Your Daily Jolt: Racing over the cliff
Christmas is over, but Cliffmas is still bearing down. Here’s your morning shot of reality from the good folks at Politico:
Nearly all the major players in the fiscal cliff negotiations are starting to agree on one thing: A deal is virtually impossible before the New Year.
Unlike the bank bailout in 2008, the tax deal in 2010 and the debt ceiling in 2011, the Senate almost certainly won’t swoop in and help sidestep a potential economic calamity, senior officials in both parties predicted on Wednesday.
With the country teetering on this fiscal cliff of deep spending cuts and sharp tax hikes, the philosophical differences, the shortened timetable and the political dynamics appear to be insurmountable hurdles for a bipartisan deal by New Year’s Day.
Lawmakers are starting to emerge from their egg nog break today: President Barack Obama is flying back to D.C. from Hawaii, and lands late this morning. His Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner shot up a flare Wednesday reminding everyone that we officially hit the debt limit Dec. 31, though Treasury can shuffle funds for a couple months until it’s really a problem. Our fine lads in Congress, of course, are blaming each other for the fiscal cliff impasse.
The House has taken its ball and gone home after the Plan B fiasco, and Speaker John Boehner and other House leaders reiterated Wednesday that they will not return until the Senate does something with the fiscal cliff bills the House passed months ago to extend all the Bush tax cuts and shift all the Pentagon cuts to domestic programs. The Senate is back in action this evening on non-cliff business, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid just insisted on the floor that a tax bill the Senate passed months ago to extend the tax rates for income under $250,000 is “the only viable escape route.” He added, “We’ve not heard a word from [Republican] Leader [Mitch] McConnell. Nothing has happened.”
Isn’t it crazy that Americans have such a low opinion of Congress?
***
AP/Dinesh Ramde
You are entering a world of pain: Aside from the fiscal cliff, a couple more economy-stifling presents arrive soon if standoffs continue. Because Congress has been unable to pass a farm bill, we face the “milk cliff.” Bloomberg’s Derek Wallbank explains:
If Congress doesn’t extend the U.S. dairy support program, which is one of the programs covered in the larger farm-policy law, it will revert to the way it was in 1949, roughly doubling wholesale milk prices.
“Fiscal-cliff tax increases would hit middle-class families’ pocketbooks, but so would paying six or seven dollars for a gallon of milk,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat.
And down in Savannah, a labor dispute could halt operations at the Port. The longshoremen’s union contract expires midnight Saturday, but at least the Savannah Morning News reports that both sides are talking. The Biz Journals note that a 2002 strike cost $1 billion per day.
***
State Rep.-elect Charles Gregory caused a stir by announcing he would introduce new gun rights measures in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary. Gregory responded to the criticism with an online commentary in which he explains the timing thusly:
History shows us that we lose more of our freedoms during times of crisis and tragedy than at any other time. This is how we have allowed government to pass such un-constitutional human rights abuses as The Patriot Act and The National Defense Authorization Act.
Gregory also offers to “dispel a few myths” including:
- I was not raised in a religious cult.
- I do not believe the world is going to end any time soon.
- I do not believe we are in imminent danger of going to war with the federal government.
***
Slate magazine has a lengthy piece up about how Georgia has become “one of the toughest places in the nation to get welfare assistance.”
What’s Georgia’s secret? According to government documents, interviews with poor Georgians, and those who work with them, it’s a simple one: Combine an all-Republican state government out to make a name for itself as tough on freeloaders; a state welfare commissioner so zealous about slashing the rolls that workers say she handed out Zero candy bars to emphasize her goal of zero welfare; and federal rules that, regardless of who’s in the White House, give states the leeway to use the 1996 law’s requirement for “work activities”—the same provision that Republicans have charged President Obama wants to unfairly water down—to slam the door in the face of the state’s neediest.
What this has created is a land that welfare forgot, where a collection of private charities struggle to fill the resulting holes.
***
The Washington Post’s Amy Gardner delved into the controversy involving FreedomWorks — the tea party-driven group that had a messy divorce with former House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Apparently it involved a firearm.
Richard K. Armey, the group’s chairman and a former House majority leader, walked into the group’s Capitol Hill offices with his wife, Susan, and an aide holstering a handgun at his waist. The aim was to seize control of the group and expel Armey’s enemies: The gun-wielding assistant escorted FreedomWorks’ top two employees off the premises, while Armey suspended several others who broke down in sobs at the news.
The coup lasted all of six days. By Sept. 10, Armey was gone — with a promise of $8 million — and the five ousted employees were back. The force behind their return was Richard J. Stephenson, a reclusive Illinois millionaire who has exerted increasing control over one of Washington’s most influential conservative grass-roots organizations.
FreedomWorks’ offices, in fact, are next door to the Cox DC Bureau where your fill-in Insider is currently sitting. And we were sadly oblivious to the drama.
***
President George H.W. Bush is in intensive care in Houston battling a “persistent fever.”
- By Daniel Malloy, Political Insider
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93 comments Add your comment
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:15 pm
@Auntie Christ – you need help, not just a Doctor but a whole team of Doctors.
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:15 pm
td,
I would never encourage anyone to work at mcdonalds and help spread the fast food menace against public health.
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:18 pm
voter,
I thought you ‘austerity worshipers’ were concerned about the deficit, right?
Then hows about we collect on the three trillion plus interest on the unfunded wars?
Or are you ready to just keep wasting money on military adventures because it makes you feel all grown up?
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:18 pm
@honested – a job is a job. Also, you need specialized help also.
td
December 27th, 2012
2:18 pm
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:15 pm
So in your book sittings at home and becoming a slave to the government is better then working at McDonalds?
Rodney King
December 27th, 2012
2:22 pm
It’s kind like the LA riots. On one side you have government beating the sh*t out of citizens, on the otherside you have the people burning the building down. You and me are in the middle. I say, I say, “CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.” (i.e. compromise has become a dirty word in Congress)
I think I’m gonna start a movement to vote out every incumbent in the Federal government that isn’t going to be removed by term limits. Vote republican, vote democrat, vote whatever, but let your local party officials know that any sitting member of the House and Senate will not get your vote. If the parties don’t listen and decide to put an incumbent back up for election without a primary challenger, then vote a third party or for the opposite party. Who’s with me? I can’t take my country being run by a bunch of bratty children any longer. By the way, anyone who doesn’t think the problem crosses party lines is ignorant of reality.
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
2:23 pm
td
December 27th, 2012
2:11 pm
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
2:03 pm
I see the country hating, God hating communist loving slim ball is posting more of his slim. Yes, keep it up so that we can all read the true meaning of the Democratic party.
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And I see our favorite monkey is throwing his feces around to try and get someone to pay attention to his pathetic little self.
Why don’t you just come out and say what’s really bothering you, the fact that john mccain loves lindsay graham and not you. All this Freudian transferrence of your bile is damaging your already fragile sanity. I’ve considered not laughing at you anymore, but I keep thinking about your election predictions! President romney, republican senate, picking up 30 house seats! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I just can’t stop laughing!
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:24 pm
td,
Working at mcdonalds, working in a tobacco factory, working in a coal driven electrical plant, they all just spread poison.
Just because it increases the plutocrat’s ‘profit’ doesn’t make it good for society.
Increase the taxes to fund more effective education and really FIX the problem rather than figure out new ways to squeeze the little guy.
td
December 27th, 2012
2:24 pm
You progressives just do not get it. Protecting our nations interest abroad is one of the few Constitutional mandates. Believe it or not but the free flow of oil at cheap prizes is in the nations best interest and must be protected at any cost.
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
2:27 pm
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:15 pm
@Auntie Christ – you need help, not just a Doctor but a whole team of Doctors.
***************************************
Freud called that “Projection.” You and s td are putting on a clinic of psychosis today. I wonder if any Emory professors are tuned in here, they should be.
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:27 pm
@Auntie Christ – “President romney, republican senate, picking up 30 house seats! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I just can’t stop laughing!”
This is funny? The fact that in just 4 short years this Democratic controlled Senate and White House has us on the verge of economic collapse? You need help. Wake up. This is the beginnings of socialism. Read your history books and make some sense.
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:28 pm
td,
Where does it say that the function of ‘domestic security’ and ‘promoting general welfare’ has anything to do with providing ‘free’ security to offshore business interests?
Weaning our self off oil at any cost is more in line with the mandates of the Constitution!
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:31 pm
@Auntie Christ – and go ahead and spell your name correctly – Anti-Christ. It fits better for what you are spewing.
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:32 pm
voter,
Were you here in 2008?
The economic collapse occurred under the previous administration!
The last four years have been spent dragging ourselves out of the ditch.
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
2:36 pm
td
December 27th, 2012
2:24 pm
You progressives just do not get it. Protecting our nations interest abroad is one of the few Constitutional mandates. Believe it or not but the free flow of oil at cheap prizes is in the nations best interest and must be protected at any cost.
**********************************************************************
It’s been 35 years since Jimmy Carter told the nation that weaning ourselves off oil was the “moral equivalent of war,” but you wingers just didn’t get it. You let the plutocrats like the koch’s and exxon convince you that was “hippie talk.” So here we sit almost 40 years later with old chicken hawks like you still advocating our blood and treasure be expended and our enemies enriched in order to satisfy our addiction, and we are not one step cl;oser to getting off oil.
td
December 27th, 2012
2:37 pm
honested
December 27th, 2012
2:28 pm
td,
Where does it say that the function of ‘domestic security’ and ‘promoting general welfare’ has anything to do with providing ‘free’ security to offshore business interests?
Weaning our self off oil at any cost is more in line with the mandates of the Constitution!
If it could be done then one of those “evil” corporations would have already been investing and making it happen to make large amounts of profits. Just because you FEEL it should happen does not make it so.
Until the time that the technology is a viable alternative then we (USA) needs oil to maintain our standard of living so it is a national interest. You do not have to like it but those are the facts.
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:38 pm
@honested – Now that’s funny. I agree each administration has contributed to the national Debt, but NO administration has accomplished what the current one has,(Debt) and we haven’t hit bottom yet. Are you telling me you think ANY of the presidents stimulus has worked? They haven’t. The Solyndra and other “green” energy disasters that has cost hundreds of millions? ObamaCare will hurt us even more. If ObamaCare is so great then why does the government have a different health plan? Get off your brain and think for your self.
td
December 27th, 2012
2:41 pm
The only viable technology available to replace some of our need for oil is nuclear and you progressives have been having cows about its use for 35 years. You can not have it both ways either get off your nuclear ban or get off your oil obsession. We are not going back to burning wood in our fireplaces and walking everywhere. Wind, Solar and other means are not viable on a country wide scale or even for our cars.
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
2:46 pm
oter
December 27th, 2012
2:31 pm
@Auntie Christ – and go ahead and spell your name correctly – Anti-Christ. It fits better for what you are spewing.
***********************************************
When you change yours to ‘votary,’ I will change mine. It fits better with your life dedicated to worshiping the dollar within the cult of tea party capitalists, at the expense of your humanity.
td
December 27th, 2012
2:50 pm
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:31 pm
@Auntie Christ – and go ahead and spell your name correctly – Anti-Christ. It fits better for what you are spewing.
This person has proven over and over again that he is a full blooded anti-religious, American hating communist. It is useless to try to talk logic and be reasonable because all he cares about is bringing this country down and having it taken over by other communist.
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:55 pm
@td – You’re right. I apologize. It’s like talking to my ex-wife or a brick wall. “Honey, the sky is blue” She says – No it’s not. lol.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
2:56 pm
Kewl, satan is quoting dhimmi karter. As a wisdom, no less. This comes soon after satan dissing the entire State of Georgia as being backweirds and illiterate.
Maybe satan needs a scorecard to keep track of itself?
td
December 27th, 2012
2:57 pm
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:55 pm
@td – You’re right. I apologize. It’s like talking to my ex-wife or a brick wall. “Honey, the sky is blue” She says – No it’s not. lol.
Were we married to the same woman? lol
Voter
December 27th, 2012
3:01 pm
@td – lol. maybe. Definitely made from the same mold, I’m sure. lol
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
3:03 pm
td
December 27th, 2012
2:50 pm
Voter
December 27th, 2012
2:31 pmhe is a full blooded anti-religious, American hating communist. It is useless to try to talk logic and be reasonable because all he cares about is bringing this country down and having it taken over by other communist.
********************************************************
That’s right, anyone who calls out some ignorant-az wing nut on their stupidity and hypocrisy is an America-hating communist. std and votary are like the guys in the George Carlin joke. When they;re on the freeway, anyone going faster than them is a jackass, and anyone going slower than them is an idiot.
On another note, can some of my comrades get word to Moscow that comrades s td and votary have uncovered my plot to take over the nation and impose Mao worship as the new religion. I would appreciate it greatly.
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
3:07 pm
Aesop’s Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
2:56 pm
Kewl, satan is quoting dhimmi karter. As a wisdom, no less. This comes soon after satan dissing the entire State of Georgia as being backweirds and illiterate.
*************************************************
And along comes the sop just in time to help std and votary prove how backward and illiterate it is! Thank you so much for your assistance.
JD
December 27th, 2012
3:16 pm
Aesop,
I get my info from about a dozen newspapers and websites everyday. Community organizer? What community organizer?
Oh…you must be referring to the Harvard Law educated self-made multi-millionaire who resides at the White House.
You need to study more…and think more.
JD
December 27th, 2012
3:19 pm
I will add, Aesop and every other conservative in the US, you are about 250 years behind on your economics.
turn off the radio and study. Otherwise shut up.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
3:34 pm
Uh oh, satan does not like being critiqued. satan considers itself very, very, very smart and capable of remembering everything pmsnbc tells it. And, it’s right! Just like pmsnbc, it only hates, fact free.
Perhaps it could elaborate it’s position but one would be wise not to hold your breath waiting.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
3:39 pm
Harvard educated and hiding his transcripts to prove it! Just chant along with the bullhorn and be frightened of the radio, unless, of course, there is an airhead america rerun playing on it.
Let me guess, jd, you believe everything you read in the Urinal, don’t you?
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
3:45 pm
e sop (to sop: suck, mop up)
And who is this satan of whom you speak? Can it be those on this blog who want to ignore the teachings of the savior and redeemer, whose bible they constantly thump? The savior who says feed the hungry, who says love your neighbor as thyself, who says strive for peace on earth, and do good to those who persecute you? That the satan you are referring to? I’m slightly confused, because it seems there are several on here, you chief among them, who ignore those teachings. Perhaps you can elaborate your position, but I won’t hold my breath. Meanwhile, I think I’ll go thump a bible.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
3:54 pm
satan – You wouldn’t know Christ if you fell over Him. Propagating fatherless children, empowering laziness, paying off your union buddies for their votes, murdering unborn children, teaching children the ways of immorality (you should really read up on the millstone around your neck scripture) and perverting the decent founding of this formerly God fearing nation is not what He spoke of.
JSH
December 27th, 2012
3:56 pm
Self made millionaire – Funniest line of the day!
Auntie Christ
December 27th, 2012
4:14 pm
Aesop’s Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
3:54 pm
YAWN. nothing like a good ole fashioned fire and brimstone rant from the “The world is ending, repent now!” looney gallery to make a man want to take a nap. Would love to stay and point out what a useless tool and hypocrite you are, but time for my senior citizen nap. Bless your little ole heart. YAWN
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 27th, 2012
4:19 pm
Aahhh, satan forgot that it was the first to tread upon the scriptures. And, as usual, when confronted with the facts, it flees, tail between it’s legs.
buh bye
honested
December 27th, 2012
5:30 pm
Ancient Dead Greek Guy,
Satan is an invention from a previous era of people who ‘knew what was best for us’.
The same old made up crap won’t work any more.
clem
December 27th, 2012
7:02 pm
should be asshop & other paranoid conservative views
Eli
December 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
You can’t reason with aesop. She can barely read.
JD
December 27th, 2012
10:47 pm
Well, let’s think about this for a minute. Obama grew up poor, he did not have a trust fund waiting for him, nor did he inherit any money.
He graduated from the top law school in the world, worked for BI and a law firm.before going to U of Chicago Law to make $250k a year for about a decade. On top of that he wrote two best selling books that netted him a few million. He has a good portfolio and a net worth of over $10million on top of a $400k salary.
Obama is, by definition, a self made millionaire.
Voter
December 27th, 2012
11:12 pm
@JD – Self-made millionaire? Now that is funny. He went to school for free including Harvard Law and went into politics. Everything he has is from the Government which he’s now trying to destroy. Get a life.
JD
December 27th, 2012
11:43 pm
Voter,
For one, Harvard is private. So is Columbia. He had a free ride, sure…but they were from institutional scholarships. Not the government.
Secondly, the University of Chicago is also a private school.
Thirdly, President Obama received a $2 million advance for his writing The Audacity of Hope and he made a pretty penny from selling over 4.5million copies of Dreams from my Father.
Most of the money President Obama has made is from his success in the private sector.
I would suggest you get your facts straight. Since you are a conservative I highly doubt you will…but the suggestion still stands. Perhaps your stupidity is one of the reasons you are not rich.
It is pretty clear the GOP is trying to destroy America. Obama is just trying to restore the American dream.
My life is just fine, thank you. I am smart. You should try it sometime. You clearly do not know this yet, but if you study and develop a solid understanding of American politics, government, and public policy you probably would not be so angry all the time. I am sure you won’t, you are too lazy to be an effective citizen.
Eli
December 28th, 2012
12:15 am
Jd,
You are wasting your time trying to correct people like Aesop and Voter. Dealing with their kind is hopeless.
We were not successful at correcting the perceptions Nazi’s held about Jews for the same reason: they are not reasonable people.
Aesop’s and Voter’s days are numbered. Extremism has no place in a democratic republic and representation of their persuasion is marginal. We know they are wrong, a super majority of Americans reject their opinions, and the ability to win elections is everything in our political system.
Just like the Nazis, time and attrition will deal with their radical agenda of hate and stupidity.
clem
December 28th, 2012
6:13 am
need to throw in td & cc