Then to turn around and say; "It wasn't us"...

It's obvious, the TeaPeople don't know what they want. Stop the Spending, Stop the Spending!

OK....Now it's President Obamas fault that the TeaPeople may get what they wanted, or thought they wanted!

President Obama is giving the TeaPeople what they want (not really).....now, they complain!

All I can say is PLEASE vote the Teabaggers out of office before they destroy the United States!!

Thank you Tommy-499410 and Feisty Redhead. The GOP/BAGGERS are intent on Bringing this Country to the BRINK of no Return just to Spite President Obama and their losing this election after throwing more money than God At It.

I hope some of the Voters in this Country realize how RADICALIZED the GOP HAS BECOME to Tank the Economy to Keep from CLOSING LOOPHOLES to fix the Deficit ON THE RICH. A Deficit I might add they CAUSED WITH THE War of Choice by Bush and Chaney, and DE-REGULATIONS on WALL STREET and the Bailouts.

TO: geo-1957883 who wrote:

"... The Democrats are trying to move thier plague nation wide, and Republicans are trying to stop them."

If the Republicans wanted to stop anything, why didn't they stop the Economy from collapsing in the first place, after all Republicans were the ones in charge but apparently didn't have a clue so that the entire United States Economy collapsed on Republicans' watch, just like we were hit by terrorists on Republicans' watch, Republicans Lied us Into War in Iraq, and Republicans darn near bankrupted each and every American Family, lost our homes, and lost our jobs while Republicans pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into TARP programs to save the rich and supported legislation to reduce American Workers' Paychecks, and deny the American People affordable health care.

No, it's Republicans that need to be "stopped". Republicans are not even pretending that they're going to "fix" our Economy, just the opposite, Republicans are stalling our Economic Recovery.

Republicans double-crossed the American People for 12 years non-stop, and have worked against the President of the United States for the past 4 years, which I consider to be treasonous, and Republicans want us to "trust" them! Trust them with what, all the same things Republicans already phucked up? No thanks.

Hey TalkingPoints, what would the government do with the extra money if they closed the loopholes? I think most agree with closing the loopholes, but what will the government do with that money?

AG -

If the Republicans wanted to stop anything, why didn't they stop the Economy from collapsing in the first place, after all Republicans were the ones in charge but apparently didn't have a clue so that the entire United States Economy collapsed on Republicans' watch

Dems controlled house and senate at that time AG...

You people are amazing!

How quickly you forget the 'DEAL' that Obama and his dems made with the repubs back in January...

'Revenue increases NOW for promised spending cuts LATER...'

Well guess what... it's LATER! And Obama and his minions don't want to cut spending.

No surprises here. He has lied about everything else.

The bottom line is really quite simple but very bleak.

It doesn't matter who is at fault. it doesn't matter if it is the White House or Congress.

When tens of thousands of people face the real possibility of the loss of jobs it will make for a huge problem for the country as a whole.

When a person doesn't have an income the can/will lose their home. It could be the difference of eating or not eating. Their spending will be severely cut. Retailers from all facets of business will feel the pain. Small businesses can/will go under as a result. Large businesses will make cut backs to thier payrolls as well.

The problem is like a set of dominoes ready to tumble.

There isn't a creditor out there that cares why a person lost their job or who is to blame for it. If any us lost our job and couldn't pay our bills our creditors aren't going to give a "free pass" to any of us just because we say it was the fault of Congress or the White House.

This is a very real problem and Congress should have reconvened in an effort to avert the tragedy we are about to face. If they can't come to a reasonable solution in the next few days there is a very likely chance that we could go back into a recession or depression of monumental proportions in little time.

And all we have is a bunch of people that were elected that won't feel any of the consequences in the same way that everyone else will face.

Pathetic.

TO: Lil Michelle who wrote:

"AG - Dems controlled house and senate at that time AG..."

I don't think so, but what are you trying to say, that Republicans followers will continue to ignore all of the rest of all those historical facts, you can live with ignoring the fact that Bush grew up with Bin Laden and just to try to "lie and deny" and ignore the plain, simple fact that the United States Economy and the American People were nearly all bankrupt and collapsed while Republicans were in the White House for 8 straight years.

There's no way you can deny those facts, all you can do is try to throw more sand in the face of the American People.

Republicans actually think that anyone with 1/2 a brain would ever trust them again just because they're telling more lies on top of the others?

No.

While the GOPTPers stand in front of the microphone with a countdown clock running behind them, and demand a plan from President Obama to avert their mis-labelled "Obamaquester", everyone including the media should be asking: Where is the GOPTP plan to avert the sequester for which they voted YEA? Meanwhile, these same GOPTPers headed out of town for a 10-day vacation rather than staying and working for the people who pay their salaries.

In a post from today's FirstThoughts, billybob wrote:

billybob-6210632

roy @ 1.36 -- very good. maybe we should refer to BO as Chicken Little? He doesn't seem to get enough of the scare tactics which is unbecoming of a president but appropriate for an imaginary character.

I find Obama's scare tactics a stark contrast from the likes of FDR who said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself!"

Seems one (leader) tried to reassure the public and allow calm heads to prevail...

While one (not such a leader) continues to drive wedges between people... to insight fear, panic, anger and hatred.

Comparing their two approaches shows us a LOT about each 'man'!

TO: SickOfTheBickering who wrote:

...Seems one (leader) tried to reassure the public and allow calm heads to prevail...[President Obama]

While one (not such a leader) continues to insight fear, panic, anger and hatred [George "Curveball" Bush].

Comparing their two approaches shows us a LOT about each 'man'!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It's hard for Republicans to "get the message" when the Republican message is to "lie and deny".

Mark & Domenico, since " The Blame Game" is in VOGUE, how about you 2 BrownNosers tell Real America just who it was, that SetUp The Super Committee, to Deal with How to get Out of the Sequester?

Mark & Domenico, then how about you 2 splainin to Real America, that the Tax Rates were Not a negotiated process back in Janurary, because Taxes were going Up anyways? The Only Rate negotiated was for Single & Married Couples, making below a Negotiated amount of $400,000(Singles) & $450,000 for Married Couples!

That would Splain the Revenue side of the Equation that you 2 & The Master BrownNoser" Chucky T." are Trying to carry the Water for.

That Revenue was coming Regardless & Yall know it as FACT!

You Betcha!

Occupy SoggyBottom!

Jody--I had a similar thought---what kind of leadership is it to say---"the President should come up with a plan and lead us"? Why not come up with your own plan and present it to the President and the American people? Not to mention the fact that the President has come up with a plan.

People are weary of the constant crisis but until we pay the GOP back by not electing them, it is hard to see where change will come from.

Still not getting this, maybe I'm dense. If the sequester is a bad thing, why isn't Congress trying to stop it? If sequester cuts are a good thing, or, at the very least not a crisis, why are Republicans blaming Obama for coming up with them?

So its decided then, the GOP sucks and democrats rule. Thought so.

nomoresameo, well said.

I cannot believe Congress went on vacation for 10 days rather than staying in DC to solve this latest self-inflicted crisis. Neither party wants these drastic cuts via hatchet. The Sequester was intended to be so poisonous to both sides that it would force the combined House/Senate Super Committee to find compromise but in 2011, the GOPTP believed that defeating President Obama was more important that good, fiscal sense. The GOPTP refused to compromise just as they refused to compromise the 3 years prior.

The GOPTP believed their own talking points, believed their obstruction and denial would cause President Obama to lose the 2012 election. Then they would repeal the sequester and....poof, problem solved. Now the GOPTP is in a tail-spin because it must find a way out of the mess they voted to create but they do not have a clue plus Speaker Boehner is stuck with a raucous caucus of tea-nuts who lack the brains to comprehend what "governing" means.

The deficit and the debt are long-term problems, not short-term ones. Austerity, such as forced by sequestration, would guarantee that within a few months, if not weeks, this country would be in a second recession. We need only look at Europe to grasp that fact.

Voters elect officials to govern. When times are difficult, we expect those elected leaders to put aside partisan politics, put aside ideological beliefs, stop looking to the next election, and do what is right for ALL the American people. Governing means compromise, it means give and take. Those who cannot compromise do not deserve to call themselves representatives of the people.

Good news and bad news I suppose.... The good news is we will NOT allow America to become a single-party system... The bad news is it looks as though it will be the Democratic party VS. the Chump party for a good long time to come...

It's not hard to see who these racist freaks pander to... "Obamaquester"?... lol... They pander to people that an insipidly shallow attempt at misdirection such as that will fool... People that will begin to repeat the mantra without even looking up from whatever boot they're currently licking to check and see that all REAL Americans, even the entire world, thinks they're trashy little mud-bugs.

Screech on, Twerps... You were history the first time you doubled down on a tea-bag.

American Girl-724855

It's hard for Republicans to "get the message" when the Republican message is to "lie and deny".

Typical loon response...

Can't refute anything I wrote so you just call me a liar. Real original. (and sooooooo typical.)

******** The truth hurts doesn't it? *********

Oh... yeah... I just couldn't resist highlighting THIS amazingly intellectual comment:

Johntho

So its decided then, the GOP sucks and democrats rule. Thought so.

HAHAAHHAH!!!!!

Amy, the answer is simple: The Tea Party/Libertarian, anti-government crowd. Speaker Boehner could easily stop this by pushing them aside and working with democrats but he's not a leader.

"SickOfTheSnickering

In a post from today's FirstThoughts, billybob wrote:

billybob-6210632

roy @ 1.36 -- very good. maybe we should refer to BO as Chicken Little? He doesn't seem to get enough of the scare tactics which is unbecoming of a president but appropriate for an imaginary character.

I find Obama's scare tactics a stark contrast from the likes of FDR who said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself!"

Seems one (leader) tried to reassure the public and allow calm heads to prevail...

While one (not such a leader) continues to drive wedges between people... to insight fear, panic, anger and hatred.

Comparing their two approaches shows us a LOT about each 'man'!"

It's been clarified on numerous occasions, the relationship between your intellect and that of the wild american sock-monkey... But never quite so eloquently as you've managed here today.

Word to the wise though... When you speak the words of a Billy-Bob in a supportive fashion they often just become fixated on what looks to them like a purdy mouth.

Again... typical loon response.

Can't refute my comparison of 'leaders' so just takes personal shots at me.

Thanks for taking the time ;-)

Sick of the Bickering-

How quickly you forget the 'DEAL' that Obama and his dems made with the repubs back in January... 'Revenue increases NOW for promised spending cuts LATER...'

I am used to Republicans revising history when it suits their purpose, but to claim that Republicans "made a deal" in January in regards to the expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts is ludicrous.

President Obama TRIED to make a deal with Republicans, he even offered entitlement reform, but the Republicans refused to compromise. The House even tried to pass their own "Plan B" but couldn't get enough votes!

Some, not all, Republicans ended up accepting the Democrats proposal to extend the Bush Tax Cuts for those under $450k in lieu of tax increases on everyone.

This was hardly a bi-partisan deal for "revenue now and cuts later", it was a last resort to avoid taxes going up on everyone due to the inability of Republicans to compromise and MAKE A DEAL.

"Obamaquester"? What a tickle.

Nothing but another name Republicans concocted because none of the so-called Republican "leadership" can put anything together that the Teabaggers will sign off on.

Talking about a failure of leadership, that's where it all breaks down, the Teabaggers aren't playing "follow the House leader". They're telling Boehner point blank that Boehner is a fake leader, so no, no, and no, to anything and everything.

Are the Teabaggers even meeting with Boehner? I suspect not.

Well guess what... it's LATER! And Obama and his minions don't want to cut spending.

Oh, sickofthebitching - this will just ruin your day. What is it you ask? Why, a link to the White House web site, offering a plan with spending cuts. Now tell me, do you get tired of being proven wrong over, and over, and over again? Of course, we all know, this won't stop your constant bitching because, well, it is the only thing you do. Wouldn't a more apropo moniker be ImANagandaHag?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/02/21/balanced-plan-avert-sequester-and-reduce-deficit

Who controlled the House and Senate when we went into the recession American Girl?

I don't know what the rest (#1.9) of your rant was about, didn't really make any sense...

TO: Jody, Iowa who wrote:

"... The Tea Party/Libertarian, anti-government crowd. Speaker Boehner could easily stop this by pushing them aside and working with democrats but he's not a leader."

That's just it Jody, the Teabaggers are NOT listening to Speaker Boehner and they just continue to embarass the heck of him.

Boehner goes to the White House, makes a "deal" with the POTUS, and Teabaggers tell Boehner "No."

That's what Republicans sent the Teabaggers to Washington to do, "Just Say No".

We know the truth of the matter, that it's the lack of Republican "Leadership" that can't control the Teabaggers that Boehner has no "Leadership" over.

There's your "failure of Leadership" and it's in the House of Representatives.

Yes these cuts (austerity measures) will be harmful to our economy. Yes they know about it. Wonder why the only economic policy pushed by GOP is always CUTS.......aka cut government. That government is the people they've never cared about. That's whom GOP want to cut loose. Cut the people loose so they can pave way for the corporations like oil companies and WS. The only good thing about this is that, GOP is on the part to political suicide.

To be a leader is to be responsible. GOP fall short of this.

HAHAHA...SOTB, thats what we call OWNING..Le Femme Portfolio aka classic re-reg Ruken who enjoys licking his own perennium..why, like a dog cause he can. hows that for your punch bowl Ruken?

again, scare, divide and conquer. Leading from behind...

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth"

While one (not such a leader) continues to drive wedges between people... to insight fear, panic, anger and hatred.

Stop talking about the TeaPeople and whoever is leading them, ya'll.

Lil Michelle -

Who controlled the House and Senate when we went into the recession American Girl?

The Republicans controlled the House for 6 years of the GW Bush presidency, and controlled the Senate for four of those years. The Democrats did not have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate for any of the Bush years.

The GW Bush years were the period in which the major legislation that caused the financial crisis and recession were implemented - the Bush Tax Cuts, Medicare Part D, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, financial deregulation.

It is obvious that the "tax cut and spend, deregulate everything" policies of GW Bush and the Republicans were a major contributor to the Great Recession.

So the answer is DEMS controlled the house and senate, right? just yes or no will do...

TNSEVOL...

The question I have (and really, this is for anyone willing to answer) is how do tax cuts or Medicare Part D cause or contribute to a recession? Do they contribute to the federal deficit and debt? Absolutely. But I can't figure how they would cause a recession. (ftr...I can see where deregulation of the mortgage and financial markets could contribute).

Thanks. :-)

You have to love this from a Leader...

www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57571126/obama-to-governors-help-me-get-congress-to-act-on-sequester/

When you can't lead, I suppose you need help from those that can...

- the Bush Tax Cuts, Medicare Part D, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, financial deregulation.

Wait Frank-Dodd was repub thing? Iraq and Afghan too? So here we are today, still have Bush tax cuts, Afghan and continuing deregulation, Benghazi, drones, continued patriot act and now Sequester. Hey TNS who got us out of Iraq? just because i know you lefties give credit where it's not due.

So which is it, the GOP is going extinct and insignificant (who if filling the power gap?) or the GOP is insignificant yet very powerful? get your talking points straight

Caesar-

again, scare, divide and conquer. Leading from behind... "A lie told often enough becomes the truth"

Thanks for finishing your post with the Conservative mantra.

You do know that the "scare, divide and conquer" strategy was Karl Rove's plan, implemented succesfully in 2004?

It is pathetic how that claim is now levied against President Obama, even though he carried almost every demographic group.

How can you be a divider if almost every group votes for you?

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth"

hey TNS, it was Lenin who said that..you know, a lefty idol...thanks for playing

How can you be a divider if almost every group votes for you?

what like big time rush? Funny, almost half the nation didnt vote for Oblamo..thats ok TNS, its the rich and successful and middle classes fault..carry on

Frank -

The question I have (and really, this is for anyone willing to answer) is how do tax cuts or Medicare Part D cause or contribute to a recession?

I would agree that the main cause of the financial crisi and resulting recession was the deregulation of the financial industry, mainly the growth in risky financial derivatives using mortgages as collateral.

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.

I was incorrect in stating that the Bush tax cuts, unfunded wars, and Medicare Part D CAUSED the financial crisis and the recession. What they did create was a level of indebtedness that hampered our ability to respond properly to the financial crisis and housing collapse in order to avoid the depths of the recession.

The huge deficits and high levels of debt certainly contributed to the impact of the recession and the speed of the recovery.

Caesar -

hey TNS, it was Lenin who said that..you know, a lefty idol...thanks for playing

Have you given up completely on making a compelling argument? Do you think Lenin is a "lefty idol" just because you say it ad nauseum?

Funny, almost half the nation didnt vote for Oblamo..

True, but my point was President Obama received more votes than Mitt Romney in almost every demographic group.

Hardly a "divisive" win like you claim, more ike a "decisive" win across a broad class of Americans.

There simply HAS to be some way out of this mess!... How about the President suggests something thought to be so completely beyond the pale of even the repugnicans stupidity as a means of getting them off their duffs and Serving America (as they continually claim they have an interest in)... This will serve to keep them from kicking cans important to real Americans down the road and...

Hey!! wait a minnit!!!... What if they just take the easy way out and then try to re-frame the debacle as something it never was while STILL claiming an interest in serving actual Americans? What if they completely misunderestimate the level of stupidity of their entire minority??? What if their entire minority constitchencies of 'Merkins are literally as stupid as they make them look?

To their credit, it's been reported that they did try to name their new count-down machine the "Dufustration Clock", but it ran twice as fast... There was also an analog version tried, but it wouldn't budge at all and no matter where they hid in the room the hands always pointed at them... Like the eyes in one of those creepy paintings of their ancestors.

TNSEVOL -

Thanks for the response. :-) What's fascinating is taking a look at an older Finance text book...they describe mortgage-backed securities as very, very safe. Wonder what the newer editions say??

(ps...am I missing something with your name or is it an inside joke? Was trying to figure out if it stood for something) :-)

Republican Governors message for House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders: It’s not OK to just sit on the sidelines. It’s time to do something to stop the automatic cuts, and fast.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/gop-govs-to-hill-get-back-to-bargaining-table-88014.html?hp=t1_3

American,

You seem to forget that a Democrat was in the White House when the Twin Towers were attacked the FIRST time, AND lets not forget that the same Democrat was in charge during THE largest domestic terrorist attack in US history. Of course you didn't bother to metion that, right?

TO: Lil Michelle who wrote:

"So the answer is DEMS controlled the house and senate, right? just yes or no will do..."

If we did we would have impeached George "Curveball" Bush and sent him packing.

Who was "responsible" when George "Curveball" Bush was in office, nobody?

Is that enough of a "yes or no" or do you need an expletive added?

Frank -

Coincidentally, I was working on my MBA in the years preceding the financial crisis, and in my course on Investment Strategies I was introduced to the concept of Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs).

I wrote a paper on the riskiness of these types of investments, and how it was potentially a "House of Cards".

In times past if someone failed to pay their mortgage, the bank suffered and the homeowner suffered. Housing "bubble" were usually confined to a certain area of the country, which spread the risk. In the case of a CDO the mortgage payments were pooled together and used as collateral for new financial instruments. This use of mortgages as leverage for additional borrowing magnified the impact of a missed mortgage payment, causing a "snowball" effect in that now the banks couldn't pay their promised returns, and the insurance companies couldn't cover their policies.

That is the "Readers Digest" version, I am sure someone could offer a better explanation.

The TNSEVOL stands for Tennessee Volunteer, I am a huge University of Tennessee fan and a former resident of the great state of Tennessee. The avatar is Smokey, the UT Vols mascot.

OK, I'm done with this. Dems did control the house and senate, period.

No, they didn't impeach Bush, don't really know what they could have impeached him about, except maybe his English (can anyone say nuclear?).

I'm not saying it was the Dems fault, but I definitely wouldn't put all the blame on Bush. He wasn't alone in Washington D.C. for 8 years...

Do you think Lenin is a "lefty idol" just because you say it ad nauseum?

no i say it because it is proven daily on here from the lefty worshippers and Obama's crusade against anyone outside the 'circle' of proletariats...

Hardly a "divisive" win like you claim, more ike a "decisive" win across a broad class of Americans.

his rhetoric is divisive...much like Lenin's or Hitlers or Castro. but yes the three aforementioned were Decisive as well...

TO: JK1963 who wrote:

"... You seem to forget that a Democrat was in the White House when the Twin Towers were attacked the FIRST time, AND lets not forget that the same Democrat was in charge during THE largest domestic terrorist attack in US history. Of course you didn't bother to metion that, right?"

I'll never forget that George "Curveball" Bush grew up with Bin Laden and that Bin Laden attacked the United States in less than one year after Bush cheated his way into the White House.

And I'll never forget that George "Curveball" Bush lied us to war in Iraq.

And I'll never forget that Bin Laden's 2nd terrorist dream was to crash the entire United States Economy, which was also accomplished under George "Curveball" Bush's rein of Domestic Terrorism.

Republicans can continue to try responsibilty, but you can't change the facts, and the fact is Bill Clinton did all he could to have Bin Laden killed, which Bush strongly opposed because Bush claimed that Bin Laden was a "religious leader" and it would be a crime to assassinate Bin Laden.

TO: Lil Michelle who wrote:

"So the answer is DEMS controlled the house and senate, right? just yes or no will do..."

You know that Dems did NOT control the House or we would have prosecuted Bush & Cheney for war crimes and threw them out.

Now, what planet were you on when Bush was in office that you didn't know that, and you couldn't figure that out on your own either.

TNSEVOL-

I shoulda looked at your avatar closer!!! LOL!!!

Sounds like an interesting paper (ok...at least to a numbers guy like me). I remember studying them in college as well.

Thanks again for the response and good luck to your Vols! :-)

Here is the link then...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Presidents_and_control_of_Congress

"Obamaquester" .....and a countdown clock......

If Boehner is pandering to his base, their mental age must be borderline juvenile.

Caesar-

no i say it because it is proven daily on here from the lefty worshippers and Obama's crusade against anyone outside the 'circle' of proletariats

President Obama's "crusade" is as much a figment of your imagination as your belief that Liberals "worship" either Obama or Lenin.

his rhetoric is divisive...much like Lenin's or Hitlers or Castro. but yes the three aforementioned were Decisive as well...

It is divisive in your mind, and your outlandish comparisons of President Obama to Lenin, Hitler, and Castro prove you are delusional.

The only two examples of a true "divide and conquer" strategy I can find in recent American politics are the aforementioned Rove strategy in 2004 and Gov. Walker's anti-union strategy in Wisconsin.

Any logical examinaton of the respective speeches, policies, and positions of the Democratic and Republican parties would certainly lead to the conclusion that the "divisive" rhetoric comes mainly from the Republicans.

Republican politicians and strategists have attempted to pit Religious versus LGBT, White versus Minorities, Union versus non-union, private workers versus public, and Middle Class versus the Poor.

ian -- there was a talk about politicians using props last week when obama surrounded himself with first responders, he has done it previously with children and with (presumed) doctors all in white coats.

that would suggest that the left needs visual aids as much as the right.

billybob-6210632 - This visual aid I am guessing did wonders. Guess which party...

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/25/17088742-new-york-lawmaker-in-hot-water-for-blackface-costume-at-party?lite

One has to be laughing at the irony of this thread about "finger pointing"...

Look folks, if either side was blameless it would be great, but Kali doesn't have enough fingers on her multiple hands to accurately spread the responsibility for our current state of politics...

billybob-6210632.......

First-responders, children, and doctors are NOT "props". They are REAL PEOPLE who CHOOSE to help President Obama lead our nation through the barbed wire and mine fields set by the GOPeaParty. They do this from a sense of civic duty and self interest. None are coerced. That (coercion) is a GOP tactic.

But, the comment ( #1.51 ) did not object to "visual aids" per se. Rather, it criticized JUVENILE "visual aids". Thanks for helping to make that clear.

Sicko, your just not used to the truth, after all your a republican.

Ian - interesting that these same Republicans had no problem with Reagan taking EVERY issue to the public to build support but now they have a problem with President Obama doing the same. There is not limit to the HYPOCRISY of the far right!

thanks TNS, its all a figment of my fragile mental state...black helo's and all...funny how you go on to blame the republicans for divide and conquer. TOUCHE' LMAO

American,

Boy...you are nothing but a blind fool, that lives in liberal land. Someday you might actually grow up enough to know that Democrats played just as much of role in the current state of affairs in the US as the Republicans.

And of course, the American people will never forget Clinton's famous words..."I did not have sexual relations with that girl" Now that wasn't a lie??

Stop a minute - think about this

There is NO Budget - and the deadline for the government to shut down without one - is in just a few weeks

That means - total shutdown - not just this little piece Obama is hyping and inducing fear on

Does he really think the American people are that stupid to not realize this? (Yes he does)

Those crying about this sequester - have got to feel really stupid - knowing this

The American people have either joined Barack's incompententcy or turned 100% stupid

You can not - spell Liberal - without - A Lie

Budget Control Act of 2011 …
The Senate, which has not passed a budget resolution in two years, will be "deemed" to have passed a budget resolution for this year and next year. In other words, for the purpose of budget points of order on the Senate floor, it will be as if the Senate had done a budget resolution. This will apply to both FY12 and FY13, meaning there will be no pressure for the Senate to consider a budget resolution on the floor before 2013.
http://keithhennessey.com/2011/08/01/bca-summary/

Sequester Vote

House Vote: 269-161 with 174 of 240 (73%) Republicans voting for sequester. 50% (95) of the Democrats voted for the Budget Control Act of 2011 which included the sequester plan if the “super committee” couldn’t reach a $1.5 Trillion deficit reduction plan by 11/23/2011.

Really? I can't believe any democrips would vote with republican'ts. Tell me it ain't true.

"#OBAMAQUESTER"

Ouch! The Republican PR machine counter-attacks! Where's the compromise-questers?

You ALREADY got the compromise with the fiscal cliff deal .... which raised taxes on the wealthy the second time under Obama ! First it was the raised taxes through Obamacare (you'll have to read the bill to see what's in it) ! Second, it was the "fiscal cliff deal" !!

Now where are the government spending cuts Obama promised ?

I still believe the WH is waging a campaign of "scare" tactics and even if the sequester goes into effect, it will not be immediate. Remember is is spread out over 7 months. I still believe the Department Heads can move monies around within their Departments. I believe it was Dennis that stated EVERY program has to be cut by 2+% across the board. If that is correct Congress could write a bill giving more flexibility to Departments to do so. The President could then sign or veto the amendment to the sequestration law.

Washington is always playing the "doom and gloom" card when it suits their desires. This whole fiasco has been manufactured by the White House for the sole reason of raising more revenue and to continue bloated, wasteful and unnecessary programs.

Sequester

The $85 Billion in cuts is 2.4% of the entire budget however since the cuts only apply to 36% of the budget (Defense & Discretionary) the $85 Billion (over a year) becomes a 6.6% cut to those areas. In addition, just like any company there are fixed costs that cannot be cut. The focus will then be on the labor portion of the budget that will result in layoffs, furloughs and reduced services.

The end result will feel like about an 11% cut.

Sequester is NOT like a Government shutdown.

The sequester does NOT allow funds to be moved around.

Do not think that unessential operations can be shut down or cut back to fund essential operations - according to the wording in the Budget Control Act of 2011.

For their next goofy Twitter tag the GOP should try #NoCompassionNoParty, or better yet, #Goodbye.

If, as stated, funds can not be moved around within the same Department, that could be easily changed by a bill allowing the Departments flexibility in the movement of funds. All Departments knew the sequester was coming and should have already made contingency plans to lessen any effects.

I guess the Democrats and liberals answer is to blindly follow the President and raise TAXES, so they can spend more.

sfcret, President Ronald Reagan eliminated tax loopholes and spear-headed the last major tax code reform we have had. He deserves credit for that. When it was pointed out to Reagan just how unfair the loopholes had become, he said he had no idea it had gotten that bad. That is what we need to do again because all the loopholes Reagan and Congress eliminated have found their way back into the tax code thanks to the special interest lobbying efforts. If you don't believe me, try Google.

The whole idea of the Budget Control Act of 2011 was to reduce the deficit. We need to cut spending and reduce our deficit so that over time we can reduce out National Debt.
Our President said he would veto any effort to eliminate or circumvent the sequester because he understands the importance of getting our finances under control.
It matters not who came up with sequester but why would either Party be against a law that forces them to deal with our Deficit and Debt problems?

i really like this:

It matters not who came up with sequester but why would either Party be against a law that forces them to deal with our Deficit and Debt problems?

Oh, but if it was a Republican idea, the blame would never stop!

-LOL

Sorry Dennis, but that is just plain BS. All this President wants is more money to spend and more wasted programs. Why is he trying so hard to keep the sequestration from going into effect? When he came up with sequestration he figured he painted the Republicans into a corner because of the Defense cuts, when in fact he painted himself into the same corner and he is scrambling to get out of it.

I hope the sequestration goes into effect. We will then see if the scare tactics employed by the Administration take effect. I am willing to bet it will not be anywhere near the devastation put out by the White House.

The federal government is way to big, spends way to much money and there is a lack of leadership in the White House and Congress. I have said before I would like to see all Departments audited by GAO, or other outside auditing firms, to identify waste, duplication of programs, and fraud. Spending would be frozen until all audits are completed and published.

Downgraded

This is what happens when you cut too much too fast

Friday, February 22, 4:55 PM

Credit ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Britain's government bond rating one notch from the top AAA to AA1, citing weaknesses in the economy's medium-term outlook.

The British government is in the midst of a program of spending cuts designed to reduce the nation's hefty deficit, but a flat-lining economy has led it to downgrade its own estimates of future growth.

Jody - I have said in many posts over the past year or so that we need to revise the tax codes to eliminate loop holes, subsidies and deductions, and it should be done before we raise taxes on anyone. Further I have stated it should include all taxpayers not just the so called "super wealthy", millionaires and corporations. I would reduce or eliminate child tax credits, mortgage interest, and EIC for starters. Once the tax codes have been revised we can then move on to reducing the deficit and national debt. My fear is the Government will use the extra tax money for more programs and social programs.

so Dennis when the US got its downgrade, how much was cut?

CA,

Since you ALWAYS have ALL the answers and you are ALWAYS correct then please tell us and while you are at it explain exactly why it happened AFTER the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed and not before.

Amy, news anchors - are a thing of the past wouldn't you say? Even Rush admits - we the people have won the war.

"the 1% are immune to the effects these cuts will have on the economy, they won't be affected by these cuts"

We saw a whole bunch of 1% ers last night at the Oscars....Hollywood millionaires who got a special tax break from Obama's Fiscal Cliff bill..so they can get richer...

In appreciation, Obama rich crony capitalist Harvey Weinstein pulled a few strings and gave Michelle a free commercial spot.

GOP Comback, yes - the First Lady wanted to speak about the importance of the Arts to a national audience and so was invited to do just that.

I thought it was a lovely gesture.

Big business and everyone on the hill! It would be nice to live in their bubble and watch everyone squirm at the power of all that money they can squeeze out of the yahoos!

GOP----most everyone in that room at the Oscars last night had his or her taxes raised in the fiscal cliff. Some of them campaigned with the President. There were no deals that benefitted them (unlike hedge fund managers who get a special low income tax rate).

Pat - Our First Lady again last night proved she has class, elegance, intelligence and integrity and is an outstanding role model for young girls of every race. The fact that the righties have a problem with her just proves she is doing a great job!

Steeler Fan,

There were no deals that benefited them?

Of the nine "Best Picture" nominees in 2012, for example, five were filmed on location in states where the production company received financial incentives, including "The Help" (in Mississippi) and "Moneyball" (in California). Virginia gave $3.5 million to this year's Oscar-nominated "Lincoln."

SeekingSanity - I couldn't describe Michelle Obama any better than you just did. She's just lovely and a really special moment last night when she joined the Oscar telecast.

Bull$hyte !! Total spending AFTER the sequestration ..... still exceeds last year's spending !

Obama is blowing $moke up you a$$ and you are to blind to see it !!

Besides, it is not "half" ... the Republican House passed it, but the Democratic Senate passed it and the Democratic President SIGNED it !!! Two out of three under Democratic contol !!!

Obama has flip-flopped yet again ... he could be the poster boy for Waffle House !

jim,

Can you support that spending claim … link please - Thanks

He can't even support his racism directly, so i wouldn't wait around for him to sputter out any actual truths. He's not even bright enough to know he's a poster-boy for something far more sinister than a breakfast joint.

Graph on the left. You see any downturn?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2013/02/22/the-non-existent-spending-cuts-wrought-by-the-devastating-sequester/

When I look at the graph, I'm wondering "what sequester?"

That puts it into perspective, I would say.

Since you right-wingers have declared that President Obama "owns" the sequester, why is it that most of you support and defend it?

BTW---Talk to the Hand's CBO graph shows PROJECTED spending virtually flat through 2015. That CONTRASTS with projected revenue that "will return to its pre-recession levels in 2013, according to projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), setting a record for the most money the government has ever taken in."

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/cbo-federal-revenue-set-record-2013 "CBO: Federal Revenue to Set Record in 2013"

So, guess what happens to our deficit when spending is flat and Federal revenues are poised to set records. The GOPeaParty has gotten no spending concessions from President Obama (remember: the sequester was "his" idea) and still our deficit is going DOWN.

It seems the GOP is obliged to spin the reason why yet another Democrat President shows the fiscal responsibility they can only talk about. That, despite having to dig out of the deep financial ditch the GOP put this nation in during the Bush/Cheney years.

CBO Quote......If the current laws that govern federal taxes and spending do not change, the budget deficit will shrink this year to $845 billion, or 5.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), its smallest size since 2008. In CBO’s baseline projections, deficits continue to shrink over the next few years, falling to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2015........http://www.cbo.gov/publication/43861.......EndQuote

Long term deficits still do not bode well. That is what we (Democrats) will fix over the next several years. It is time for a revolutionary change in the way health care is delivered in the United States. That is the key to our long term fiscal health. The ACA is only the beginning.

Rilli,

Absolutely,

The GOPTP folks are in battle mode and need to be stopped in 2014 , they see any compromise as an anathema.

They are true believers in the fullest sense of the word.

The blame game is getting old, but it seems to be all the Dummycraps have left !

Total spending AFTER the sequestration still exceeds last year's total spending !!

Dems simply cannot handle basic math, but would rather play games instead !!!

Oh yeah... Time to toss out the overused tea bags... Just don't forget to tell NimmyJumbers to "fetch" when we throw them or he'll hang around expecting a treat!

"They have created far more low-information, unaware, uneducated people than we’ve been able to keep up with...

Pat,

I should of known all of the "low info voter" chanting from the right wing parrots lately originated with Mr. Limpballs! lol

You can always count on the lemmings to run with whatever he feeds them!

Truth hurts hey Pat?

Talk to the Hand - "The Truth" from Rush hurts, really? I am hurting with laughter.

Talk to the Hand - yes, it's obviously hurting for Limbaugh.

Feisty, Limabugh can actually sit there and say what he said. He's losing advertisers and message. All at once. Couldn't happen to a more despicable person.

TeaPeople get their orders from a drug addict.....Limbaugh.

His prescription drug abuse/addiction caused his hearing loss (cochlear implant) killed the nerves....and no doubt he lost brain cells that can't rejuvenate.......

The rants and inflammatory ($$$$) comments from a druggie........

"They have created far more low-information, unaware, uneducated people than we’ve been able to keep up with...

And, Bobby Bo Jindle agrees with him! lol

According to Bobby Bo, it's the Republicon's who are they party of stupid...

feisty -- again with the racism targeting the Louisiana Governor -- we are all ashamed of you for continuously using racial attacks on those with whom you disagree

again with the racism targeting the Louisiana Governor -- we are all ashamed of you for continuously using racial attacks on those with whom you disagree

I would ask WFT your talking about, but do not want to give you the impression I give a @!$%#! ;o)

Again, the only one playing the race card has been YOU little buddy!

Feisty --- What race card is this idiot talking about , I didn't see anything racist.

feisty -- ok skipper -- i gather you must still be lost on that 3-hour tour to not understand how offensive your racist remarks are or even that you are making them. but in spite of your obvious need to swear and name call when challenged you are certainly most entertaining.

thanks for playing and have a what will likely just be another sad day in a sad life. i do feel sorry for you.

What race card is this idiot talking about , I didn't see anything racist

old man,

Your guess is as good as mine! lol

Yesterday I compared Bobby Bo Jindal to the Chucky Cheese mascot and Billy Bob-Boy called me a racist!

Like it's MY fault the dude looks like a giant rat? ;o)

i do feel sorry for you.

SAVE it! Your own personal pity party needs all the help it can get!

sad day in a sad life.

Says someone who rides my ankle like a horny Cheewowa! I'm not the one trolling here, pal! lol

billybob, Feisty is just repeating with the governor said - in his own words.

Billy Bob, quit yer whining.

Feisty --- Amen --- Your discription was much closer than mine.

Billy Bob, quit yer whining.

Chucky,

Then he would have nothing to say! ☺

oh my -- the lefty libs are quite upset by their colleagues racist remarks. remember when folks have disagreed with anything obama does and immediately it is because they are racist. just using the same measure here. calling elected officials by childish names is just that, childish and in the case of calling a man of color a rat is pure racism.

but i have had enough entertainment for today. so long.

A Wasted Week

Steve Benen, The Maddow Blog

When Senate Republicans blocked an up-or-down confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel's Defense Secretary nomination -- an unprecedented move -- GOP officials said it wasn't about killing the nomination so much as it was giving the process more time. Republicans wanted another week -- specifically, last week -- to come up with something to derail him.

Now that the delay is just about over, I'm not altogether sure what the point was. The only interesting Hagel-related news of the last week is that Republican media outlets went berserk over an organization that doesn't exist. Well, that and the fact that Sen. Lindsey Graham apparently wants to make Hagel his pen pal.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has written a letter to Chuck Hagel to ask that he open his Senate archive at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Graham, who also asks Hagel to authorize the release of past speeches organized by the Washington Speakers Bureau, believes interested parties should have access to the former Nebraska senator's record.

For the record, Graham sent Hagel three different letters over the course of a week -- some more ridiculous than others. In this case, the South Carolinian doesn't want something specific from the University of Nebraska-Omaha archive, but he thinks it'd be nice of researchers could go look for stuff, just in case.

and in the case of calling a man of color a rat is pure racism.

President Obama has been called much worse than a rat! Right down to people on this board calling him the n*gger in chief!

Where the f*ck was your POUTRAGE then?

So take your phony indignation & hurt fee-fee's and SHOVE them!

I went to re-read the posts....saw nothing racist......Oh Well....It's really crazy how the TeaPeople try to project their own weaknesses on to someone else......

We already know that TeaPeople never accept responsibility for anything that they do!

....as they continue in the fog!

Where the f*ck was your POUTRAGE then?

I am sure you displayed plenty of "poutrage" times about twelve at that time. Perhaps billy bob was just pointing out the once again evident hypocrisy of your comments compared to your wishes for those who don't agree.

Quite simple really. And when confronted, you "doth protest too much" with the "you guys did it first (whoops - frist)" argument. Classic.

Talk to the Hand, I don't think what you are saying about Feisty is correct. She gets slammed here and she gets pretty abusive private emails ... she has every right to fight back.

She's actually a very lovely lady.

she has every right to fight back.

Thanks Pat!

Strong, intelligent women who don't take any BS, intimidate the hell out of these right wing control freaks!

Pat I don't doubt she is a good person to those who agree with her. Hell may even be someone, outside of the political realm, that I could actually have a conversation with. I know she gets slammed, I have heard of the e-mails from time to time. Do I necessarily like it? No. Do I feel she eggs it on for whatever reason? To a certain extent. You cannot be as dyed in the wool dedicated to the point of no discussion and putting people on "ignore" that may actually have a point. Unfortunately I feel in most cases she reaps what she sows. For that reason I do feel for her, even though she couldn't care less about "someone like me" and what I think, if you are going to want to be the top dog of anything, you are going to have to put up with other dogs "sh!tting" in your territory. And it isn't the fighting back. It is the continuation of the fight she started.

I know the place wouldn't be the same without her. Just sometimes all she seems to want to do is stir.

See what I mean:

Strong, intelligent women who don't take any BS, intimidate the hell out of these right wing control freaks!

Says the left wing control freak. There is a difference between strong and b!tchy know it all. You figure out which is which.

TOTH: But don't you think there has been a "control" problem within the GOP for many many years? Whether it be in regard to our own personal lives (social issues) or the media, by way of Rush Limbaugh & Co as well as Fox (propaganda) as well as lobbying Congress with their deep pockets to the point where none of us felt we had a say in anything (tax breaks for the rich)? There is also the problem of control over voting.

There has been some pretty heavy lifting lying for years in order to divide us all. We have had enough.

And we the people didn't start any of it. Too many here on First Read STILL believe what Limbaugh has to say.

They carry his lies and made up anger here to this blog.

I know Feisty has never made a racist statement. If anyone can point out any racist statement Feisty has made, I would like to read it!

I agree but the lying, propaganda, and other things you mention are not all on one side of the street as you point out. It varies and changes sides rather cyclically and, as you say, divides. Both sides do it. Both sides feel they are right (meaning correct :>) ). As far as Limbaugh goes, well, there is nothing I can say to make you see anything different from what you believe. I would suggest you listen sometimes instead of taking what the media wants to expose through sound bites to form an opinion but, again, I know you don't necessarily agree with him or conservatives in general so I won't expect the snowball to come back from hell.

And thanks for keeping this discussion civil. Mean it.

And Job1, no one said she did. But bullying and name calling and labeling is just as bad as racism. And whom would she direct a racist remark at? Paul Ryan? Mitt Romney? John McCain? Sarah Palin? We all know racism goes one way only. And Allen West and Marco Rubio don't really do anything to cause it.

TTTH, I have heard too much from Rush to ever want to turn on his program. If I did, I would just walk around angry. I don't think highly of him at all. Neither do his advertisers, for good reason.

He is not a good representative of the GOP and yet for too long, the Republican Party in DC kissed his backside, something they should never have allowed themselves to do.

Hopefully that is changing, but I don't know.

If anyone can point out any racist statement Feisty has made, I would like to read it!

Whatever you do Job1, please don't hold your breath! ;o)

Oh, the poor little pepper-pots... Still trying to fling their stuff onto others like caged chimps.

It's called "projection"... And is one of the last bastions of the guilty when forced out into the light of day.... Those that engage in it (at any level... Note the new countdown clock behind the rat-pack) are most often certain of their misbehaviors but lacking in the honor to own up to what they are and do. So they point at others and cry of their own fouls because they're just no longer suitable enough human beings to be involved in the conversations anyway.

Nothing says POS like a racist accusing others of racism... The American People know this... The "Merkin Pipple" are just not bright enough to absorb the fact that they've become transparent now. Their closets have been remanufactured out of window glass by their own hands. Too funny really.

If you think that even cutting their pay off for a year would affect a single one of them you have another think coming.

I want to see the defense furloughs include dropping security around Congress. If Congress thinks it's no big deal to weaken our national defense, let it start with their personal security.

Vote up for Amy!! Wouldn't mind seeing that put on the table myself.

Didn't Jack Lew draw this whole thing up and Obama agreed to it? But Amy why are you complaining about this if you want defense cuts? It's 3%, if the government is crying about 3% than WE do have a spending problem and it needs to stop.

Agreed Amy, maybe getting rid of their pension, healthcare, paycheck, transportation AND security might get them to work.

maybe getting rid of their pension, healthcare, paycheck, transportation AND security

You betcha......They enjoy the benefits that we all pay for, for forever.....Those are cuts that really should happen.

I am scared these cuts will slow our economic recovery. If they go through, 7,000 Mainers who work for the Navy will be affected, and our local economy will take a hit. Maybe Virginia can afford defense spending cuts, but it will really hurt Maine, at a time we are still struggling to recover from the recession. It scares me when the head of the Maine National Guard says the cuts will definitely hurt our military readiness. I'm all for cuts to Defense, but not crazy, unplanned cuts.

I don't get how responsbile Republicans could risk any of this, unless they are just trying to hurt the President. How is that an honorable thing to do? Why can't they put the country before their Party?

I wonder if the Texas TeaPeople likee this.....

Army installations in Texas will take the biggest hit of any in the nation, with $2.4 billion in reductions affecting 34,734 jobs statewide. More than half of those cuts will come at the Texarkana and Corpus Christi Army depots. Fort Bliss and Fort Hood will see reductions totaling $421 million.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/military/article/Sequester-madness-casts-shadow-on-Texas-bases-4304946.php#ixzz2Lvy16k9E

Amy,

Obama wanted this and back in 2011 he even said he will veto any bill that saves the military from this. So why is it an issue now and not in 2011? I think he over played his hand and it's going to bite him in the arse. Both sides are guilty in this. This will effect me too, will I lose my job? Probably not, but I know people that will lose pay.

Personally, I think Congress--especially the republicans who think the minimum wage builds character and raising it would kill jobs and make it harder for them to learn skills--should work for minimum wage of $7.25 per hour until such time as they stop behaving like teenagers on Friday nights after the game.

Paul FL, out of context again. President Obama was warning the GOPers who, after agreeing to the sequester cuts including defense because the Super Committee failed, were publicly stating they planned to pass legislation that would exempt Defense from any cuts. That was what President Obama threatened to Veto.

What happened to being public SERVANTS?!! I agree Jody, the minimum wage with no benefits sounds about right to me.

Huh?

Paul -- Maybe I didn"t say that quite right but I think you get the IDEA.

Typical loon...

"It's Theirs!"

It's ALWAYS theirs! (ah how I long for good old Harry Truman...)

old man, you said it just fine. The GOP voted for it, they didn't have to vote for it but they did--now they want to wash their hands of it.

To prove how tone deaf Congress is,...they actually BELIEVED Willard was going to WIN and they wouldn't have to do anything.

lmfao at them. The series of miscues, missteps and downright incompetence is too great to enumerate.

That Willard was ever going to save the GNOP or anyone,...giggle. Just can't type that without getting cracked up!

Hahahah!

Nice one! I too will chunk in a little extra as soon as I see those ever-caring Dems pitch in a little more!

(voted you up Tango!)

It used to be, paying taxes was a sign of your success and a hallmarkof adulthood. That was when people strived to be considered a "pillar of the community."

Somehow Republicans have turned paying to live in the greatest democracy on earth into someting only losers do. Same way they decided serving in the military is for folks with no other options.

Losers?

You mean like all dem people getting gub'ment cheese?

They don't pay taxes.

According to the Geography of Government Benefits chart, its the Republican leaning districts who get the most government aid. Go figure.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/02/12/us/entitlement-map.html

SOTB is the biggest hunk of Gub'ment cheese ever accidentally wadded together.

Excellent post Amy! Hit him so hard he almost screwed up the signature on Momma's check!

Seriously? Why not just let everyone contribute what they want...better yet, let's just find a way to charge people for what they use. Why should we all pay for police when I haven't been robbed in 30 years? How much do you want to bet that Romney refiles his last years taxes so he can get the benefit of the two million in donations he didn't take to keep his tax rate at a level he thought Americans would accept?

its the Republican leaning districts who get the most government aid. Go figure.

They need to stop being the "Stupid Party"......talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

TangoHotel, oh, sure, that makes so much sense--do you think Mitt Romney, Sheldon Adelson, Foster Freise, the Koch boys, and their friends will join democrats in the charitable IRS giving? Sorry, Tango, democrats do not expect people to volunteer to pay more in taxes. You can bet Mitt Romney already filed the right form to get the extra money he gave his church deducted from his taxes refunded now that the election is over and he doesn't need to "never pay less than 14%".

You can help too Tango... Maybe slip off one of those boots you're licking when Master's not paying attention... Probably worth more second-hand than most real Americans can afford to kick-in as "extra".

Of course, that'll just leave you with the unshod foot, but the fact that you're down there to begin with proves you like taking on for the imaginary "team"... In the vain hopes of breaking that class ceiling and being a player one day yourself.

Amy, now there you go posting facts. We ALL know Sick can't handle facts. It totally destroys his mythical outrage at Democrats. However, he'll go on and rant and rave about nothing. It's what he does best.

TangoHotel, I appreciate the civil tone you took in responding to me. What bothers me about Republicans, who blame poor people for the state of our economy, the lack of growth over the past decades, and the increase in our federal debt, is that they refuse to put the blame where it belongs: on tax cuts enacted at the same time we were fighting two wars, and an inability to address the issue of aging baby boomers. Wall Street has been handing out outrageous bonuses, paychecks, and golden parachutes even as hedge fund managers and CEOs failed to see the financial crisis coming and relied on the government to bail them out of the resulting mess. It's weird how the right wing focuses on entitlements like food stamps, Medicaid and gov'ment cheese, when some of the wealthiest in our country pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries.

TangoHotel-

Democrats seem to think nothing about the Government supplying all their needs and wants no matter what the cost

I don't disagree that the debt and deficit is an issue we should be trying to solve, but to blame it solely on Democrats wanting Government to supply "all their wants and needs" is inaccurate to say the least.

The National Debt was on track to being eliminated when GW Bush and the Republicans implemented the Bush Tax Cuts without introducing ANY spemdimg reductions. In fact, Republicans were responsible for the unfunded Medicare Prescription deal and two unfunded wars.

The sensible path to fiscal responsibility is a combination of tax reform and spending cuts. President Obama and the Democrats have offered several versions of this balanced approach, but Republicans refused to cooperate on ANY revenue increases.

The austerity path that the Republicans pay lip service to would result in more unemployment, more foreclosures, and more people dependent on government assistance. EVERY country that has tried the austerity path has suffered greater economic difficulty.

You can't claim to want to eliminate the debt and deficit "for the children", then refuse to make anyone pay any more in taxes - even if it is just the elimination of some loopholes available only to the wealthy.

Tangomotel, cut and paste the same thing, much?

TangoHotel - what an insulting post. I know no Democrats who want the government to supply all their needs and wants no matter the cost. That is the kind of ignorance that got Mitt Romney a one way ticket out of politics.

Your posting of that nonsense shows you don't care to know the truth - but you love spouting Rush Limbaugh ignorance. Unlike Amy, I don't find your post civil at all. It is TOTALLY insulting and you intended it to be.

Try waking up to reality. Democrats, liberals, etc., are no more expecting the government to pay and supply all their needs than anyone else. And, if you'll actually look at facts, RED states receive the most government help.

I know no one who doesn't either work or want to work. Many people have been looking for good jobs for a long time as a result of the recession. You HAVE heard about it, right? Many people work two jobs in order to put food on the table but still have to worry about keeping a roof over their heads.

No one wants to have people continually getting government assistance but when difficult times face people, the American way has been to lend a helping hand. That DOES NOT mean people enjoy getting assistance.

And, had Bush not destroyed our economy, we would have fewer people on assistance.

Now, if you'd like to post the truth, you MIGHT be worth reading.

Oh, and the Democratic controlled Senate garbage is just that. Republicans have used the filibuster more than any other time in history. REPUBLICANS are the problem! Try to face the facts!

Did
only Republicans vote for the Bush tax cuts? Did the Obama administration
continue the those tax cuts for 4 more years, and they are still continuing for
most Americans today? Is the war in Afghanistan still going on and still
unfunded as we've not had a budget from this Senate yet? I fail to understand
why at this late date we cannot recognize that OUR COUNTRY is in trouble and WE
ALL need to work together and solve this fiscal crisis once in for all. Or
perhaps we can just fire Washington DC, all of them, because isn't that what
happens when folks don't do the job they've been hired to do? And when we elect
someone and they take the oath of office they are then working for all of us
because they represent all the citizens of this country or their state or their
congressional district, not just the Democrats or Republicans, ALL
CITIZENS!!!!!