House GOP still hellbent on debt-ceiling showdown
The juxtaposition here is telling.
First, from Politico, an explanation of how House Republicans and their leaders are approaching the issue of a looming showdown over the debt ceiling:
“I think it is possible that we would shut down the government to make sure President Obama understands that we’re serious,” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state told us. “We always talk about whether or not we’re going to kick the can down the road. I think the mood is that we’ve come to the end of the road.”
Republican leadership officials, in a series of private meetings and conversations this past week, warned that the White House, much less the broader public, doesn’t understand how hard it will be to talk restive conservatives off the fiscal ledge. To the vast majority of House Republicans, it is far riskier long term to pile up new debt than it is to test the market and economic reaction of default or closing down the government.
GOP officials said more than half of their members are prepared to allow default unless Obama agrees to dramatic cuts he has repeatedly said he opposes. Many more members, including some party leaders, are prepared to shut down the government to make their point. House Speaker John Boehner “may need a shutdown just to get it out of their system,” said a top GOP leadership adviser. “We might need to do that for member-management purposes — so they have an endgame and can show their constituents they’re fighting.”
That’s right: By the admission of top GOP officials, internal party “member-management purposes” may require them to force a shutdown of the U.S. government. Furthermore, House Republicans are out of the speaker’s control and even more intransigent than understood by the White House and the general public, which already believes them to be extremist.
Now contrast that with President Obama’s statements today at a White House press conference to close his first four-year term:
“America cannot afford another debate with this Congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they’ve already racked up. If congressional Republicans refuse to pay America’s bills on time, Social Security checks, and veterans benefits will be delayed.
We might not be able to pay our troops, or honor our contracts with small business owners. Food inspectors, air traffic controllers, specialists who track down loose nuclear materials wouldn’t get their paychecks. Investors around the world will ask if the United States of America is in fact a safe bet. Markets could go haywire, interest rates would spike for anybody who borrows money. Every homeowner with a mortgage, every student with a college loan, every small business owner who wants to grow and hire.
It would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy. It would slow down our growth, might tip us into recession. And ironically it would probably increase our deficit. So to even entertain the idea of this happening, of the United States of America not paying its bills, is irresponsible. It’s absurd….
Republicans in Congress have two choices here. They can act responsibly, and pay America’s bills, or they can act irresponsibly and put America through another economic crisis. But they will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy. The financial well-being of the American people is not leverage to be used. The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip.”
In the weeks ahead, the American people will have to decide which of those two narratives they find more appealing, patriotic and rational. But the GOP has already made its choice. They continue to insist, publicly and apparently in private conversations among themselves, that it’s “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” toward a government shutdown. Having whipped themselves into a fervor, convinced of the holiness of their mission, they will not be dissuaded from carrying it out.
The rest of us are just along for the ride.
– Jay Bookman
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1,012 comments Add your comment
guy
January 14th, 2013
6:42 pm
What’s wrong with actually having a budget in place? Cut here and cut there and then see where we stand. It’s not right to insist only on raising revenue and not cutting expenses. Common sense doesn’t exist on either side. Shame on all of them!!!! Throw all the cons and the crats out before it’s too late. There is a bad moon rising and all the sarcastic comments here are meaningless.
Paul
January 14th, 2013
6:43 pm
Sinkwich 6:26
You really don’t know about Google or anything other that Rush or Fox, do you?
http://change.gov/agenda/seniors_and_social_security_agenda/
Now, I predict you’ll go off on ‘those aren’t good enough.”
But that wasn’t your original question. You wanted specifics. You got them. May not agree with them (and I don’t think they go far enough) but that’s not the point. You asked for a specific, you got it.
Now maybe you can get back to supporting where you claim we have no problem with the current level of spending, hmmmm?
Here’s another prediction.
You can’t.
DownInAlbany
““I sped read it a couple of times and didn’t find “NO, the United States should NOT”
What does ‘default’ (used several times in the link) mean to you?
If you will notice, this statement was in quotation marks, indicating a direct quote by the person being referenced. It was a lib talking point or a lie. Or both?”
So let me get this straight.
Because you couldn’t find the exact words, some in caps of ““I sped read it a couple of times and didn’t find “NO, the United States should NOT”
you’re making the point Republicans never, ever, in any manner, shape or form, indicated we should not pay our bills? Because those exact words with caps were never used, except by the person asking you a question? So the concept of ‘default’ doesn’t apply?
THAT’S what you’re hanging your hat on?
Or am I totally misreading your position?
getalife
January 14th, 2013
6:43 pm
“So O’bozo has absolutely no responsibility to try to fix our financial problems.
Got it.”
His name ids President Obama and he is sick of cleaning up your mess.
Never, ever vote gop again unless you want to destroy your country again.
Adam
January 14th, 2013
6:43 pm
JohnnyReb: However, none have been supported even by Democrats
There is no evidence of that. Obama’s budgets have never been voted on. Many times they were attached to other bills and stripped of most of the content, and ONCE they put a bill on the floor without appropriations, making it also not Obama’s budget they were voting on. And they did it so that you could erroneously say that everyone voted against it in your argumentum ad populum nonsense argument.
Jay
January 14th, 2013
6:44 pm
“**I think the projections are Obama will add another 4 Trillion by the end of his second term. He has to be stopped**
Obama can “add” nothing. The fantasies of the right notwithstanding, he is not a dictator and can only sign spending agreements that have been approved by both chambers of Congress. If Republicans want to reduce spending, they should pass appropriations bills — not meaningless budgets, but appropriations bills — that reflect their demands.
That is the system established in the Constitution. Using the debt-ceiling threat — in essence, threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way — was never contemplated by the Founding Fathers.
I should also note that when adjusted for inflation, total projected spending for fiscal 2013 will be less than it was in fiscal 2009, when Obama took office. That’s the first real four-year reduction in federal spending during a presidential term since Ike Eisenhower’s first term.
getalife
January 14th, 2013
6:45 pm
Shame on you for acting like an enemy.
Adam
January 14th, 2013
6:47 pm
Paul: His position has nothing to do with caps, but the phrase. It’s a semantics argument. He wants to try to make the case that default doesn’t mean “no we will not pay our bills” OR that Republicans in the House haven’t actually threatened default somehow.
td seems to think it’s all rosy goodie and nothing bad will happen. We won’t default, we’ll just not pay some of our bills! Yeah it didn’t make sense to me either….
Christian Conservative
January 14th, 2013
6:48 pm
curious:
After seeing the others get trashed by the Republicans, they decline the opportunity.
I suppose your referring to Susan Rice. Obviously she didn’t get support from dems either because she would have been nominated if so..
Paul
January 14th, 2013
6:49 pm
I think it’d be fascinating for all those claiming “the Senate hasn’t passed a budget” to lay out exactly what they mean by “budget.”
Do they mean a going-in spending proposal, similar to what the President proposes (even though we all know he’s never submitted one, because, well, he IS Obama, after all).
Or do they mean mark-ups from the appropriations committee?
Or do they mean votes on appropriations bills?
Or do they mean since we don’t have a ‘budget’ we can’t operate the government?
Just what is this ‘budget’ they keep talking about?
F. Sinkwich
January 14th, 2013
6:51 pm
So, DebbieDoDallas, what exactly were those cuts? and how much?
He raised taxes. He’s gonna grab some guns. He said we don’t have a spending problem. He’s clueless just like his servile devotees.
Christian Conservative
January 14th, 2013
6:52 pm
Jay:
Another thing you fail to note is that Oblama is still operating on budgets passed by the dem Congress’s of 09′ & 10′. Another failure is that the Republican led house has passed a budget each of the last two years and has failed in the dem led senate…..
USA Patriot
January 14th, 2013
6:52 pm
Guess that 2% from FICA that hasn’t been collected for the last 2 years would come in handy to make the SS payments IF the gov’t shuts down! Oh darn, it sounded good a couple of years ago.
Christian Conservative
January 14th, 2013
6:53 pm
Jay:
That is the system established in the Constitution. Using the debt-ceiling threat — in essence, threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way — was never contemplated by the Founding Fathers.
Neither was running up massive debt that will be felt for generations…..
getalife
January 14th, 2013
6:53 pm
Perhaps you cons should watch the inauguration for a reminder, you are still Americans.
F. Sinkwich
January 14th, 2013
6:54 pm
Hey Paul, that website is four years old. Means nothing since O’bozo has done nothing.
But you knew that, didn’t you?
Sad.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
6:54 pm
If you will notice, this statement was in quotation marks, indicating a direct quote by the person being referenced. It was a lib talking point or a lie. Or both
I truly believe, deep down in my heart, that you are insane. Can’t you see what your hatred of Obama has done to your common sense? (If you ever had any)
Christian Conservative
January 14th, 2013
6:54 pm
Why did Oblama and Biden vote against the debt ceiling when they were in the Senate?
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
6:55 pm
Adam
January 14th, 2013
6:47 pm
Paul: His position has nothing to do with caps, but the phrase. It’s a semantics argument. He wants to try to make the case that default doesn’t mean “no we will not pay our bills” OR that Republicans in the House haven’t actually threatened default somehow.
td seems to think it’s all rosy goodie and nothing bad will happen. We won’t default, we’ll just not pay some of our bills! Yeah it didn’t make sense to me either….
My words get snarkily literalized on here with just about post. Seems turnabout is fair play, that’s all. I’m not taking a stance one way or the other.
Christian Conservative
January 14th, 2013
6:56 pm
Oblama again looks like a buffoon when asked a real question……
http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2013/01/14/major-garrett-calls-obama-out-vote-against-debt-ceiling
F. Sinkwich
January 14th, 2013
6:56 pm
“…threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way…”
Hyperbole much, Jay?
getalife
January 14th, 2013
6:56 pm
cons do not even know the budget process.
Jay should respond when they get something right.
F. Sinkwich
January 14th, 2013
6:59 pm
“I should also note that when adjusted for inflation, total projected spending for fiscal 2013 will be less than it was in fiscal 2009, when Obama took office.”
Oh, I guess we have no financial problem at all.
My bad.
Paul
January 14th, 2013
6:59 pm
DownInAlbany
“How many of these budgets were passed by the democratic controlled Senate?”
You do realize the last was rejected because Pres Obama proposed larger deficit reduction than the Senators wanted, don’t you?
“Obama’s 2012 budget failed 97 to 0 last May after Obama himself last April said he wanted deeper deficit cuts.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/227857-senate-rejects-obama-budget-in-99-0-vote/
And you do realize “deficit reduction” means ’spending cuts’ don’t you?
And… you realize the Senate (or the House) ‘voting” on the President’s Budget Request is not a normal procedure, don’t you? It’s normally carved up and sent to the various committees. In other words, NO Congress (even Republican controlled with a Republican president) has EVER approved, without change, the PBR.
Adam,
Yeah, I know. Just wanted to see what he’d say.
So (and not just for you, but for the other cons saying he hasn’t proposed any spending cuts):
If Pres Obama hasn’t proposed spending cuts in a budget, just why was that budget rejected, even by Republicans, hmmmmm?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 14th, 2013
6:59 pm
Hyperbole much, Jay?
Not at all (in my opinion) and certainly much less than the clownish posts about the downfall of this country because of Obama’s election or so much of the other conned foolishness.
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:05 pm
F Sinkwich
“Hey Paul, that website is four years old. Means nothing since O’bozo has done nothing.
But you knew that, didn’t you?
Sad.”
Your question didn’t have a time specification, did it? It was an absolute. So any time period is valid.
Sometimes, it’s not even a challenge responding to you.
Mama Says
January 14th, 2013
7:05 pm
It’s all on how it’s reported Jay and you are doing your part, for the democrats !
These dramatic headlines describing the fiscal cliff. Oh such peril, the lady is on the tracks and here comes the train ! What do we do ?
Democratic plan ? Raise the ceiling so we can pay the bills ! My God what shall we do ? Those incorrigible republicans they just block everything we want ! Don’t they know that only our way is best ? Don’t they know that raising the debt ceiling would mean we could take on new debt ? Pay our new bills ? Spend more money ?
Odd how you position the republicans as the big bad wolf and its sad that the libs in general fall lock step into your inventive math solutions. What is even more fascinating is the fact that you guys will not move from your position yet you have convinced people that its the republicans who WILL NOT COMPROMISE !
Imagine the gall, the republicans have. They want us to stop spending so much money, what are they thinking ?
By the way Jay, we send represenatives and senators to Washington to vote our will not to be controlled by one man. Seems you forgot that Jay. I guess it’s best that your guys just keep doing what Harry and Nancy tell them to, I am sure all of them agree 100% with what Harry and Nancy say, don’t they ?
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:06 pm
F. Sinkwich
“He said we don’t have a spending problem. ”
Again, you can’t show the statement or the intent to be true, can you?
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:08 pm
Paul
January 14th, 2013
6:59 pm
DownInAlbany
“How many of these budgets were passed by the democratic controlled Senate?”
You do realize the last was rejected because Pres Obama proposed larger deficit reduction than the Senators wanted, don’t you?
And that somehow makes it ok? How?
And, no, I do not claim to be an expert on the budget process (or much of anything else for that matter), but, think that EITHER party is acting responsibly is ludicrous.
I SEE RED PEOPLE
January 14th, 2013
7:08 pm
JAY
If (u)sing the debt-ceiling threat — in essence, threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way — was never contemplated by the Founding Fathers”, is there a constitutional argument to be taken to the Supreme Court, and if so, by whom?
TM
January 14th, 2013
7:10 pm
That is the system established in the Constitution. Using the debt-ceiling threat — in essence, threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way — was never contemplated by the Founding Fathers.
I should also note that when adjusted for inflation, total projected spending for fiscal 2013 will be less than it was in fiscal 2009, when Obama took office. That’s the first real four-year reduction in federal spending during a presidential term since Ike Eisenhower’s first term.
First of all according to Obama there has been no inflation in the last 4 years are spending levels less than 4 years ago- I think not.
Second your man was all smiles when we face the debt ceiling last time and signed the act to support the Bowls(SP?) Simpson commission then when he got the report said not on my watch== he does not want any reduction in spending he just wants our money to pay for his failed programs
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:10 pm
Christian Conservative
“Another thing you fail to note is that Oblama is still operating on budgets passed by the dem Congress’s of 09′ & 10′.
Just what is that supposed to mean? That the Executive signs appropriations bills passed by Congress?!!? Really?
“Another failure is that the Republican led house has passed a budget each of the last two years and has failed in the dem led senate…..”"
Again, are you saying that in the last two years Congress has passed no appropriations bills or authorized any spending?!!? Just what is this ‘budget’ you refer to?
Jay
January 14th, 2013
7:11 pm
“If (u)sing the debt-ceiling threat — in essence, threatening to destroy the U.S. economy if they don’t get their way — was never contemplated by the Founding Fathers”, is there a constitutional argument to be taken to the Supreme Court, and if so, by whom?”
If Obama wanted to press the issue, perhaps. But as a practical matter, by the time you got an answer out of the courts the damage would be long, long past the point of repair. This will have to be settled politically, not legally.
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:12 pm
Obama was against raising the debt ceiling before he was in favor of raising it. The pubs were for raising the debt ceiling before they were against not raising it. Bush was unpatriotic for incurring more debt, Obama is now a patriot because he wants to raise it.
Doesn’t anyone see the idiocy of arguing for or against one side of the aisle or the other? All either party is looking for is the next election cycle. They’re BOTH corrupt!
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:13 pm
“cons do not even know the budget process.”
Bingo, getalife
‘course, they could read about it here. Just the broad outline.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=155
But then they’d be confronted with the knowledge that what they’ve been swallowing from their media sources is bogus.
So they won’t read it.
Let alone take that knowledge and bump it up against what they’ve been saying.
F. Sinkwich
January 14th, 2013
7:14 pm
““At one point several weeks ago, the president said to me, ‘We don’t have a spending problem.’ ” Boehner told the Wall Street Journal.”
Paul = Epic Fail
Welcome to the Occupation
January 14th, 2013
7:16 pm
Conservatism: a grand synthesis of the fearful, the petty, the gullible, the tightfisted, and tight-sphinctered.
Generally unattractive all around.
TM
January 14th, 2013
7:16 pm
Jay’s economic class from Penn State– If you have a two income family and one loses their job just keep spending levels the same, don’t worry about the credit card interest
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
7:18 pm
If you have a two income family…
Not this false comparison again.
A household budget is not the same as a federal budget.
Corey
January 14th, 2013
7:19 pm
@southpaw
January 14th, 2013
3:21 pm
Do you seriously think members of the administration are involved in inaugural planning? There is this thing called inaugural planning committee.The president’s only role is show, make a speech, take an oath and wave and smile.
I SEE RED PEOPLE
January 14th, 2013
7:19 pm
Well, spit. I was hopeful the Supremes could issue a declaratory judgment regarding the 14th Amendment and this debt ceiling nonsense and take the wind out of the GOP’s sails.
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:20 pm
DownInAlbany
“And that somehow makes it ok? How?”
Ummm…. maybe it addresses the contention that Pres Obama has offered no spending cuts?
I agree both parties are not putting country before partisanship. But when weighed in the scales, it seems to me, particularly with this debt ceiling malarky, that Republicans are much more irresponsible and that the Legislative, overall, loses to the Executive.
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:20 pm
a grand synthesis of the fearful, the petty, the gullible, the tightfisted, and tight-sphinctered.
Like the fear that the pubs are going to default on the debt and shut down the federal government? Yes, I know it’s happened before, but, who was in control then? (honest question). Do the pubs that controll one branch have the power to do that?
The GOV
January 14th, 2013
7:21 pm
“He raised taxes. He’s gonna grab some guns. He said we don’t have a spending problem. He’s clueless just like his servile devotees.”
Paranoid much? I saw a place that sales small concrete tornado shelters today. You should get one.
USA Patriot
January 14th, 2013
7:21 pm
This is so true on this blog:
“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but they know so much isn’t so”.
Ronald Reagan 1964
I SEE RED PEOPLE
January 14th, 2013
7:21 pm
No spending cuts? Only the most in history since Eisenhower. Facts are facts, unless you’re a bitter loser.
Georgia
January 14th, 2013
7:24 pm
Why does Jay keep swinging at the ignorant nonsense, like about how many budgets Obama has submitted, which is a very minor infraction of logic by comparison with most of what Jay swings at, unless the guy is a paid stooge? Dont you readers get it? Paid AJC stooges, can throw idiotic softballs at Jay, and then he hits them out of the park, thus increasing his stature with the readership and thus they click on more ads. It’s pathos that has a pecuniary stench. Worse. It’s not an open public forum. It’s a staged partisan play. Well meaning voters are contributing here thinking that the replies they read to their own comments are actually public opinion. That’s a fraud. I demand Jay Bookman’s resignation. Ditto Kyle WIngfield. Ditto any of the blogs who pay stooges to “Pygmalion” (used as a verb here) group think itself. It’s disgusting.
So what are their protections? Well, the paid stooges can deny it. But all we need is an investigation. Not just to determine who the stooges are, but also to see how far into my hard drive that the AJC has nosed around, like the felony that Rupert Murdoch was prosecuted for….. after all, Jay Bookman must think he’s Citizen Kane himself, (don’t you agree, the arrogance drips off every piece he hacks from other writers). Jay loves to hack voice, tone, and approach in nearly every single thing he’s written since he’s opened this blog. Fact. Just resign, Jay. Spare your family the shame, pal. Write that novel. You’ll be fine.
Jm
January 14th, 2013
7:24 pm
Obama’s speech is BS
We are at the end of the road
No more can kicking bozo
JamVet
January 14th, 2013
7:25 pm
A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
TBS
January 14th, 2013
7:25 pm
Sink’s flailing reminds me of an unruly little kid throwing a tantrum…
Sad because it is reading posts of an immature adult, yet funny because it is typical Sink
I SEE RED PEOPLE
January 14th, 2013
7:25 pm
Could someone send some meds to the blogger above me?
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:26 pm
DownInAlbany
“Doesn’t anyone see the idiocy of arguing for or against one side of the aisle or the other? ”
From my perspective, looking back to what someone said or did N years back is not a measure of much of anything. Circumstances change. What’s important is the here and now. Just looking at this fiscal year, I’m still of the opinion Congressional Republicans are not only acting irresponsibly, they seem to indicate they don’t even understand the basics of the process.
But if they do understand the basics, then they are willfully misleading their constituents.
Sinkwich
So you rely on Boehner to state what the president has said?
Again, can you find ANY speech or presentation in which the President has said ‘we do not have a spending problem”?
And…. if he really thinks we don’t, then why has he put thru cuts?!!?
(I used to have teenagers…. I can do this)
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
7:27 pm
“Look, I might as well tell you now. He’s a monkey.”
Ronald Reagan 1951
saywhat?
January 14th, 2013
7:28 pm
USA Patriot
January 14th, 2013
7:21 pm
This is so true on this blog:
“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but they know so much isn’t so”.
Ronald Reagan 1964
————————————————–
…. said the ex-president who thought he fought world war two, not just acted in movies about it.
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:28 pm
USA Patriot
“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but they know so much isn’t so”.”
But now, given the comments repeated on this blog regarding the federal budget process, reductions proposed by the president and the comments on the debt ceiling, that statement now applies squarely to conservatives.
USA Patriot
January 14th, 2013
7:28 pm
Hey, Red! Stay right below me……here come your meds! Open wide!
TBS
January 14th, 2013
7:28 pm
GA
Alex Jones and the black helicopters are coming..
Don’t you worry
Infowars has your back
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:29 pm
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:20 pm
I’ve not made the contention that Obama has not offered spending cuts. Anyway, cuts were not addressed in the fiscal cliff malarky (good word) they are apparently not going to be addressed in the debt ceiling malarky. Supposedly, Obama’s next issue will be immigration reform. You think it’ll be addressed then? If not, when? What’s wrong with holding someone to his word? You know, cutting the deficit in half (by the end of his first term) and all THAT malarky?
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:29 pm
Georgia
“Why does Jay keep swinging at the ignorant nonsense, like about how many budgets Obama has submitted,”
Maybe because conservative bloggers keep talking about it?
USA Patriot
January 14th, 2013
7:29 pm
Paul, the statement applies to all those jackwagons in DC.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
7:30 pm
Not just to determine who the stooges are, but also to see how far into my hard drive that the AJC has nosed around…
Jay can read what you type before you post it.
luckjoe
January 14th, 2013
7:31 pm
In 2006 Senator Barack Obama made a speech saying, “That to request to raise the debt ceiling shows a lack of leadership”. Now our socialist president says, “there is no spending problem” Both political parties over spend. We taxpayers are now slaves to the government and Obama is taking America down.
vuduchld
January 14th, 2013
7:31 pm
As long as these bottom feeding maggots eliminate their salaries and benefits first, I’m with it
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:33 pm
DownInAlbany
“I’ve not made the contention that Obama has not offered spending cuts. ”
Then if I’ve addressed any remarks on that topic to you, instead of to those who’ve made the assertion, I apologize.
Regarding cutting the deficit in half: that’s why politicians shouldn’t make comments like that. Too much changes and too many people are willing to use words against those who get specific.
Where can debt reductions be made and negotiated?
In the House and Senate Budget Committees.
But Boehner’s problem is, he’s not just fighting against Democrats, he’s fighting against extremists in his own party.
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:33 pm
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:26 pm
Good answer. I’ll also stick to my premise…they’re all crooks simply working toward the next election cycle.
DownInAlbany
January 14th, 2013
7:37 pm
It’s been fun, folks, but, gotta go…mom says I gotta turn off the computer, get out of the basement and go to my job at McDonald’s!
Jhunt163
January 14th, 2013
7:39 pm
“No spending cuts? Only the most in history since Eisenhower”
Okay, I want to know what they are? I have read about the August 2011 deal that will kick in at the end of 2012, but the sequester was delayed. Someone please tell me again exactly what were the cuts??? And don’t tell me about the Medicare shell game with Obamacare.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:41 pm
Jeesh ! Stinkybeeyooooth – you are turning out to be more trouble than you’re worth,
I’ll just post these one at a time:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp112hl6f5&r_n=hr169.112&dbname=cp112&&sel=TOC_345035&
read it and wheep
Paul
January 14th, 2013
7:42 pm
DownInAlbany
I’m right behind you, cept if you wanna move up in the world, I can always put in a good word at Trader Joe’s for ya’. Plus, scooters get preferred parking.
Pleasant evening, all -
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:43 pm
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.365:
Stinky for some reason Bookman won’t let me post what i think of you, just eat these links — you’re good at eating up lots of legal bullcrap.
Here’s one link ^^^^
Jhunt163
January 14th, 2013
7:43 pm
I have to check out, but will be back later. I am really interested to find out what these supposed cuts are.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:43 pm
And another:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp112hl6f5&r_n=hr169.112&dbname=cp112&&sel=TOC_345035&
Georgia
January 14th, 2013
7:48 pm
Wrong, Paul. Jay must have entered that idiotic comment about Obama only submitting one budget, himself. Doesn’t it make the conservative comments look stupid? Doesn’t it make Jay look Wagnerian and Heroic!!!!!
I am a troll. I freely admit my role in forming the rules that protect the readers from nonsense and clown acts. But I wasn’t paid. I was in it for the laughs. Of which I gleaned millions and millions, (of laughs). So what? The big diff here, Paul, is that I’m not trying to sell ads by thugging a blog with a bunch of paid trolls like, obviously, the AJC is doing. It’s one thing to express yourself freely and then gauge the response from free-thinking unpaid public sentiment. It’s another thing, sir, to read the bunch of corporate spittle in the form of mercenary criticism of your political position. It’s tyrannical. It’s wrong. It’s worse than communism. It’s worse than socialism. It’s worse than any historical oligarchy, (and it’s worse than der heetler unt his frauline teetler).
Doggone/GA
January 14th, 2013
7:49 pm
“that statement now applies squarely to conservatives”
I had exactly the same thought
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
January 14th, 2013
7:49 pm
Sometimes Congressional gridlock is a good compromise.
Moderate Line
January 14th, 2013
7:49 pm
President Barack Obama on Thursday framed his opposition as a Senator to raising the nation’s debt ceiling as a “political vote” and said he is coming at the issue from a different approach as commander in chief.
“That was just an example of a new Senator, you know, making what is a political vote, as opposed to doing what was important for the country. And I’m the first one to acknowledge it,” Obama told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, according to a transcript of the interview.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/obama_2006_debt_ceiling_vote_was_politically_motivated_-204986-1.html
“To even entertain the idea of the United States of America not paying our bills is irresponsible. It’s absurd,” Obama said in a press conference.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/14/obama-debt-ceiling_n_2471594.html
TM
January 14th, 2013
7:50 pm
I want this guy as President –oops
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. . . . It is a sign that the U.S. government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here.’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.”
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:51 pm
JAY, Why can’t I post the GOP 112th Congress Bills Link?
Everytime i try, they disappear!!
Joe Hussein Mama
January 14th, 2013
7:52 pm
Jhunt — “And don’t tell me about the Medicare shell game with Obamacare.”
What shell game?
If you’re trying to buy a new car and you manage to get it for $2000 under the sticker price, do you call that a shell game or a good deal?
The Administration *negotiated* rate reductions from Medicare providers that resulted in a $700M *savings,* but no cuts in services. That’s called — as above — “a good deal.” One could also call it “good business.”
This notion of a “shell game” was a lie that the Romney camp pushed during the campaign and *continued* to push despite being called out on it repeatedly.
http://swampland.time.com/2012/08/16/romneys-medicare-nonsense/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/08/13/yes-obamacare-cuts-medicare-more-than-president-romney-would/
I recommend that you read the Forbes article closely, for it details the lie the Romney folks told not only about Obama and Medicare, but also the lie the Romney folks told about *themselves* and Medicare. In short, Obama managed to squeeze out $700M in savings from Medicare with no loss of services — freeing up that money to be used elsewhere (in this case, for the PPACA or “Obamacare”).
Whereas the Romney plan for Medicare was simply to CUT about $700M from it.
And suffer a corresponding reduction in services, because he didn’t plan to negotiate like Obama did.
And since he wanted to stop PPACA, that $700M would have just gone into tax cuts for him and his rich pals (per the Ryan budget).
So if you want to complain about a Medicare shell game, your criticism is most accurately aimed at Romney, not Obama.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:53 pm
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp112hl6f5&r_n=hr169.112&dbname=cp112&&sel=TOC_345035&
td
January 14th, 2013
7:57 pm
Paul
January 14th, 2013
6:06 pm
td
“Just because the government is shut down does not mean that revenues do not continue coming in. There would be enough money coming in to pay for the debt and the defense, VA, SS and Medicare, Judicial branch. The rest of the Federal government can just go away and never re open.”
You keep saying this. Do you have ANY numbers to back it up?
Let’s get general for a minute. If we’re borrowing 40 cents of every dollar spent, that means we have 60 cents of every dollar spent that’s not borrowed. You with me on that?
So in this year and on into next, for every 1000 billion we can pay for 600 billion thru tax revenues (not borrowed). Still with me?
So….. what happens when the money from tax receipts runs out?
Even if you don’t have numbers, it’s kinda simple, really.
But you sound like ‘well, money keeps coming in forever, so what’s the problem?”
Federal Revenue coming in $2.52 trillion per year.
Current spending is $3.82 Trillion:
Deficit: $1.08 trillion per year.
http://www.heritage.org/federalbudget/growth-federal-spending-revenue
Defense spending: $718 billion or 20% of the budget.
Social Security: $731 billion or 20% of the budget
Medicare/Medicaid and CHIP $769 billion or 21% of the budget. Only $486 billion is Medicare so it is really 12% of the budget
Interest on the debt: $230 or 6% of the budget.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258
That means we spend $2.14 trillion on these programs and we bring in $2.52 trillion per year in revenue.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 14th, 2013
7:58 pm
Screw it!
I can’t post them. Stinkybeyoootch, since i can’t post what i want to post, I’m gonna post this for you.
Enjoy.
indigo
January 14th, 2013
8:00 pm
Jay – 6:44
Many, if not most, of the cons here get their political information from Republican politicians, Business and their fundamentalist pastors.
Therefore, to them, everything you say, no matter how correct, is “evil liberalism”.
Georgia
January 14th, 2013
8:03 pm
Paul at 5:26…..”they don’t seem to understand the basics of the process….” THAT passes as an opinion? It. Says. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul is obviously a POSSIBLE stooge paid by the AJC. If he’s not, then I apologize, but, if he’s not, then he’s a POSSIBLE moron if he thinks that his comment could possibly pass as a real opinion by a real voter. Or be respected by a thinking human being. (downinalbany liked paul’s comment @ 7:33) I guess he fooled us…….eyeroll emoticon here
WTF is going on here people?
Common Sense isn't very Common
January 14th, 2013
8:04 pm
DDR
does that mean he’s number 1 in your heart LOL
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
8:05 pm
WTF is going on here people?
I am LMAO at you.
TBS
January 14th, 2013
8:11 pm
Td
How much of the military budget are you willing to cut?
Not my decision but I would go 10 percent on all other expenditures for the same in military
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 14th, 2013
8:11 pm
That means we spend $2.14 trillion on these programs and we bring in $2.52 trillion per year in revenue
Really, even presuming your claimed numbers are correct, do you suppose that all incoming revenue and all outgoing expenditures are evenly matched day to day, week to week? Income tax revenue (payments) are made quarterly not daily. Do you comprehend that?
Wilbur
January 14th, 2013
8:12 pm
Those pesky republicans doing something that is clearly within their rights and responsibilities under the constitution while Obama seems bent on disregarding the constitution whenever possible. Obama and his loyal lackeys in the press seem to be disregarding the rights of the minority as though there are none. It seems that Obama and his acolytes think he should be allowed to rule us as a tyrant. Winning an election does not make you dictator.
Mick
January 14th, 2013
8:15 pm
Ignorance is bliss, so sayeth the cliche, so let me ask my dearly conned friends this: How come the democrats never used this default “tactic”? I’ll tell you why; because there is all risk and no reward, kinda of like shooting yourself in the foot then thinking you need to feel good about it! A real ship of fools our crazies are…
TBS
January 14th, 2013
8:17 pm
Wilbur
Before you cry your little heart out, what exactly has Obama done that was not constitutional?
Not what you believe and think, but what is and has been judged to be lawful
Thanks little buddy
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
8:18 pm
Winning an election does not make you dictator.
Bush and his invasion of Iraq says, “What?”
td
January 14th, 2013
8:18 pm
MOODY’S STATEMENT:
Update of the Outlook for the US Government’s Debt Rating
The US government bond rating remains unchanged at Aaa with a negative outlook. The direction of the US rating and its outlook will most likely be determined by the outcome of budget negotiations during the course of 2013. In particular:
» If those negotiations lead to specific policies that produce a stabilization and then downward trend in the ratio of federal debt to GDP over the medium term, the rating will likely be affirmed and the outlook returned to stable.
» If those negotiations fail to produce a plan that includes such policies, we would expect to lower the rating, probably to Aa1.
No debt reduction then our credit rating takes another hit. There is nothing in the statement talking about a government shutdown.
td
January 14th, 2013
8:19 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
8:18 pm
Winning an election does not make you dictator.
Bush and his invasion of Iraq says, “What?”
Approved by how many Democrat US Senators?
Georgia
January 14th, 2013
8:20 pm
Yes, KAM, I guess it is funny. Boy, do I have egg on my face or what? Imagine a member of the state legislature trolling this blog. Ridiculous. I guess we’d have to uncover that in a larger investigation of the AJC Management committing POSSIBLE felonies by dredging a hard drive, specifically mine. I’m willing to be the test case. If there’s nothing in my hard drive, then fine, I’ll admit that it was just another wild and crazy guy going wild and crazy and chasing the beautiful american girls with their beautiful american breasts…..(SNL reference from 1979). But the point is, that we can investigate the AJC with support from the millions of readers that the AJC claims reads this blog. RIGHT??? or not? I don’t know. I’m just an average schmoe on an average blog with average suspicions.
td
January 14th, 2013
8:21 pm
TBS
January 14th, 2013
8:11 pm
Td
How much of the military budget are you willing to cut?
Not my decision but I would go 10 percent on all other expenditures for the same in military
I have said it several times that I support the Penny/Mack plan and it would cut military spending.
Jm
January 14th, 2013
8:22 pm
“I should also note that when adjusted for inflation, total projected spending for fiscal 2013 will be less than it was in fiscal 2009, when Obama took office. That’s the first real four-year reduction in federal spending during a presidential term since Ike Eisenhower’s first term.”
When standing atop Everest, one would hope a person could find a way to walk downhill
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 14th, 2013
8:24 pm
Winning an election does not make you dictator.
Winning 2 elections means you get free eggroll
Cherokee
January 14th, 2013
8:25 pm
so td, you’re okay with shutting down the FAA, air traffic control, food safety programs, anti terrorism work, the FBI, veterans hospitals, port improvments (Savannah), border control, road and bridge improvements, and all the other work that the federal government does?
Thanks but no thanks.
Jm
January 14th, 2013
8:27 pm
“Obama can “add” nothing. The fantasies of the right notwithstanding, he is not a dictator and can only sign spending agreements that have been approved by both chambers of Congress. If Republicans want to reduce spending, they should pass appropriations bills — not meaningless budgets, but appropriations bills — that reflect their demands.”
Entitlements are on autopilot going straight over the cliff
Cons say reform.
Dems sy default shutdown! Sky is falling!
He’ll the sky is already falling
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 14th, 2013
8:28 pm
MOODY’S STATEMENT:
Would that be the same Moody’s who pimped out their rating to the very financial institutions that brought the planet to the brink of economic collapse?
That Moody’s?