GOP leaders put pedal to the metal and steer for the cliff
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has suddenly abandoned deficit-reduction talks with the White House, an example that the other Republican negotiator, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, quickly followed.
“The new GOP position appears to be that they will not negotiate any further until Democrats take tax increases off the table. That stance seems to reflect their assessment that there are not the votes in the House to pass any deal that includes tax increases.
Cantor announced suddenly on Thursday that he would not be attending the scheduled afternoon meeting of the bipartisan deficit-reduction leadership group headed by Vice President Joe Biden, declaring tax issues an obstacle that President Obama needs to help resolve and that he believes it is time for the negotiations to move to a higher level. “Given this impasse, I will not be participating in today’s meeting and I believe it is time for the president to speak clearly and resolve the tax issue. Once resolved, we have a blueprint to move forward to trillions of spending cuts and binding mechanisms to change the way things are done around here,” Cantor said in a statement.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said when Democrats drop their demand for taxes the talk can continue, and he embraced Cantor’s decision.”
“President Obama needs to decide between his goal of higher taxes or a bipartisan plan to address our deficit,’ Kyl and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement. “He can’t have both.”
For Kyl, McConnell, Boehner and Cantor, “compromise” means the other side agrees to surrender, “bipartisan” means our way or the highway and “patriotism” means taking the nation’s economy as a hostage and threatening to do major harm unless their demands are fully satisfied.
It’s blackmail, pure and simple, and President Obama and the Democrats cannot surrender to it without also surrendering their ability to govern and their credibility as leaders.
– Jay Bookman
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579 comments Add your comment
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:19 pm
I am snickering at the image!
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:21 pm
OMG Firsties!
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:22 pm
President Obama and the Democrats cannot surrender to it without also surrendering their ability to govern and their credibility as leaders.
I am fairly sure that they will cave on this issue, unfortunately. Unless they can do some great PR and shame the Republicans into taking their side on the tax increases, I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
ByteMe
June 23rd, 2011
2:22 pm
And if the Republicans bluster and then cave again, much like they did at the end of last year, who in Washington will remember the next time they try to bluff?
getalife
June 23rd, 2011
2:24 pm
Playing politics with a default is stupid and China called them out on this stupidity.
Granny Godzilla
June 23rd, 2011
2:25 pm
Cantor wants Boehners job….
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:26 pm
Granny: Cantor wants to be famous. The only think missing is a sex scandal.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:27 pm
” when Democrats drop their demand for taxes the talk can continue”
And the Republicans AGAIN show that they are not really for balanced budgets, and are okay with the country going to hell in a handbasket. (for lack of a more accurate phrase)
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2011
2:28 pm
When Mitch McConnell announced, some time ago, that the number one goal of The Republican Party was to defeat Obama in 2012, he apparently wasn’t kidding. Looks like the’re willing to wreck our Nation’s economy and then try to blame it on Obama in order to win back the White House. You have to wonder at the number of mindless voters we have in America who will vote Republican no matter how miserable that Party makes their lives.
Granny Godzilla
June 23rd, 2011
2:31 pm
Adam
Well there is that possibility for one of the two…..
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:32 pm
They need to cut spend FIRST and then we’ll see if we can trust them with more money (higher taxes). There’s obviously a big spending problem in Washington. Cut spending now. Raise taxes later. Comprende?
THE TRUTH
June 23rd, 2011
2:32 pm
Stupid Dems will not work with GOP. Fixed Jays title.
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:33 pm
Peadawg: They need to cut spend FIRST and then we’ll see if we can trust them with more money (higher taxes)
They already did cut spending. Where’s your end of the deal?
RedEye
June 23rd, 2011
2:34 pm
“Looks like the’re willing to wreck our Nation’s economy and then try to blame it on Obama in order to win back the White House. ”
Obama has had 3 years to fix the economy, but under his watch the economy contiues to worsen.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:34 pm
. . . and what happened to “everything is on the table”?
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
2:35 pm
This is an equal and opposite reaction to the socialist in the white house that you support bookman. Can you feel the conservative ascendancy all around you yet? The far left radical democratic way is on the edge of the cliff bookman. I love the way libs like you project onto the conservatives that which you are ACTUALLY doing. Obama and the dems are the ones driving everything and it’s time to hold hussein and the dems to their record. Keep trying to blame others and it will get even worse for your ilk lib……..have a great day all
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:35 pm
Instead of cutting Medicaid, Obamacare adds more:
http://dailycaller.com/2011/06/21/cbo-pelosi-unclear-on-obamacares-medicaid-glitch-costs/
And we’re supposed to trust them with more money to spend? Pahlease.
THE TRUTH
June 23rd, 2011
2:35 pm
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:33 pm
WHAT ?
Joe The Plumber too.
June 23rd, 2011
2:35 pm
The dimocraps credibility as leaders……………….hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 23rd, 2011
2:35 pm
If Obama wants any chance of salvaging his failing presidency he’ll get engaged himself while disengaging Biden. The Democrats still believe in the Keynesian fairy tale and want more tax dollars along with more borrowed dollars to pi$$ away on failed stimulus programs.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:36 pm
Peadawg: Cut spending now. Raise taxes later. Comprende?
Raise taxes now, cut spending now, do it ALL NOW.
The faster we do it ALL the better off the country will be.
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:36 pm
A post like Billybob’s could only get worse if it was a manifesto.
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:36 pm
“. . . and what happened to “everything is on the table”?” – I would ask the Democrats that also (see my 2:35).
“They already did cut spending.” – When?
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:37 pm
“Raise taxes now, cut spending now, do it ALL NOW. The faster we do it ALL the better off the country will be.” – The Democrats are known to tax & spend. Until they do something to prove me that they can tax & cut at the same time…I don’t trust them.
larry
June 23rd, 2011
2:37 pm
The Democrats better not cave in to this tatic. The have the public on their side.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/06/23/20110623ryan-medicare-plan-bloomberg-poll-politico.html
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
RedEye: Obama has had 3 years to fix the economy
BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! he was sworn in in 2009, not 2008. And it’s going to take A LOT LONGER to fix what was broken.
This Great Recession has a very long recovery time, but I bet ya: once taxes are raised to the same levels as when Clinton was in office, you’ll see the recovery happen even faster.
Stephen White
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
Boehner, Cantor, and their millionaire buddies seem to forget that there is nothing UN-capitalistic about taxing those who are earning obscenely disproportionate amounts of money. Adam Smith, the intellectual father of capitalism had it right when he wrote:
“The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. They find it difficult to get food, and the greater part of their little revenue is spent in getting it. The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. A tax upon house-rents, therefore, would in general fall heaviest upon the rich; and in this sort of inequality there would not, perhaps, be anything very unreasonable. It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.” –Adam Smith
If one suddenly cannot remember how large a line of credit one has at Tiffany’s (Gingrich), how many houses one has (McCain), that there is a conflict of interest in passing out checks from the tobacco industry on the floor of the house while votes are being taken on legislation that affects that industry, then one is either too rich or has too great a financial stake in propping up the rich who subsidize one to appreciate why taxes are necessary. Not taxing the rich does not stimulate the economy, create jobs, reduce the deficit, or curtail “conspicuous consumption” by billionaires in ways that make the economy more viable.
Capitalism demands that the tax codes be revised occasionally to maximize the benefits of a capitalistic economy. But that does not mean that taxes on the super-rich can never be justified, a position apparently taken by the R’s in Congress these days.
getalife
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
He left because they probably have a deal and he wants to be a good little con and say he had nothing to do with it.
Scooter (The Original)
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
Oh my goodness Jay, the country is concerned about our fiscal house. Your Democrats haven’t passed a budget in a looong time, the President has yet to submit a serious budget proposal and during their large majorities they did whatever it took to pass another costly entitlement program. Amongst all of that you can sit and type with steady fingers about the repubs being reckless?
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
If the Republicans give in, what will be different the next time the deficit ceiling is reached? Why can’t there be major spending cuts NOW? Why?
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:39 pm
Peadawg: The Democrats are known to tax & spend
And Republicans have been BORROWING and spending. Guess which choice I’d rather have?
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
2:40 pm
Adam,
The truth hurts buddy. The dems and far left trying to blame conservatives for this economy is competely ridiculous and will not work and will come back on your ilk exponentially. People see through bookman and all the far left radical opinion guys across the country today. Wake up….
Hillbilly D
June 23rd, 2011
2:40 pm
The idea didn’t originate with me but how nobody in Congress gets another paycheck until they pass a budget?
Stephen White
June 23rd, 2011
2:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:41 pm
“And Republicans have been BORROWING and spending.” – Bush is a Republican, yes. But Obama’s a Republican? Who knew!
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:42 pm
“And Republicans have been BORROWING and spending.” – Also…Pelosi and Reid Republicans? Ya right.
@@
June 23rd, 2011
2:42 pm
This perfect storm has been a long time coming. It’s Washington that needs to drown, not the job creators.
When AARP sticks their necks out saying Social Security needs to be reformed, people better sit up and take notice.
Last week the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) announced a major policy shift regarding Social Security. Formerly seen as the largest opponent to Social Security reform, AARP has recently acknowledged that the federal program cannot indefinitely pay out benefits at current levels. The group wants to see the program made “solvent” by making “minimal” changes. Unions could learn from this sentiment, instead they have brought legal challenges on reform efforts.
Drop the anchor on Medicare and Medicaid too.
AmVet
June 23rd, 2011
2:42 pm
Billybob, are you suggesting coconuts migrate/the GOP is blameless for this economy?
larry
June 23rd, 2011
2:43 pm
And Republicans have been BORROWING and spending
And that is their economic policy for the past 30 years. Also, it is the reason we are in this mess to begin with.
Why would i trust a party that has seen the The Great Depression and The Great Recession happen on their watch with anybody’s money?
Normal
June 23rd, 2011
2:43 pm
Cantor, Kyle, Boehner…stupid boys.
RedEye
June 23rd, 2011
2:44 pm
Logical Dude,
You’re right, Obama was sworn in 2009. So he was president for all of 2009 (with the exception of approx 20 days), he was president for all of 2010, and he has been president for all of 2011 thus far…so although it hasn’t been a full 3 years…he is in his 3rd year as president and the economy continues to worsen under his watch.
“once taxes are raised to the same levels as when Clinton was in office, you’ll see the recovery happen even faster.”…..that’s debateable, but at the current rate of spending to GDP (which is at 24%) compared to what it was during the Clinton administration (around 16%) raising taxes will have little effect in lowering our debt
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
2:44 pm
Jay,
Your common sense has left the building as you blindly follow thek radical left. No more time wasted on this blog. If you actually believe this post, you are a fool Bookman. And yes I said a FOOL
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
2:44 pm
“…the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.”
They already do, Stephen White. We already have a very progressive tax. The more you earn, the more you pay, and the higher percentage you pay. 45% on income earners pay NO federal income tax.
Granny Godzilla
June 23rd, 2011
2:45 pm
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
2:38 pm
If the Republicans give in, what will be different the next time the deficit ceiling is reached?
If the Ryan budget is passed it adds 6 trillion to the national debt over the next decade (as Boehner has admitted)
bob
June 23rd, 2011
2:45 pm
Logical dude, the budget deficits are borrowed money. Dems could have raised taxes when they had the house and senate but chose to focus on obamacare.
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
June 23rd, 2011
2:46 pm
“Why can’t there be major spending cuts NOW? Why?”
Because Obama and the Democrats would be admitting that their policies have failed and a different course needs to be taken. Their strategy is to try to convince the public that they just need more time. Their challenge is that the public hasn’t seen results and believe that they’ve had enough time.
Hillbilly D
June 23rd, 2011
2:46 pm
With all due respect, the AARP ain’t nothing but a clearing house for direct mail campaigns to sell term life insurance. I dropped my membership a good while back and they still fill my mailbox with their crap. I’ve got an oversized mailbox, too. Not that size matters. (IWH)
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:47 pm
“Their strategy is to try to convince the public that they just need more time. – Sad that some are gullible enough to believe him.
Thomas
June 23rd, 2011
2:47 pm
“We don’t have a precise read on why this slower pace of growth is persisting,” Bernanke said. He said the weak housing market and problems in the banking system might be “more persistent than we thought”
Well now- sounds like Captain Smith survived the Titanic and is now alive and well running the Fed. You go bro, if it doesn’t work just try harder.
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
2:47 pm
I’m saying the dems controlled the purse strings for 4 consecutive years up untill this day and hussein has spent 2 trillion and look where we are. The dems out today attacking the republicans and saying they are sabotaging the economy borders pathological. That is what I’m saying. The blame for the economy today is the people who have been in control of it for a few years and that is the DEMOCRATS.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
2:49 pm
Peadawg: Pelosi and Reid Republicans? Ya right.
LOL, ya got me there! But the point still remains. WE HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT WE’VE BORROWED. And the only way to do that is raise taxes AND cut spending.
Don't Tread
June 23rd, 2011
2:50 pm
I see. So demanding some (any) restraint on out-of-control spending now constitutes “blackmail”. Well, I guess if Republicans vote against Democrats on anything, that could be considered “treason” by that standard.
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
2:51 pm
Granny,
So I guess the Ryan budget doesn’t go far enough. The cuts need to be deeper. At least he has proposed something. The Senate Democrats haven’t proposed a budget in two years, and NO Democrat has proposed any serious, long-term entitlement reform. HR 3200 is looking less and less like it saves any money long-term, so don’t try to use that.
You didn’t answer my question. What will happen the next time the budget ceiling is reached? Why do we even have a deficit ceiling? And why can’t we cut now? If not now, when?
larry
June 23rd, 2011
2:51 pm
Found this interesting . From the Atlantic………….
Pawlenty’s statistic is mostly wrong. His conclusion is fully wrong. First, revenue didn’t double during Reagan’s eight years. It increased by 65 percent, from $600 billion in 1981 to $990 billion in 1989 in nominal terms.
Second, Reagan’s 1981 tax cut didn’t increase tax revenue, explains Bruce Bartlett, a former economist and domestic policy adviser under Reagan. Inflation grew revenue, and population growth grew revenue, and economic expansion grew revenue, and tax increases grew revenue (”Ronald Reagan raised taxes 11 times, increasing revenues by $133 billion per year as of 1988 – about a third of the nominal revenue increase during Reagan’s presidency”).
It’s not clear why Pawlenty would want to make this fuzzy argument anyway. If he wants to grow tax revenue and balance the budget, he should raise taxes. If he wants to shrink government, he should say “Of course tax cuts starve Washington for revenue. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” But if he wants to be the next Reagan, he should listen to Reagan’s advisers: Tax cuts never pay for themselves.
So tax cuts raises revenues ???
AmVet
June 23rd, 2011
2:51 pm
“The blame for the economy today is the people who have been in control of it for a few years and that is the DEMOCRATS.”
Are saying that up until “a few years ago” the economy was healthy, Billybob?
I’m just trying to understand this claim that it is only the Democrats to blame.
DBCOOPER
June 23rd, 2011
2:52 pm
It’s blackmail, pure and simple, and President Obama and the Democrats cannot surrender to it without also surrendering their ability to govern and their credibility as leaders.
What abilty to govern? What credibilty as leaders? HOLY crap haven’t they proven they can’t do either. When do the “water carrying” Libs admit this administrations policies aren’t working. The Dems have been in charge since 2006 and we are heading toward a cliff and this guy is telling them not to surrender? Well, we as Americans surrender there Weasel Boy!!!
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
2:54 pm
I think there will be numerous ostrich sightings on this blog today…..the first sighting was during the writing of this blog…..
Joe Mama
June 23rd, 2011
2:55 pm
How about monkey sightings?
http://www.ajc.com/news/emory-searching-for-missing-985776.html
THE TRUTH
June 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
Amvet Not, tell another one, bild ypur credibility. HA…HA…HA.
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
Billybob: The dems and far left trying to blame conservatives for this economy is competely ridiculous
Oh? What is it about the spending spree and tax cut spree that went on for SIX YEARS and tanked our debt, causing Congress to continually raise the debt ceiling to cope with it, etc etc, all done with conservative majorities, that you don’t understand?
onpatroll
June 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
billybob, i thought you were leaving @ 2:44? 3 minutes later you post again! let’s see how many posts upon refresh.
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
larry @2:51,
“…and economic expansion grew revenue…”
I think the argument is that tax cuts increase economic expansion which increase revenue. When money is tight, I think that is probably true. Of course, now is not one of those times. But here is another opinion:
http://blog.heritage.org/2011/06/22/morning-bell-the-truth-about-tax-cuts/print/
Dearie
June 23rd, 2011
2:57 pm
Do y’all run your households like the government runs the country? I know I don’t, and maybe that is why I am not in debt. I don’t beg my boss for more money just because I have spent more than I bring in. I cut back on expenses and don’t turn to anyone but myself to solve MY problems. Anyone that does not is irresponsible. What do you people teach your children????
onpatroll
June 23rd, 2011
2:57 pm
Another at 2:54?
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:57 pm
Don’t Tread So demanding some (any) restraint on out-of-control spending now constitutes “blackmail”.
Demanding specific restraints on out of control spending (such as don’t touch our military but we want to cut medicare) and making sure any tax increase cannot possibly be part of the negotiation… yes, that is blackmail.
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
2:58 pm
Gordon: At least he has proposed something.
Nonsense. Anyone can sh*t in a box and slap a guarantee on it….
larry
June 23rd, 2011
2:58 pm
The Dems have been in charge since 2006 and we are heading toward a cliff and this guy is telling them not to surrender?
Actually that is since 2007 and from Jan. 2007 to Jan. 2009 we had a Republican president who signed legislation the Demorcrats passed during that time.
I mean, where was his (Bush’s) veto pen at ? I keep asking that and i get no response.
Brosephus
June 23rd, 2011
2:58 pm
I see it didn’t take long for the wheels to fall off the bus…
Obama has had 3 years to fix the economy, but under his watch the economy contiues to worsen.
Maybe if you quit smoking that stuff, your eyes would clear up. If you expect this economy to turn around in 3-4 years, you’re definitely smoking something. This problem has been 30 years in the making, and it will not be reversed in 3-4 years even in best-case scenario condititions.
The Democrats are known to tax & spend. Until they do something to prove me that they can tax & cut at the same time…I don’t trust them.
Peadawg, that trust is only a reflection in the mirror. The Obama Administration has been a tax cutting machine that would rival GOP administrations. Why do you think the economy hasn’t gotten better. They’ve accelerated what was already wrong. Cutting taxes while spending more. However, it can’t all be blamed on Obama, because he only signs what Congress brings to him.
I’m with HD. Cut off their paychecks, and their campaign contributions, until they quit jerking around and plot a course to correct the past 30 years worth of mistakes.
@@
June 23rd, 2011
2:59 pm
Hillbilly:
I dropped my membership a good while back and they still fill my mailbox with their crap.
My husband would be very proud of you. He went on a one-man crusade to get people to do exactly what you did. Looking at the decline in their membership, he and other conservatives were successful. Hundreds of thousands left AARP.
I don’t recall what his gripe with them was. He’s never been a member.
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
2:59 pm
“What is it about the spending spree and tax cut spree that went on for SIX YEARS and tanked our debt”
Damn that sounds EXACTLY like the past 3-4 years under the Democrats ALSO, seeing as Obama extended the tax cuts.
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
3:00 pm
Amvet,
I am saying this economy and the debt issues are absolutely on the dems. No more blaming bush 3 years later for anything. This is all on hussein and any honest person realizes that, no matter how many far left radicals try to blame the republicans. Bookman keeps posting this crap(far left radical propaganda) and it will lead to a landslide for the republicans in 2012. People don’t buy this spin anymore. That’s what I’m saying Amvet
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
3:00 pm
DBCOOPER: What abilty to govern? What credibilty as leaders? HOLY crap haven’t they proven they can’t do either. When do the “water carrying” Libs admit this administrations policies aren’t working. The Dems have been in charge since 2006 and we are heading toward a cliff and this guy is telling them not to surrender? Well, we as Americans surrender there Weasel Boy!!!
Simple question: Have we even TRIED a tax increase in practice yet? No? Then get off your high horse. We’re heading toward a cliff precisely BECAUSE tax increases have been off the table for a very LONG time.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
Come on Republicans, meet the Democrats halfway and keep tax hikes on the table.
Come on Democrats, meet the Republicans halfway and put deep cuts into EVERYTHING. Yes, this INCLUDES DEFENSE, this INCLUDES SOCIAL SECURITY, this INCLUDES MEDICARE.
We can’t go picking piecemeal through the myriad of programs if we don’t address the Big Three. There just isn’t enough to cut in all those programs combined when the same amount of cutting is needed in the Big Three.
Evidently, businesses are highly profitable right now, so those saying the country doesn’t have enough money to pay the taxes on what we owe. .. . well, evidently we do!
So, how about it Democrats, what will you cut?
How about it Republicans, why are you not even showing up when the country’s credit rating is on the line.
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
“and it will not be reversed in 3-4 years even in best-case scenario condititions.”
Is just a wittle bit of progwess too much to ask?
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
3:01 pm
Dearie: Do y’all run your households like the government runs the country? I know I don’t, and maybe that is why I am not in debt. I don’t beg my boss for more money just because I have spent more than I bring in.
And I don’t beg my boss to cut my pay so I can control my family’s spending.
NNNNNNNNNext!
Billybob
June 23rd, 2011
3:03 pm
Adam,
If you need my help….’I've got spare time’…..must go this time onpatrol……enjoy the false blame game today libs…..
larry
June 23rd, 2011
3:03 pm
Do y’all run your households like the government runs the country?
Nope. I can say for certain i dont. I dont go cutting my revenue ( quitting my job for example) and increase my spending ( buy a new Chevy Camero Convertalble) like our government has for almost the last 30 years.
But thats just me…….
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
3:03 pm
Peadawg: Damn that sounds EXACTLY like the past 3-4 years under the Democrats ALSO, seeing as Obama extended the tax cuts.
Oh, so when Obama extended those cuts last year, that retroactively made him responsible for all of the past 3-4 years?
Hillbilly D
June 23rd, 2011
3:04 pm
@@
I woulda figured your other half was too young to be an AARP member.
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
Dearie: I also don’t insist that the real issue is that I have to make sure my family can’t find access to abortion, when their spending on things is out of control.
Brosephus
June 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
Peadawg
Throwing tantrums and sh*t isn’t progress. What’s going on in DC, damn sure isn’t progress. As an example, you and others here continuously label Democrats as “tax and spend” when, in reality, they’ve been cutting taxes since Obama was put in office. I don’t think the Democratic Party pushed any major tax increases through that are in effect today. We’re still running on the GOP policy of Tax Cut and Spend, and that is not progress at all. That’s adding to the problem.
Brosephus
June 23rd, 2011
3:06 pm
larry
Funny!!!!!
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
3:06 pm
“Oh, so when Obama extended those cuts last year, that retroactively made him responsible for all of the past 3-4 years?” – He’s carried on the policies from Bush since he got in office. He’s just as guilty as Bush with regards to the economy, spending, deb, etc.
Midori
June 23rd, 2011
3:07 pm
why am I having “Thelma and Louise” flashbacks?
Gordon
June 23rd, 2011
3:07 pm
Larry, Adam,
Your analogy is silly. The money you earn at your job is yours – you earned it. The money the government collects in taxes was earned by someone else. We all understand taxes are necessary, but some of us believe the vast majority of the work needs to be done on the spending side. The government has proven time and again it can raise taxes, lower taxes, and raise spending. It has not shown in decades that it can curtail spending. It is not unreasonable to ask that it do so BEFORE we even consider raising taxes. The time has come.
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
3:08 pm
“The government has proven time and again it can raise taxes, lower taxes, and raise spending. It has not shown in decades that it can curtail spending. It is not unreasonable to ask that it do so BEFORE we even consider raising taxes.”
Can I get a Amen!!!
RedEye
June 23rd, 2011
3:11 pm
Brosephus,
Based on what was promised and campaigned on by the President, I would have expected the economy to be performing better today than it is.
One thing he campaigned on was he would cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term. From roughly 1.3 trillion to 533 billion. Instead, the current deficit is at 1.4 trillion.
Message from Matti
June 23rd, 2011
3:11 pm
Will the Dems cave like they always do, then meekly keep their mouths shut when, after they cave and give the Repubs everything they want, the Repubs scream that the Dems “shoved” something down their throats — AS USUAL?
Mudfoot
June 23rd, 2011
3:11 pm
Good Lord above, save us from ourselves, the closed-minded ignorant uncompromising partisan fools we have become. Your direction to us regarding tolerance, being plain old good people and helping each other out has fallen on deaf ears. We have decided we know better and we will destroy ourselves because of that.
josef
June 23rd, 2011
3:13 pm
BRUIN
Great illustration! Beats charts and graphs all to hell…!!!
Joe Cool~"PRESIDENT Obama" Tells Birthers,"Thanks For Playing BI+CHES"
June 23rd, 2011
3:13 pm
billyboy-”this economy and the debt issues are absolutely on the dems. No more blaming bush 3 years later for anything.”
SOOO, the economy was good b4 Prez. O? We just got in debt under Prez O? Wonder where the first 10trillion in debt came from?
When Prez O came into office, the US was sheding upwards to 700k jobs a month.
Currently the unemployment number is holding steady, not continuing to rise (and pls dont give us the Prez promise xxxx if stimulus passed mess)
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
RedEye:One thing he campaigned on was he would cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term
And of course, REALITY set in.
When will the Republicans SEE THE REALITY?????
@@
June 23rd, 2011
3:15 pm
Hillbilly:
He’s old enough, just hates their support of all things liberal.
‘Ya wanna talk far >>>>>>> RIGHT?
He’s the guy you’ll be talkin’ about.
Ours is an interesting relationship. Lotsa fun!
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
3:15 pm
“SOOO, the economy was good b4 Prez. O? We just got in debt under Prez O? Wonder where the first 10trillion in debt came from?”
Considering what he campaigned on and what he’s done, I’d say it’s time to stop blaming the GOP for everything. He has continued the bad spending habits from Bush. He’s done nothing to get spending under control and the debt/deficit down.
Joe Cool~"PRESIDENT Obama" Tells Birthers,"Thanks For Playing BI+CHES"
June 23rd, 2011
3:15 pm
“what was promised”
What was that RED?
Adam
June 23rd, 2011
3:16 pm
Gordon: but some of us believe the vast majority of the work needs to be done on the spending side.
And some of you believe that “vast majority” is really “100%” which is completely and totally crazy.
Attack the problem from BOTH angles, or you’re not taking the problem seriously.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm
Peadawg: Considering what he campaigned on and what he’s done
Well, he hit reality didn’t he now?
WHEN WILL THE REPUBLICANS HIT REALITY????? (deja vu!)
Bosch
June 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm
Mick,
If you make it up here RE: Paul — he’s like me, when he is away, he is away, and he is away across the pond. When he gets back to his desk to work, he’ll be back here. That’s another thing we have in common — the blog is like breaking up work monotony.
Logical Dude
June 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm
Adam says: Attack the problem from BOTH angles, or you’re not taking the problem seriously.
Can I get an AMEN!
Peadawg
June 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm
“Well, he hit reality didn’t he now?” – That’s your excuse for him? How sad….