party to realize your party leaders love you being their puppet. Time you show them that you do have some brain cells of your own and that you can get rid of the no minds in Washington and make Washington work right again.
To American Girl
Well, if Republicans would stop their "lie and deny - we never knew anybody named George "Curveball" Bush" pile-of-tricks, then we wouldn't feel the need to remind them.
Thank you for proving my point. You're so quick to play the blame game, just as the politicians in Washington, nothing is getting done. If you really wanted to fix the problem, you'd be calling your representative and demand they get to work and work out a deal. Starting with the President.
And just so you know, I've already done it with my two Senators (both Democrats) and my House Representative (a Republican).
Stop the blame game for pete's sake!
@ Kevin Oxner
Unfortunately, following the path you prescribe might allow the Libertarians to gain a foothold, which we all know would lead eventually to anarchy and chaos.
If MS/NBC rolled out paid bloggers Feisty and Beverly you know it is a Socialist Agenda Pushing article.
It's time for an intervention. Uncle Sam is a hopeless junkie addicted to spending and debt and needs to go to rehab now!
His buddies in Washington can't help him because they are the dealers, pimps and whores who have him strung out in the first place. Addiction withdrawal is not a very pretty picture. But then again, neither are junkies.
It is going to take more than a bake sale or garage sale to pay for this stint in rehab. The sequester might be a good place to start. It is after all, only a small fraction of Uncle Sam's habit. There is little doubt the parties crying the loudest will be the special interest monkeys on Sam's back.
ProtectAmericanJobs
Ummm, it is the government "protecting" industry that has caused all of the problems. Have you tried to start a business EVER??? I'm just going to assume not. What we need is for government to get the @!$%# out of the way!
StoptheCannibals-2908428
Says the drone who has memorized all of the talking point from the radical left. How do you fail to see the hypocrisy here?
LOL! I'm quite sure that most Americans were smart enough to realize that both sides were lying through their teeth at all times even if you apparently were not.
"FistedRedhead": When are you going to admit that the sequester was OBAMA'S IDEA? You liberals need to watch FOX at least once in a while - I watch FOX and the liberal press (usually for a laugh, but I do watch). FOX has a clip of Obama making a speech suggesting the sequester to congress...but I guess he was just for it before he was against it, right? Even Carney admitted that the sequester originated in the White House.
Come on you kool-aid-drinking liberals, admit that Obama screwed up...YET AGAIN!
Diverdown1 (#1.49)
Excellent post. 100% correct.
Here is a listing of yours. Please list the ones I used, Broke-Back country boy......
There you go, each a talking point straight out of Faux News.
Now, which talking point did I use? That's right, stooge, none.
Now, for the last one....
I'm not even sure what you meant by that. The bottom line is you are a sore loser, and, can't come up with any sane argument why anyone should vote Republican (outside the 1%).
david walker...
Once again you show your mindlass drivel...
"The GOP don't know how to negotiate" (paraphrased)
Pretty hard to negotiate anything when the other side only thinks in terms of political advantage and strength rather than what will lead our country back to prosperity. You and others are probably clueless and rather stupid on what JFK meant by "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".
As I read your insipid commentary and listen to Obama's campaign style speeches I realize that the democrats only want to lead America down a path of big government dependancy, not growth.
--------------------------------------
Backhouse... thanks for implying (rather foolishly also) that the GOP owns the sequester. Really? The house has that much power? Interesting that obama thinks he has a mandate to do whatever he wants. I say interesting, because after the 2010 midterms, obama still considered the GOP's taking back the house did not constitute a mandate for him to work with the GOP to fix our economy.
This brings us to bloombergs latest poll on obamas job approval, yep 55% think that overall, obama is doing OK.
Since our clueless david walker thinks numbers are important, perhaps he can tell us why the majority of those polled by bloomberg still think that America is heading in the wrong direction? Isn't obama leading? As for our all important economy 55% don't agree with obamas plan. BTW - sequestration is an economic plan and yes backhouse, Obama does own it, he chose not to veto it.
What will be most interesting is if the sequester occurs, will obama and company use it for all executive branches and agencies to clear out federal waste and bloated staffing or will they use it against the end users of government services just to try and achieve some sort of political capital?
Really folks, in our estimated $16 trillion dollar economy, should we really expect the disaster that obama and company are talking about. We have cut discretionary and military expenditures in the past and we are still here.
I just wrote last week...Anyone can go online to IRS.gov, get a Federal ID number, and be in business in 15 minutes. And yes, I've done it more than once.
Such a moron.
It's going to happen. Nobody really wants to stop it. The President because it is a great political bat to beat others with. The other side for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they believe the status quo has to be changed with regards to overall spending (not that their spending habits are any better or worse than their opposition).
The bottom line is the the amount involved in the sequester is less than 1 single month's deficit spending this year. And frankly, I've given up trying to reason with folks on both sides about what needs to happen. Nobody wants the pain of these across-the-board cuts to any affected program. But in our personal lives, all of us understand that if we don't have the money to cover the cost, we trim somewhere, get another job, and scale back on adding additional debt. Lets apply common sense to this. Only in D.C., is the capping to current spending levels considered a budget cut.
In my opinion (and it's just that - I'm open to all rational ideas if they actually address the problem):
First, all of the Bush, and later the Obama tax cuts (he extended them), should have been allowed to expire. You can't soak the rich and the companies enough to cover the mountain of debt already on the books, and there needs to be shared sacrifice to keep classes from feeling they're the only ones affected by the decision that were made that were beyond their control (rich or poor).
Second, all spending should be frozen at current levels until Clinton era GDP-to-Debt ratios are restored (about 18%).
Third, taxes need to be rationalized by closing loopholes (for everyone) and lowering the overall rate and then stop choosing pet industries and groups to bribe for votes. I should be able to do my taxes on a post card.
Fourth, give the President (regardless of party) the Line Item Veto so we can stop loading unassociated crud into essential spending. The items vetoed can always go back for an override if people are willing to go on record in support of them.
Finally, term limits for Congress. A maximum of 6 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate. If you can't make your mark in 24 years you should probably be looking for other work, anyway.
Alrighty then....I feel better for some reason....
Spin it any way you want. In the final analysis, the Republican Party will own the Sequestration...deal with it.
Transfer Authority.
Do this, and there's no more scare tactics.
I always have to laugh whenever I hear that talking point that "the government doesn't create jobs, only the private sector does." And then when government is to cut the defense budget the argument is a lot of jobs in the military and dependant private sector jobs will be lost. So funny.
Lotsa people here mentioning my name and distorting what I said. Let's just set the record straight.
I was responding to a specific comment, something to the effect of:
We could tax the top 1% at 100% and it wouldn't pay for 6 days of government.
Totally untrue... I used 2010 data (the latest available), you can find it here.
All taxpayers show about $8T in adjusted gross income.
The top 1% show about $1.5T in adjusted gross income.
The CBO has released new data on the deficit since I last posted on this (02/05/2013): The federal budget deficit will fall to $845 billion in 2013 the Congressional Budget Office reported Tuesday.
If we taxed the top 1% at 100% we could pay off the deficit and have a $650B surplus.
If we taxed the top 1% at 56%, we could balance the budget.
So let's put that fairy tale to rest. Yes, we can balance the budget by taxing the rich. Whether or not that is a good idea - whether or not it is desirable - that is not my intention to argue.
Simply put - this is not a GOP issue. Democrats run this country now and they are f'ing it up. They need to lead to a solution and neither Obama nor the Congress have a clue what to do. All they want is more power and money. The American people need to wake up and think for a change...
The question to ask is as follows:
Do you believe the nation should continue deficit spending and debt building for the next 10 years, as proposed by President Obama, or do you believe we should cut spending and work towards a balanced budget, as proposed by Republicans?
When you pose the real questions you get real results. The overwhelming answer will be to cut spending and work towards a balanced budget.
You ever notice how the liberal left is so quick to attack or call someone a racist, but never will they answer questions about where this president has gotten the right to take away our constitutional rights. But then if the truth is a bad thing and will revel the truth then attack because the people will get caught up in the fighting and forget what the actual fight was about.
For all the low information voters in here this sequester was Obama's idea, the Republicans should not have voted for it, but I believe that they like the feeling of they hands holding their ankles, no guts. Obama also make the comment that the congress better not try to pass any bills reversing the sequester cuts because he would veto them. NOW all of a sudden hundreds of thousands of people are going to lose their jobs if it isn't stopped. Besides the fact that there is NO cuts, let me repeat that for the low information voter, or stupid media type of people. THERE IS NO CUTS IN THE SEQUESTER. It is a reduction in the increases for the departments, also these doesn't come into full effect for 10 YEARS, I just hope we get Boehner and his butt buddies out of office before he gives away the entire country.
Backhouse "GOP OWNS THE SEQUESTER: Their majority and Leaders voted for it....The Sequester cuts everything by the same percentage, without regard to how valuable the program"
So did the Democrats, and it was both PROPOSED and signed by Obama, so it's nice of you to absolve them of any blame.
And it's not really a straight cut in all programs - in fact, Obama had to propose where all of the cuts would occur (even though he resisted and dragged his feet), and they varied widely by program.
Republicans nowadays are confused on why they lost the last election and how they can win the next one. Some argue it was because of Mitt Romney's gaffes and his inability to explain how tax cuts for the rich and cuts to Medicare helps the middle class. Others argue that the party wasn't conservative enough; all we need to do is destroy Medicare and Social Security and eliminate all taxes on the rich and we'll be partying in the Oval Office. They think that their messaging is off, but that America is truly a God-fearing, gay-bashing, government-hating country. To paraphrase Shakespeare, "The fault, dear GOP, is not in thy stars, but in thyself."
The Republican Party, some claim, has lost its way; the 2010 election was an illusion of grandeur and support when in actuality it was a trap that sucked in the party. Unfortunately, the Republican Party lost its way long ago. They abandoned an admirable role in history as the Party of Lincoln, the party that freed the slaves and turned them into citizens, into the Party of Reagan, the party that caused the Great Recession and wants to regulate a woman's body. They worship Reagan as the man that rebuilt the party; yet Reagan would be castigated as a socialist if he sought to become a Republican. If they want to resurrect their party and restore their once-glorious throne in the annals of history, they must reject the notion of being the Party of Reagan and become the Party of Reason. They may not wipe their dirty plate clean, but at least they will avoid being insulted by future generations.
As David Walker put it on the top of this vine, we Democrats have to put in our blood and sweat to deal with our problems. Entitlement reform is a must; means testing isn't exactly where I would go, but it might work (the rich ought to pay more in taxes to fund the entitlement programs, for starters). Tax increases are a must; I would go farther than David on this one by arguing for a top tax rate of 70% for millionaires and billionaires (those making over $5 million, to be exact), a revision of the AMT to be a surtax on incomes over $100,000, a cap-and-trade regime (or carbon tax, whichever), and a global corporate tax rate. Healthcare reform is a must: Obamacare is one step forward for the single-payer healthcare system we all envision. Education reform is a must: nothing like universal preschool works better. And overall economic reform is a must: we must finally regulate and break down the big banks and financial institutions and restore labor unions and manufacturing industries to the prominence that they rightly deserve. My fellow Democrats, we can do this. Let us fight hard and well for the country we all know and love.
TO: ldo who wrote:
If Republicans acted like mature adults and accepted responsibility for their failures we wouldn't have to "call them out" all the time.
Republicans conduct themselves too much like children having tantrums, and children refusing to play fair.
Republicans lie all the time in order to AVOID taking responsibility for the things that Republican mess up.
Eric-913730, Owebama got re-elected because he promised free crack to crack addicts - never mind the cost, and never mind that he is going to keep them addicted to crack instead of learning to fend for themselves.
AmericanGirl: Republicans lie?
Oh, you mean how republicans lied by demanding sequestration and then saying the other side did it? Oh wait, that was Owebama.
Oh, you mean how republicans lied about the other side not being willing to comprpomise when they just compromised two months ago on the tax rates? Oh wait, that was Owebama too.
Oh, now I get it! You must mean how the republican president called Bush's debt "that will have to be paid by by every man woman and child" was unAmerican and unpatriatic during the campaign, only to rack up the most debt in history as president? Oh wait, that also was Owebama.
Oh... You must mean how the republicans said they did everything they could to help our men in Benghazi, when in fact they turned their back as our men died. Oh wait, that also was Owebama.
Funny how I keep getting Owebama confused with a liar.
TO: Realist17 who wrote:
The United States Constitution does not instruct the American People to "fend for themselves".
The United States Constitution says that the United States Government shall "promote the general" well being of the American People.
You straight make the case why Republicans have got no business being anywhere near Washington. Republicans claim to base their beliefs on the Constitution but don't have a clue of what that document prescribes.
TO: Realist17 who wrote:
Constantly, you can't stop them. Here's one of your lies:
Republicans just sit around and make up rotten stuff to say about the President of the United States.
Shame on you!
No lie there... he promised free stuff to people who are addicted to free stuff.
And yes, the Constitution does EXACTLY that. It allows people the RIGHT to fend for themselves without encroachment by the Govt. Our founding fathers ensured that we would all have the right to life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness...
In spite of what you would like to believe, none of my points about Owebama are fabrications. Every single one of them is true. Shame on me for calling him out? Shame on the national mainstream media for NOT calling him out.
But I'm sure you didn't say anything rotten about Bush though, right? Typical liberal hypocrite.
This time I am not worried about the Sequester because when it came up before they kicked it down the road a little. Obama blinked even though he had all the cards. I do not believe that Obama or the Democrats will let the Sequester happen. Obama does not want it to land as much as he bluffed. So I believe it will not happen. The Republicans held out more but this was not completely tested because Obama and the Democrats blinked first so we will never know if the Republicans would have blinked.
Some economists are saying that whether we do the Sequester or not is irrelevant. Others say it is deadly. I am not sure either way since we have continually done it one way, and that is kicking it down the road or raising the Debt. This particular Sequester has not been tried. Others could be more deadly depending on what is on the chopping block.
TO: Realist17 who wrote:
["... Owebama got re-elected because he promised free crack to crack addicts..."]
What are you trying to say, that Republicans are too stupid to know the difference between a lie and truth, or are you saying that Republicans live in their own parallel universe that is totally detached from reality?
TO: Realist17 who wrote:
Fine, what's your point?
You're cool to go on about your business, but you really need to stop with making up stuff, because you and others like you are destroying the Republican brand with those non-stop lies.
No one can believe a word that comes out Republicans' mouths because first of all Republicans refuse to accept responsiblity, and secondly Republicans lie and deny too much.
Your words mean absolutely nothing - not backed up by fact... but rather bald hyperbole. Put some substance into your messages and you'll come off as a lot more intelligent, because right now your posts are beyond stupid.
The king owns the sequestor he demanded and signed it its his. The economy has never recovered even though were spending like drunken sailors. Its time to start cutting spending. Lets go full sequestor bring it on. Scare tactics by progressives to try to ruin the economy more. In two years for the election the economy will still suck people will look and still see obama in charge. So after 6 terrible years of his presidency democrats will be the ones thinking how to remake their party .So like clinton democrats will see a royal ass whipping at mid-terms. Bring it on.
StoptheCannibals-2908428
Well you start out most of your posts with the standard "you must watch Fox News" drivel which is the number one talking point the left hands you lemmings. Durrrrrr Aside for that you understand I can read other posts you've made right?? The only thing I'm left wondering is whether or not you want a cracker, Polly?
What? You didn't get it?? Shocker!!! /sarcasm
What I meant was that both Romney and Obama ran campaigns that were as full of @!$%# as both men are. Again, durrrrr. Sorry there is no crayon font to make things easier for you to grasp. And I'm not a republican, I see them as being every bit a worthless as the people who are working you like a puppet.
The 'Sequester' Was A Brilliant Idea And Obama Should Be Proud Of It
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-sequester-was-a-good-idea-2013-2#ixzz2Lcf68YpF
Simply put - this is a GOP issue.
In 2000, unemployment was 4%, the budget was balanced and the economy had been experiencing unprecedented growth for 8 years.
Republicans held majorities in both houses of Congress (and would continue their dominance for 6 years). In 2000, a Republican was elected to the president. After 8 years of sterling Republican leadership - unemployment was 8% and rising faster than Halliburton's profits, national debt had doubled, federal spending had doubled and the nation's budget deficit topped $1T for the first time in history. The economy? What do I need to say about the economy of 2008?
Do you really think that the idiots who accomplished all this in only 8 years are the ones to put it right?
EEngineer
And when did things start to go downhill?? When did the recession start?? That's right, after the dems took control of Congress. Funny how now that Obama is in charge everything is the fault of Congress but when Bush was in charge everything was the fault of the President. Your guy had two years of total control and Obamas policies resulted in the worst recovery from a recession since the Great Depression.
PLEASE accept reality!!! The current President isn't even a tiny little bit better than the last and continuing to whine and cry about the last President isn't going to change that fact or distract anyone with half a brain from it!
Do you really think they'd do any worse than the guy who doubled the damage in half the time?? At least the republicans are pretending the debt matters even if they haven't accepted their responsibility for starting the explosion of it.
Oh, bullcrap!
Economist Justin Wolfers, 06/08/2011, here:
...you'll see that the recession began in the final quarter of 2006, not the end of 2007. The economy had already run out of steam halfway through Bush's second term.
Naw, you can't spin this away... this is a Republican recession!
Please accept reality!
Right back at ya!
American Girl,
I give you facts, and you respond with angry generalizations. So typical....
The sequester WAS an Obama administration tool to get his tax increases through. FACT
Obama DID tell the nation that the republicans had better not try to eliminate the sequester, and if they did he would veto it. FACT
Obama is now acting as if the sequester is the republicans fault and blaming them for it. FACT
All your ranting about evil republicans is not based on fact. Nothing in libby land is based on fact. Obama stood up last week and begged for more money for universal head start programs for 4 year olds saying, "We know this works!"
Just before Christmas, the Health and Human Services Dept (part of his govt) released the most extensive study ever on headstart, and the study showed that by 3rd grade, there was no perceptable difference between the head start kids and the others. Bottom line: We know it does NOT work!
EEngineer: The CBO has released new data on the deficit since I last............
This is where I stopped with EEengineer's post. The CBO? Please. Dave Walker, a genius. He makes braniac statements [you'd think he was an economist by trade] such as: "If we taxed the rich people a whole bunch--bunches and bunches--will could raise huge revenues and it would balance the budget." Do we have a future Nobel Prize winner on our hands, huh?
Eengineer: Naw, you can't spin this away... this is a Republican recession!
I'm going to lump this guy in with braniac Dave Walker. Both agree that taxing those rich people gonna fix everything and, beyond this, offer nothing but general nitwit statements that you can obtain from 5 minutes of a Bloated Maddow rant. You guys gotta find a way to be original and not just repeat a bunch of Bloated Maddow rants.
EEngineer: ........and rising faster than Halliburton's profits......
Another favorite phrase of Bloated Maddow. Can't believe this braniac steals material from that pompous nitwit. Hopefully, Dave Walker and EEngineer will share some more of that braniac knowledge. Let's here some more from the CBO and how we can get that money from those rich people and all problems are solved and pepper in a comment about illegal wars and Halliburton. Make Bloated Maddow proud!
Hmmm, but we should trust the intelligence and insight of someone with the handle "Puddy"?
Hahahahahahahaha!
EEngineer
Half way through Bushes second term. Which would be EXACTLY when the dems took control of Congress, Thanks for the quote proving my statement.
Of course the reality is that BOTH parties are equally to blame and they BOTH get away with it because sheep, such as yourself, are too stupid to see, or care, what their own party is doing as they rabidly rant and rave about the other guys.
Where's the compromise?
This group of GOP Clowngressmen can't even spell compromise, let alone participate in one. Heck, they couldn't even agree with the author's of Webster's Dictionary on the definition.
A muddled message?
Not to an increasing number of voters; it's summed up thusly:
"If Obama is for it, we're against it - even if it's what we asked for yesterday."
Look who's coming to CPAC: Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney
That was sweet of the CPAC organizers to take the DNC suggestions for guest speakers. Hope Half-governer / Full-time-nitwit Palin enjoys her additional few minutes of fame. The highlight of her talk (meandering tirade) will be a full-throated endorsement of Mittens for President; well, better late than never.
But the highlight of the conference will be the proposal to rebrand the party as what it's morphed into. In line with it's true purpose in life, the GOP will henceforth be known as "The Disorganized, But Effective, Method To Re-elect Nancy Pelosi Speaker Of The House"
The official corporate sponsor of CPAC has switched from Reynolds to Alcoa this year and they'll be keynoting the event with a paper on effective deterrent strategies to mind control using readily available kitchen supplies. But, based on the personal thoughts scribbled on the ever-present posters that we can expect to see, I'm not aware of anyone who's really interested in whatever may or may not be going on in your head... ok, the people that perscribe your meds are and request that you get back on them immediately. I can tell you that if aliens or the "guvnment" were attempting to read your minds, all they would get back is a very quick read and probably replays of selected Faux Noise clips, stuck on continuous loop.
Backcountry -
The last quarter of 2006. Why do I bother arguing with idiots?
Elections were held in Nov, 2006. New Congressmen were sworn in on Jan, 2007! So you are saying Democrats were to blame even though they hadn't even been sworn in yet? You don't even know how our system of government works. What makes you think you are entitled to any opinion on what effects our government had on the economy?
I suffer through endless posts here about how stupid Democratic voters are and then I run into this!
Pot, kettle...
President’s plan only saves 1800 billion over 10 years. (180 billion per year in savings). The
DEFICIT is over 1300 billion per year.
1300 -180 = 1,120 BILLION in DEFICIT spending per year. WHAT A JOKE.
Whitehouse dot gov/sites/default/files/docs/deficit_reduction_table_bucketed_r8.pdf
who cares about all this.....nothing matters if our presidents keep making up words to circumvent the constitution....nothing matters, nothing will matter if we have no control over our own presidents
The Right versus the Right over
Obamacare
It looks more like the South versus the North as Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley, Bob McDonnell and Rick Perry all say no to free federal cash to expand Medicaid in their states while the Republican Governors in the Northern, more Blue and Purple states like Chris Christie, John Kasich, Susana Martinez and now even Rick Scott opt for the free Federal funding for Medicaid. The governors are less divided on if they will build the exchanges as only two have said they will.
I believe that if Bob McDonnell were eligible to run for a second term he would also opt to expand Medicaid.
This should provide for some very interesting conversation at the Republican Governors Association meeting this weekend and even to a larger extent as we get closer to the start of the 2016 race.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/governors-on-aca-ideologues-vs-pragmatists-87879.html?hp=t2_3
You can add Michigan's defunct governor to the list. While dysfunctional in most every other way he has opted to accept federal money and expand medicare to those that have no access to basic health care. If he wasn't such an azz in so many other ways including anti labor, (thats working people righty's), anti worker and pro raising taxes on the poor and seniors. Well at least he is on the right side of history on this one.
And many of those States accepting Federal Funds are putting laws in place that when Federal Funds are cut, they can and will opt out.
WE ALL KNOW the sequestration was put in place by Obama back in 211 and he said he would Veto any vote that did not include it. Of course the Liberal Koolaid drinkers don't believe this because, due to their ignorance, no many how many lies Obama tells them, they are all truths. His failures are never his fault.
Hendy329
WE ALL KNOW the sequestration was put in place by Obama back in 211 and he said he would Veto any vote that did not include it. Of course the Liberal Koolaid drinkers don't believe this because, due to their ignorance,
See post 1.3 and watch this video.Then tell yourself who's ignorant.
Boehnor liked the sequester and now his lackeys and FOX NEWS are repeating that LIE.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45755822/ns/msnbc-the_ed_show/#50881128
FYI: Polls show people are blaming Republicans
That's the beauty of having a governor not running for re-election in Virginia. Decisions are made based on what's best for the state rather than what's done to be re-elected. Bravo Governor McDonald.
Gotta love Republicans sticking to their guns, "Obama is a community organizer and not a leader".
Well, how did he get elected and re-elected if he isn't a leader. Also, he seems to have done a good job organizing Americans to his ideals.
Boehner is probably kicking himself that he walked away from the Grand Bargain twice. Obama is holding out that bargain again, and Republicans are sticking their noses up at it.
2014 isn't going to be pretty for the Republicans
Think,
I believe it to be more about pleasing the Conservatives that hate Obamacare so that is one box checked when he runs for President or whatever his next elected office might be.
He no longer needs to please all voters in VA, just the Conservatives !
Dennis, terrific observation.
Iowa's GOPer Gov Branstad has said repeatedly he would refuse the medicaid expansion money but this week, he's meeting with Secretary Sebelius to discuss it.
Branstad is one more fiscally inept republican governor. Iowa has a huge surplus of money in our "rainy day fund". Rather than put the money back into the education, infrastructure, etc programs that were drastically cut beginning with Branstad's latest tenure as Governor, his plan is to give every Iowa taxpayer a refund. Instead of investing some of that surplus in growing Iowa's economy, improving the educational system he claims to want to improve by investing it in programs that would provide more economic growth, he wants to give it back. Anyone knows that a rebate check is generally used to pay off a debt or put in a savings account for emergencies. That is a recipe for disaster. Knowing Branstad's previous 16 yrs of governorship's pre-disposition to keeping separate sets of accounting books--odds are, Iowa doesn't really have that huge surplus of money.
ThinkAboutIt, McDonnell is positioning himself for his next campaign--he isn't doing what is best for VA or its citizens.
Nice try Hendy, but like all Republicans you just don't get it. The Sequestration was officially passed as the "Budget Control Act of 2011" (by Congress, the term "act" should have given it away for you) as a last ditch compromise with the Tea Party to get them to approve the debt limit. Granted we only delayed the inevitable in that the Tea Party is bound and determined to bring down the US Economy because they don't like taxes, still it did buy some time.
Whine all you want but your little tea party is nearly over. When millions of Americans lose their jobs they will blame the Republican Party.
Gotta love the libs. Their messiah wasn't going to sign off on anything that that didn't have the sequester in it, so he gets it. Now when the House stands up to our collectivist leader, the libs get all snarky about it being the Republicans fault because they won't cave to the messiah. Look people the sequester needs to happen. The deficient needs to be addressed. Obama can campaign for the next 4 years, which is what he's only good at, but people know that the government has a spending problem. No matter what dear leader and his cronies like Pelosi say. This is nothing but a run up to 2014 house elections. Obama is going to use his political machine and dirty tricks to steam roll through the house like Sherman ran through Georgia. Oh, he will say that he's for the middle class and that those evil Republicans are standing in the way of a truly progressive America. But the bottom line is he wants the power and wants the power to push people around to do the liberal bidding. The House is in a bad spot. They can cave, and screw the country even deeper, or they can stand up and get bashed by Obama and his band of thieves and get screwed out of House in 2014. If that happens, then we the people are truly screwed. Sad that the left is drowning in the koolaid, our country is in dire need of real leadership, not political power players. We have none of that now, and I don't see it getting better in the future. Elections have consequences and now we are living them big time.
Hey Realitybites... Go find some, bring it back, and we'll tell YOU if it actually bites...
The only reason there is any doom and gloom over the sequester is not that the country cannot stand an 85 billion dollar spending cut, but that Obama has no interest in cutting any spending. So in typical Democrat fashion, the areas most painful to cut are paraded out for everyone to gasp over, while areas that should have been cut many moons ago remain. So rather then put forth a plan for sensible cuts, Obama is demanding more revenue. Even the cuts Obama claims to have done, or should I say reductions in future planned spending increases haven't happened yet. In fact these pretend cuts are a 10 year back end loaded ruse that everyone will have to wait until 2022 to see if they actually materialize. Long after Obama leave office. Obama is real good at focus group tested talking points, like balanced approach, or paying their fair share, but no actual plan that everyone can read has come from Obama or the Senate Democrats. Obama can change in an instant where the cuts take place, so Republicans need to take the heat until a Democrat plan is on the table.
Rick is full of assumptions, devoid of facts
Jezz. There is no doubt that you are an ignorant. How can you make a call about southern states vs northern states and put New Mexico among Northern States.
oskar,
Forgive me if I offended you … not really
It was a vague reference … I also noted that several of
the States were blue/purple with Republican Governors.
Dennis, please stick to politics on the national level or Ohio's level because you really don't know Va. Politics. Governor McDonald is a moderate. Check out the things he's clashed with the state's other Conservative Republicans before making the assumption he's vote on the health care issue was directed to the conservatives.
2. Questions to all of the commentors here. "Do you live on a Budget? Do you spend more than you take in?
The U.S under Obama has not had or presented a budget in the last 6 years. Obama has been funding the government with his endless credit card.
My son once told me, "when your outgo is more than income, your spending will be your downfall." I would say he is right
Force the pres and his demo cronies to present a budget, like the rest of us.
Jody, please see above comment to Dennis.
Think,
Think before you comment …
You know nothing about me or my connections to VA.
I lived in VA and still have relatives, retired Navy friends and other friends that live there that I communicate with via email at least weekly.
Their opinions are golden ... about half are Republicans
fastedd,
People, households, businesses and States are not sovereign.
It is important that people understand what “sovereign” means and why comparing other budgets to a budget for a sovereign Nation is light years apart.
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Women_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Education_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Budget_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Immigration_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Gun Control_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Pulpit_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Wrists_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Internet_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Television_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Smart phone_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Smart person_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Way of the Dodo_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Backs of others_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Hill_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _International scene_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Planet_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Knees_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Radio_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Taxes_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Jobs_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Poor_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Separation of Church & State_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Wealthy_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Kama Sutra_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Truth_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Wars_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Men's room wall_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Latinos_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Children_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _GOP_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Tea Party_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Corporations_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Bottom of the heap_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Skids_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Regular_— (fill in the blank)
First Thoughts: GOP's weak position on the _Way to becoming legendary_— (fill in the blank)
TO: Rick-3416939 who wrote:
Wrong!
Republicans refuse to listen, as usual.
Dennis,
Emailing and living the life here in Virginia are two different things. You are getting your information second handed and by your own skewed view to the left, you probably aren't listening to any of your Republican friends. I'm born, bred and will die a Virginia. I've voted for Democratic Governors (most recently Mark Warner who is now one of our Senators) and I've voted for Republican Governors (most recently Bob McDonald). I don't spew along party lines, I vote and work for solutions, not political posturing.
You could take some lessons about working out solutions from Governor McDonald, rather than playing the blame game.
Think,
Keep making assumption based on nothing … that will get
you real far in business and life … Good Luck with that
Think and Rick...
Better look out, the all powerful oz (aka dennis of columbus) knows all and sees all. poor dennis fails to understand that such an attitude shows us all that he is far from being ignorant, but that he is incredably stupid. IE ignorance can be cured, but stupidity lasts forever.
BTW dennis NBC did a little fact checking of what obama said in the SOTU, seems that he does indeed point out accomplishments not likely to be acheived within the timeline of his administration.
As foe obamacare, somehow I think that its passage without bipartisan support and in less than a year won't be the panacea you say it will or even really be affordable.
American Girl-724855:
I don't mind listening, but if I disagree with you even after listening, evaluating, and confirming my original position, you just call me names.
I get input across a large spectrum of outlets. There's no Rush and maybe two mornings a year from Fox, ABC, and NBC News. The rest are filled with PBS and BBC along with ESPN, CNBC and the Weather Channel. Mainly I read a variety of papers. I actually have some nuanced views that cross party lines. But we never get that far because it isn't even considered by many posting here that I might want a real dialogue on the subjects.
What you're really saying is that you want me to listen and do it only your way, even if I have thoughtful and informed views that honestly differ from yours.
President Obama's current mantra that "Elections have consequences." is a more eloquent way of stating Bush's "I'm the decider." after the 2004 (re)election. Neither team really tries that hard. It's a shame because it's not as hard as it is made out to be to act constructively, if we don't assume the other side is out to screw us....
Yep, I can't think of a better way to address the "deficient" than to reduce tax revenues by the loss of millions of American jobs. That should really pump up consumer spending, right?
Please go back to your tea.
@Hendy ... perhaps you should take a refresher course in Civics. The President could NOT put sequestration in place. Only Congress could, and did, to that. Perhaps it has been so long since Congress has actually done anything that people forget that we actually have a legislature.
I'd like to see your proof that Obama REQUIRED sequestration? It is only in place only as a sop to the tea party nuts who were prepared to throw the country into default if they didn't get things EXACTLY their way.
What a load of crap. First of all this entire sequestering thing was Obama's idea and back then the republicans went along with it probably because they figured they had no other recourse.
Secondly, all this diatribe on the dire consequences of sequestration to the people and to the economy over something which amounts to a cut of something like 44 billion (not the 85 billion stated) out of a budget over 3.8 trillion. This "disaster to the economy" diatribe is sheer nonsense perpetrated by Obama who absolutely loathes any spending restrictions at all.
Finally, if sequestration actually kicks in, it doesn't actually mean any spending cuts at all because spending will increase nonetheless, just at a somewhat of a slower rate.
There will be, of course, the incredibly stupid that will always believe any rhetoric spewing from the mouth of Obama. After all, that's how he got elected.
Good morning Rick. It looks to me like you are saying the Democrats (whether in Congress or the White House) chose which agencies to cut through Sequestration. You do realize of course that that is a lie...right?
Sequestration, or the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed as a compromise with Tea Party Members of the House to get them to vote to increase the Debt Ceiling. Strange how you conveniently forgot that little fact. But then I forgot Republicans replace facts they don't like with crap they make up like you inclusion of "probably" to prevent it from being a blatant lie.
What do you base your "estimate" of the impact on? I use the Congressional Budget Office. By the way, contrary to FOX and Friends, Federal spending was down in Fiscal year 2012.
What do you base that statement on? If Federal spending is down and the Agency budgets are cut by 15% or so across the board...on what planet does that result in a spending increase?
This from a typical low information RWNJ.
Wow, turd. LOL
Your refresh button is slow young padawan.
I guess I'll need a tune up if I want to be frist ever again.
Frist?
WHOOPIE---- I'm first. Tell fiesty or bev to run down to the corner store and pick you up the latest edition of the 2nd grade stay between the lines coloring book, and a sheet of self stick gold stars. That aught to do it for ya. me, me ,me, me me, me, me, me, me, who gives a rats ass if your 1st or last, DOPE. AND amazingly, people reply by giving you a little star, OH GOOOOOOOOOOOOODIE.
Feisty just thought you should know there's someone on nbc/msnbc whatever it's called now impersonating you
I tried to email you but I can't figure out how it works now lol
From the article: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/20/17029454-texas-woman-calls-911-i-need-some-cigarettes?threadId=3670639&commentId=74338345#c74338345
It took me a minute to realize it wasn't you, then I realized there wasn't a space between the comma and IL
Gotta love Republicans sticking to their guns, "Obama is a community organizer and not a leader".
Well, how did he get elected and re-elected if he isn't a leader. Also, he seems to have done a good job organizing Americans to his ideals.
Boehner is probably kicking himself that he walked away from the Grand Bargain twice. Obama is holding out that bargain again, and Republicans are sticking their noses up at it.
2014 isn't going to be pretty for the Republicans
Oh JAYSUS! NOT AGAIN!!! lol
Every couple of weeks or so, my imposter(s) *pop* in again!
Thanks for the heads-up Fitz!
Feisty, we always know the real you, all we have to do is follow the spilled pork rinds.
You're welcome, at first I almost went all "Texan" on you lol, then I was like wait a minute it's not in blue! so I pulled up that one and then yours and noticed the difference.
I made sure in that thread that people knew it wasn't actually you.
stopfreeloaders
... a task you are eminently qualified for.
bcwc: that made me lol, thanks I needed that been having a @!$%#ty morning.
@Eric-913730
Gotta love Republicans sticking to their guns, "Obama is a community organizer and not a leader".
Well, if Republicans coul
Obama and the media Obama worshiper are helping Obama to flip flop the truth for poliyical gain.
MBC, MSNBS, and the rest are not news anymore they are puppets of the left.
“Already some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No, I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending. There will be no easy off ramps on this one"..........Barack Obama
http://www.redstate.com/alanjoelny/2013/02/20/obama-once-vowed-veto-to-keep-wapo-and-politifact-agree-sequestration-was-obamas
oskar, did you make it past 4th grade?
Hi everyone, especially all the wonderfully liberal ladies who are still here. I was contemplating returning on a regular basis to comment as well as read and discovered this organizational nightmare in place. If some one can explain what has happened to this once great site to share facts and opinion, I will greatly appreciate you effort.
Shellie-657180 (#3.14):
Obviously not. Didn't even make it past pre-school.
I figure by 1016 most of the crapola Obama has forced down our throats, like Obama care will be all but gone as there will be no money for such frivolities. blame it on whom ever BUT THEY WILL BE GONE. Oh and Bush did it.
By 1016???
Americans will blame GOP for sequester
Posted by Greg Sargent
As a substantive matter, if John Boehner really believes we can achieve substantial deficit reduction with spending cuts alone, then perhaps heshould go ahead and name the specific spending cuts Republicans would support that would accomplish this. That aside, I continue to be perplexed by the apparent belief among Republicans that they will be able to shift the blame for the sequester entirely to Obama. Boehner's claim that the American people"don't support trading spending cuts for higher taxes" is highly dishonest: in reality, we're talking about closing loopholes and deductions enjoyed by the rich and corporations; and the American people oppose bringing down the deficit only through deep cuts to specific programs. The American people know who stands for a deeply unbalanced approach, and who favors a judicious, balanced one.
Indeed, majorities of the American people take a dim view of the Congressional GOP's policy priorities. A recent Post poll found that 55 percent of Americans — including 55 percent of independents and 64 percent of moderates —have an unfavorable view of the policies Congressional Republicans will pursue over the next four years. This is not a political atmosphere in which Republicans can count on escaping blame if and when Washington shenanigans damage the economy. Obama just decisively won an election that turned heavily on public perceptions of which party is really on the side of working Americans, and which is really on the side of the wealthy. Polls have shown majorities see Republicans as the uncompromising party in Washington. So the public is likely to be inclined to blame them — at least in part — for the continued standoff, without paying close attention to the details. Put simply, Republicans have more to lose politically than the reelected Obama does.
Republicans may simply be putting on a game face about the politics of the sequester because they may view it as a necessity at this point. As you may recall, a top GOP aide told Politico recently that a government shutdown fight might be necessary for Republican lawmakers to get the need for an apocalyptic confrontation with Obama "out of their system," i.e., for"member management purposes."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/02/20/the-morning-plum-americans-will-blame-gop-for-sequester/
______________________________________________________
We the People are being somewhat patient.
We realize that you'll Yahoo's are just not going to live with yourselves if you don't at some point get your "apocalyptic" way for a while.
So go ahead we'd rather you get it out of your system sooner rather than later. So pat your little footsies and hold your breath until you turn blue in that little endearing recalcerant childlike way that you have. But make no mistake about who is going to get the blame for pushing policy that We have abandoned several years ago .
That Light at the End of the Tunnel you'll Yahoo's see is the Train that's fixing to run you down if you'll are going to continue to stand athwart the Tracks.
And you'll ain't going to have no one to blame but yourselves for your continued attempts to deny Reality.
Independent Redneck Va.
Independent Redneck Va
Excellent comment on Greg Sargent article. It's not just the trains. How 'bout the highways buckling and the needed repair bridges and roads which our President has been asking for in his JOBS ACT for the past four years?
Independent Redneck Va.
Nicely done, IR.
Salud
Seems to me the Republicans could say---we still believe in deficit control, cutting spending but the fragile state of the economy dictates that we get back on our feet now and address the deficit later. They seem to live in fear of losing their base but where is their base going to go? If the people with money quit giving it to the primary challengers the incumbents would be fine.
Independent, here's a news flash for you. About a month ago, the Republicans allowed a tax increase on those making $400K or more without ANY spending cuts. So now, why don't we see some cuts before they start talking about increasing taxes again ? And just to be clear, I don't consider myself Republican or Democrat.
Beverly - Are you talking about all those shovel ready jobs that funds were allocated for 4 years ago with Obama's stimulus plan?
Republicans could pay a steep price? They could. They should. Will they really? I doubt it. Too many have rejected common arithmetic absolutes, and collective reason, to the favor of prejudiced political dogma, however ill fitting the dogma to factual reality. Republicans are quite literally, La la Landers, always available and able, to provide the sustenance required to maintain and cultivate the various and queer manifestations of all those who prize the principals of prejudicial bias over the dynamics of collective logical reason. Eventually the la la landers will lose, but, as yet, at what price to the country? I fear, much. Very much.
With
last year’s Budget Control Act — which resolved the debt ceiling crisis, and
set the stage for the “fiscal cliff” — President Obama agreed to cut discretionary spending by $1.5
trillion over the next ten years. If you split defense spending — which
accounts for $600 billion in savings — from that total, you’re left with $900
billion in cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, accomplished by an
across-the-board cap on appropriations.
What’s
more, as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains, this cap is based on 2010 funding
levels, which weren’t pumped up by the stimulus (“increases in discretionary
funding under the Recovery Act are 2009 appropriations,” even if the money
wasn’t spent until the following year).
Far
from an unreasonable sop to the left, Obama’s proposal for $1.6 trillion in new
revenue actually brings us back closer to a “balanced” deal on the fiscal
cliff, when you consider last year’s spending cuts. And indeed, if you include
Obama’s Medicare cuts, the White House deal is actually somewhat tilted towards
spending cuts.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2012/12/06/reminder-obama-has-already-agreed-to-big-spending-cuts/
Here’s your Newflash Kowripper. I’ll see your tax cuts and
raise you some spending cuts.
Alls we’re talking about here is reforming the tax code.
Something that even Romney admitted needed to be done if you remember.
Let’s stay focused on the task at hand instead of wandering
off into the weeds.
Doesn't anyone remember this was Obamas idea and now he blaming the right. Its amazing how low information voters on the left can be so easily manipulated.
This entire article (by Chuck Todd as usual) and to most of the posts above,
Spin, recycle, repeat, spin again, recycle again, repeat again ..... and on and on the circus continues while the sheep go baaaa-baaaa. Propaganda at its best!
stop
You are a prime example of a low informational voter. Did you even know that Congress BOTH the house and senate pass the bill that included the sequester. Repubs and Dems voted in favor for it. But oh no its ALL Obama idea now, right.. Thats we call 1 side thinking. But what else should I expect from a right wing obama hater, pathetic..
IR, well said, both posts!
SF, so true but I don't think the GOPTPers use logic any more if they even know the meaning of the word.
stopfreeloaders, short-term memory problem there, stop? Having voted for it (along with nearly all the other republicans) John Boehner said he was happy because he got 98% of what he wanted--in other words, he owns 98% of the sequester. Paul Ryan loved it so much he put it in his latest irresponsible budget, declared in 2011 how thrilled he was with the sequester. President Obama has never denied his role in the sequester BUT republicans are doing their best to deny their part. Typical, the GOP blew up the deficit and the debt under Bush/Cheney, now they behave as if their credit-card, unfunded spending spree was President Obama's fault! Talk about Stopfreeloaders, we could stop the biggest freeloaders of all time by voting out every republican in Congress!!!!
KowRipper
The Republicans did not "allow" a tax increase - the Bush tax cuts were always supposed to be temporary, remember? So was the payroll tax reduction.
When the Bush tax cuts were ALL set to expire, President Obama and the Democrats offered a balanced approach that would have preserved the tax cuts for the middle class in return for spending cuts that included entitlement reform.
Once again, the Republicans refused to compromise - they couldn't even agree to pass their own "Plan B"! The Senate had to come up with a plan that would pass the Senate and the House, with Democratic support, that allowed the tax cuts to expire for thosee making over $400k.
Please get your facts straight before you post.
President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have made several attempts to compromise on a balance approach to deficit reduction that includes sepending cuts, entitlement reform, tax refom and tax increases.
The Republicans in Congress continue to refuse to compromise. The sequester is on their heads.
IR...
You are making the assumption that that a 51% popular vote margin is a mandate. Isn't that reckless thinking?
Wouldn't the results of the 2010 midterms have shown obama that loosing the house to the GOP and several senate seats as well that the American people were mandating that obama and company get down and fix or still struggling economy? Interesrting on how obama said the left took a "shellacking", but as the defacto leader of his party he still chose to go his own way.
If a 51% margin is a mandate, then it is also logical to say that obama's refusal to impliment any part (other than increasing revenue) of the bolle-simpson bipartisan commision shows us that obama really oesn't care about any type of mandate that goes against what he wants.
Hans nichols (bloombergTV) when he reported the survey numbers on obama earlier today, made an interesting observation...
Obama will push to have all of his "programs" passed before years end. Hmmmmm, I wonder if he (obama) thinks the 2014 elections will be another shellacking for the left? We already know the thoughtlessness behind much of the financial reform and obamacare legislation. Rarely does it benefit the average American to have massive legislation pushed through quickly.
Tnsevol...
LMAO! yep, we all can recall that obama and company spelling out tax rate hikes for the 1-2% but perhaps you can point out the specific spending cuts they are willing to endorse? Reducing the rate of growth in spending is hardly a plan for any type of effective deficit reduction, let alone debt reduction.
It sounds more like obama and company thinks that nothing needs to be cut, or at least wants the right to propose cuts first so that obama can use it as a political speaking point. I have heard obama say time and again that he is willing to make cuts to programs that are near and dear to him, but damn if he ever mentions them by name or agency.
The beauty of the sequester is that if it is implimented correctly the end recipients (read taxpayers, not bureacrats) will still benefit and the federal government becomes more efficient. Gone will be the political positioning in trying to imply that one program should be cut while another is allowed to suck up taxpayer $$$ foolishly.
Although the structure of Canada’s and America’s democracy has major differences the political parties on either side are ruled by the same forces. When any party walks into the hinterland and embraces, is willingly taken hostage by forces of stridency and implacability, the electorate which is dynamic by nature turns naturally to an expansive vision. The astute party of the day moves to encircle the middle where all elections are won.
The poll being released today reveals the Republican Party to be in lockstep and marching blindly to some fabled shiny valley in the hinterland. The voice of reason has been abandoned to the shills of radical purity and those within who would lead the party back to the country as a whole are derided and abandoned. While it is true that fortune is a fickle mistress, she is not so arbitrary in her decisions as to favor an ideology led by the guttersnipes of dogma and the crackpot third rate lieutenants of the Tea faction. Unless destruction is her cup of tea, and this may well be the case for several election cycles as the party seems unwilling to abandon the singular mores of its singular demographic.
The proof in this pudding is starkly revealed, America loves Christie … the Republican Party noise machine hates him.
My Liberal nature is amused at the Right’s daily postings of: Commie, Marxist, Socialist, Muslim, Pravda, CCCP, takers and ‘guberment teat suckers’ … gawd the list could run to several pages. Please continue as it does little but alienate the average voter. It is said that a child requires praise and if this form of childishness deserves the same … well done!
BCWC, terrific observations.
GOP House Dysfunction. It is a sorry state for the GOPTPers when the criticism comes not just from the opposition but from conservatives. It is a sorry state for GOPTPers when Speaker Boehner pens an Op Ed only to have it skewered by republican critics. It isn't just disagreement over taxes or regulation, it is outright questioning of the party and its feckless leaders as well as its prior decisions.
As a liberal, it does not bother me to hear or read about the republican war within itself. It does and should, however, raise questions about the ability of the GOP House to function at a time when it is most critical for it to act. Boehner and the GOP are more concerned about blaming the other side, blaming President Obama for their inability to function, for their own role in creating the latest unnecessary crisis than it is to just stop bickering and DO SOMETHING. Blame is not a solution.
This country suffered a total economic collapse in 2008, before Barack Obama was elected president. Republicans were incapable then to assist Congressional Democrats in charting a course for recovery as they are now to chart a course to solutions to the crises they have self-imposed on this country. The GOPTP House has held the American people and our economy hostage seven (7) times since January 2011. Inexcusable behavior. The GOPTPers are in a tail spin, not because of anything democrats have done, but because they failed to learn how to fly the plane while the other side had the keys.
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke yesterday. His words were absolutely correct. Our inability to solve problems at home, to put our fiscal house in order makes the United States look weak to the world, makes the job of diplomacy more difficult. Kerry's words were more diplomatic but, to some extent, they echoed my own and other liberal posters here. The GOPTPs behavior, the Congressional dysfunction makes us look stupid to the rest of the world. The USA cannot be respected as a Super Power if we behave like a banana republic.
Exactly, Jody. And the media seems to be focusing on dividing the blame equally, to avoid looking biased, however, it would be more helpful if they explained to the public what exactly the sticking points are. Lately, I've seen news stories about how bad it will be for our economy if these drastic cuts happen, but not much about why the House won't prevent them from happening.
Jody, Iowa-
Seems like they have held the American people and our economy hostage every day for the last 12 years.
Nice post, Jody.
Salud
There was an article in the Portland ME Press Herald today about the mess Greece is in. 26% unemployment (mostly young people), companies unable to meet payroll, inflation, strikes and unrest - and the GOP/TP wants to bring that kind of austerity to the USA via the sequester.
All they have to do is look across the pond to see the hell that will break loose if they refuse to work with the Administration. Stupid party, indeed.
The reason Greece is in the fix they are in is because the spent way beyond their means. And European Banks don't want to lend them any more money unless they cut their spending. That is why the Republicans are demanding bigger cuts in spending. What happens when the USA cannot borrow any more money? It's a real issue which needs to be addressed. Do we raise taxes or cut spending or both.
Something needs to be done. Personally, I think a raise in taxes may be necessary, BUT, not without significant cuts in entitlements (no, not social security and medicare). Food stamps, subsidized housing, unemployment benefits. Hard cuts, but necessary or we will end up like Greece.
Yes, lets divide the blame equally so to make it look like it isn't biased. Your guy has been in office now 4 years, and you fine liberal folks still think that people dont see this man for what he is---a well articulating fraud and failed leader? You guys better realize it. There are plenty out here that see him in his real shining glory all right.
I think if we want to extrapolate from what is going on in Europe, (which is problematic at best - every nation has its own specific set of issues), we need to look at countries like Ireland, which is presumably the model for right wing austerity solutions, as well as Greece.
Ireland has now passed its 6th consecutive austerity budget in a row. Unemployment in the nation remains near 15%. More disturbingly, that unemployment is edging lower, but there is real evidence that the reason it is edging lower is because people under 40 emigrating from the nation to places with more opportunity like Canada and Australia. In the meantime, the austerity measures, which were first implemented nearly four years ago have effectively destroyed the way of life of millions of Irish people - which the right wing would tell you is justified as long as the measures accomplished what they set out to accomplish.
I am a big believer in the notion that everything is a tradeoff and that success or failure of a given policy can only be judged longitudinally. However, we are closing in on a half-decade to judge the success or failure of austerity in Ireland. I would submit that the Irish would probably tell you right now that what they traded for the minimal amount of growth attributed to the austerity measures has not been worth it.
amy -- i think the media reporting about the "drastic" cuts is exceptionally misleading. the cuts represent a very small percentage of the overall budget. imagine the level of cuts needed to begin reducing deficits and debts. there is not enough tax money available to cover current and future spending desired by this administration.
Michael Thompson -
I totally agree with your post. In fact, I challenge anyone to point out just one example of where austerity measures did not in fact lead to further economic decline.
As you pointed out, Ireland tried it and paid for it. England continues to suffer because of their austerity measures, in fact they are back in recession. The decrease in military and other governemnt spending in Q4 of 2012 is what caused the US GDP to shrink.
The countries who have weathered the economic crisis the best are those who implemented a stimulus spending program, like Germany. The data has proven that the higher the stimulus, the better the recovery has been.
Of course, Republicans have never let the facts stand in the way of their beliefs before - so why should that change now?
Jody ... right back at you.
@blackcatwhitecat:Oooh! I like your mischief!
Obama has really blown the sequester "crisis." Why does the liberal press keep pushing the sequester onto the Republicans? It is a blatant lie! The sequester was OBAMA'S IDEA! You liberals need to watch FOX at least once in a while - I watch FOX and the liberal press (usually for a laugh, but I do watch). FOX has a clip of Obama making a speech endorsing the sequester...but I guess he was just for it before he was against it, right? Even Carney admitted that the sequester originated in the White House.
Come on NBC and the rest of you kool-aid-drinking liberals, admit that Obama screwed up...YET AGAIN!
But...didn't President Obama sign the bill that set up put the sequestration?
So says the socialist, left wing, msnbc, I for one, have quit the socialist democratic party, and am now a republican.
kaflann, so you're a corporate prostitute now?
I for one, have quit the totalitarian republican party, and I am now an Independent.
And the fibs from the right-wing crazies begin, unless you just woke from a 70-year coma and realized your Dixiecrat party has long since purged and merged with the Republican party.
So, YOU'RE the one!!!
Congratulations Kflann, you won't be missed.
Something tells me kflann never was a democrat--after all, anyone who brings up socialist in the same sentence with democrats did not suddenly see light or just learn a new term. Hey, kflann, we're all socialists; this country has always had a mix of public socialism and private capitalism--read your history. The intelligence comes from knowing the difference between good socialism and communism...yes, kflann, there is a difference. Now go do your homework.
KFLANN, good for you... YEAAAAAA One democrat at a time... There is hope..
A Democratic controlled Senate and a Republican controlled House both voted for this. They are both in the fire. Let the sequester begin. There will not be dire happenings.
Tenuta, you are half correct.. This was obama's idea.. He owns this and needs to quit denying it.
You are correct, there will not be dire happenings. Let the show begin.
Why does the liberal press keep pushing the sequester onto the Republicans? It is a blatant lie! The sequester was OBAMA'S IDEA! You liberals need to watch FOX at least once in a while - I watch FOX and the liberal press (usually for a laugh, but I do watch). FOX has a clip of Obama making a speech endorsing the sequester...but I guess he was just for it before he was against it, right? Even Carney admitted that the sequester originated in the White House.
Come on NBC and the rest of you kool-aid-drinking liberals, admit that Obama screwed up...YET AGAIN!
But...didn't President Obama sign the bill that set up put the sequestration?
what a delight-O slowly twisting in the breeze
The President twisting, that rich, wishful thinking.
All Politics is local. I really don't care what the poll says. I know they didn't talk to me, people on my street, or the people in my town. If they had, they would of heard that Obama already got his tax hike so its time for the Senate and him to offer a spending reduction plan. New revenues are off the table. Deal with it.
Why? Why shouldn't tax loop holes for corporations who have made record profits but not hired new workers not be on the table? NAME ONE reason why corporations especially oil companies should not be paying their fair share?
Some of those so called loopholes are the same deductions middle class Americans use. Like the deduction for mortgage interest. Senator Warner (D-Va) pointed out it is part of the loopholes being discussed. Be careful for what you wish for.
And before those of you claim it's not a fact, I heard it from the Senator's own mouth last month at a Real Estate association's annual meeting in Richmond, Va.
Tiffany - Please explain what you consider "fair share". Are you paying your "fair share" and is yours any different than anyone elses?
Tiffany, while I tend to agree with you on the surface, please understand how corporations work. By closing certain "loopholes" on the Oil Companies may increase the price you pay for gas. That hits the Middle Class and the Poor the most. And the reasons many corporations are not hiring while still making good money is they are concerned at the affects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or affectionately known as Obamacare). Big corporations must jump through a lot of hoops if their bottom line goes south so they are very nervous about hiring until this issue is resolved. How will it be resolved. Like many government programs...once it's implemented, the true cost will be revealed. If it doesn't raise their costs like the Democrats have been saying, then I believe the Corporations will hire again, however, if it does raise their costs like the Republicans have been saying, kiss future jobs goodbye. It's simple Business 101. The unknown is very scary for big business.
Chris, exactly ! Obama seems to be forgetting that he DID get tax increases. In other words, those stubborn Republicans actually gave in a little. Now, he's still talking about a "balanced" approach even though the last agreement had NO spending cuts. What a joke !
Rhodes Scholar huh? So your part of the 47% that's sucking up at the public hog trough? I paid for my own education by myself and did very well.
As I read the post from these dip$ hit liberals I begin to realize that our country is toast. The sequester was Obama's idea and he even voted it into law. But the useful idiots that we call liberals blame it happening on the GOP. Hilarious if it weren't so sad. The public school indoctrination of the American liberals has been a roaring success.
After four years of refusing to create a budget, Dems need to do their job. The Senate leader needs
a good spanking, or kicked out. Do your job or no pay.
It's interesting to note, Domenici, who fathered a child out of wedlock 30 years ago, voted to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about receiving oral sex while in office. What do you think was going through his mind, knowing he himself had engaged in extramarital relations and kept it quiet, to the point of not acknowledging his own son?
Amy B. Portland, ME-
Amazing, isn't it?
Yes, Old Pete from my state had a secret life. I remember when Heather Wilson was hand picked by Dominici back in 1998, and her first vote in congress was to impeach Clinton.
What a bunch of hypocritical douches.
Salud
To put a twist on the saying ... he who is without Jesus casts the first stone.
We can add him to the list of flaming hypocrits along with Vittter, Craig, Gingrich, Ensign and scores of other Republicans who are holier-than-thou but have a hard time with simple self-control.
Thing is he did not lie like Clinton did.
He may have hid the affair but Clinton lied.
But you all love those who lie to you.....
He was thinking damn, I'm glad I didn't leave my evidence of the affair on a blue cocktail dress.
Yeah, well, him and Newt are both turds falling outta the same tall cow's @$$!!
Amy, nice post......there is something very sordid about this whole story. He fathered a child, the daughter of a fellow senator, Paul Laxalt, who was about 30 yrs his junior.
I feel sorry for the child, now an adult and a practicing attorney and all the families involved. It underscores how power corrupts and then have the chutzpah to pontificate about family values and be judge and jury of others who have moral failings too.
Laser.......you think he accomplished that coverup without lying? Get real!
HMMMM! ... how can one have an affair without lying? Come up with the answer and there is a fortune to be made. Infidelity is in of itself lying.
so much worse that statutory rape with underage hookers in a foreign country...
What was going through his mind? That's simple, " If Newt can do it, so can I ."
Domenici did not acknowledge his own child, in order to protect his career in politics, and he damned Clinton for not acknowledging his sexual affairs. To say Domenici didn't lie, per se, by not acknowledging the birth of his own child is an awful lot like saying "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."
Jesse Jackson Jr. PLEADED GUILTY to campaign fraud. His wife PLEADED GUILTY to Income Tax evasion.
So much for Pelosi 'drain the swamp' a few years ago. Looks like it took the FBI to drain Pelosi's swamp.
Why haven't you guys been talking about this politician and his infidelities,too?
Aren't there crooks and philanderers on BOTH sides of the aisle?
@ GM
Read buddy read.
He did not lie to the American people on National TV did he? If is so provide link.
He lied I am sure but again not to the American people.
This is old news and should MSNBC shouldn't have even wasted the space for this. And laseroll is correct, Clinton did lie to both Congress and the American people (and I voted for Clinton, twice).
Is there anything more priceless than the 'scales of justice'
Like how the LIE of ommission is more sanctified than the ACT?
I am guessing all of those alter boys who never came forward feel somehow, what's the word I am looking for here? Vindicated?
Priceless. (let's just not TALK about our crimes, then they never really happened). Even bigger question in this story is how this Senator's daughter's career was advanced by her, hhm hhm, obvious credentials. Did I read successful Lobbyist?
Which proves, yet again, the only color that matters in this country is Green (as in the color of money).
@ Slodon
Pretty telling about so many people. There is no comedy better than the crips and the can'ts. lol
Get rid of Boner and the rest of the party of NO Republicants.
Replace them all, not that we will get anything better but will certainly be better than the do nothing bunch we have now.
The place to start is with all the idiot democrats who blindly follow one man who has never accomplished anything in his life other than being able to read a teleprompter very well....Socialism here we come with people like you
Osama - DEAD!! GM - ALIVE!! Health care - IN PLACE!! Fedup, your head's up your @$$!!
Obama = worst president ever! 2016 cannot come fast enough!
GM alive and well? BAHAHAHAHAHA
www. realclearmarkets. com/articles/2012/12/20/gm_bailout_will_cost_taxpayers_billions_100058.html
news. investors. com/ibd-editorials/121912-637759-gm-bailout-will-cost-us-taxpayers-billions.htm?p=full
www. nbcnews. com/business/auto-bailout-cost-now-upped-25-billion-942325
Obamacare the nightmare??
www. lifenews. com/2013/02/03/irs-admits-obamacares-cost-is-20000-per-family/
www. forbes. com/sites/realspin/2013/01/22/health-insurance-brokers-prepare-clients-for-obamacare-sticker-shock/
www. washingtontimes. com/news/2013/jan/31/obamacare-glitch-could-leave-thousands-uninsured/
And Bin Laden is dead thanks to a plan that was put in place loong before Obama took the oval office. All he had to do was say "go". Period.
Now who has their head jammed up their ass? Or should I say, up Obama's ass?? Hmm?
GM alive and well? Not from what I've read.
herewegoagain,
How about getting rid of the entire House, Senate, Executive and Judicial branches as well! Our entire Federal Government is being run by a syndicate of the worst thieves, crooks and dishonest people on the face of the planet. The Democrats are every bit the problem as the Republicans are, the ony difference is an R & D before their names.
But...didn't President Obama sign the bill that set up put the sequestration?
Absolutely no one is mentioning that we are 16.5 trillion dollars in debt (and marching to 20). We must cut spending.
stick around, have a drink ... they will be here shortly.
Pete, I'm not sure what your point is but both sides agree with that...
and raise revenues
Nobody's mentioned it? Really? Just half the righty posters on here! Seems like it's the only math they know.
Hey Tiffany - Did you forget, they already did that in January. Now it is time to cut like they promised.
Once again MSNBC distorts the truth. Well that is to be expected. Over 83 percent poled (which MSNBC did not report) thinks Washingron has a spending problem. Over 73 percent favored background checks at the state level not the federal. Eighty-nine percent felt the government was trying to repeal the 2nd Amendment which they are against.
Yeah. MSNBC keep telling yourself what you want to hear but only you and a handful of your delududed followers beleive it.
One other thing. Of Course the Sequester was obama's idea. Guess what.. obama gets to choose what is cut. I guess nut-less doesn't want to go on record for ever having made a decision.
Lastly.. if you go back and look, GW Bush had a higher approval rating than Congress when the Demonazis controlled both Houses. Nice try deluded ones........
navyvet, The President does not get to "choose" what's cut. That's Congress' responsibility.
...and if the President started choosing what got cut Conservatives would whine about him thinking he's king again.
how does hiring/firing teachers become an issue out of the sequestration...thats more of a local funding issue is it not?
why hasn't the solicitation of the foodstamp program been cut instead?
there is more press about them cutting "essentials" rather than the actual fat provided by the government.
seriousordelerious,
That is because of the source for this article, MSDNC. They are too busy brainwashing their sheep to bother with the real details, they are only concerned to make sure that their sheep go baaa, baaa, baaa in order to carry on the propaganda.
Which end of the sheep do YOUR noises emanate from? flamer.
Anyone else noticing that whenever the question becomes one of partisan responsibility for the currently grid-locked mess on the hill that the media leans hard toward mutual blame assignment when one party is attempting to do the business of government for the people and the other is just apparently a disintegration of racist FOP's crippling an otherwise useful Nation? Is this the Jane Fonda approach?... It's actually because you put a significant minority of your revenues at risk by telling the truth. Advertising dollars have fairly well known relationships with ideologies. At least the media outlets get paid for it like good little gigolos and prostitutes...
What's the excuse for the GOP concubines (a.k.a. "freebies") that make up the majority of that minority voting block though?
navyvet, the President HAS made suggestions on what to cut. Read the article that heads this discussion.
The problem is the Republicans don't want to compromise at all. The Republicans have offerred nothing. The Republicans don't want to cut any of their pet projects. The Republicans don't mind ruining the economy and the country.
fielden, just putting out suggestions is not negotiating. You sit down and hammer out a deal. As the Leader of our country, it's the President's responsibility to lead the discussion, not play out the problems in the press. That is why the Republicans have a hard time working with him.
So the Republicans respond in kind and then it's called gridlock.
"By contrast, Obama has offered up entitlement cuts (chained CPI for Social Security is apparently still on the table), and he has indicated a willingness to make additional cuts to Medicare (he said so in the State of the Union)."
WOW!
What a lie
he said a lot of things out of one side of his mouth then does the complete other ~ The man is a habitual liar
Here's your big chance to prove it's a LIE!
Come on, dazzle us with your brilliance!
Starting now...
My question is why does the republican party and their base continue to be the stupid party? At the rate they are going they will never even hold the office of President again.
The majority of the Nations citizens are just sick and tired of the stuck on stupid crap this GOP continues to throw out.
Steve, the only lie is your post...
He's always offered cuts and discussions around cuts.
Fedup, if it is a lie why hasn't the GOP taken Obama up on his offer and negotiated other cuts and additional tax increases?
If anybody here thinks only one party lies, you're deluded. If anybody thinks that a lying politician is a new thing, you're insane.
Don't waste your time on Feisty and Sarah...only an argument waiting to happen, no matter what you say.
wondergwb
... and you forgot to add: ... and you will lose.
You can't lose anything if you don't engage...what I see on these posts are not worth "debating" (otherwise known as name calling and vulgarity). Checkmate.
As usual the buck never stops with Obama even when this whole idea was his to begin with ~ The man has no idea what the Truth is as I do not believe he has EVER told the Truth ~ the only thing he can do is organize and divide the American People as is his dream ~ The downfall of America is upon us and the Dictator and Chief has all is idiot followers on the left drinking the cool-aid by the gallon
Sorry little buddy, this idiot follower drinks; kool-aid
Red kool-aid...
By the gallon...
Mmmm Mmmm Good! lol
You need to remove yourself from the right-wing echo chamber. Boehner was pushing sequestration back to 2011. BTW - no one is buying this line except the truly indoctrinated.
Fisty, your kool-aid goes by another name, Boone's Farm.
"By the gallon."
*burp* *fart*
"Already some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No," Mr. Obama said from the White House briefing room Monday evening. "I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending."
"There will be no easy off ramps on this one.," he added…
RTFS........Boehner following signing the agreement, said in August 2011 after the debt ceiling debacle that caused the country to lose its stellar credit rating, "I got 98% and I'm pretty happy". No one forced him to sign, they just thought their working to make him a one term President was a certainty along with all their obstructionist manoeuvrings.
More to the point, they were sure they'd have a Republican President and majorities in both houses to work with by now.
" The man has no idea what the truth is " I agree, it is hard to remember what the truth is when all you hear from the Republican Party is Lies, LIES, AND MORE LIES !
Absolutely was Obama's decision for this scenario in the first place. Everyone cries out for action to "fix" this financial nightmare, yet when Republicans and a few conservative Democrats attempt to address this grave problem, the liberal media, sister Pelosi, and brother Reid cry fowl. One would wonder just how many of you have a budget within which to live? I dare say none of you would spend 5K per month when you had a budget of 1K? Well, I'll take that back, a large percentage of you would most likely spend 5K and cry, "it's my right"!
But...didn't President Obama sign the bill that set up put the sequestration?
The GOP is like a slow motion train wreck with Cassie Jones at the throttle.
Casey Jones you mean?
Casey Anthony.
They still dont get it, i would love to see the old GOP back, this bunch sucks!
+++++++++++++++++++
Only $174,000 per year. How can anyone get by with dignity on that?
I know right? This world is just so shocking my monocle keeps falling in my cup of Earl Grey tea! My monocle cleaning service payments are through the roof! I banish the thought of appearing uncouth with a dirty monocle!
It would be really nice just once to hear honest journalism, instead of the media being Obama's personal lap dog.
Toddle on over to NewsforDumbFux! Rumor has it they're "fair & balanced"... lmao
cwhite,
You're complaining about entertainment not being enough like journalism.
Fiesty ; Fair and balanced means they are fairly stupid and balanced with " COW MANURE ". ( As per Pres. Truman. His wife told him, he had to clean up his language in the White House.)
The media, including MSNBC, needs to tell the truth... and the truth is that the sequester is Obama's idea. Too bad Obama's spent most of his presidency doing nothing but blame. Too bad for Obama, because the US public isn't buying it anymore.
The only place you see the public buying into Obama's blame game is on the looney lefty websites. Go to something that's not fill of ridiculous left-wing bias, and you'll see the real truth.
Obama and the idiot democrats are to blame for the failures of the gov't over the last 6 years.
The idiots on the left cannot handle the truth and that is why all they know how to do is blame someone, anyone.....
Fedup, sure... No one is to blame. Ridiculous...
Still in your bubble, like all you clueless repugnant twits. Read the real media, not your faux noise- Boehner admitted it was his idea, he bragged about it, and even had it as a MAJOR talking point on his power point presentation to the rest of the American-hating GOP to pass the bill.
Sequester was the GOPs' idea all along to hold America hostage and try to make the President look bad. The GOP now lies, trying to blame the President for thier own incompetence and sequester.
Sequester
House Vote: 269-161 with 174 of 240 (73%) Republicans voting for sequester
Senate Vote: 74-26 with 28 of 47 Republicans voting for sequester
Who really cares who the idea came from … both sides agreed with the concept at the time. John Boehner was extremely pleased with the results the Republicans got from the deal.
JXC -
Show your proof that the sequester was the brainchild of the republicans!
You can't, can you? That's because it was the brainchild of Jack Lew, one of Obama's cronies. Now, would you like to try another lie?
You are a typical liberal who can't debate with facts so you call names and lay blame where ever you can, hoping that others will accept your lies.
It does not matter who's idea the sequester was. If it was President Obama's idea, GREAT for him. It was voted on by Republicans and Democrats and signed by the President.
It was intended to make Congress get off of their butts and do their jobs. Period!!!
Tammy ; Here's your proof, All fiscal bills have to be written and introduced in the House of Representatives. At the time this bill was introduced, the House was controlled by the Republican Party with Boner as the Speaker, guiding it through the House. It could not have happened at all unless the Republicans started it.
The House did 'get off their butts' and 'did do their job'.
They passed TWO(2) Bills that would have stopped the Sequester. They are sitting on Harry Reid's desk.
H.R. 5652, Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act
H.R. 6684, Spending Reduction Act of 2012
Come to think of it. Didn't Obama threaten to VETO ANY BiILL that stopped the Sequester?
It appears you are placing the blame on the wrong people. There is just one person to blame,OBAMA!
slodon,
[They are sitting on Harry Reid's desk.]
No they are not on or in Harry's desk … they no longer exist.
Legislation does not carry over from one Congress to the next. They were passed in the 112th Congress but the 113th Congress (House) has not passed any bill to deal with the sequester.
Jaysus Dennis, do you realize what you just said? At all? Reid sat on it after the "112th House" passed it and it carried over and never saw the light of day. I would say the damned onus is back on Reid and his Senate for not doing something while it was still a viable piece of legislation if it was so frigging important. If it is now, it was then when he had it.
Talk,
Why hasn’t the House passed another bill this year?
They passed a bill to repeal Obamacare again (after 33 tries in the 112th) but they don’t have time to replace the sequester this year ?!?
Darryn-- How conveniently you forget that the republicans made it their sole mission in life to obstruct and destroy the Obama administration from day 1 (01-20-2009) by opposing anything/anyone and everything/everyone that this administration proposed/recommended in the past, present and future. The cry-baby speaker in 2011 sold and vigorously promoted the sequester to his lemmings saying that they needed to support it and vote for it because " it contains 98% of what I want and I'm happy with it". Watching Faux news and listening to Limbaugh destroys your intelligence.
Republicans need to stay the course. Libs will hate them no matter what and those are the ones that put Obama in so they are not ever likely to wise up. Its just a need they have to be led like sheep. Maybe next election, more conservative and believers in God will get out and vote. God is in control and i am not sure he is blessing America anymore. We have taken him out of everything and as you can see, we have more chaos than ever.
That way of thinking is why conservatism is dying, and, thank God the Nation as a whole is moving more toward progressivism!
What hubris 'truth' has!
Everyone hates someone doing the right thing look at Obama never has he done anything right and they love him go-figure...
@ Job
Yeah how is forward work on your stocks now?
Get ready for the Obama fallout.
And by the way your DEMS media is being called out and being investigated for being bias.. They never say anything when Obama does wrong and when he does the twist it and blame Reps anyway..
Heck even Dems are thinking they made a mistake with Obamacare.. Maybe next time they will wait for it to be written before they vote next time..
They hire Obama crews..
Obama wants to back out of the sequester now because he will be the one to choose what gets cut. There is no way to get out by blaming others on this one.
President Obama knows that the sequester was put into place in order to get congress to do their jobs. However, the republicans still don't want to do their jobs. They the republicans will cave on this one like they always do.
@Job
They are doing their job they are stopping a mental nut case from screwing up AMERICA.
You may not think so but a lot of us do. And if it was not for all the illegal votes and hidden truth by the media Obama would not be in office today..
And I watch your channels not just fox so get over the fox crap..
It is pretty easy to believe that the believers in God would also believe in the Republican party.
God wants republicans extinct... His plan is just starting and it is PROGRESSING rather well, don't you think? Anyone who worships guns and wealth, does not fit well in His grand scheme of things to come. Insofar as Jesus was concerned, he was NOT an instrument of war, nor the rich man.
lasertroll - please, the Republicans are the ones screwing up American and it started with Bush . Everyone knows he was illegally voted in in Florida because of his brother. You must be one of the rich Americans who does not have to pay for insurance or worry about your job or getting a raise or paying the high price of gas, food or paying all the taxes the rest of us do while the rich hide it all though tax loopholes which the Republicans are trying to protect now.
The GNOP agreed to these sequestered cuts the last time they held the rest of us hostage with their stated policy to make the President a 'one term' office holder. Now they have to live with this and own it...This nation is being held back by the dimwits in the repukican party (baggers). They are only adding to their own decline as a viable political party. If they smartened up they would realize that governing comes with a responsibility to the entire nation, not one group, and YES sometimes that means COMPROMISE. Maybe Boehner should look that term up the next time he has a few glasses....before or after work!
compromise on helping this Socialist president tear down the United States ~ I don't think so ~ he must be stopped at every step he takes since he has no idea what he is doing
Sorry fed up but your way of thinking is what is wrong with the Nation.
You Obama haters from the older but goodies club have been spinning all of this nonsense, such as Obama’s out of control spending, (which is a Republican myth.) The same old spin as before the election such as Romney would crush Obama; the Senate would be taken from the Democrats and Obama care repealed.
I and millions of others didn't pay any attention then, because we knew your side was full of it. Today, we still don't pay any attention, because your side is still full of it.
Keep thinking this. You are obviously a low information voter that has not financial sense. How many more years can we borrow ~ $1 trillion a year ? What will happen when we reach the $20 trillion mark?
The President will not confront as most lefties won't that the taxes have been raised. Time to cut spending.
But...didn't President Obama sign the bill that set up put the sequestration?
Chris, comment spamming will eventually get you banned.
Kudos to Jon Stewart for nailing the GOP's hypocrisy to the wall again.
When 4 Americans die in Benghazi Senator John McCain thinks that all business must come to a halt so that we can learn "The Truth".
When 4000+ Americans die in Iraq Senator John McCain thinks that it should be business as usual and...well, bad things just happen.
I was cheering that piece last night. Graham and McCain are shameless, as well as arrogant. Guess they can't remember that this stuff gets recorded, or they just don't care.
While the loss of any American life is tragic, it is a soldiers job to go into combat. And he does it knowing the risks.
An ambassador is a diplomatic position however and armed conflict is not normally an every day occurence for them.
So when one is killed by terrorists while the security forces protecting them are being told to stand down, it is clearly different.
===============
Have you ever watched Obama?
Ulysesses, it's unfortunate that not one member of the military or one innocent Iraqi had to die.
An absolute waste...
See, here's the problem...there's been so much rumor and innuendo nobody knows for sure if that's true.
If only maybe the GOP was more interested in that than what Susan Rice had to say.
@ da Noid
Here is the issue with your statement.
1st Dems voted for those 4000 to go and put their lives on the line.
2nd No one voted for those 4 to be murdered by Hillary.
Do you see the difference?
Get over the 4000 and stop living in the past than you may see what Obama is really doing to this country.
Democrats voted for after false information by the White House was given to them. Period!!!
@ Job
But that information came from a demarcate ran Clinton office.
So what now?
Bush did not have time to put his crew in he was going by Clinton's administration said. Oh and try to call me a liar on this I know from 1st hand..
So stop the half bake truth..
How about the Adminstration just be transparent about what happened and why. Who knew what ans when. probleme solved.
Job1: So you are saying democrats were too stupid to find the truth? I certainly hope that you supported Bush in the same way when when he acted in "false information" (as per liberals) before going into Iraq.
Liberals are certainly predictable: When they are wrong, it is always someone else's fault. When conservatives are right, liberals resort to name-calling.
55,
What are you talking about?
Obama signed the sequester law into law, he still wants it to go into effect, when it does, he gets to pick what programs he doesn't like and gets to spend the savings on programs he does. The Republicans are playing into his hands by allowing to go.
"Just about any Republican governor in a blue or purple state that Obama carried (or nearly carried) seems to finding a way to compromise on health care, either in setting up exchanges or on Medicaid."
You're forgetting Scott Walker of WI, who once again is rejecting federal funds to the detriment of the state's economy. In his illusions of grandeur, he thinks he is the next Ronald Reagan.