Obama’s idea of compromise: All take, no give

I admit that I haven’t been paying too much attention to the certified vote totals from each state in the presidential election, but how did I miss the news that President Obama won 100 percent of the votes in every single state (not just select Philadelphia precincts)?

That’s the only explanation I can conjure for his reported “offer” on the fiscal cliff, via the New York Times:

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner presented the House speaker, John A. Boehner, a detailed proposal on Thursday to avert the year-end fiscal crisis with $1.6 trillion in tax increases over 10 years, $50 billion in immediate stimulus spending, home mortgage refinancing and a permanent end to Congressional control over statutory borrowing limits.

The proposal, loaded with Democratic priorities and short on detailed spending cuts, met strong Republican resistance. In exchange for locking in the $1.6 trillion in added revenues, President Obama embraced the goal of finding $400 billion in savings from Medicare and other social programs to be worked out next year, with no guarantees.

He did propose some upfront cuts in programs like farm price supports, but did not specify an amount or any details. And senior Republican aides familiar with the offer said those initial spending cuts might be outweighed by spending increases, including at least $50 billion in infrastructure spending, mortgage relief, an extension of unemployment insurance and a deferral of automatic cuts to physician reimbursements under Medicare.

I can just hear Geithner making the offer now: “That’s none for you, a trillion for us; none for you, fifty billion for us; none for you, infinity for us.”

Even assuming the Medicare cuts were to transpire — and the key phrase about that in the Times’ story is “with no guarantees,” which is short-hand for “Democrats are always happy to agree to cuts they have no intention of making” — we are talking $4 in tax increases for, at most, $1 in spending cuts. That’s well past the opposite of the ratio, widely discussed since last year’s debt-ceiling negotiations, of $2.50-$3 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax increases.

If that’s what the American people wanted, we would be calling Nancy Pelosi “Madam Speaker” again. But we’re not. Instead, we have Speaker John Boehner, who has offered to raise revenues by capping deductions in exchange for concrete entitlement reform, and a number of Republican House members and senators who are sticking their necks out to talk about reneging on their no-tax-hikes pledge.

Note to Saxby Chambliss: As long as this is the way the president is talking, there’s really no sense in talking about compromise for the good of the country.

What would be a GOP equivalent to this kind of unserious nonsense? Reason’s Peter Suderman took a pretty good stab at it on Twitter:

Republicans hear Obama’s opening bid, counter with: Eliminate the federal government, except for defense.

Folks, no matter how much you earn, it might be time to sit down and figure out what your household finances are going to look like with Clinton-era tax rates. Because Obama is giving every indication he would rather go over the fiscal cliff than move in anything like the GOP’s direction.

– By Kyle Wingfield

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451 comments Add your comment

1961_Xer

November 30th, 2012
10:46 am

At this point, Obama’s strategy is clear: Raise $1+ Trillion through new revenue to cover spending gaps, cut nothing. Do nothing whatsoever about the current $16 Trillion debt, do nothing whatsoever about future growth of government.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
10:48 am

You tell ‘em, Kyle. Democrats are running toward the fiscal cliff as hard as they can go.

Trouble is, they are taking all of us with them. NO TAX RAISES. The ship of state is overloaded. Throw ‘em all overboard. i.e., tax hikes, Democrats and unlimited debt.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
10:48 am

The Republicans should demand the 3% spending cuts promised under Reagan & the 2% spending cuts promised under Papa Bush, just for starters.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
10:49 am

“What would be a GOP equivalent to this kind of unserious nonsense? Reason’s Peter Suderman took a pretty good stab at it on Twitter:

Republicans hear Obama’s opening bid, counter with: Eliminate the federal government, except for defense.”

OK, that is too frikkin’ funny, no matter what side you’re on. :D

Not surprised that President Incompetent has gone this route. But this is what you get when you elect an American Idol contestant in the first place, and when he sings off key, vote for him again.

MANGLER

November 30th, 2012
10:51 am

People did pretty well with “Clinton Era tax rates” Kyle. You were there, so was I. Don’t try to cover that up or forget about it.

As for bargaining, the GOP has been saying no to everything Obama has said for the past 4 years and making every single issue a line in the sand. Why was that OK for them but not for the President? You know he’s going to flex his new found political muscle for a minute and then compromises will be made.

This cliff was designed by the right to make the left look bad. It’s having the opposite effect though. You can’t blame Obama for it when he’s been trying to reach a deal with Congress for 4 years and they’ve consistently said they weren’t interested in anything he says period.

curious

November 30th, 2012
10:52 am

What’s the problem?

Republicans and Democrats voted for the bill that’s going in effect January 1.

iggy

November 30th, 2012
10:53 am

Forget the fiscal cliff, Im still awaiting my Free Obama television and all the other trimmings..

From the Center

November 30th, 2012
10:54 am

let’s head over the cliff, at least that way we get some cuts to go along with the tax increases.

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
10:55 am

More lies from the Mistake during his never ending campaigning when he said he wanted a balanced approach to the fiscal problems and when he said he would take a deal involving 2/3 spending cuts for every dollar of new revenue. Lying, deceitful, deceptive, and duplicitious best describes his approach to the fiscal cliff.

Reebok

November 30th, 2012
10:56 am

This is hilarious…President Obama came into office trying to be a grown-up and find common ground with the GOP…the Republican repsonse was to say NO to everything, even things they had pushed for in the past…the idea was, ensure that the President fails to do anything of substance, even if it stalls the economy, to make him a one-term President at any cost…and also to paint Obama as spinelss and weak in the bargain. So Obama grows a backbone, gets his legislation passed and trounces Governor Romney for re-election…and now Obama’s just being a big old meanie by not compromising with the meek, well-meaning GOP.

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
10:57 am

Kyle, sorry this is left over from the previous blog, but I’m sure Mark and Finn will make the same arguments here pretty soon.

Finn:
Look, you Cons lost big time on Nov 6th. No one is interested in your points of view, your opinions, your ideals, your goals, or what gives you the wet dreams.

MarkV
“No wonder Lil Barry raises the flag of patriotism. It seems to be mostlhy missing here. Not to mention civility and consideration.”

I will let one of your own leftwing socialist wantabee’s explain this to you two.

Hillary Clinton Apr 2003

I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic, and we should stand up and say, “We are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration!”

carlosgvv

November 30th, 2012
10:58 am

I’ve always heard that the best defense is a good offense. So, Kyle, when your Republican heros stonewall and refuse to budge on tax increases for the rich, just turn it around and blame Obama. You know,of course, that most of the simple cons here believe every word you say.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:00 am

“President Obama came into office trying to be a grown-up and find common ground with the GOP”

Obama in 2009: “We won.”

Common ground and grown up, reebok? Not hardly. But another epic fail on your revisionist history of President Incompetent.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
11:01 am

MANGLER @ 10:51: Well, if we can also have back a) the tech boom; b) $20/barrel oil and the commensurate gas prices; c) the lack of a war on terror (or at least the awareness that they were already at war with us); and d) Clinton-era federal spending, maybe we’d do just as well now with those rates as we did then. What do you think the odds are that those things will come back?

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
11:01 am

“This cliff was designed by the right to make the left look bad”

Not intended to be a factual statement:

“Woodward reports in his book that White House Office of Management Director Jack Lew and Legislative Affairs Director Rob Nabors took the proposal for sequestration to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and then it was presented to congressional Republicans.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/82772.html

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
11:02 am

Reebock

You have an altered view of reality. The GOP is trying to help him grow the economy and get us out of the ditch. Obama continues to repeat the same mistakes that are keeping us in the ditch. He is putting his ideology of big government and fairness ahead off any desire to get the economy moving. It is always ideology first with Obama, USA second. He is bad for the economy and bad for America.

Aquagirl

November 30th, 2012
11:03 am

and a number of Republican House members and senators who are sticking their necks out to talk about reneging on their no-tax-hikes pledge.

If a bunch of Republicans were idiotic enough to make a pledge to some neckbeard that’s their problem. “I need concessions to save my @$$ because my constituents like dumbed-down politics” is not a valid argument. Not in the non-Gooper world anyhow, and they can either accept reality or go the way of the Passenger Pigeon.

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
11:04 am

FWIW, I sorta agree with Rush and Krauthammer. Replubicans should just walk away and set everything squarely in Obama’s lap. There’s no way they can win and no matter what happens, will have most of the blame tried to be placed on them anyways.

curious

November 30th, 2012
11:04 am

Mitch McConnell said the number 1 priority of the Republican party was to make Obama a one term President.

What was their second priority or did they even have one?

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:05 am

He won.

Give him what he wants.

iggy

November 30th, 2012
11:07 am

Agreed Billings. Give Obama what he wants, then later the Reps can say…”TOLD YA”

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:08 am

And here’s what’s going to play out in te next couple of weeks:

Just days before a deadline is looming, Obama will (once again) drop another steaming pile of “grand bargain” on the public table, something no one in the current negotiations has ever seen before and is completely unworkable, and then blame Republicans for not compromising.

And his fawning sycophants here and in the media will continue to ignore his incompetence while berating the GOP for their unwillingness to give in.

That’s the playbook of this woeful administration – do nothing and blame the other guy.

1961_Xer

November 30th, 2012
11:09 am

or go the way of the Passenger Pigeon

Careful, there. There is a VERY REAL chance that the passenger pigeon can and will be resurrected.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:09 am

The gop are the only thing stopping our economy.

Remove the gop out of the way.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:10 am

I’ll tell ya what: Let’s agree to returning to the Clinton-era tax rates . . .

. . . if the Dems agree to Clinton-era spending levels.

How about it, libs?

JF McNamara

November 30th, 2012
11:11 am

If it weren’t for Gerrymandering, we might still have a Democratic house as well.

It’s called negotiation Kyle. What was he supposed to do? Propose all cuts? We need to ignore everything that is said until a deal is struck. They are still doing a lot of posturing.

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
11:12 am

The GOP House won on the promise of no tax hikes. Live up to the commitment.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:12 am

You lost so take the offer or don’t.

Check mate.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:13 am

“Remove the gop out of the way.”

And how would you suggest doing that, getalife? You know, given they were just re-elected to a majority in the House for the next 2 years and all?

Centrist

November 30th, 2012
11:14 am

If there wasn’t a last minute, nothing would get done (or postponed until another last minute). Brinksmanship and “off the table” hardline positions is how divided government negotiates.

Will it be Christmas Eve or New Years Eve before a deal or postponement is struck?

Of course, the simple solution lies between the two hardened sides concerning tax RATES. Move higher off the $200K individual/ $250K break point and don’t increase the rate all the way back to the Clinton era. Maybe add “fairness” tax brackets for those earning over a $ million/billion per year. Close loopholes by capping deductions and credits. Raise the capital gains rate for higher incomes. Such a tax deal could be reached in a couple of hours – but probably not until the “last” minute.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:15 am

“And how would you suggest doing that, getalife?”

Walk away.

Done.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:15 am

President Obama won 100 percent of the votes in every single state

Dang straight. He won 100% of the voters that matter.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:16 am

You are trapped like rats.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:17 am

Just go over the cliff. Tax rates jump back to normal. In January have congress cut taxes for those making less than $250k.

Done and done. Cons don’t really have any leverage to speak of.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:17 am

“If it weren’t for Gerrymandering, we might still have a Democratic house as well.”

And if it weren’t for dumbed-down, government-educated voters, we’d have a President-elect Romney right now, JF McNamara.

Your point?

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
11:18 am

‘Fiscal Cliff’ Could Put Millions of Taxpayers Into ‘AMT Shock’

“During the 2011 tax year for example, the AMT hit single taxpayers with incomes as low as $48,450 and joint filers making only $74,450.

But millions more Americans could be subject to the AMT in their 2012 returns if Congress fails to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff before year-end. That’s because the AMT is currently scheduled to hit individuals making as little as $33,750 a year and joint filers making $45,000.

“This would hit immediately and likely cost taxpayers an average of some $3,700 in taxes,” said Leon C. LaBrecque, managing partner and founder of LJPR, LLC, a wealth management firm. “It would be a rude awakening to say the least.” ”

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49981664

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:18 am

It may not be worth a crap, but a deal will be made. Both sides will claim victory. What’s new?

On the other hand as a recent President said:

“Elections have consequences”

“I plan to use the political capital I EARNED from winning the election”

Kyle: Did you forget that? You might want to have that selective amnesia check out.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:18 am

did not specify an amount or any details.

You Cons should be used to this kind of stuff….LOL

gib me ma free stuff

November 30th, 2012
11:18 am

Since the majority of Americans decided they wanted the “obama free stuff presidency”, my personal opinion is that ok if thats the way it’s going to be, we are doomed anyhow, so time for EVERYONE to start taking all the free stuff from the government they can before it all fails. For a start I’m going to stop working and go take disability that I couldlhave received years earlier, but chose to work thru my paralysis,loss of sight in an eye, and minimal use of right hand. Think about it…if your one of the 50% that actually pay FEDERAL INCOME tax to support all the freeloaders, why should you continue? Soon it’ll be 60-40 then 70-30, why be the sucker on the 30% end?

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
11:19 am

Clear the fog from your head, if that is possible. For the past year, YEAR, this country has known that Obama wants tax rates to rise on those making over $250,000. We aLL knew that going into the voting booth. The rich are not going to NOT invest because of taxes rising if they think they can make a buck, we all know that. So stop with that silly argument. Republicans want to cut entitlements, Obama is givng you $400 billion. This is a good starting point. The reason Obama is going to the public is when he last went to the congress, all he got from Bohner is “NO”, loud and clear. You lost the election, you have less Senators and Congressmen than you had before the election. It is time to get down to serious negotiations. I for one, am ready to go over the cliff. If the republicans want to take the blame for that, and they will, hang on – it will be a rough ride, but we will make it through.

Aquagirl

November 30th, 2012
11:19 am

There is a VERY REAL chance that the passenger pigeon can and will be resurrected.

Only to be promptly eaten by Velociraptors.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:22 am

It is the same proposal offered earlier.

The gop are shocked about the same offer?

BS.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:22 am

Folks still whining and crying about the election results.

How much whine can they make from sour grapes…

Excuses and more excuses. Not much about the lack of ability of the candidate and Party…

Guess they haven’t noticed that the popular vote has not been in their favor 5 of the last 6 elections….

I say keep up with the same. It is working so well.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:23 am

did someone say “smack down”?

mwuahahahahahahahaaaaaa

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
11:24 am

Here’s the leverage Finn. Let Obama take us off the cliff, market drops, unemployment rises, people demand action. GOP says sure, but we need substantial cuts and make Obama’s extended tax cuts permanent. GOP gets the blame for a while, but there is no election anytime soon. The regime gets the long term blame for being unable to work with the other side. America loses in this deal, which is why the GOP is working to resolve the issue, Obama not being interested in any cuts and in favor of raising taxes, is that not concerned with the cliff, at this point. He would be once he has to deal with the ramifications of the economic drop.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
11:24 am

There is no longer any doubt that the Democrats WANT to go over the fiscal cliff. They WANT ALL the tax rates to expire. They NEED all the perceived increased taxes on the middle income earners to forge through with their agenda. The NEED the economy to tank.
Their second plan was to blame everything on the Republicans, but they have shown their cards. The Republicans will never be blamed for the carnage the Democrats are causing but will be there to pick up the pieces, if there are any left.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:24 am

Note that the fiscal cliff cuts are set to go in gradually so congress can stop them at any time.

In other words, there is no “cliff”.

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
11:26 am

“”Yeah, you know, it’s all on the usual poll-tested, oil and gas, raise the estate tax, there’s hardly anything they missed,” responded McConnell. “It is a massive, whopping punch right in the nose to the American economy. I can’t imagine the Democrats would support it. I mean, Max Baucus, the chairman of the Finance Committee, is certainly not going to support the estate tax proposal, Mary Landrieu, the Democrats from Louisiana, is not going to support the gas tax. Neither is Mark Begich of Alaska, completely unserious, and here we are witnessing the President running around the country thinking the campaign is not over yet. And they’re presenting laughable suggestions from the Secretary of the Treasury. He ought to be embarrassed to be asked to go up here and do something like that. It’s a serious blow to his credibility.” ”

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/mcconnell-geithners-presentation-obamas-plan-serious-blow-his-credibility_664233.html

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
11:26 am

I can survive the tax increase with no problem. And it will be soooo entertaining listening to the idiotarian left whining about how eliminating the Bush tax cuts means financial disaster for the middle class (you may recall their whining for the last decade about how only the rich benefitted from them).

Time to eat your peas, Obozo receptacles.

Mike

November 30th, 2012
11:26 am

This “fiscal cliff” bs is just that, bs. Both sides are playing games with this as they know letting tax rates go back to pre 2001 levels will generate tons of money. They are just strategizing how to blame the other side for allowing it to happen.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:27 am

Kyle

What did your boy Newt say about the fiscal cliff?

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
11:27 am

Dont post as much since the election is over but do head over to see what nonsense Kyle and his minions are spouting off about.

Frankly Kyle lost all credibility with me when he freely admitted voting for Newt Gingrich.

Think about that for a second. Let it sink in good.

If it were up to Kyle, Newt Gingrich would be the leader of the free world.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:28 am

The Republicans will never be blamed for the carnage the Democrats are causing but will be there to pick up the pieces, if there are any left.

You got that backwards, we are still picking up the pieces of 8 years of Shrub and 10 years of GOP rule in the House and Senate. We have a lot of repair work left to do.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:29 am

If it were up to Kyle, Newt Gingrich would be the leader of the free world.

The twinky look alike?

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
11:30 am

Glenn Beck: your messiah has been in office four years. Why hasn’t he fixed the economy? And let’s not forget your admonishment: “Excuses and more excuses. Not much about the lack of ability of the candidate and Party…”

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
11:31 am

I can survive the tax increase with no problem.

I can too.

Somebody has to pay for all the debt Ronald Reagan ( He quadrupled the debt in his 8 years ) and the Bush’s ran up.

What is the poor Congress to do to try and cut spending?

November 30th, 2012
11:32 am

One of the biggest jokes about our Congress is when they state “they are struggling to find places to cut spending” According to the non partisan Citizens against government waste CAWG.org this is an example of just a few of the thousands -yes thousands of incredibly wasteful programs the government has that they will not even attempt to fix -just these three programs cut -savings og $8.5 BILLION dollars !!!!

FAILURES
Essential Air Service: The Essential Air Service
(EAS) was created in 1978 to subsidize airline
carriers that provide service to small communities.
Originally funded at $7 million, the program
has since grown to cost taxpayers $200 million,
subsidizing a dozen airline carriers in more than
100 communities.
On February 17, 2011, senators voted 61-38 to kill
Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) amendment to
repeal the subsidy for the EAS. The Senate did,
however, subsequently adopt by voice vote Senator
Tom Coburn’s (R-Okla.) amendment that would
restrict the EAS to airports more than 90 miles from
certain larger airports, while providing an exemption
for flights in Alaska.
On November 1, 2011, the Senate also rejected
Senator Coburn’s amendment to eliminate the
Small Community Air Service Development grant
program by a vote of 41-57

Weatherization Assistance Program: The
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
is a Carter-era Department of Energy (DOE)
program originally designed to lower consumers’
energy bills during the 1970s oil crisis. Under
the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA), the program, whose budget had
hovered at approximately $250 million for years,
received an injection of roughly $5 billion.
Prior to ARRA, the program had been operating
virtually without oversight from DOE. Since
its expansion, WAP has left in its wake reports
of substandard work, abandoned projects and
fraud. Numerous states have experienced
problems with fraud and mismanagement.
On February 16, 2011, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.)
attempted to remove a provision from the FY
2011 Continuing Appropriations bill that would
bar funds for WAP. His amendment was rejected
in a 208-223 vote.

Market Access Program: The U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP)
is the epitome of a corporate welfare program,
spending millions of taxpayer dollars annually for
advertising and promotion to profitable, private
companies. Recipients have included Butterball,
Tyson, Monsanto, Dole and Sunkist.
President Obama’s Terminations, Reductions and
Savings for the FY 2011 federal budget identified
MAP as a potential spending cut and the National
Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
report also listed MAP funding among its $3 billion
in recommended agriculture program reductions.
On June 16, 2011, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) offered
an amendment that would bar the use of funds in
the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill to pay
the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out
MAP. Unfortunately, this amendment was rejected
in a 101-314 vote.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:34 am

Why hasn’t he fixed the economy?

Sigh…….Lil Barry, see my 11:28 if you still haven’t figured it out yet.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:36 am

“Folks still whining and crying about the election results.”

The ONLY people bringing up election results in ANY blog posts are the liberals on here, Beck.

curious

November 30th, 2012
11:36 am

If the Republicans ran on “no new taxes’ and voted the eliminate Bush tax cuts and cut spending across the board, they should be claiming victory.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:37 am

How much money would shuttering our military bases in Italy, Germany and Japan save us?

Are we protecting the sushi? and the lasagna?

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:37 am

Lil Barry

Is on his step stool again and huffing and puffing as usual… Now now

Don’t fall, 3ft is a long way for you.

Hahahahahahah

Thanks for the laughs

The Bystander

November 30th, 2012
11:38 am

Washington definition of compromise: Compromise is when a Conservative agrees with a liberal

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
11:40 am

“They shoulda negotiated this stuff 2 years ago when they did have leverage”

They did, John Q / Sunny / Oh Well / Black Label / (insert your sock puppet here).

President Incompetent’s idea of “negotiation” was to drop a steaming pile of nonsense on the table that no one had seen or heard of beforehand with less than 2 weeks remaining to the deadline, and claim to be “negotiating”.

Too bad you missed that little bit of historical fact when it happened.

Halftrack

November 30th, 2012
11:41 am

What is the ultimate end results so far? If the fiscal cliff is not solved, Americans are in deep d–d-/
If they vote for the plans that Obummer has laid out we end up in deep d–d-/ No one is looking out for all Americans at this point. No budgets from Congress in 4 years. Can’t read Bills before they are passed. Transparency through dark glasses. Congress and the President needs some maturing.

Logical Dude

November 30th, 2012
11:43 am

Kyle says: I can just hear Geithner making the offer now: “That’s none for you, a trillion for us; none for you, fifty billion for us; none for you, infinity for us.”

Great line Kyle! But I have a couple of questions.
How is this any different than Boehner sitting in his corner whining about ANY tax increases and willing to shut government down? (which doesn’t make either right).
Why is Geithner presenting this, and not Obama? You can put as much on Obama as you like, but if he’s not even in the picture, then why blame him?

Yes, the majority of the country agrees that spending cuts AND raised revenues are needed. Obama (or is it Geithner?) is using that to press for immediate action on the tax pieces, and some of the cuts.

Sure, you say “none for you!”, but Obama has expressed willingness for cuts over and over again. (sure, specifics are rare, but specifics should derive in congress. Guidance should come from the president.)

Zelurishinique

November 30th, 2012
11:44 am

The President ought to get on his knees and beg Ben Bernanke to reconsider his decision not to seek another term as Federal Reserve chairman after January. The Fed has single handedly propped up the economy (and got Obama reelected) by printing money. They announced this week they’ll probably keep QE’ing in 2013.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
11:45 am

Throw ‘em all overboard. i.e., tax hikes, Democrats and unlimited debt.

Three weeks ago we threw something overboard. Something dead and stinky but it wasn’t Democrats. That stink was Republicans in the House and Senate.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:46 am

If they walk away, they break grover’s pledge.

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
11:47 am

Why hasn’t he fixed the economy?

The first incorrect assumption is that he wants to. He has said that the economy we had before was not fair to all, as everyone did not prosper. He said “we ain’t going back”. So, what part of that makes you think he wants to fix the economy, you miss? Remember with Barry it is ideology first, America next.

I think he wants to recreate the economy in his own image.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:49 am

Our President warned the gop , he will take this fight to the American people.

That is code for he wants the house in 14.

And he will get it.

MANGLER

November 30th, 2012
11:49 am

Oil would go down if China hadn’t Americanized themselves in a 20 year span and if India weren’t urbanizing as well. Our 200 million drivers and energy needs are greatly overshadowed by the 2.2 billion there.
We have booms all the time – went from tech to finance to housing to oil and now energy. Demand shoots up, prices rise, demand levels off, prices drop then stabilize.
Federal spending is a nominally higher percentage of GDP today than under Clinton – who had to deal with a minor recession not a major one – and a minor skirmish not 2 large wars. The fact that Federal spending didn’t shoot up to wartime percentages of GDP is actually amazing.
This administration reined in an economic crash in the making while handling 2 large wars and energy prices rollercoastering.
And you are unhappy because he wants to provide healthcare to under served Americans and give equal rights to those who lack them on top of all that?

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
11:50 am

Logical @ 11:43:

1. Boehner is not “whining about ANY tax increases” — he’s offered to increase tax revenues by other means, with the new revenue coming from wealthier taxpayers, just as Obama has said he wants.

2. Re: “if he’s not even in the picture, then why blame him?” — you cannot be serious. Do you think Geithner hatched this plan on his own and took it to the GOP, in hopes that Obama might approve of it if the GOP does? Geithner works for Obama. This is Obama’s proposal. He sent Geithner to deliver it.

3. Which cuts? He’s agreeing to maybe talk about cutting some spending next year if he gets ALL of what he wants on taxes and new debt authority this year. Republicans are very right to be skeptical, at the very least, that this arrangement will lead to any meaningful spending cuts. This offer does not come close to matching what the public has expressed support for.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
11:51 am

Mike

November 30th, 2012
11:26 am

If history is any guide, increasing tax rates..personal, cap gains, dividend results in lower reciepts…much of those increased receipts where buried with increased spending…we will need to have cuts that are material and actually recognized if any plan of tax changes will hold firm….no cuts while increasing taxes puts us at significant risk that the deficit will continue with all the current vigor.

We will have to go off the cliff to get anything resolved…we can’t survive continued spending and the soak of those making over $250K is at best, uncertain whether receipts will increase….

Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism

November 30th, 2012
11:54 am

Logical Dude
Yes, the majority of the country agrees that spending cuts AND raised revenues are needed. Obama (or is it Geithner?) is using that to press for immediate action on the tax pieces, and some of the cuts.

The rest of the country is also under the impression that the revenue and cuts will be used to bring some balance to our budget.

Obama has never given more than cursory statements that he cares anything about reducing the deficit or debt. He is out there now talking about spending this new revenue, to implement his “jobs” bill. More government spending is what he wants, and the American people will be hoodwinked again, by this Spender in Chief.

Blue coat

November 30th, 2012
11:55 am

Obozo receptacles=Obamaphones.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
11:55 am

Logical@11:43, “Why is Geithner presenting this, and not Obama? You can put as much on Obama as you like, but if he’s not even in the picture, then why blame him?”

Your first question is good. Your second question is not so good & should be: “Why the #%@$ is Obama NOT in the picture & why shouldn’t he be blamed for NOT being there?

Obama voted “present” almost the entire time he was in the US Senate. Now, he’s not even present. If he won the election, why is he still out campaigning?

getalife

November 30th, 2012
11:55 am

Tim is having a little fun before he leaves.

The gop are lost, trapped and leaderless.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
11:56 am

You can’t solve big problems with small ball….if any of you think the GOP, particularly in the House, give a flip about the re-election of President Trillions…or otherwise suggesting BO has the upper hand…you are fooling yourselfs..

If you think our current spending trends are sustainable, regardless of soaking the rich, you are equally delusional..

Elections Have Consequences

November 30th, 2012
11:56 am

Forget compromise. Obama’s incapable of it. This is about doing as much damage to the opposition party as possible, with the help of the ‘useful idiots’ who comprise the Progressive ranks. The media will be all too willing to assist, of course.

The real joke is the fiscal cliff is a pebble compared to the 100T in obligations that are pending for entitlements, pensions, etc. If the current dilemma can’t be solved, there’s no chance of addressing the real longer term threat.Naturally, I hear no one calling for more short term spending even approaching this.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
11:56 am

1. Boehner is not “whining about ANY tax increases” — he’s offered to increase tax revenues by other means, with the new revenue coming from wealthier taxpayers, just as Obama has said he wants.

By closing loopholes they will just open elsewhere in a year or two when nobody is looking.

How did all those loopholes get there in the first place?

No. Raising the marginal rate is the only way.

jconservative

November 30th, 2012
11:57 am

Republicans and Democrats voted in December 2010 to raise taxes effective 1/1/2013. In the House 138 Republicans voted Yes and 139 Democrats voted Yes. So much for pledges.

Democrats and Republicans voted in August 2011 to make spending cuts effective 1/2/2013. In the House 174 Republicans voted for it, but only 95 of the killjoy Democrats.

The president signed both bills into law. Fiscal sanity returned to Washington, DC.

That is where we are today. And where we are is where both parties put us in very rare bi-partisan votes. Both sides have what they voted for and are happy. Right?

As Lil’ Barry points out, every taxpayer will pay – they will pay their “fair share”. Now we know the definition of “fair share”.

And the Holy Grail of Defense will take some spending cuts. Leon Panetta may have a fit, but he will get over it. He is leaving soon anyway.

And as a result of these decisions the deficit will go down and all will be happy. Right ? Right?

Now to find some way to pay off the $16 trillion debt.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:57 am

Stevie

I’m for going back to the rates under Clinton for all.

When looking at historical rates, your 250K blather is nothing more than rhetoric and hyperbole…

Just saying

stands for decibels

November 30th, 2012
11:57 am

not that you asked me but–

he’s offered to increase tax revenues by other means

and those loophole fixes are a nonstarter, so he needs to tell his House that it’s time to suck it up a bit and accept a modest rate increase on income above $250K.

Which cuts?

For the record, I don’t want any cuts to existing programs, really, although I guess I could live with some of the obvious low-hanging fruit (but there are only so many tanks the army doesn’t want, that can be cut so it wouldn’t be much.)

stands for decibels

November 30th, 2012
11:58 am

Now to find some way to pay off the $16 trillion debt.

Why?

Blue coat

November 30th, 2012
11:59 am

A good leader delegates.Remember the father in law advice to Moses.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
11:59 am

How much money would shuttering our military bases in Italy, Germany and Japan save us?

We have 50,000 troops in Germany alone

Imagine the savings there.

Trolls Bane

November 30th, 2012
11:59 am

how about additional taxes of 160 billion per year .. that is 1600 billion or 1.6 trillion over ten years … saying 1.6 trillion is just a tactic to get emotions stired and start drama …

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
12:00 pm

“Fiscal Cliff” = “ObamAusterity”

Road Scholar

November 30th, 2012
12:01 pm

So, what has the repubs offered in response? The same BS as before? You whined that the President didn’t put anything on the table. And when he does you continue to whine. WHAT IS THE REPUB COUNTEROFFER??????

Don't Tread

November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

As you wrote some weeks ago, when there is a “spending cuts for higher taxes” deal, the taxes always go up but the spending cuts never happen. Why should this time be any different? (But we knew that already.)

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Obama is going to the people because he already went to the house last year and all he got was “NO”. He said he would take it to the people, and he is. That is why Geitner is now dealing with congress. Obama tried, they would not listen, so he is trying again with someone else. Why is this too hard to understand?

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
11:56 am

Just remember that there is a significant chance increasing the tax rates will result in decreased revenue….if this happens and combined with increased, unsustainable spending, the deficit will increase and the debt will increase..

I say lets give BO everything he wants and see what happens…the marginal tax rates will simply lead the “rich” to find other means to keep taxes as is or otherwise keep increases to a minimum. An increase in the cap gains tax will result in materially less cap gains reciepts, and increased dividend tax will decrease interest in providing shareholders annual dividends…fewer stock will be purchased and fewer will be sold…

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Stevie

I’m for going back to the rates under Clinton for all.

Me 2.

No way you can cut your way out of this mess.

Tax revenues must go up. Trickle down economics has been proven a failed economic theory.

Some rich people in this country are even telling you they think their taxes should go up.

Warren Buffet most notably.

That includes Capital Gains taxes.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
12:06 pm

WHAT IS THE REPUB COUNTEROFFER??????

There isn’t one.

BW

November 30th, 2012
12:07 pm

I see that we are still debating what happened on November 6….worst case scenario at the moment, end all Bush/Obama tax cuts on January 1 and make any new tax cuts retroactive to that date. Now if Boehner does what Grover advocated on the debt ceiling as one example (increase it each month if he’s been “good” or each week if he’s been “bad”) there will be long-term damage. Hit the snooze button until January 1 and quit crying for now and enjoy the Christmas season.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
12:12 pm

I would pass the President’s tax cut for the middle class first.

Then the gop can walk away.

Looks like it is the only way for the gop to wiggle out of their pledge.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:12 pm

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
11:57 am

Go research tax revenues per JFK, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush..all increased significantly in most if not all categories. The problem was that spending was not cut, or even flat during those times although JFK’s decrease did create surplus but not because of the tax rates relative to current.
Who was it who said..

“tax rates are too high today, and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise revenue is to cut tax rates..an economy constrained by high tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never create enough jobs or enough profits..”

Give you a hint, he also said “ask not what your country can do for you….”

Too bad an increasing number of folks like you have turned both quotes no their heads…the mantra of you liberals is “ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you..thats why we will continue to have a spending problem..

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
12:13 pm

Stevie Ray, you are correct:

Two-thirds of millionaires left Britain to avoid 50p tax rate

“Almost two-thirds of the country’s million-pound earners disappeared from Britain after the introduction of the 50p top rate of tax, figures have disclosed.

Far from raising funds, it actually cost the UK £7 billion in lost tax revenue.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9707029/Two-thirds-of-millionaires-left-Britain-to-avoid-50p-tax-rate.html

gdrla

November 30th, 2012
12:14 pm

I would love to pay the Clinton era tax rates again – my portfolio boomed, my investments returned stellar dividends & even @ the higher rates I had more left over – and it’s all a bunch of BS that a return to those rates would harm the economy – the Republicans are the 3-year olds’ fussing over their lack of proper gifts (in their opinion) under the tree – I believe it was Luke who wrote (paraphrasing) that to whom much is given from whom much is required. Why should not those of us more fortunate assist those below – the budget mess is readily & easily fixable – it requires give & take on BOTH sides of the aisle – Raise $$/revenues (taxes) & CUT SPENDING. However leave my entitlements alone – yes, I am entitled – I am almost 64 years old & have been paying into SS & MC since I was 14 so you are damn right I am entitled – why cannot we cut out payments to foreign aid, PBS, many of the military/defense programs that even the Pentagon does not want? Should treat it like a personal budget – go thru & decide what we want to do, what we MUST do, & then cut out the remainder.

Centrist

November 30th, 2012
12:14 pm

The debate over taxes is no longer about increasing revenue, but who wins the way we get there. Obama/Democrats want it via tax RATES, and Boehner/Republicans want it via limiting deductions and credits.

A little of both is the most logical, but politics is about in your face slap downs – until the last minute for politicians. Just look at the hard line posts here to see how partisans NEVER compromise.

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
12:14 pm

And don’t forget that Obama said himself that tax increases were not about revenue, but “fairness”.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
12:14 pm

Someone compared the Democrats’ offer to the Republicans to the BIG GAME tomorrow. It would be like the GA Bulldogs asking the Crimson Tide to give the Bulldogs 4 touchdowns & the SEC Championship with the promise that the Bulldogs would discuss the possibility of letting the Tide ride the bus to Atlanta some time next year.

stands for decibels

November 30th, 2012
12:16 pm

Give you a hint, he also said “ask not what your country can do for you

oy to the vey. You’re spamming with this over at Kyle’s now?

JFK lowered top marginal tax rates (well LBJ actually did, JFK was murdered before he could sign the bill) all the way down to 70%.

You hoping people don’t know that, when you quote JFK?

JDW

November 30th, 2012
12:16 pm

@Kyle…”Instead, we have Speaker John Boehner, who has offered to raise revenues by capping deductions in exchange for concrete entitlement reform, and a number of Republican House members and senators who are sticking their necks out to talk about reneging on their no-tax-hikes pledge.”

You think that is a serious offer? That is BS and Obama is right to ignore them.

The Republicans need to move off of Romney light and start talking about higher rates for incomes over 250K, higher capital gains rates, no more carried interest and limited deductions. At that point the subject of spending cuts can be entered into the equation.

stands for decibels

November 30th, 2012
12:17 pm

And don’t forget that Obama said himself that tax increases were not about revenue, but “fairness”.

I’m perfectly comfy with that notion, myself. If the markets aren’t going to self-correct so that wealth doesn’t continue to redistribute upwards, it’s the responsibility of the governed to step in.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:17 pm

Stevie

You don’t know me and quit deflecting… You blather and blather…. Same on Bookmans blog..

Looking at historical rates your 250k “soaked” comment is bs and you know it.

Clinton rates and cuts across the board…. If you can show where I said anything different, put up or …….

Good day

Will

November 30th, 2012
12:19 pm

Republican newspaper writers and republican tv/radio entertainers need to get over it – they lost, and lost big time.

Lost the popular vote by more than 4,000,000 votes. Lost the Electoral vote by more than 100 votes and, with a switch of less than 100,000 votes, would have also won at least two additional states. Lost two seats in the senate when EVERYONE thought the republicans would either increase their numbers to a minium of 49 or more like become the majority party in the Senate. They lost eight seats in the House and only held on to the House because republicans were able to draw congressional districts to their favor. THEY COULD NOT EVEN BEAT GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE BARROW AFTER DRAWING A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT ANY REPUBLICAN WHO COULD FOG A MIRROR COULD HAVE WON!!!

Republicans are moving toward choosing to protect the tax rates of the zillionaires while EVERY CREDIBLE poll of the American public shows that is the exact opposite of what the American public wants.

As soon as the republicans cave in, they can move to the next subject – immigration reform, where republicans have decided that their message has always been right, it’s just the delivery of the message needs to be softened. So…..republicans will continue to tell Hispanics to go to hell but now will smile when doing so!! Republicans don’t even realize that republican “Show us your papers” laws are much more dispised in the Hispanic community than current immigration laws.

Be truthful, if someone had bet you you one year ago today that the President would easily be re-elected, that democrats would increase their majority in the Senate and that republicans would hang on to their majority in the House only by having the good fortune of being able to re-draw congressional districts, would you have taken that bet?
Me too.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:20 pm

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm

Warren Buffet gets all his revenue from dividend income…he also ignores the corporate tax when he says he pays less than his secretary. the reason cap gains and dividends are taxed at a lower rate is because they are already taxed at the corporate level of 35% ergo the real cap gains tax is 44%…

I think the uber rich should pay more but the level should be kept at the 80 billion a year previously agreed as opposed to the ridiculous opening salvo of DEMS..cuts alone wont’ get us out but the Simpson Bowles plan will…

Lets go off the cliff..bearing in mind that if it happens, no party has less cupability than the other..they both agreed to this debacle.

Logical Dude

November 30th, 2012
12:21 pm

Kyle responds: Do you think Geithner hatched this plan on his own and took it to the GOP,

Well, with Obama not doing it, it’s hard for me to tell :)

Plus, with both sides playing politics with the country’s financial health, it would be good to see some common sense results:
Reset taxes to clinton era, since the “Bush/Obama” tax cuts had expiration dates and were meant to be temporary (as I see it, for political gain).
Cut defense deeply. No reason we need 8 (not sure if I exaggerate or not) Intelligence communities in this country. (NSA, CIA, FBI, DHS, etc etc) Really, we don’t need a whole intelligence infrastructure spying on everything we do every day online.
Make common sense cuts to Medicare and Social Security, whether that means increasing the payroll cap, increasing the retirement age, or adjusting annual growth, solutions are there and have been debated ad nauseum.

Otherwise, can we all get a number on how much extra revenue comes from the tax hikes and/or fiscal cliff? I hear huge numbers, then I hear people say that the numbers are barely a drop in the bucket, so why bother. The numbers should make a dent in the fiscal health of the country, and along with common sense spending reductions, we can get there.
Oh, and get more people working to increase revenues there too. :)

stands for decibels

November 30th, 2012
12:21 pm

sticking their necks out to talk about reneging on their no-tax-hikes pledge

this what passes for political bravery in 2012? A willingness to throw Grover Flippin’ Norquist under the bus?

Who had died and made THAT guy king, anyway?

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:22 pm

And little Stevie

When talking about taxes make sure you also compare GDP and tax revenues percentages as well as what the deductions were or were not when speaking of rates during any given time period…

You will appear to be more informed if you do…..

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
12:23 pm

I see Bill O’Reilly is spouting off his War on Christmas BS again.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:24 pm

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:17 pm

You are correct, I was in error lumping you in the category in the last paragraph of my post..I’m owe you an apology for that..

However, why not provide some substance in terms of discounting what you call “blather”? Makes this debate more interesting to actually debate based on contasting data than simply discounting what another says…??

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
12:25 pm

Lets go off the cliff..bearing in mind that if it happens, no party has less cupability than the other..they both agreed to this debacle.

I agree lets go.

If thats the only way we can cut out of control Military spending and raise taxes im all for it.

SBinF

November 30th, 2012
12:26 pm

The GOP made its bed. They refused to compromise with Obama the previous two years. They opted to kick the can down the road. They figured Obama would get demolished in the election and they could look forward to a Republican presidential administration. Their plan went down in flames, now they’re crying about compromise?

Sigh, Kyle you’re nothing if not consistent.

SBinF

November 30th, 2012
12:26 pm

Its funny, the only time Republicans care about compromising is when they have no leverage.

SBinF

November 30th, 2012
12:30 pm

“Instead, we have Speaker John Boehner, who has offered to raise revenues by capping deductions in exchange for concrete entitlement reform, and a number of Republican House members and senators who are sticking their necks out to talk about reneging on their no-tax-hikes pledge.”

So your idea of compromise is Boehner agreeing to a plan that was first put forward by the failed GOP presidential candidate?

Lol, it looks doubly silly when you read it again.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
12:30 pm

grover is just one lobbyist but shows how weak the gop are for being scared of one lobbyist.

I have never seen the gop so weak, so lost and so leaderless.

They have no idea what to do and lash out over our President opening position that is not new.

Stephenson Billings

November 30th, 2012
12:30 pm

“I’m perfectly comfy with that notion, myself. If the markets aren’t going to self-correct so that wealth doesn’t continue to redistribute upwards, it’s the responsibility of the governed to step in.”

Unless you’re on the “losing” end of course…. might as well just move to China. Afterall, statism is only 1 execution away from utopia….

JDW

November 30th, 2012
12:34 pm

@Stevie Ray…”Warren Buffet gets all his revenue from dividend income…he also ignores the corporate tax when he says he pays less than his secretary. the reason cap gains and dividends are taxed at a lower rate is because they are already taxed at the corporate level of 35% ergo the real cap gains tax is 44%…”

Boy do you need an education. First off almost every penny of Buffet’s gains come from the appreciation of Berkshire stock not dividends, though there are some in there.

Second capital gains are taxed in no way at the corporate level. A capital gain is the difference between what you paid and what you get when it is sold. Taxes are levied at the point of sale on the seller the corporation is not involved.

Dividends are paid after corporate taxes and while the top rate is 35% the average rate paid by US corps last year was around 12%…nobody pays 35.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:35 pm

If lower rates is all it takes to increase revenue, why is that not reflected when looking at GDP and tax revenue percentages on a historical scale?

Look it up, the percentages against GDP are marginal and not always higher when taxes were lowered.

Doesn’t mean that we tax folks into oblivion, however it does show that there is much hyperbole on both sides of the issue

Matz

November 30th, 2012
12:35 pm

Its funny, the only time Republicans care about compromising is when they have no leverage.

Indeed. It would be downright hilarious, if they weren’t cashing such huge paychecks, reaping the rewards of the enormous personal opportunities that come with their positions, and enjoying a lifetime of benies and perks for standing on fabricated sanctimonious principles while throwing the American people under the bus. We already bought the wars, and the surplus is gone. Now we have to PAY for what we already bought on credit. All those who got filthy rich off their defense contractor stock from those wars should be paying triple the tax rate!

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
12:38 pm

SBinF @ 12:30: “So your idea of compromise is Boehner agreeing to a plan that was first put forward by the failed GOP presidential candidate?”

No, Romney’s plan was to reduce deductions and rates at the same time, making it revenue-neutral. Boehner is offering just to cap deductions, raising revenue. So, there’s several hundred billion dollars’ worth of difference between the two plans.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:39 pm

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:22 pm

I have looked at % of GDP of tax revenues..the disappearing number of millionaires since 2006 has resulted in a drop of 42% in total taxes they paid…point here is that if you reduce the amount of millioinaires…tax reciepts will decrease..this goes a long way to explaining why revenues have sunk to 15 % of GDP in recent years..

Our system doesn’t even raise taxes efficiently. in 2009 reciepts averaged barely 15% of GDP, With spending closer to 25% of GDP…no workie. Leaving rates as is or cutting them historically offers best odds of growing economy..opinions of all sorts are offered by all sides..IMO spending is unsustainable..period..if we increase tax revenue, historically it has been offset by new spending..can’t have both..

Jarvis Murray

November 30th, 2012
12:39 pm

We all understand the fiscal cliff, and the lack of leadership from the White House…. but can you just write a sports blog about what you expect from the Dawgs game tomorrow? I’m not sure there has been enough coverage of the game…

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:41 pm

KYLE

What did you think about the dysfunctionality of BO as well as congress as portrayed by Woodwards’ Price of Politics?

Eye opening lack of presidential leadership as well as GOP/DEM leadership in congress…

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
12:43 pm

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:35 pm

I’m with you on last point…in the words of Mark Knopfler….”two men say they’re Jesus, one of them must be wrong..” (Industrial Disease)…I’m of the impression that there are not things as facts when coming from the mouths of politicians or biased economists..

Cherokee

November 30th, 2012
12:44 pm

Sorry, Kyle, but you and your myrmidons here are just silly, and should be ignored.

Obama proposed a $4 trillion reduction in the deficit, along the lines of what he ran on – and the voters overwhelmingly approved.

He’s doing the job we elected him to do. If the Repubs want to propose something different, fine, have at it. But don’t whine that Obama isn’t playing fair somehow because he makes a proposal that is similar to what the people voted for.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
12:45 pm

The republicans should give the dem’s and open ticket to increases, tell the american people that this is what they voted for, and sit back and watch O’budgetless and his american hating cronies turn us into greece or spain. Then maybe a majority of americans may 180 back to fiscal responsibility.

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:45 pm

Kyle

The post about GOP banking on a Romney win has merit. That doesn”t absolve Obama and the Dems, but if the GOP House was as confident as the talk and radio show host they pander to as well as the right wing blogging world, they thought they would be dealing with Romney..

Elections do have consequences and while the House is Repub and have power in that regard, time to play ball.

You are kidding yourself had Romney won, that the GOP House wouldn’t be pressing the Senate and reminding them of the election and who held the upper hand come Jan.

tiredofIT

November 30th, 2012
12:49 pm

Tax all of income as ordinary income!

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
12:50 pm

Matz
November 30th, 2012
12:35 pm

Its funny, the only time Republicans care about compromising is when they have no leverage.

Indeed. It would be downright hilarious, if they weren’t cashing such huge paychecks, reaping the rewards of the enormous personal opportunities that come with their positions, and enjoying a lifetime of benies and perks for standing on fabricated sanctimonious principles while throwing the American people under the bus. We already bought the wars, and the surplus is gone

Would you like to see a list of Geithner’s buddy recipients of the great bailout or Obama donor paybacks under the green energy handout program? I though not…

Furnishmerchant

November 30th, 2012
12:54 pm

This posing and posturing over the Cliff is silly and, worse yet, boring. Negotiating a grand bargain like trying to nail jello to the wall. Why don’t the leadership of each body, one Republican one Democrat, agree to allow four very simple bills to reach their floors for up or down votes without amendments on the record? Each would pose a simple question: (1) Let the tax increases on the rich (from the Bush levels) kick in? (2) Let the tax increases on everyone else to kick in? (3) Let the military spending cuts kick in? (4) Let the other spending cuts kick in?

Glenn Beck

November 30th, 2012
12:56 pm

Sick

Provide that list as well as a list of Republican Governors, House and Senate members who still cry about the stimulus yet had their hand in that stimulus cookie jar.
Start with Gov Perdue

Thought so

getalife

November 30th, 2012
12:57 pm

Your speaker gave up.

Surrendered.

You need some leaders like Cole cons.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
1:00 pm

The gop said no to a tax cut and wants to add regulations.

Downright liberal and totally bizarre.

Just pass the middle class tax cut and walk away gop to lose the house in 14.

You got owned.

Tealiban Party

November 30th, 2012
1:02 pm

If Americans wanted what the Republicans are peddling, then we would be talking about President-elect Romney.

SBinF

November 30th, 2012
1:02 pm

Kyle, it’s taking Romney’s plan. You want Boehner and Obama to compromise by taking Romney’s plan. What is it exactly that the Republicans are giving up in that case?

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
1:04 pm

Nice whining…

Six months ago Obama approached Boner with his hat in his hand and requested a 10:1 exchange, Boner walked out…

Now that you retarded wingnuts lost the election by a landslide, the shoe is on the other foot… lets go over the cliff together. I don’t mind a little tax rate increase, it won’t hurt me much. And we have to pay for all of W’s unfunded, ill fated wars and entitlements somehow… I just wish we could somehow force those of you who voted for Dumya twice, to have to pay double the increase we’ll all have to pay.

How’s that living a life in denial thingy working out for ya?…

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
1:05 pm

Tax increases on the productive is the Viagra of the left.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:05 pm

Would you like to see a list of Geithner’s buddy recipients of the great bailout or Obama donor paybacks under the green energy handout program?

Would love to see it.

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:06 pm

1. The rich are paying the lowest taxes in decades and government is starving.
2. Historically, the country thrives when the middle class is strong and the wealthier pay higher taxes. This worked under Ike, and under Clinton. And under Saint Ronnie (50% tax rate).
3. Cut spending, look at the military industrial complex! That is where we waste BILLIONS
4. Social Security is FUNDED – leave that alone
5. cut Medicare so old folks have to eat cat food to afford their prescriptions? Really?

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:07 pm

No, SBinF, it’s not. Revenue-neutral is not the same thing as increasing revenues by hundreds of billions of dollars. Keeping the tax burden the same on the wealthy is not the same thing as increasing it. The plans follow a similar philosophy — that it’s preferable to remove distortions from the tax code — but the end results are very different.

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
1:08 pm

Or we could increase the rates for the 2% and then offer them a deduction of the same percentage if they actually DID produce some jobs…

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:08 pm

The whine from the right will only get louder as we approach the end of the filibuster as well.

mwuahahahahahahaha.

I’ll bring the cheese to enjoy with this whine.

mike

November 30th, 2012
1:08 pm

How much more tax would you pay if ALL the Bush tax cuts expire? If the Bush tax cuts expire on those making $250,000 or more? Use this calculator to find out. I already put some data in to get you started. Change the data for your situation.

http://interactive.taxfoundation.org/taxcalc/#calculator

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:09 pm

Troll @ 1:04: “Six months ago Obama approached Boner with his hat in his hand and requested a 10:1 exchange, Boner walked out…”

Let’s see some proof that deal was offered. I think you’re referring to the silly debate question asked of the GOP presidential candidates a year or so ago, where everyone responded just as you’d expect in a moment made for stagecraft.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
1:09 pm

Cherokee: Sorry, Kyle, but you and your myrmidons here are just silly, and should be ignored.
———–

And yet, here you are. Perhaps you should take your own advice. Go ahead, we’ll wait while you change your sockpuppet.

Jefferson

November 30th, 2012
1:10 pm

Outgrow your selfish ways and you won’t be so mad.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:10 pm

Next week is Hobbit week on the Colbert Show?

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
1:11 pm

“Let’s see some proof that deal was offered.”

Show me some proof it wasn’t.

Darwin

November 30th, 2012
1:11 pm

Ah, come on man!

BuckeyeInGa

November 30th, 2012
1:12 pm

President Obama has learned from his 1st term to play hardball this term. Good.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:13 pm

“Next week is Hobbit week on the Colbert Show?”

Newt is going on Colbert, cool.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
1:16 pm

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
12:45 pm

Agreed…give them what they want…

STEVE

The middle class will not get stronger if the taxes are increased on the rich? Is this going to create more jobs? I agree on DoD spending but think it should be wound down by 20% over time. Social Security and Medicare are collectively leave an unfunded liability for our kids of over $65 trillion..

They all say it’s good for x numbers of years but the CBO is horrid at projecting 10 years out…too many unexpected variables…

Clinton reduced cap gains tax which was costly..Reagan cut rates and a huge windfall of reciepts resulted…too bad spending wasn’t stable or cut during same period..

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
1:19 pm

“The middle class will not get stronger if the taxes are increased on the rich?”

What has happened to the middle class since 2000? Did they get “stronger” until Obama took office??? Because I missed that if they did…

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:21 pm

Fin

Please know they are serving the “whine” in boxes, not bottles, but there seems to be plenty of it.

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:22 pm

The middle class has shrunk as tax policies now favor the rich. You and I pay 28% (or whatever) on income, the rich pay 15% or less thanks to loopholes and the lower rates on dividends.

The middle class has shrunk slowly since the 1980s, since “trickle down economics” has been introduced, fallacy that it is.

That is fact.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
1:28 pm

Wrong. You and I pay the same capital gains tax rates as the rich.

Don’t fear facts.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
1:32 pm

Cherokee

November 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
And exactly where are the cuts? So far, all he’s done is play class warfare (and if you don’t think his raise rates on the rich is not class warfare then there is no use talking to you) so he can point to it and tell the wannabees, see I got them for you (see his revenge ad during the campaign), then act all benevolent and condescending while talking about fairness and then make some vague promise about reducing spending in the future while asking for $50,000,000,000 in immediate spending, asking Congress to remove itself from it’s position of keeper of the vault and then jump on a plan while saying the Republicans arent going along with my mandate. NEWSFLASH: Uh, President Obama, over 46% of the nation voted against you and last I looked at my passport, we’re still citizens and we don’t have to roll over and play dead! Our debt is still soaring, people are still unemployed, the value of the dollar is still falling and you, Mr President are doing zilch to stop it and we will remember this and the pendulum will swing back.

Matz

November 30th, 2012
1:35 pm

Sick of Progs: “Would you like to see a list of Geithner’s buddy recipients of the great bailout or Obama donor paybacks under the green energy handout program? I though not…”

You think wrong, then. To think that only Republican congressmen benefit from their positions while throwing us all under the bus would be a gross generality. Sadly, most of our officials in Washington are on the same side: their own. It’s our duty as citizens to hold our representatives accountable, to educate ourselves through a variety of sources, and to not buy into the partisan rhetoric that grinds meaningful progress to a halt. They WANT us to fight with each other over ideals and principles; that way we’re not paying attention to what they do every day.

Regarding green energy companies, I can only say that I hope to see something better from them in the immediate future, and to remind you that oil companies started receiving subsidies nearly a hundred years ago, for the purpose of developing new sources. That’s what should be happening to the green energy industry as it reaches though its infancy toward adulthood. Meanwhile we continue to subsidize oil companies reaping huge profits. I think we can take the training wheels off Exxon now and let them ride on their own, don’t you?

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:35 pm

Wrong. You and I don’t live off of dividends. The wealthy do. That is THEIR income.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:37 pm

Steve @ 1:22: You’re wrong about who pays what.

Here are the average effective tax rates, including all types of federal tax, by quintile for the latest year available (2009):

Highest: 23.1%
2nd-Highest: 15.1%
Middle: 11.1%
2nd-Lowest: 6.8%
Lowest: 1.0%

That’s what people are actually paying in taxes compared to the income they report, not the marginal rates they face on certain types of income. The effective tax rate for the top percentile (i.e., the highest 1%) was 28.9% of income.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
1:37 pm

JDW

November 30th, 2012
12:34 pm

I give you the one about corporate taxes which I should have factored in a actual 12% as opposed to figurative 35%.

I’ve have made money off cap gains as well as dividends so I have an understanding of these issues. Despite that the federal government collects 44.75% of each dollar of income earned by the corporation and paid as a qualified dividend, the dividend recipient appears to “enjoy” a 15% qualified dividend rate because the first round of taxation occurs before it reaches the investor’s hands. Were the dividend-paying enterprise organized differently, it might lawfully pay zero taxes at the corporate level, and allow investors to receive the enterprise’s taxable income pre-tax so that they pay taxes at the investors’ own tax rates – which would range from 0% to nearly 40% depending on the taxpayer’s own tax situations and the tax character of the enterprise’s income. In theory, of course, some of that income might itself be characterized as qualified dividends subject to the 15% cap – in which case yet another entity would have already paid a marginal tax rate up to 38% on the pre-dividend taxable income.

In Buffets case, Berkshire Hathaway has not paid a dividend since 1967, but last year authorized repurchase shares at prices below 110% of book value.

Its also worth noting that Berkshire and related entities are in distasteful battles with IRS…they want money back while the IRS thinks they are due…issue is around $1 billion..

CC

November 30th, 2012
1:37 pm

“The proposal, loaded with Democratic priorities and short on detailed spending cuts, met strong Republican resistance”

Let the democrats take us over the “fiscal cliff”. At least it might provide a quick death for the U.S. instead of the slow torture that Obama and the other elected democrat idiots are torturing us with now. Fools elected by fools on a fool’s errand will produce nothing but foolish results.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
1:37 pm

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
So do retirees

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
1:38 pm

Rightwing Troll
November 30th, 2012
1:11 pm

“Let’s see some proof that deal was offered.”

Show me some proof it wasn’t.

Lazy non producing lib. You want someone else to do the task asked of you! Loser

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:40 pm

All take, no give

He does represent the “takers”, right?

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:41 pm

Kyle – yes, you are correct about the effective tax rates, however..

“On the highest end of the income scale, the average effective tax rate is much higher — 18.9% for households making more than $1 million. But that’s still far below the 35% top tax rate much of their ordinary income would be subject to.

Why? Because a lot of households at that level — like Romney’s — make a lot of their money from tax-advantaged investments, such as capital gains and tax-free bonds. And they tend to have a lot of itemized deductions, which can greatly reduce how much they owe the tax man.”

http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/18/news/economy/Romney_effective_tax_rate/index.htm

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
1:41 pm

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
1:19 pm

Check out tax reciepts after cuts in personal taxes per JFK, Reagan, Clinton and Bush…tax INCREASES will not in any way shape of form help the middle class…unless of course President Trillions increases the Income Tax Credit…you know that free give away…he can also spend more money “creating jobs” for the middle class…oooops, that didn’t work so well before.

Big Question…why did BO extend tax cuts just a few years ago? Why is it ok now?

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:43 pm

Kyle

How do those percentages look when taking into account all taxes paid, not just Federal?

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:43 pm

Troll @ 1:11: I’ve never even heard of that offer being made. I’m not asking for the proposal Obama handed to Boehner. I’ll accept a credible news report from a reputable source.

Otherwise, I’m assuming you just made that up, since it’s so far out of line with how the discussion has generally gone.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:44 pm

The effective tax rate for the top percentile (i.e., the highest 1%) was 28.9% of income.

We can do better than that. I say we push it to 35%.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
1:45 pm

Steve – a lot of those deductions already get phased out under income thresholds or are offset by the AMT.

Steve

November 30th, 2012
1:45 pm

Don’t forget that we all pay a disproportionately higher amount on our payroll taxes, too, then the rich, who are capped off at some amount way below their income.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:45 pm

Steve @ 1:41: You are mixing marginal tax rates and effective tax rates. Your effective tax rate will not be the same as your marginal tax rate, by definition.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:46 pm

Black Label @ 1:43: You mean including state and local taxes? I don’t know. But that’s irrelevant to a discussion about what to do with federal taxes.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:47 pm

Steve @ 1:45: Those effective tax rates include payroll taxes.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:47 pm

Kyle

This might be a start. While the upper end still pays more, the total effective rate average is a much truer picture than just looking at Federal rates….. well if you attempting to be intellectually honest it is a much truer picture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Total_Effective_Tax_Rates_2011.jpg

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
1:48 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
1:44 pm

The effective tax rate for the top percentile (i.e., the highest 1%) was 28.9% of income.

We can do better than that. I say we push it to 35%.

I say we put all welfare recipients into work camps and have them rebuild the infrastructure of the country and leave the margins where they are at!

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:49 pm

Black Label: As I said at 1:46, I don’t see how state and local taxes relate to the federal debate. Take it up with your city, county or state.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:50 pm

Kyle

It might be “irrelevant” to the discussion of the fiscal cliff that your boy Newt says doesn’t even exists (I grant you that), but put in context, it does provide a much more clearer picture than the deception that is played out about how all these people pay no taxes….

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:50 pm

Well, they do relate in the sense that lower-tax jurisdictions (such as Georgia) effectively subsidize higher-tax jurisdictions through the federal deduction for state/local taxes. But I don’t think that’s the point you were trying to make…

CC

November 30th, 2012
1:50 pm

“I say we put all welfare recipients into work camps and have them rebuild the infrastructure of the country and leave the margins where they are at!”

This is an idea I could wholeheartedly support!

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:51 pm

No problem Kyle

Thanks for the response. Look forward to much more rhetoric and hyperbole from you as the debate continues.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
1:52 pm

Black Label: Act that way if you wish, but you have yet to explain why, in the context of debating what to do with federal taxes, we should take into account state and local taxes.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
1:53 pm

“I say we put all welfare recipients into work camps and have them rebuild the infrastructure of the country and leave the margins where they are at!”

Well, that’s what Jesus would do with the poor.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
1:57 pm

Kyle

Point I was making is very clear, even if it doesn’t fit directly into the “fiscal cliff” and Federal tax rate debate.

When looking at all taxes paid, the disparities that many on the right love to point out, dissipate. We can debate and argue all day who pays what or doesn’t pay what, but for it to be factual that the disparity shrinks when looking at all taxes then on a local and state level it appears that the lower income folks are paying a good portion of their incomes. If this were not true and the same held as for the national level, mathematically you would have a shrinking of the percentage differences.

Either way.

Thanks for the reply.

Alter Ego

November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm

Good blog Kyle. Some fodder for perhaps a future one, for those who think unlimited spending and entitlements are the panacea for all economic woes. Could very well be a microcosm for the US, long term.

Detroit ponders bankruptcy:
http://www.newsmax.com/US/detroit-bankruptcy-mayor-pain/2012/11/30/id/465980

JV

November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm

If a majority of the country elected Obama to four more years in the White House, then let them have it their way without GOP support. The tax increases that happen will be the Obama tax increases. When spending spikes, it can be the Obama tax and spend plan. And we slide into recession as the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts will happen, it will be the Obama recession.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
1:53 pm

“I say we put all welfare recipients into work camps and have them rebuild the infrastructure of the country and leave the margins where they are at!”

Well, that’s what Jesus would do with the poor.

What does Jesus have to do with anything related to this blog tool?

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
2:00 pm

And for the record I am phased in rates back to the Clinton era……..

Cut in all departments including the holy grail called the DoD………..

Granted my point wasn’t directly related to the “fiscal cliff”, however it does put into context what many of your bloggers do not know or wish to ignore

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
2:02 pm

@ 1:57

meant to say “wouldn’t have” as opposed to “would have”

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
2:03 pm

Black Label, then you should be putting in personal property taxes which does disproportionately hit the middle and upper income earners regardless of where their income comes from.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
2:04 pm

Black Label @ 1:57: If you want to look at the whole picture, then look at transfer payments, too.

Here’s one look at the average effective tax rates by quintile including federal taxes and all transfers (federal, state and local):

Highest: 22%
2nd-Highest: 10%
Middle: Minus-5%
2nd-Lowest: Minus-42%
Lowest: Minus-301%

Now, those numbers are for 2009 and yours are for 2011, but I think it’s safe to say between the two that our system is extremely progressive when the top quintile is paying, on net, something in the neighborhood of 33%, the middle quintile is about 6%, and the bottom quintile is about minus-289%.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
2:04 pm

Kyle

And I do take it up on a state and local level by not voting for any clowns with D or R on by their name.

Old School Girl

November 30th, 2012
2:11 pm

To my republican friends…and I call you that, even though many in your ranks act like “what the bird left on the bush.” Remember that war that you overwhelmingly approved back in 2002? You know the one that you did not increase taxes to pay for? Remember the second war that you also approved? We didn’t see any tax increase to pay for that one as well. Remember that bogus tax rebate that we received…stupid doesn’t define it so I will move on. Oh yes, let’s not forget, that YOU forgot that all of the baby boomers…(you know the ones whose parents did not use birth control) are retiring. Well, the check for your lack of planning, and gullible greed has come due. So if you want to start talking entitlements….let’s stop Social Security, and Medicare and let all of you tax haters take care of your parents without any assistance from Uncle Sam…tell me how it feels,..and I will let you know how the budget deficit is improving….

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm

Kyle

Transfer payments skew the numbers……… The avg percentage of what is paid and is a much clearer picture on the micro level.

When looking at the income disparities, it is easy to float the transfer number and stay on the macro level. That is why many on the right love to tout that percentages of total Fed Inc taxes paid, but rarely mention the growing income disparity over the last 40 years. Looking at the disparity leads anyone to see that more taxes are being paid from the top on a Fed level. And of course we could throw in the EITC that both parties have implemented and increased over the years.

Overall you bring good game to the table, but did want to point out the total taxes in terms of how it gets presented by many, not necessarily this article per say.

Thanks again.

GO DAWGS.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm

You proggies are the drain on society and must be eradicated!

Yes, Jesus approves of extermination.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm

Look at the funny morons spinning away so vigorously to try to deflect from the truth of who pays the highest tax rates!

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
2:13 pm

“You proggies are the drain on society and must be eradicated!”

Can you explain eradicated?

Kyle: Really?

Linda

November 30th, 2012
2:14 pm

What would Jesus do with the poor?

God & Allah ask for a measly 10% & They abide by the Golden Rule, i.e. treating everyone equal. Doesn’t matter to Them whether you earn $10,000 or $100,000. 10% is all They ask.

(Proves our Creators, whoever you worship, weren’t heathen “progressives.”)

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:15 pm

Old School Girl
November 30th, 2012
2:11 pm

To my republican friends…and I call you that, even though many in your ranks act like “what the bird left on the bush.” Remember that war that you overwhelmingly approved back in 2002? You know the one that you did not increase taxes to pay for? Remember the second war that you also approved? We didn’t see any tax increase to pay for that one as well. Remember that bogus tax rebate that we received…stupid doesn’t define it so I will move on. Oh yes, let’s not forget, that YOU forgot that all of the baby boomers…(you know the ones whose parents did not use birth control) are retiring. Well, the check for your lack of planning, and gullible greed has come due. So if you want to start talking entitlements….let’s stop Social Security, and Medicare and let all of you tax haters take care of your parents without any assistance from Uncle Sam…tell me how it feels,..and I will let you know how the budget deficit is improving…

Let’s stop funding poor lifestyle choices, cut off medicaid, wic, welfare, etc. because you wanted to have a child you cannot support, and I will let you know how the budget deficit is improving!

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
2:15 pm

For those that believe that the rates on capital gains and dividends should be rasied, I ask a very simple question. Where is this money going to come from? Do you believe that this money is sitting under the bed of these “rich”? Even if higher rates don’t drive investment away from our shores, the “rich” will have to pull some money out of whereever it currently is in order to transfer it to the government. If they have been spending it, it will come out of GDP; if they have been investing it, it will be pulled out of those investments. Please explain how this transfer of 1.6 trillion is going to produce as much as the private sector and since you believe revenue is king, please explain why the mass infusion of half that amount ($800 billion stimulus) in 1/3 of the time did not right this economy.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
2:16 pm

Lil Barry: Please confirm receipt of the email I sent you earlier today.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:18 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm

You proggies are the drain on society and must be eradicated!

Yes, Jesus approves of extermination.

You have a fixation on Jesus. Why not go to Mexico and fulfill your fantasies, there are plenty of them!

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
2:19 pm

Linda – I believe Herman Cain tried that approach and got crucified for it.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
2:22 pm

Kyle: Try again…I’ve changed email addresses.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:22 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm

You proggies are the drain on society and must be eradicated!

Yes, Jesus approves of extermination.

We need an entitlement Jesus. One who looks at your lifestyle choices and determines whether you deserve federal aid due to bad genetics/ handicap, or are too stupid and needy and undisciplined and deserve to do menial work for the betterment of society while earning your handout.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:22 pm

For those that believe that the rates on capital gains and dividends should be rasied, I ask a very simple question. Where is this money going to come from?

Um, from capital gains and dividends?? What a silly question. No amount of taxation is going to drive investment away from these shores or any shores. You Cons are silly.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:23 pm

Kyle, I hope you don’t think I’m posing as lil barry. I’m sick of proggies. Someone has to say these things. BTW, love your articles!

Old School Girl

November 30th, 2012
2:25 pm

Hello Sick of Progs,

The largest beneficiaries of Medicaid (60%) are those that are in Nursing Homes…like your relatives and other who receive long term care. You, like so many other people assume it is your WIC, and welfare recipients that are running up Medicaid. When your governor refused to expand Medicaid assistance to Georgia, he essentially cut off subsidized long-term care funding. Which means that YOU, my friend will be paying for your parents long term care expenses. So you see Gov. Deal, refused Medicaid to spite Mr. Obama, when in actuality, he actually hurt you and many other Georgians. By the way…the largest recipients of Medicaid…are in the rural areas…

independent thinker

November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm

Wow -We are being threatened with Clinton era tax rates before W ran the country in a ditch! Didn’t those rates result in a balanced budget? And why would Conservatives like Kyle be concerned about across the board spending cuts if we go off the cliff???? Isn’t that precisely how you cure the deficit?
Next thing you know Grover will be ordering Cons to walk the plank for letting the tax rates go up. Amazing what a butt whooping does to the thinking of the cons.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm

“MANGLER @ 10:51: Well, if we can also have back a) the tech boom; b) $20/barrel oil and the commensurate gas prices; c) the lack of a war on terror (or at least the awareness that they were already at war with us); and d) Clinton-era federal spending, maybe we’d do just as well now with those rates as we did then. What do you think the odds are that those things will come back?”

They aren’t, Kyle. So are you saying that the government should give tax decreases because gas prices went up? I think we all realize it costs more to fight the war on terror ( and wars with Iraq and Afganistan) so where are the “increased revenue” (let me translate that for you – TAX INCREASES) to pay for these increased costs. Also, medical costs have gone up over 300% in that last 20 years while wages (and , correspondingly, Medicare tax receipts) have only increased 68%. We NEED to balance our budget – that means deciding what things we want and then tax ourselves accordingly. I think the vast majority WANTS Medicare – so we need to up Medicare taxes significantly to pay for Medicare. Now Medicare Pard D is another story – it was passed with no tax increases to cover it – either take it away completely or phase it in 20 years down the road with tax increases now. I think we should let all tax rates go back to Clinton era taxes – and yes MR. President, that means increasing taxes on people earning less than $250,000 (the 97%). You can’t ask Republicans to tax their rich friends more and then say you are sticking to YOUR campaign promises of no tax increase for the middle class! We need to all be chipping in.

As far as cuts, if you take SS and Medicare out of the equation, what you are left with is : Defense (all programs) – 40%, Interest 17% (can’t cut that without defaulting), Medicaid 11%, welfare 11%. So where do we to cut (everywhere obviously, but slowly so we don’t send the country into recession again).

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:30 pm

Like Warren Buffet said last week:

If I call you up at home and tell you I know a sure fire investment that is guaranteed to make you very rich, the first question out of your mouth isn’t going to be “Well how much will I have to pay in taxes on that fortune?”

No one is going to stop making money because they have to pay taxes.

Incredulous

November 30th, 2012
2:30 pm

All Take? That would be “Taxe increase on 250K & Above & done” THAT is what exit polls supported. AND AS IF GOP is doing any compromise?? WHERE?? Does Rupert Murdoch pay this alleged “reporter”?

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm

So, Sick of Progs wants a jesus who sits in judgment and contempt for the less fortunate?

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:32 pm

Old School Girl
November 30th, 2012
2:25 pm

Hello Sick of Progs,

The largest beneficiaries of Medicaid (60%) are those that are in Nursing Homes…like your relatives and other who receive long term care.

Sorry, none of my relatives lived past 57 except old granny MacDougall. Which raises a question? What happened to the social security money that all of my ancestors and family paid in to and never lived to collect? I guess it is now funding single mom sluts and their baby daddy ghetto thugs.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm

“The largest beneficiaries of Medicaid (60%) are those that are in Nursing Homes…like your relatives and other who receive long term care.”

Actually, I think I heard it is more like 25% of the cost. Here is an idea, though: transition Nursing home care into Medicare. Of course, we will need to pay significantly hight Medicare taxes to cover both the current Medicare shortfall AND the new nursing home care. Nursing home care is USUALLY medically necessary, so should fall under Medicare.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:34 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm

So, Sick of Progs wants a jesus who sits in judgment and contempt for the less fortunate?

Define less fortunate. Does it include lazy people and those who decide to have 5 babies from 5 different daddies who disappear.? Maybe that’s why Jesus had a no adultery clause in the bible.

Old School Girl

November 30th, 2012
2:34 pm

Hello Middle of the Road,
I like your approach, which is what I would take. Everyone has to have skin in the game…taxes go up on everyone, because everyone receives benefits from the taxes, like roads healthcare, SS, and defense of our country. I thank you for taking time to post a reasoned statement instead of the usual B and S.
Have a fantastic weekend.

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
2:37 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm

So, Sick of Progs wants a jesus who sits in judgment and contempt for the less fortunate?

You have a problem with Jesus, or accepting the fact that your ilk have self control problems and lifestyle choice problems, and you want taxpayers who have their sh!r together to pay for these?

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:37 pm

“Which raises a question? What happened to the social security money that all of my ancestors and family paid in to and never lived to collect? I guess it is now funding single mom sluts and their baby daddy ghetto thugs”

Social Security operates as an insurance policy, not an investment vehicle. Your relatives who died young helped fund the people who lived to be 105. No, SS funds CANNOT, by law, be used to fund other portions of government (unless conservatives raid the trust fund). The only part where I believe we waste money on low-lifes is when people take advantage of Social Security disability when they are not really disabled.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:39 pm

The obama tax cut would be for everyone. Everyone gets the lower rate on the first $249,999 they earn.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
2:40 pm

The WSJ has a new story out with Mitch McConnell’s outline for a fiscal cliff deal. It’s for subscribers only, but here’s the key bit:

“In an interview in his Capitol Hill office, Mr. McConnell (R., Ky.) said if the White House agrees to changes such as higher Medicare premiums for the wealthy, an increase in the Medicare eligibility age and a slowing of cost-of-living increases for programs like Social Security, Republicans would agree to include more tax revenue in the deal, though not from higher tax rates.”

There are no more details in the story, but presumably the slower COLA for SS refers to moving to a price-based inflation index rather than the current one, which is indexed to wage growth. That’s a longstanding GOP proposal.

Higher Medicare premiums on the wealthy make a lot of sense. Raising the retirement age is going to have to happen; it’s just a matter of how much and how fast.

Whereas Obama’s proposal yesterday significantly upped the ante — no one here is talking about the debt-ceiling component, but that’s a huge addition to the talks — I’d say McConnell is simply getting more specific about which standing GOP proposals he’d like to see as part of a deal. In that sense, it’s more of a real offer than a position made for show.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
2:41 pm

Finn @ 2:39: By “Obama tax cut,” I presume you mean “Obama’s proposed extension of the Bush/Obama-era rates for some people.”

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
2:41 pm

I wouldn’t take Geithner to a dog fight, if I knew he’d win.

My prediction: You’ll get tax hikes and little or no spending cuts, you’ll probably even get an increase in overall spending.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:42 pm

I wish BOTH sides could sit down and have a serious discussion and solve some real problems without the POLITICS and posturing and ultimatums that we see from Congress. NO TAX INCREASES! NO TAX INCREASE FOR THOSE MAKING LESS THAN $250,000! NO CUTS FOR THE MILITARY! NO CUTS FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMS! NO CUTS TO ISRAEL AID! NO CUTS TO FARM SUBSIDIES (I represent a farm state)!

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:44 pm

Maybe that’s why Jesus had a no adultery clause in the bible.

Um the adultery thing was in the ten commandments, right? which has nothing to do with Jesus. That was Moses.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
2:44 pm

The Obozo tax increase would only be for some.

Republicans believe we’re all on this together.

Want tax rates to be higher? Put some skin in the game.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:45 pm

yes kyle, that is what I mean. The extended W tax cuts.

Old School Girl

November 30th, 2012
2:45 pm

Hello Middle of the Road,

I do stand corrected. On average according to Kaiser Foundation, the average percentage of Medicaid dollars spend on long-term care it is 43%. In some states it is lower, but in a growing number of states it is higher and stedily growing based upon the continuous growth in the baby boomer population. I have attached the link for those that are interested in actually seeing the issue that Middle of the Road and I are discussing. Bottom line, a balanced approach is needed.

http://facts.kff.org/chart.aspx?cb=56&sctn=153&ch=994

Linda

November 30th, 2012
2:46 pm

The Social Security Disability Insurance fund will run out in 2 to 4 yrs. & current law calls for an immediate 20% benefit reduction.

Social Security spent $165 B more in FY12 than it took in.

According to a recent study by the Urban Institute, Medicare is a huge drain on the fed. deficit. The example is a two-earner couple making an average salary of $89,200 in ‘12 dollars. This chart represents the year they turn 65, their lifetime Medicare benefits & their lifetime Medicare taxes:

2010–$387,000–$122,000
2020–$427,000-$153,000
2030–$664,000–$180,000

There is no way that the fed. govt. can continue paying out 3 times more in Medicare benefits than it takes in in Medicare taxes with the problem becoming progressively worse. There is no way that taxes on the “rich” will solve this problem.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:49 pm

The Obozo tax increase would only be for some.

You are looking at this the wrong way. The tax increases aren’t on people, they are on income. You are welcome to live your whole life in America without ever earning any income and we won’t ask you to pay any taxes. But if you are going to try to earn money, those earnings will need to be taxed.

Or else we lock you up.

Reality

November 30th, 2012
2:49 pm

The idiots in Georgia continue to run with the loser republicans, I see.

However, the republicans LOST the white house. The republicans LOST the Senate (lost some Senate seats). And, they barely hung onto the House!

You would THINK that even the hard headed republicans in Georgia would understand that the entire Country wants to given President Obama a chance to do what he is proposing!!!!

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:49 pm

“changes such as higher Medicare premiums for the wealthy, an increase in the Medicare eligibility age and a slowing of cost-of-living increases for programs like Social Security, Republicans would agree to include more tax revenue in the deal, though not from higher tax rates.”

I would agree to that. I would even include higher Medicare rates for EVERYONE. Slowing (or even cutting out) COLAs for SS is one way to balnce ITS budget. I don’t care WHAT you call it, more revenue is needed, so if you want to cap deductions (or eliminate them) rather than “up tax rates” I don’t care, just so long as more money comes in.

One thing that rarely gets mentioned, but I believe if you significantly increased the enforcement of tax collection by the IRS, you would have a huge return on your investment. There are a lot of scofflaws out there not paying their taxes (remember all those fishing employees who wanted to claim losses in income from the BP oil spill). A few million extra in IRS funding of investigators would probably result in BILLIONS of extra tax receipts.

Reality

November 30th, 2012
2:52 pm

@Linda – You are correct. I think that eventually Medicare will simply have to reduce coverage in some form or fashion to remain solvent. Exactly how I have no idea.

Americans are living longer and WANT to retire earlier. This strains the healthcare system.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:52 pm

“Um the adultery thing was in the ten commandments, right? which has nothing to do with Jesus. That was Moses.”

That is true, but Jesus upped the ante by saying that anyone who looked at a woman with lust in their heart is guilty of adultery. Unfortunately, I am guilty of that sin.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:53 pm

It’s for subscribers only

You pay for that swill?

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
2:54 pm

Republicans would agree to include more tax revenue in the deal, though not from higher tax rates.

Right. they dont want higher tax rates.

They want to close loopholes and then slowly open them again.

In other words they want to cut spending but do nothing about taxes.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
2:55 pm

anyone who looked at a woman with lust in their heart is guilty of adultery

Are there other ways to look at chickas?

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
2:56 pm

You pay for that swill?

The guy voted for Newt Gingrich.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:57 pm

“I think that eventually Medicare will simply have to reduce coverage in some form or fashion to remain solvent. Exactly how I have no idea. ”

Reality – there are always TWO ways to deal with a budget imbalance – either cut coverage or up taxes. You are going only with the one. The question is: do you want to increase the Medicare premiums so high that those on the bottom scale of Social security have to choose between eating (or rent) and their health care? The whole idea of Medicare was to guarantee that ALL Americans had basic medical care in their old age.

Or I guess we could just let them die.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
2:58 pm

Ill give this for Republicans.

They got killed in the election protecting tax cuts for the wealthy.

And yet they continue to do it.

Takes alot of brass.

JDW

November 30th, 2012
2:59 pm

@Tiberius…”President Incompetent’s idea of “negotiation” was to drop a steaming pile of nonsense on the table that no one had seen or heard of beforehand with less than 2 weeks remaining to the deadline, and claim to be “negotiating”.”

That thought is why you and Boner are terrible negotiators…turns out that was by far the best deal to be had from the Repugnican perspective…got to know when to hold em know when to fold em…

Old School Girl

November 30th, 2012
2:59 pm

Hi Linda,

You are correct. My late mother paid into Social Security when it first started, and they took out about 10 cents per check. When she retired, her earnings statement indicated that she had paid into the system for 40 years, which came to 10 years worth of payouts. She lived seven years beyond the contributions that she made to the system. She clearly knew she was receiving money that even with interest, did not cover what she received. As some have said, adjust the contributions. But as you know the bigger problem is that there are so many that paid so little into the system who are now receiving so much more. My recommendation….phase out the program over a 50 year period of time. Those born today, know that the system will not be around when they retire. Increase deductions today to cover the shortfall, and then begin to reduce the deductions, as each generation dies.

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:00 pm

Someone here did not see the whole $400 Billion in cuts within the offer from Obama. He never advocated only taxing the wealthy. A balanced approach means doing BOTH cuts in programs and putting the tax level on those making over 250,000 back up to Clinton era levels. Balance, not stick it to the middle and poor. Lets all say together – B A L A N C E D.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:03 pm

She lived seven years beyond the contributions that she made to the system.

This is why we need death panels for grandma? Using the old Barney Fife strategy, we’ll nip that problem in the bud.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
3:04 pm

Someone here did not see the whole $400 Billion in cuts within the offer from Obama.

They didn’t read it.

Fox News told them to be outraged so they were.

JDW

November 30th, 2012
3:07 pm

@Stevie…”I’ve have made money off cap gains as well as dividends so I have an understanding of these issues. ”

Then you ought to know that a corporation pays no tax whatsoever on an investors capital gains…as for dividends, yep they are double taxed and shouldn’t be. They should be pretax expenses for a company.

As for Berkshire and the IRS EVERY major corporation is in CONSTANT discussion with the IRS it is normal not unusual.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:08 pm

anyone who looked at a woman with lust in their heart is guilty of adultery.

Which explains why we have so many gays – guys not wanting to live in sin so they don’t allow themselves to look at women with lust in their hearts.

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:08 pm

BBCG – good point. I forgot some people can’t seem to get off their fox news addiction.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:09 pm

Obama & the Democrats funded 1/3 of Obamacare by gutting what was $716 B but is now $741 from Medicare.

“The National Center for Policy Analysis points out that, based on the Medicare Actuary’s official 2012 report, ObamaCare is cutting future Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals for seniors retiring today by an average of $36,000 per retiree, adding up to trillions in Medicare cuts for health care for seniors over the next ten years”

http://www.westernjournalism.com/medicare-another-casualty-of-obamacare/

What is really mind-boggling is that the Democrats (now that they have been caught & are finally admitting it) are claiming that they have “CUT” Medicare, even tho they are SPENDING the CUT on Obamacare.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
3:09 pm

Buzz Belle @ 3:00: And apparently someone here did not see the whole “no guarantees” part of the “offer” from Obama. Give him everything he wants now, and the GOP will find out exactly what “no guarantees” means.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
3:09 pm

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm

Actually, nursing homes have three primary revenue sources for straight care (exluding ancillaries). Medicare-short stay post acute..2 weeks or so…daily rate averages somewhere between $220 and $350 bucks….of course this is less than the $550 they were getting prior BBA/Private Pay-direct or insurance payments-generally around $200 per day give or take/Medicaid- ranging from $120 to $250 per day depending on state. A normal payor mix is 67%/33%..(medicaid/medicare)when they offer private pay beds they can comprise up to 10% or more….

So, I can’t get a room at the Hampton Inn for these rates much less wipe behinds, feed those who don’t want to be fed, get assaulted, be responsible for meds, and deal with family members…

So I’m not sure where you are going with the long term care argument but the costs are a challenge…especially since they keep moving.

The average stay for Medicare patient is 2 weeks or so. The average stay for Medicaid resident is 280 days and then they travel to the mortuary..oh yeah, as many as 65% of Medicaid folks never get visitors..

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
3:11 pm

A dollar contributed to Social Security in 1950 was worth $9.43 of today’s money. So it is skewed somewhat to compare money paid in, to money received, decades later.

Don Abernethy

November 30th, 2012
3:11 pm

Who does Obama think he is a “real” President? Don’t pay any attention to him.

middle of the road

November 30th, 2012
3:11 pm

“I think that eventually Medicare will simply have to reduce coverage in some form or fashion to remain solvent. Exactly how I have no idea. ”

The other “third rail” that no one ever wants to talk about is coming to grips with medical costs. People want to have the ultimate in medical technology but don’t want to pay for it. Do we really give a heart transplant to a 90-year-old man? Do we do an expensive bone marrow transplant for a cancer aptient when it only has a one in a thousand chance of working? Do we insist that our child that has a hurt wrist get a $1200 MRI when a $100 x-ray will tell us all we need to know in 99.99% of the cases? Do we spend $500,000 on a patient in the last six months of their life? These are HARD questions, believe me, I KNOW.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
3:14 pm

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:09 pm

I’m in the numbers business and there is no way PelosiCare will do anything but significantly raise costs…the cuts will never materialize since every $1 of overpayment is a $1 of profit for member fo some special interest group that will throw an appropriate amount of cash (see pharma during Bush, insurers and large providers per PelosiCare)

The current family insurance bill increase $16-$20K above where it is now to compensate for newly insured, pre-existining conditions and the like…we also have a doctor and nurse shortage that will only deteriorate…many of those now will only provide concierge medicine…

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
3:15 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:08 pm

Classic:-)

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
3:16 pm

Buzz Belle @ 3:00: And apparently someone here did not see the whole “no guarantees” part of the “offer” from Obama. Give him everything he wants now, and the GOP will find out exactly what “no guarantees” means

Just like Boehner promising to close loopholes if spending is cut.

Of course he knows *wink* *wink* other loopholes will just be opened later.

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
3:18 pm

middle of the road

You’re right that these are hard questions. On the flip side, do we tell a patient, “we have the technology to save you but you aren’t worth the cost”? And I hear people all the time say don’t spend money on a 70 year old but on the flip side of that, who’s to say that 70 year old won’t live 20 more years?

And unless you die suddenly, the last year is going to be the most expensive for most anybody.

There are no easy answers.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
3:19 pm

Cheesy @ 3:16: Actually, I think the idea is to cap the amount of money people can deduct, at a level that would hit upper-income taxpayers. That way you don’t have the fight about whose loophole is getting closed.

And before you say, “They’ll just raise the cap later.” Isn’t the same thing possible if rates are raised? Couldn’t a GOP president and Congress in the future just lower them again? And, short of amending the Constituion, isn’t that always possible with any law?

Seems to me you’re raising a pretty silly objection.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:20 pm

Linda, that dollar amount being cut was an agreed to amount – between the doctors, hospitals, and government.

They AGREED to it. No one FORCED it on them.

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm

middle of the road

I hit the submit button too fast. The MRI point is a good one. If you go to the ER at my local hospital with a kidney stone, they want to give you an MRI (roughly $7K). This is a for profit hospital and you can bet that MRI machine is gong to get used enough times in a month to make the payment for it. If you go to a different facility, the urologist will very likely used a KUB x-ray (cost $300-400).

There’s plenty of blame to go around.

Del

November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm

The cascading euphoria from the top Democrats in government that appears to be pervasive among the left wing ideologically captivated that there’s been a dramatic shift in the country toward their brand of government could be what puts the country over the fiscal cliff. Should we go over that cliff the Republicans would indeed take fire from the public but as the pain reaches out and touches everyone particularly the now significant percentage of uninformed voters AKA the stupids, the Democrats will also then be taking their fair share of fire. Those who have become accustom to government financial hand outs will be more concerned with the cut backs in those programs and will become madder than hell when they begin to feel the effects. When that happens they’ll focus their wrath at government in general and Democrats won’t escape by the political cover they believe they now enjoy. I hope the Republicans stand firm on their insistence that specific spending cuts and entitlement reform be part of any agreement with Obama and the congressional Democrats.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm

narrow economic self-interest doesn’t explain everything about how individuals, or even broad demographic groups, cast their ballots. Asian-Americans are a relatively affluent group, yet they went for President Obama by 3 to 1. Whites in Mississippi, on the other hand, aren’t especially well off, yet Mr. Obama received only 10 percent of their votes.

paul Krugman in today’s NYTimes

and, no, I don’t pay for that swill.

Rightwing Troll

November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm

“Otherwise, I’m assuming you just made that up, since it’s so far out of line with how the discussion has generally gone.”

Exactly!!! I’m a Republican now…

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:22 pm

Kyle – neither side can guarantee anything since we have a checks and balanced government. Obama cannot guarantee the Senate will do what he wants and Boehner cannot gurantee his split congress will do what he says. This is why Obama rightfully has stated, lets start with what we agree on and go from there. Congress knew exactly, EXACTLY what Obama was requesting, all they have said is “NO” to raising taxes on >250,000. Time is running out and since the election, all I have heard from congress is “NO”.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
3:22 pm

Seems to me you’re raising a pretty silly objection.

Doesn’t seem silly to me.

They dont want to raise marginal tax rates just close loopholes to generate more revenue.

Why ?

What does it matter where the money comes from ?

Because they know that one is much much easier for them to reverse.

Plain and simple.

Bye Bye Cheesy Grits

November 30th, 2012
3:23 pm

narrow economic self-interest doesn’t explain everything about how individuals, or even broad demographic groups, cast their ballots. Asian-Americans are a relatively affluent group, yet they went for President Obama by 3 to 1. Whites in Mississippi, on the other hand, aren’t especially well off, yet Mr. Obama received only 10 percent of their votes.

Speaks volumes.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:24 pm

why should janitors have to retire later because lawyers are living longer?

also from the Krugman article.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
3:24 pm

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
3:19 pm

At any point in history has our dysfunctional government ever followed thru on any material cuts of any kind?

Increased spending, reduced receipts, increased deficit and increased debt…no other outcome is really possible as any favorable mojo we get from increased reciepts has always gone to more spending (excepting JFK…boy the DEMS of today would deplore his tax policy as well as that whole do for you country thingy)..

Everything to everybody…great plan..

Dave

November 30th, 2012
3:25 pm

I keep forgetting – deficits only matter when Dems are in office. When repubs are in – start a few unfunded wars and never look back. Sheesh – the GOP is pathetic.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:27 pm

The most hilarious part of the Democrats’ offer are the facts that the Democrats have not passed a budget in over 3 years, that Obama’s budgets he submitted in both “11 & ‘12 were so radical that they were both voted down in the Senate 99-0 & in the House 414-0 (not receiving a single Democrat vote), that he’s racked up more debt in less than 4 years than the 1st 42 presidents did, that the US credit rating was downgraded for the 1st time in history under Obama’s “leadership,” & he’s asking for a presidential referendum to be the Decider-In-Chief of the natl. debt limit.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:29 pm

whose loophole is getting closed.

Oh, we know whose loophole is getting closed. Middle class and poor people, that’s who.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
3:29 pm

FINN

Krugman is like several economist on the right…completely biased, predictable and wrong…Krugman and his NYT’s is so predictable, I have no idea why anyone really needs to read the opinion/editorial pages…they work exclusively for the left wing fringe..

I understand they are working on a story (inside investigation if you will) about how President Trillions sh*t gives off no unpleasant aroma….
s

Nate Silver

November 30th, 2012
3:31 pm

Stevie

Are you not blogging on a right leaning blog at this moment?

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
3:31 pm

There is a valid question in raising the retirement age. It’s white-collar versus blue-collar. Not too many blue collar people can work into their 70’s. Their bodies are used up. People say they chose to be blue collar, which is true, but somebody has to do that work. A block mason (or similar occupation), is likely to have more wear and tear at 50, than a white collar worker at 65-70. It’s true some of them work their way up, but like any profession, only a small percentage can be at the top. So if you raise the retirement age, what’s to become of them in those last 10 years or so? There are going to always be tasks that require physical labor. One of the huge divides in this country is that the white collar and blue collar worlds really have no understanding of each other. It’ll take more than slogans to figure all this out.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:32 pm

Stevie@3:14, The health care insurance bill had nothing to do with health, care or insurance.

Michael

November 30th, 2012
3:33 pm

kyle, sorry but most open minded people realize that Repulicans were afraid of compromise less they lose their supporters. Good try though.

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:35 pm

For the healthcare people on here – we should have gone with single payer system. We negotiated with the republicans and what we have is what was agreed to. It is not perfect, but it is far better than nothing. So let’s improve on it and move on.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:37 pm

Finn@3:20, I heard the same talking point on the Children’s Cable News station. If it was sooooooo agreed to, why did the Democrats deny it for months? If you can’t bother to read my source, I can’t bother to argue with you. Have a nice evening.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:40 pm

Del@3:21, Enjoyed your comment. In short, what you said was, “Greece.”

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:44 pm

Wall Street screws up the US economy and you cons want to fix it on the backs of the middle and lower classes?

The wealthy and upper classes are not the prime beneficiaries of social security, medicare, or medicaid. The primary users are the middle and lower classes. Any talk of changes to those is an attempt by the wealthy to shift the responsibility off of their backs and onto the backs of the middle and lower classes.

Nate Silver

November 30th, 2012
3:46 pm

Stevie

Would you say Thomas Freidman and Ross Douthat are liberals?

Their Op Eds run in the NY Times. How about Bill Kristol who was also employed a the NYT at one time?

You seem so biased yet uninformed as to what is actually ran in the NY Times.

They run a combination of liberal and conservative Op Eds every day. Nothing new.

Open your eyes and mind sometime.

LT Dan

November 30th, 2012
3:47 pm

I think the Republicans should tell Papa Charlie (my nickname for Obama) to take his proposal and go pound sand.

My counter proposal would be:

1) The Bush tax cuts are extended for everyone or they expire for everyone;
2) All Federal employees are to take an immediate 15% pay cut (let’s share the pain, shall we?);
3) Sign into law (through the normal process) a repeal of Obamacare and Medicare Part D;
4) Take SS out of the general fund and run it as a stand-alone entity (it is either solvent or it is not);
5) Get the Federal Gov’t (especially the EPA) out of the way and develop our own energy resources for ourselves (would like to eventually tell OPEC: No thanks, we have our own);
6) Keep the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Interior – the rest can go;
7) Let the states run themselves as the individual entities they were intended to be;
8) Have serious debate on the Fair Tax (total tax reform is needed).

Any thoughts?

Oh, here is my answer to anyone who would ask “What would you say to Jesus?” My answer would be to Jesus: “Get a haircut and get a job.”

As to what would Jesus (or anyone for that matter) do? I really do not care. As far as I am conerned, I have freedom of religion and therefore freedom from religion.

I would ask that all citizens treat each other decently and have real conversations on what is the purpose of government and how do we agree and\or compromise to make it work for everyone.

Semper Fi
(and I have always been faithful to my country, my service, and to my family)

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:49 pm

Linda – please read up on budgets. Presidents don’t pass budgets, congress passes budgets. The supposed “budget” you are referring to was about a 64 page document that had no specifics, whereas the last true budget was about 885 pages. You see, Jeff Sessions from Ala. did this to embarrass the president, so republicans could say, he can’t even get his own party to pass his own budget. He forgot most voters are a little smarter than that…well 51% of the voters are smarter than that. The budget he put forth was basically a blank document. Before we start down this same old road of the same old Fox news talking points, try doing a bit of research and really learn about what really happened.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
3:50 pm

Buzz@3:22, Demanding that Republicans raise taxes is the same as demanding that the Democrats cut spending.
All you’ve heard is, “No.” What is that you don’t understand about the meaning of the word?

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:51 pm

And I will be heading out in 10 minutes so if I don’t respond, don’t think it was because I don’t have an answer. Then when I get home, FNM over at Jay’s will be in full swing! If I don’t get back on, have a good weekend everybody. Roll Tide and Go JACKETS!! :)

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

November 30th, 2012
3:53 pm

Demanding that Republicans raise taxes is the same as demanding that the Democrats cut spending.

No it’s not. Spending cuts will hit the middle and lower classes, tax increases would hit the wealthy. That is not the same thing.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
3:55 pm

I’m loving the tacit admissions from all my friends on the Bush-hating left that His tax cuts put a significant amount of cash in middle-class pockets.

Democrats: Wrong on the Bush tax cuts.

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:57 pm

Linda, Linda, Linda – The Democrats have offered 400 Billion in cuts as in cutting down the amount of money currently spent. They are asking the upper wealth to contribute more than they have been paying. More revenue, less spending, what exactly are the republicans offering? And your right, the Democrats can demand this because the republicans REFUSED to come to the table last year thinking they would vote Obama out and get what they want. Didn’t happen. This is checkmate in chess. If the republicans don’t deal, we all pay – and it will be ther republicans fault.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
3:58 pm

Well, a bit of worry arises.. Look at the road leading OUT of Washington. Traffic getting heavy.
Here’s the top of the departure list:
Bernanke-fair financial foundation man
Hillary Clinton– one of the few with a spine and a brain
Petraeus-military genius foiled by a bimbo
Panetta-understands you cannot protect USA without money
Jesse Jackson Jr—well he is leaving and we ‘ll get another Chicago hoo,,,er..hopeful.
Geithner?? only if he has NOT paid his taxes this year which is a good probability…

I won’t go so far as to say “rats leaving the sinking ship” but the band is up on deck playing “Nearer My God to Thee”.and the termites are stirring in the lifeboats and there’s no guiding light above the CLIFF.

Cherokee

November 30th, 2012
4:00 pm

Kyle I would call your attention to Ed Kilgore’s excellent comments on this topic today:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_11/another_reason_obama_should_av041505.php

The Repubs campaigned on their promise to never cut Medicare spending for anyone over 55 – they lost – now they want Obama to propose what they themselves are scared to death to admit – that Medicare spending may need to be cut.

Again, they bet on winning the Preisdency and the Senate, and being able to obfuscate and lie their way through it. They lost. Now they want Obama to help them with their white seasoned citizen base voters?

Don’t bet on it, buddy.

LT Dan

November 30th, 2012
4:01 pm

A CBO article estimated that eliminating the Bush tax cuts on the upper 1 to 2 % would bring in an additinal 82 billion per tax year.

Eliminating the Bush tax cuts for everyone would bring in an estimated 423 billion per tax year.

Does not mean much when you have an annual trillion dollar deficit.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think I could spend my portion more wisely than the Federal government.

splavistic

November 30th, 2012
4:04 pm

Too bad the Do-Nothing GOPers didn’t take his compromises over the previous 4 years. Then, they could have had something that they were more comfortable supporting. HOWEVER, they DID NOTHING with the previous compromises. Therefore, NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Reap it, GOP!

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
4:06 pm

Petraeus-military genius foiled by a bimbo

Whether or not he’s a military genius is a matter of opinion. Time will shed light on that.

As to being foiled by a bimbo. We don’t know who the initiator was in all that; might of been her, might of been him, might of been both of them. Either way, they were both adults and both knew what they were doing. If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough. If she was the instigator, all he had to do was pull up his big boy britches and say no. He’s got nobody to blame but himself.

splavistic

November 30th, 2012
4:07 pm

And, if you think the richest 2% can’t afford a slight tax increase. Jim Jones has a vacation rental you’d be interested in!

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
4:10 pm

Finn hates rich people ’cause he aint one .So obvious!

Del

November 30th, 2012
4:12 pm

Linda@3:40,

Precisely.

carlosgvv

November 30th, 2012
4:12 pm

A few days ago, Obama gave a speech to a room full of middle class working people.

Not to be outdone, the Republicans gave speeches while being surounded by Big Business types.

Cons, how much clearer do the Republicans have make it as to just which group of people they truly care about?

Steve

November 30th, 2012
4:13 pm

I make good money and have no problem with the patriotic duty of paying taxes to support this great nation. Why are rich people such traitors?

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
4:13 pm

” Roll Tide and Go JACKETS!!”

That’s it, Buzz Belle. You’re banned from this blog for life.

(J/k)

Linda

November 30th, 2012
4:13 pm

Buzz@3:49, You have bad info. Presidents submit budgets & congress votes on them. Obama’s budgets both in ‘11 & ‘12 were wheeled into the halls of Congress on flat bed carts in huge baxes. They “ran thousands of pages.” I saw them. They were the size of my phone book. This is from the liberal Washington Times.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/may/16/obama-budget-defeated-99-0-senate/

We watched the alphabet evening & late news for decades & CNN for years, until FOX came on the scene. We are still furious that the MSM is biased, corrupt & lies by omission. I tape the Sunday morning political shows & watch MSNBC to keep abreast of what you guys are being fed. I’m a cynic & do my own research. Expand your horizons.

LT Dan

November 30th, 2012
4:14 pm

splavistic:

What compromises did Papa Charlie or any of the Deocrats ever offer?

The first two year when the Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, it was pretty much sit in the back seat and shut up.

After the 2010 mid-terms, what compromises were offered then?

None that I can recall.

Since the Repubs hold the House, what ever they can do to stop PC’s bad policies is OK with me. Let’s go over the cliff together.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
4:14 pm

Hillbilly @ 3:31: That’s a very good point. And a tough nut to crack.

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
4:16 pm

Buzz Belle @ 3:22: “This is why Obama rightfully has stated, lets start with what we agree on and go from there.”

Um, except that we don’t all agree on $1.6T in tax hikes and raising the debt ceiling ad infinitum. Or with $50B in new “stimulus.” So, in fact, what Obama’s proposing has nothing that “we [all] agree on.”

Kyle Wingfield

November 30th, 2012
4:17 pm

“one is much much easier for them to reverse.”

Why, Cheesy? Oh, I forgot: Because you said so.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
4:20 pm

Hilllbilly,4:06

I agree that Petraeus can only blame himself for his actions but it does take “two to tango”and that was the dance.

Lynnie Gal

November 30th, 2012
4:21 pm

The nation is on the side of Obama and Democrats. Republicans lost the argument over taxes and entitlements in the election and in every poll taken since. They are on the losing side of this issue with Americans and with economists. Republicans want to put us all back into a recession showing they don’t care anything about job creation or the economy. See what Rush just said today. He said, “Let’s go over the cliff because Obama doesn’t want a recession.” Obama doesn’t want a recession. Well, neither do the American people.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
4:23 pm

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
3:57 pm

If you remain amongst us, I did want to point out that the 400 billion in Medicare spending cuts is..well 40 billion a year..guess how much he wants to spend on stimulus..$50 billion..guess what he needs to spend on doubling of food stamp recipients, finally, funny how the 80 billion tax increase he tacitly agreed to in 2010..oddly correlates to the 80 billion he has already spent on the Unearned Income Tax Credit….

So the net of above is as follows: 80 billion plus 40 billion equals 120 billion a year. Take away 80 billion plus 50 billion…well you see where this is going…

don't eat the sausage

November 30th, 2012
4:24 pm

One point for folks on this blog:
The primary contributor to the current deficit are the Bush tax cuts for the richest.
To hang that on Obama is neither correct nor fair.
One more time:
The main reason that we spend more than we take in is the result of massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that were instituted by George W.
It surprises me that Republicans continue to tout themselves as the party of fiscal responsibility.
Republican tax cuts and two concurrent, massive, and unnecessary wars put us way in the red.
And now you’re attacking a voice that says that we need to take steps to take in more money to pay our bills.
Just another day in the life of a dying ideology, I suppose.

Del

November 30th, 2012
4:28 pm

” The Democrats have offered 400 Billion in cuts as in cutting down the amount of money currently spent.”

The cuts have been previously agreed to and along with these cuts previously agreed to Obama wants a like amount in new stimulus spending. Obama wants to raise taxes on those earning income over 250k and maintain the current rate for those earning less. The revenue realized from this increase would amount to about 802 billion over ten years. The annualized increase would be enough to fund the federal government for 8 days each year for ten years. No one with any ounce of honesty could deny that this increase on Americans in the highest brackets isn’t anything other than symbolic and does nothing to address our debt problem. Obama also wants to postpone addressing spending cuts and entitlement reform until sometime next year and after the the rate increases take effect on higher income earners. Is there anyone here that thinks that this is a fair and reasonable proposal?

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
4:29 pm

Lynnie Gal

November 30th, 2012
4:21 pm

Hmmm…cerebral thoughts there…sounds like you listen to BIGED..anyhow, why you think that the House GOP’s care about BO’s election victory as if that gives him the upper hand is beyond me..

Both parties got us here…and it doesn’t matter who gets blamed except to the left and right sheep, we should go over the cliff with all vigor…it won’t be gloom doom and despair nor will BO have to continue to go to whats left of our toy manufactuer employees (are they union?) with his crying towel in tow…

Going over will push compromise asap and give this country a real taste of what is reality..we can ill afford to become France despite BO’s hidden agenda…it doesn’t work…nor do we need to go back to Bush’s warmongering (obama’s kinda taken it up a notch) and spending away revenue gains..

I hope my airbag deploys..

Nate Silver

November 30th, 2012
4:30 pm

Dusty

Yes Jessie Jackson Jr is leaving as he should be. If he has done anything illegal he should be indicted and prosecuted.

Don’t forget the 8 Republican House members and 3 Senators who have also had to arrange a U haul to get out of town.

:-)

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
4:30 pm

Steve steve steve

You asked,”why are rich people such traitors?” referring to tax payments

You do know that a small percentage of rich people pay a large portion of.the tax money received by the USA?

Go to Google and find the facts. Or, if you prefer, enjoy the bliss of ignorance.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
4:33 pm

don’t eat the sausage

November 30th, 2012
4:24 pm

Who cares? So you like the sheep on both sides are preoccupied with who is at fault..they are all at fault…what’s the difference..so you can repeat same crap like those on other side?

Our DEMS and GOP are equally complicit in this cliff thingy which speaks for the growing dysfunctionality of our failed government.

Why not try something creative like developing your very own talking points…??

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
4:35 pm

Dusty @ 3:58 pm

Dusty,
I hope you have done your patriotic duty to help forestall the sinking, as you earlier said you would, even at a cost of pain to your credit card!

Linda

November 30th, 2012
4:36 pm

Buzz@3:57, The Democrats agreed to $3 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax increases under Reagan & $2 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax increases under Papa Bush. The tax increases materialized but we are still waiting on the cuts. Papa Bush lost re-election due to his broken promise on raising taxes. The Republicans won’t sleep with the fleas again.
No, the Democrats are not asking the wealthy to pay more. Taxes are not based on wealth. I don’t know anyone making $250K who is wealthy but plenty who are living paycheck to paycheck. It is servitude to ask anyone to work for the govt. more than 6 months out of the year.

If a sheik from Saudi Arabia offered Obama a check for the amt. of revenue he wants, Obama would still raise taxes. This has nothing to do with taxes or revenues. Obama SAID that it would hurt the economy to raise taxes in this environment & he SAID he knew that raising capital gains taxes has never resulted in higher capital gains revenues.

Republicans have been sitting at the table the entire time Obama has been out campaigning. I can’t see how the Republicans can possibly be blamed for Obama raising taxes on every taxpayer in the US & the country going into another recession, since that has been the Democrats plan from day one.

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
4:37 pm

Dusty @ 4:30 pm
“You do know that a small percentage of rich people pay a large portion of.the tax money received by the USA? “

And why do you think that is, Dusty? Can you answer that simple question?

Steve

November 30th, 2012
4:39 pm

How do you think the rich got where they are? We are not a barren third world country. We are wealthy country where people USED to pay taxes to make this a great country via our infrastructure, our schools and universities, you name it. Taxes provide the foundation for a great society where capitalism can thrive.

The rich are paying the lowest PERCENTAGE of taxes in decades, period. Look, when I made 50K a year, a $1000 expense was a big hit on me. When I make $120K a year, it doesn’t hit me nearly as hard. When you are very wealthy, a FOUR PERCENT INCREASE IN TAXES does NOT EVEN AFFECT YOU.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
4:42 pm

Nate Silver,

I believe that Jesse Jackson Jr. was being investigated before he became ill about his requests to the former governor Blogoyovich in reference to the seat left by then Sen Obama.. But I made no reference to that. You brought up investigation.

I’m not surprised when some people are not elected to their previous jobs in Washington. Of course they leave. But I was listing the ones who decide on their own that it is time to leave.. There is a difference.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
4:46 pm

MarkV

I can answer your question but Steve can’t. Maybe you should talk to him.

Nate Silver

November 30th, 2012
4:47 pm

Dusty

Obama was indicted for what?

Again, if Jessie is found to have broke the law. I have no problem with him being indicted and prosecuted. I could be wrong but he probably left because the heat is on him at this point.

On the Republican side, they were not given a chose. It was decided for them, but I got you on those who decided in terms of Jessie and the others.

:-)

Linda

November 30th, 2012
4:48 pm

don’t@4:24, You win the prize for the most uninformed, misinformed minion on this blog for the day. There were no Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The Bush tax cuts brought in the highest revenues in the history of the country. Obama added more to the natl. debt that the 1st 42 presidents & he added more in less than 4 yrs. than Bush did in 8 yrs. Obama’s proposal does not reduce current or future deficits.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
4:53 pm

w was a disaster. Period..

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
4:53 pm

Linda

Comparing tax revenue percentages vs GDP, they went up how high after the Bush tax cuts?

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=205

Average during Bush years was no higher than the previous 8.

Steve

November 30th, 2012
4:53 pm

Linda, do you live in some Fox News fantasy world bubble? You were probably one of the posters in here loudly proclaiming that the polls showed a Romney victory too (wink).

getalife

November 30th, 2012
4:54 pm

w lost two occupations, collapsed our economy and exploded our deficit. Facts.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
4:55 pm

Steve

November 30th, 2012
4:39 pm

Hate to break this to you but the “rich” pay the lions share of the taxes. Let’s start out with the bottom 47% who pay no taxes…some because they are in military, retired or the like…many of course who get a check every april when the rest of us pay.

OK, so the bottom 50% pay 2.3% of taxes…(you would think they could come up with 25 bucks or something).

The top 25% get 66% of the income and pay 87.3% of all taxes…it gets better, the top 5% get 31% of the income yet pay 60% of the taxes..the top 1% get 17% of the income and pay 37% of the taxes….all of this according to the genius’ at the IRS.

BTW, there is no meaningful evidence that suggests that increasing taxes raises revenue…since President Trillions will spend a $1.50 (it appears) for every dollar of new revenue……what if the tax increases don’t produce any new revenue? Will he proceed with his cuts? Who cares, they won’t materialize regardless..

Linda

November 30th, 2012
4:55 pm

Steve@4:39, Can you prove that a family of 4, making $250,000/yr., taking care of elderly parents, sending kids to college, etc. has a dime in the bank, especially if they are self-employed & pay for their own health care & retirement out of their own pockets, especially is their rent is $4000 per month & their local & state taxes are 10%?

getalife

November 30th, 2012
4:56 pm

Pelosi is going to force a house vote on the Senate’s middle class tax cut to end the bs.

Tell your failed gop to vote yes and get out of the way of business.

Lou

November 30th, 2012
4:57 pm

I just don’t understand why liberals do not look at the actual numbers. The $1.6 Trillion in revenue is spread out over 10 years. The budget deficit is $1 Trillion per year. That is a yearly deficit. The extra revenue is 16% of the shortage. Where is the rest coming from???? Without servicing the current debt, that adds another $3.5 Trillion to the debt as we climb to $20 Trillion. That does not even include the interest on the current debt. When the FED stops artificially keeping rates down, we are blowing up. Raise taxes if you want but where is the rest of the money coming from?

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
4:57 pm

Dusty @4:46 pm
“I can answer your question …”

Why don’t you?

Steve

November 30th, 2012
4:59 pm

Linda, a family making 250K a year can make lifestyle choices and live comfortably. Please, stop with the insanity.

Del

November 30th, 2012
5:00 pm

w was a disaster. Period.

Get, I was hoping we could have said Obama “was” a disaster but now we’ll have to wait four more years to say so. Of course we can now say that he is a disaster.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:02 pm

Del,

I will compare our President’s accomplishments to w’s any time.

Steve

November 30th, 2012
5:03 pm

How is Obama a disaster? We’re not stuck in failing wars, our economy continues to mend (from your team’s disaster), and the future continues to look brighter with the advent of a mini oil boom we are going to reap financial benefits from.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:04 pm

Why in the world do you cons fight for the wealthy when you are broke?

It does not make sense.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
5:05 pm

Buzz Belle

Everyone can agree on balanced – like phase in the reevenue increases at the same rate that the cuts occur. That is balanced. That is not what the president did. He said increase taxes now and we’ll find some accountant to play with the numbers. Can you show me where the $400 billion in cuts are coming from or are they just reductions in the rate of growth in which case they are not reductions they are phony (aka a LIE). Also $400 billion in cuts versus $1.6 trillion in tax hikes? That is what you call BALANCED? Sick!

JF McNamara

November 30th, 2012
5:05 pm

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:06 pm

Black@4:52, As high as 18.5% in ‘07 with a higher GDP AND lower unemployment rates.
The fact is that the Bush tax cuts DID NOT cause the economy to tank OR cause the deficits.
It’s the spending, stupid.

Stevie Ray...Clowns to my Left and Jokers to my Right here I am....

November 30th, 2012
5:07 pm

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
4:53 pm

Good point..this even despite anemic GDP. However, this relationship is IMO a red herring once I did below the surface..everyone has gotten poorer over the past several years with median household incomes falling $4500. According to the IRS, the number of millionaires tax payments have plummeted from 2008-2011…in 2007 there were 390,000 filers with AGI over $1mil..in 2009 there were 237,000 filers. In 2007 this group paid 309 billion in taxes…in 2009 they paid 178 billion a decline of 42%.

The millionaires club fluctuates as many sell a business or otherwise don’t stay in the club year after year. the permanent players income is mostly cap gains and dividends.. there are always 3 sides of a story.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:07 pm

Steve,

Not just oil, natural gas and other alternatives too.

Energy jobs.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
5:07 pm

getalife – because we do not trust politicians. If you give them a dollar, they will spend it 5 times and promise to pay it back later. Eventually, we will all have to pay off the debt and jsut giving them money that they will pi$$ away makes no sense.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:08 pm

Linda,

Did you yell about spending when w had a rubber stamp congress to explode our deficit from a surplus?

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:11 pm

Madmax,

Thank you for your honest supply.

The spending message was heard and being addressed.

We balanced our budget before but the gop blew it.

Don't Tread

November 30th, 2012
5:11 pm

“Raise taxes if you want but where is the rest of the money coming from?”

Well the short answer is they will demand another tax increase while promising spending cuts, which will never happen (again). Repeat ad infinitum, or at least until equality of outcome is achieved.

And in the meantime, there’s always carbon taxes, wealth taxes, energy taxes, VATs, and about a billion other taxes (scams) Democrats can think of to separate the productive from their money.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:16 pm

Linda

It was higher in 2000 so what is your point?
You speaking to yourself or is there a blogger named “stupid”?

And again was it higher then the previous 8 yrs? NOPE

If it was just the tax cuts than why didn’t the percentage go up?

Is that the best you have when you are unable to rationally debate an issue?

Typical pout and whine for you. No surprises.

Next

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:16 pm

Steve@4:53, The election is over. Everyone knows it except Obama, who is still out on the campaign trail. The Republicans only lost the presidential election, not the House & not the states. The problem now is that all of us are on the verge of loosing our country. The Democrats won the battle & now we are all loosing the war.
Since you can not attack any of the true comments that I have made, all of which I can prove, you feel the need to attack me personally. I am not intimidated. It’s you who looks petty & small.
Don’t wink at me. You are looking for love in all the wrong places.
There should be a song written about you.
Oh, there is already a song about Steve?

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:16 pm

Our President is doing exactly what he campaigned on.

He won so he gets what he wants.

Get out of the way of free commerce gop.

Progressive Humanist

November 30th, 2012
5:17 pm

Americans voted for Obama and for a tax increase. We won. Taxes are going up, one way or another. Republicans better pick their poison. If the middle class gets a tax hike it will be the Republicans’ fault because the Democrats aren’t pushing for that and everyone knows it.

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:18 pm

The President told you he would take this fight to the American people and he is.

If you want to lose the house to give him a rubber stamp congress, keep playing your losing game.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:19 pm

“It’s you who looks petty & small.”

This from the blogger who calls others “stupid”

;-)

hahaha

Progressive Humanist

November 30th, 2012
5:19 pm

Linda- Learn the difference between “losing” and “loosing”. Your side is going to continue to do one of those two for a long time.

Dusty

November 30th, 2012
5:21 pm

MarkV

Did I contribute to the economy on my shopping trip, you asked??.Saved the sinking ship?..DON’T EVEN MENTION IT!!

I was happily shopping for birthday presents and a bit of Christmas .and pleased as punch with my purchases. So out I go to the parking lot and !!!!!! My car would not start. I dragged out the “jumpers” from the trunk and looked pitiful. A kindly man clipped them to my still still car and soon it was going vrum vrum.(Security new showed.)
.
At the lovely Goodyear store, they informed me of their big best bargain never fail go for years in rain or shine battery and it was only $!17. Whoopee! Not.

A pox on the economy! I may give everyone a nice ride with my new BATTERY for Christmas. I may not get any presents next year but the credit card company loves me!!

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
5:22 pm

Linda @4:14 – Here you go:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/apr/06/mitt-romney/romney-says-obama-failed-pass-budget/

The ruling states:

In his speech, Romney faulted Obama for failing to pass a budget. He was correct that the two times Congress voted on the president’s budget requests, both times they were voted down. But the job of passing a budget resolution is not the president’s. That responsibility falls to Congress, and even then the president doesn’t sign it. As Ellis, our expert, put it: “The president has no role in passing a budget. The president can cajole Congress about passing a budget and advocate for positions and funding levels, but in the end, Congress approves the budget resolution for their own purposes.” That’s the difference between this and other claims we’ve rated which blamed Congress for inaction on the budget.

If you need, I will link you to the blank budget Sessions placed for vote – or you can google it yourself. Wine and music is awaiting me. :)

Kyle – I figured you were a UGA kind of guy. Good luck to you in the game tomorrow! I will need more than luck to get through mine. ;)

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:22 pm

“The Republicans only lost the presidential election, ”

Guess you missed the 8 seats in the House and 3 seats in the Senate. Oh well, Fox will let you know about them before the mid terms

getalife

November 30th, 2012
5:22 pm

It is a ignorant move to ignore the majority of the American people.

I guess the gop want to lose the next election.

Madmax

November 30th, 2012
5:22 pm

get – Stop the silly one side is responsible for our woes stuff. Both sides blew it and it’s time to stop and make them do it again. Raising taxes is a drop in the bucket and until there is serious movement about reducing the deficit (and this president ahas not been serious about it yet), I don’t want to give them a dime more. The bottom line is they need to address this deficit if they want to get support. This latest offering by Obama was a joke. You guys crucified Romney for lack of details but you let Obama say anything and you all slaver like dogs. Hold both sides accountable and maybe they will actually start doing something. By the way, taking a 3 week vacation while this crisis is going on is sort of like letting the ambassador die while you go raise funds for the campaign.

Dekalb comments

November 30th, 2012
5:23 pm

Kyle, you have the nerve to complain the President is now standing firm to what he campaigned on?

Give me a break. The Republics have been the party of No, No, No for 4 years. The economy has progressed, albeit slowly, with no support from your side. The President accomplished the ACA and other initiatives only through good politics.

As GWB said, I won the election, I now have political capital. Where were you when he said that? Were you complaining about his boldness? I doubt it.

The President won a substantial electoral college majority and won 51 to 47 % over Romney. The Democrats picked up seats in the Senate and the House.

So yes, this is the time when “elections have consequences” comes to play. Don’t whine over the fact the Republics lost. Time is passing and we need to get on with governing this nation, with or without Republic support.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:24 pm

Steve@4:59, What lifestyle changes? Dump their parents & kids? Move out of CA or NY? Close their business?
The point is that income does not always reflect wealth, & taxes are not based on wealth. (Hint: the US took in $2.3 T in ‘11 & spend $3.6 T. We are broke.)
Why can’t the fed. govt. take your advice & make some lifestyle changes?

md

November 30th, 2012
5:30 pm

“Americans voted for Obama and for a tax increase.”

Wrong, they voted for a tax increase on others…..BIG difference.

The new America…..let’s all take a tax cut and then vote for others to give theirs back.

The difference between the 2 ideologies?

Take the NY cop that gave the homeless guy a new pair of boots…..those on the right would pay for them with their own money while those on the left would vote for the cop to pay for them with his money…….no different than what Obama is proposing now.

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
5:32 pm

Dusty @ 5:21 pm

Dusty,

Sorry for your trouble, but in the end you indeed have done your share to boost the economy, even if not the way you intended!

CC

November 30th, 2012
5:39 pm

“Who does Obama think he is a “real” President? Don’t pay any attention to him.”

No, he thinks he’s been coronated as the King of America, answerable to no one.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:40 pm

Black@5:16, James Carville coined in phase in ‘92, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Perhaps you missed it.
I’ll say what I’ve already said again. The economic recession was NOT caused by the Bush tax cuts, which actually resulted in the highest revenues in the history of the country & lowered the unemployment rates.
@5:19, Liar.
@5:22, Still kept the House.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:42 pm

Linda

And when you can post where I said Bush was the cause, post it for us all to see.

Thanks

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:44 pm

Buzz@5:22, From your site: “The process starts with the president submitting his budget request to Congress early in the year. That voluminous document is partly a presidential wish list, but it also gives Congress a framework.”

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:47 pm

Linda

Was this you @ 5:06?
_____________________________________

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
It’s the spending, stupid.
_________________________________

Do you make a habit out of lying or is that just your blog persona?

Bookman has FNM: Friday Night Music

Linda has Friday Night Meltdowns

hahahahaha

:-)

CC

November 30th, 2012
5:48 pm

You leftists still can’t seem to grasp one single fact: the U.S. does not have a revenue problems nearly so much as it has a SPENDING problem.. Obama and the rest of the idiot democrats act exactly like an unruly teenager who has swiped Pop’s credit card and is determined to bankrupt Pop as he buys and buys for his friends.

saywhat?

November 30th, 2012
5:48 pm

You Republicans have whined and cried for four years that Obama failed to provide any “leadership” (although we also know that you were repeating what the right wing echo chamber TOLD you to whine and cry about). You were wrong, because your sheep herders were wrong. Obama LED this nation out of the deepest recession since the great depression through the policies he called for. He LED in the takedown of Osama Bin Laden. He LED by reversing countless Bush era boneheaded policies. He LED the response to hurricane Sandy.

Now he is leading again to finish the job of getting America’s economic house in order, and you losers whine and cry some more, and call it “campaigning”. Why? Because again, its what the sheep herders of the right wing echo chamber told you to do. This president has been a competent leader, despite the fact that some people are too blinded by ideology to see the truth (i.e. the same people who “knew” Romney was going to win).The Presidents job is to lead, not spoonfeed reality to people too stupid to see it on their own.

Hows this for a compromise? Do what the President asks, and the Republican party may still be relevant for more than just the next two years. The American people have spoken. They said “Obama”.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
5:49 pm

Black@5:42, I didn’t. I was commenting to someone else & you butted in.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:50 pm

CC

Yet you vote for Ryan whose own numbers showed the debt going up to 23T……

:-)

oooooooppppppsssssssssss

But don’t let those facts get in your way of your typical bs

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:50 pm

Linda

You do not own the blog. People comment all the time. Nothing new. Grow up and join the world of adults

CC

November 30th, 2012
5:52 pm

“Obama LED this nation out of the deepest recession since the great depression through the policies he called for. He LED in the takedown of Osama Bin Laden. He LED by reversing countless Bush era boneheaded policies. He LED the response to hurricane Sandy.”

Yeah, right, and he LED in refusing the help to the four Americans killed in Benghazi, and then he LED the lying about the entire incident.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
5:54 pm

CC

Is still in full post election meltdown

WOW

Linda

November 30th, 2012
6:00 pm

Black@5:47, “It’s the economy, stupid” is Carville’s coined phase that has been repeated in the political circle for 20 years. The Republicans have repeated that it’s the spending, stupid, for 4 years.
Sorry you missed it on the children’s news network show.
If I was naming someone Stupid, I would at least capitalize Stupid.
Sorry if I got under your skin today. You’ll get over it by tomorrow.

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
6:02 pm

I doubt that what we see is CC’s “post-election meltdown.” Lying appears to be his standard MO.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:03 pm

Linda

Quit melting. You have been melting down going on a month

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:05 pm

Mark V

Man, at least a melt down usually stops after a period of time. The other thing, especially if it is chronic, is usually how that person is on a regular basis.

Even Linda playing her semantics games is in the same boat.

Probably a combination of both.

Linda

November 30th, 2012
6:06 pm

saywhat@5:48, Obama has not created one, single net job in 4 years.
He LED the response to Sandy? He said he would stop the rise of the oceans. Sandy was just another broken campaign promise. The Sandy victims will never vote for another Democrat.
The American people also said a Republican House.

md

November 30th, 2012
6:07 pm

“and a permanent end to Congressional control over statutory borrowing limits.”

I don’t care which “side” one is on, that phrase should concern just about everybody. If it doesn’t, I suspect one isn’t paying attention to what it actually means.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:08 pm

Yes they did with 8 less members………

And 3 less in the Senate, but if that gives you solace and helps stop the meltdown…… good for you

CC

November 30th, 2012
6:08 pm

“I doubt that what we see is CC’s “post-election meltdown.” Lying appears to be his standard MO.”

Is that all you have? If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay under the porch MarkV. You’re a big dog on Bookie-man’s blog ONLY.

Most folks here see you for what you are . . .

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:11 pm

Looking over the comments today, the liberals are the ones who are erroneously stating that the GOP never tried to compromise on earlier budget issues (and Bob Woodward pretty much destroys THAT contention in his recent book – but I guess you only believe Woodward when he’s taking on a Republican), and the liberals are, by and large, the ones screaming for no compromise with the current GOP.

Liberals = no class uninformed liars.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:13 pm

“Liberals = no class uninformed liars.”

Another meltdown……. coming up

And since when are you a “liberal”.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:16 pm

Hi, Black Label / Oh Well / Sunny / (insert your own sock puppet here)

Do you have anything to add besides rehashing the election results, or are you going to post something of substance sometime soon?

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:21 pm

The 6:16

From a name calling little Foxbot

hahaahahaha

:-)

md

November 30th, 2012
6:23 pm

Any guesses as to who said this:

“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. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. 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 problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”

Maybe saywhat should take a stab at it after his leadership post…..

CC

November 30th, 2012
6:23 pm

“Another meltdown……. coming up”

Somewhere some publication has a segment entitled “Increase Your Vocabulary”. One day, not so very long ago, the new word for the day was “meltdown”. Black Label fixated on the word and added it to his vocabulary. He has used it incessantly since November 7th. In fact, you might say that he has worn that word out and should retire it.

Much as Obama can’t quit campaigning, Black Label can’t quit celebrating.

CC

November 30th, 2012
6:25 pm

md:

I know! I know! I know who said it, and it wasn’t the Puddy Tat!

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:25 pm

Isn’t it amazing, CC, that the only people erroneously complaining about conservatives still harping on the election are the very people still actually harping on the election . . . . ?

Buzz Belle

November 30th, 2012
6:26 pm

Linda – you stated Obama couldn’t even get his budget passed. That is a statement the republicans like to try to use to make Obama look like he can’t get things done. It is a typical ploy used by those on the right but Obama and the democrats did not fall for the game. The American people are sick of those games, of those talking points, of a party whose only mantra the last four years was to make Obama a one term president. It didn’t work so either help become part of the solution or consider yourself part of the problem. Now, I am really leaving this time because my wonderful husband is picking me up to take me out for my favorite dinner. I am sure I will see you on this blog again, although I don’t usually post on Kyle’s blog. I’m a Bookman kind of girl. :) Enjoy the night all and may your team win, whoever it is!

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:26 pm

md

Wann guess who said

“Elections have consequences”

“I plan to use the political capital that I earned from winning the election”

“Deficits don’t matter”

CC

November 30th, 2012
6:26 pm

I’m voting “present”.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:28 pm

“My top priority is to make Obama a one term President”

CC

November 30th, 2012
6:29 pm

Tinerius:

It truly is, Tiberius. Sort of like someone who can’t seem to take “Yes” for an answer.

md

November 30th, 2012
6:33 pm

“I plan to use the political capital that I earned from winning the election”

He won the last election too, so whats your point? He didn’t get it done and according to himself that is a failure of leadership…….but I’m guessing his words apply to everyone but himself……

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:35 pm

Black Label, you can continue to quote GWb all day long, but he isn’t President anymore.

Neither did he campaign on reaching out to compromise with the GOP, as Obama claimed to want to do.

Now, you can use old quotes that have no meaning or comparison all night long, but it doesn’t make your case for support of Obama’s tactic of non-cooperation any better.

When President Incompetent lies during the campaign about lack of GOP compromise (again, as Bob Woodward has shown), then in the same week of claiming to want compromise (again), he shows no such direction, this particular Emperor has no clothes on.

MarkV

November 30th, 2012
6:36 pm

CC @ 6:08 pm
“You’re a big dog on Bookie-man’s blog ONLY.”

You did not have to confirm your MO, we already knew you were a liar.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:37 pm

Tiberius the little tough tike

He has his huff and puff on tonight.

Get em, little fella.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:42 pm

Black Label (and any other sock puppet you are), is there any instance where you might post something of substance? Something someone can refute based on the facts you might post (facts being such an elusive thing with you).

Is there any instance where you might post anything objective or have any result other than an insult?

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:44 pm

And you are the last to say anything about insults, but then again you are a hypocrite……

Nothing new

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:45 pm

I guess your answer would be no, then, Black Label?

Why don’t you spend some time over at Bookman’s while the adults comment over here.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:47 pm

Bill Kristol knows the Repubs are going to fold

Just said that, they need to look at it as keeping 98% of the Bush and now current Obama rates…

Linda

November 30th, 2012
6:48 pm

Buzz@6:26, Republicans aren’t just pointing out that Obama could not get his budget passed, but are pointing out that Obama could not get a vote from a single Democrat in either the House or the Senate on his radical budget. The question as of today is: if Obama could not get a single Democrat in either the House or the Senate to vote for his budget, why is the world does he think he can get the Republicans to agree to the same agenda for increased spending & borrowing & debt? If the Democrats thought it was dog meat, why does he think the Republicans will think it’s steak?
Liberals harp about Republicans’ desire to make Obama a one-term president & say nothing about Obama’s & the Democrats’ desire to make Obama a two-term president. Hypocrisy?
Obama & the Democrats ARE the problem & Republicans will either be a part of the solution or will allow the Democrats to take the economy, along with the country, to exactly the place that Obama & the progressives want it to go.

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:50 pm

Tiberius

Thanks for the suggestion, but if it was about adults, Kyle would have to ban you permanently and not for a week. We know those permanent and temporary deals are right up your alley on these AJC blogs.

So I will be here and you can pout all you like. Your choice

Thanks again.

;-)

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:52 pm

So compromise is now considered “folding”, Black Label?

Why is it that the head (I can’t use the word “leader” when talking about President Incompetent) of the Executive Branch can’t come up with any meaningful spending cuts at all (after 4 years in office), and is relying on 1/2 of the Legislative Branch to provide them to him?

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

November 30th, 2012
6:53 pm

Still waiting for anything of substance from Black Label . . . .

Anything at all . . . .

Anything . .. .

Black Label

November 30th, 2012
6:54 pm

There will be a deal. How good is up for interpretation. Both sides will claim victory.

Sunny

November 30th, 2012
7:39 pm

I see Tiberius is still chasing his tail and still thinking every blogger is someone else.

Sunny

November 30th, 2012
8:25 pm

Tiberius

I could be mistaken, but I think you have mentioned that you live in Cumming or up that way somewhere.

Have an ex business partner and another buddy who both live in the Polo Fields.

We could chuckle it up, have some drinks and play a round of golf. Or just go to Cincos and have some tasty libations.

So you know, one is a left leaner and the other is a right leaner, however that is all minor stuff when it comes to good people and good times.

fair and balanced

November 30th, 2012
8:30 pm

“”"”"”"”"”"”And if it weren’t for dumbed-down, government-educated voters, we’d have a President-elect Romney right now, JF McNamara.”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"

The only person dumbed down is the writer of the above statement who is incapapble of understanding why Romney lost and why the GOP is in serious trouble with the voters. Any idea what pecentage of the voters said they disliked Romney due to his assinine comments and disrespect for minotities, women, veterans, the middle class and factory workers as well as the fact that he was a high priest in a cult?
Oh I forgot the writer of the quoted statement suffers from some of the same problems.

JMH

November 30th, 2012
9:16 pm

Ok I’m a little lost here and need some liberal help. Say we raise taxes on those earring over 250k and it raises about 80 billion/year. Where is the other 900+ billion coming from to erase the deficit? Maybe I missed something; please explain.

Also, I thought the dems were against the Bush tax cuts. Why are they now saying that they should be extended for 98% of people? I thought the tax cuts were bad! Why did Obama say they should be extended 2 years ago? What has changed?

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

November 30th, 2012
9:50 pm

don’t eat the sausage: The primary contributor to the current deficit are the Bush tax cuts for the richest.
———————–

Absolute nonsense.

According to the Washington Post, eliminating Our President Bush’s tax cuts for the most productive, as Obozo wants, would raise all of $65 billion per year.

Meanwhile, Obozo has increased federals spending by $500 billion per year.

$65 billion versus $500 billion.

Get a grip.

It’s the spending, stupid.

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
10:20 pm

the fact that he was a high priest in a cult?

Still wonder why people who say that about Romney never say the same thing about Harry Reid.

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
10:51 pm

Is Reid also a high priest?

If so, good for him

Sick of Progs

November 30th, 2012
10:56 pm

Romney 2016
November 30th, 2012
10:51 pm

Is Reid also a high priest?

If so, good for him

Reid wears a bow tie and drives an ice cream truck in his spare time :)

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
10:57 pm

Is Reid also a high priest?

That I don’t know but they are both of the same faith. The same people who bash Romney for being a Mormon never bash Reid. Either bash ‘em both or bash neither.

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:11 pm

Hillbilly

Do you take issue with the Muslim and birther crap from the right or just when the kook lefties go after Romney?

If you take issue, have you called out any of the AJC bloggers who have mentioned it over and over for the past 4 plus years?

You seem to be a reasonable man. I’m sure you can see where some on the right play up that bs for their gain just as the left does.

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:14 pm

“Reid wears a bow tie and drives an ice cream truck in his spare time :)

I think he is an awful Senate leader, but if he likes doing that, good for him

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
11:24 pm

Do you take issue with the Muslim and birther crap from the right or just when the kook lefties go after Romney?

Evidently, you haven’t read many of my posts in the past. I’m not a fan of childish BS from either side. I’ve actually gotten to where I probably don’t read but about 10% of the posts on here because unless it’s a new person (or a new name for an old person), you pretty much know what they’re going to say without reading it. Most times, lately, I just read Kyle’s post, give my take on it and go on my merry way. These sites have come to be dominated by people who are probably reserved in real life, and maybe a tad passive/aggressive, and they can get on here an act out, I guess. There’s an ample supply on both sides. Seems silly to me but they seem to get a charge out of it. Any of them can be Billy Badass on an anonymous blog. C’est la vie, I guess.

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:37 pm

Hillbilly

Thanks for the honest reply, however you didn’t answer the question.

Not that you have to, but it does speak volumes to say the least

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:41 pm

Hillbilly

Again, thanks. However, I do hope where you can see that it appears you avoided the question. While generically saying it occurs on both-sides, you seem to be critical of posts when it occurs on one side as in the Romney and Obama issue we are discussing.

Your choice, but doesn’t appear you are as even handed as your present.

Take care, good luck to you and yours.

Hillbilly D

November 30th, 2012
11:48 pm

Romney 2016

It’s been a while but when all that was going on I said that the birther stuff was non-sense. It’s quite a reach to think that Obama’s family (or whomever) would have had the foresight to fake a birth announcement in a Hawaiian newspaper at the time of his birth. I was over at the other blog at the time (Kyle may not have even been here then, not sure), when they were having the mosque in NYC brouhaha, I stated that as long as they followed the local zoning, permitting laws, etc, I had no problem with it.

As for his religion, if Obama says he’s a Christian, I’ll take his word for it, it’s between him and God and not for me to say.

I’ve also called out the 911 truthers, who I feel are just as loonie as the birthers.

But anyway, as Paul Simon said, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.

independent thinker

November 30th, 2012
11:53 pm

The dominant figure among the cons here, Tiberius stated:
“”"”"”"”"”"Isn’t it amazing, CC, that the only people erroneously complaining about conservatives still harping on the election are the very people still actually harping on the election .”"”"”"”"”"”"”
Then the same person said:
“”””””””””””And if it weren’t for dumbed-down, government-educated voters, we’d have a President-elect Romney right now, JF McNamara.””””””””””””””””””

Does this sound like bipolar behavior or do all cons contradict themselves all the time? I thought the days of flip flopping were over. Or is this a reaction to losing badly on Nov.6?

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:53 pm

Hillbilly

I was just asking. You say you did speak out, so I applaud you for calling out the lefty and righty kooks. There is no shortage on either side.

You have a great weekend. Much prosperity and good living to you and yours.

later

Romney 2016

November 30th, 2012
11:55 pm

thinker

No different than the looniest lefty on the AJC blogs, why bother with Tiberius. Fairly intelligent on some levels but a negative EQ.

Simple as that. Move on

Joel Edge

December 1st, 2012
6:12 am

There’s a reason the Dems are known as the tax-and-spend party, Kyle. These people have never met a tax they didn’t like. Fortunately; as I’ve often posted, it’s self-correcting. The money WILL run out.

CC

December 1st, 2012
6:24 am

“Fortunately; as I’ve often posted, it’s self-correcting. The money WILL run out”

I agree with what you say, but question only your use of the wprd “fortunately”. Unfortunately, when the money runs out, none of us will have money except for the folks that bought and have gold and silver.

CC

December 1st, 2012
6:25 am

“wprd” should be “word” . . . sorry!

Michael H. Smith

December 1st, 2012
6:26 am

You should have taken those keys away from obama America,now he is going to drive the car over the cliff!

CC

December 1st, 2012
6:56 am

Michael H. Smith:

Obama and his merry band of fools stole the keys, the car, the money and the credit cards. Just as the car starts over the cliff, Obama will make sure that he isn’t hurt, but his band of merry fools (as well as the rest of us) will be injured severely!

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

December 1st, 2012
7:09 am

I see that the “fair and balanced” and “independent thinker” sock puppet is back on board.

Kinda makes you wonder why some people can’t stick to one moniker on a blog. It’s not as if they have multiple personalities, as they post the same thing written the same way.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

December 1st, 2012
7:12 am

Oh, and unbalanced thinker? Responding to a post by JF McNamara does not equate to “harping” on the election.

It is simply a response; nothing more, nothing less.

Reading comprehension is your friend – just not your strong suit.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

December 1st, 2012
7:52 am

Senator McConnell should have tossed Geithner out on his office and told him to come back when he had a plan that wasn’t so insulting to the American people.

Pat Dye

December 1st, 2012
8:45 am

Mitch will fold like a cheap suit before it is all over.

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

December 1st, 2012
10:07 am

Mitch will vote for the House Republican bill extending Our President Bush’s tax cuts for all Americans and small businesses.

If that’s what you call a “fold”, then fold away.

Democrats will obstruct, of course.

CC

December 1st, 2012
10:56 am

Democrats are looters and destroyers by their very nature. They are now about the business of looting a nation of its wealth, and then the ultimate destruction of the greatest nation the world has known.

Pat Dye

December 1st, 2012
11:51 am

And CC cried…

Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!

December 1st, 2012
12:47 pm

The Crisis of American Self-Government

‘We have now an American political party and a European one. Not all Americans who vote for the European party want to become Europeans. But it doesn’t matter because that’s what they’re voting for. They’re voting for dependency, for lack of ambition, and for insolvency.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323751104578149292503121124.html

CC

December 1st, 2012
2:40 pm

LBB@12:47:

Affirms my 10:56 post . . .

saywhat?

December 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm

Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

December 1st, 2012
7:09 am
“I see that the “fair and balanced” and “independent thinker” sock puppet is back on board.

Kinda makes you wonder why some people can’t stick to one moniker on a blog. It’s not as if they have multiple personalities, as they post the same thing written the same way.”
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I know, right? There used to be some crybaby loser frequenting this forum whose blog handle was DaveR. He came back under a different name, but his whining hypocrisy, inflated sense of importance, and consistent inability to grasp basic reality are still easily recognizable in his new persona.

You dont say

December 2nd, 2012
4:23 pm

Archibald Leach

December 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm

Kyle, so what is the GOP’s counter offer? What do they want to cut and how much? Obama and the Democrat’s are done negotiating with themselves. When are they going to put something on the table?

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

December 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm

Saywhat?, that handle of mine was changed because I had others over at Bookman’s blog internet stalking me, just as you have. Now you’ve made it imperative for me to turn you into Kyle for the same infractions that have gotten others blocked over here.

Congratulations, loser..

Rocky

December 3rd, 2012
7:46 am

Oh how they cry

saywhat?

December 3rd, 2012
8:57 am

Oops. Somebody just outed themselves.

kelly

December 3rd, 2012
1:30 pm

You folks that are calling the voters dumb, and calling the President “Obozo”, are fueling the fire. You may think that’s a smart way to take our your anger, but don’t be surprised when the “dumb voters” blame your side for the consequences of another financial crisis.