Fiscal cliff deal passes House; Ga. GOP’ers vote no
Crisis averted. Let the countdown to the next crisis begin.
After a day of remarkable swings, House Republican leaders folded and brought to the floor a bill they knew they needed Democrats to pass. The final tally was 257-167, with 172 Democrats joining 85 Republicans in favor. This broke House Speaker John Boehner’s practice (named for ex-Speaker Denny Hastert) that bills must pass with “the majority of the majority.” It will be interesting to see whether conservative members’ ire remains focused on the Senate or whether it will shift to Boehner with the Speaker’s re-election coming up on Thursday.
Georgia Republicans lined up unanimously against the American Taxpayer Relief Act: Reps. Tom Price of Roswell, Lynn Westmoreland of Coweta County, Phil Gingrey of Marietta, Rob Woodall of Lawrenceville, Jack Kingston of Savannah, Paul Broun of Athens, Austin Scott of Tifton and Tom Graves of Ranger all voted no.
That’s a major break from the state’s Republican senators — Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss supported the 89-8 Rockin’ New Year’s vote in the Senate. It was a sign they surely noticed.
On the Democratic side, Rep. John Barrow of Augusta voted no, while Reps. David Scott of Atlanta, Hank Johnson of DeKalb County and Sanford Bishop of Albany all voted yes. (Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta is home after the death of his wife.)
Here’s what some of our folks had to say:
Austin Scott: “It’s the spending aspect of the bill that’s the problem for me. … [But] there’s some concern that if you send it back to [the Senate] with an amendment, that the country’s in limbo for several days.”
Johnson: “This is not a grand bargain by any stretch of the imagination and I think most of us will want to do everything in a grand bargain, vote it up or down, so from that standpoint it’s a little disappointing. … [But] the vice president did a good job negotiating this deal. It may be the best that we can expect.”
Broun: “I [told leadership] I’m going to vote no either way. It’s not in the best interest of this nation to continue spending money like we’re doing. It’s not about taxes because we’re taxed enough already.”
Kingston, sarcastically, when asked if he would support the deal: “I don’t know. I love senators so much that it’s hard to vote no on anything they do.”
Barrow (paper statement): “When we began discussions on getting our nation’s finances in order, our mission was to go big – reform our tax code, cut spending, and put us on a long-term path to deficit reduction. The package we’re voting on today doesn’t achieve any of these goals. I can’t support a plan that does nothing to address our debt, doesn’t make the necessary cuts in federal spending we need right now, and sets us up for another fiscal cliff in just a couple of months. I’m glad negotiators answered our call to block a pay increase for members of Congress, but it’s not nearly enough to put this country on the right path. This proposal isn’t a long-term solution — it just kicks the can two months down the road.”
Chambliss: “I would hope that’s what passes so it can be done and we’ve got the tax issue behind us. There’s no other way to look at it other than this is what Obama wanted. And now we get serious about spending and entitlement reform because that’s what we want and it’s our turn.”
A spokeswoman for Gingrey: “Rep. Gingrey opposed the Senate amendment because it did not address spending, entitlement or tax reform in any meaningful way. Furthermore, it continues Washington’s habit of kicking the can down the road, fails to provide certainty for job creators or protection for small businesses.”
- By Daniel Malloy, Political Insider
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
89 comments Add your comment
Brenda Lee
January 1st, 2013
11:33 pm
Where did you get this information?
FBYJ
January 1st, 2013
11:46 pm
I believe Mr. Chambliss has spent too much time in Washington and has forgotten why his constituents sent him there. If he seriously thinks that the POTUS is going to negotiate in good faith because “it’s our turn”, then he’s a bigger fool than I would have imagined.
Diane
January 1st, 2013
11:50 pm
Chambliss is a fool. No, that’s not what Obama wanted. That’s what he compromised for. Which is what Chambliss will have to do again the next time.
happy 2013 ... I think
January 1st, 2013
11:55 pm
“No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.” -Mark Twain (1866)
And just so there is no confusion, the above quote applies to both parties and all three bodies of our government in 1866 or 2013.
Puppet Please
January 1st, 2013
11:56 pm
Hysterical. These mad fools are driving all of us off the cliff and soon the people who need the most will have NOTHING because of the selfishness of the last 3 genearations who want to rob our children and grand children of the last best hope for humanity. WE CAN NOT SUSTAIN THIS RATE OF SPENDING!!! I hope you all realize that when we go down, so does the world. The rich will always survive and anybody who thinks “they are paying their fair share”, doesn’t realize YOU are the ones putting the money in their pockets. The only ones who will be “paying more” are everybody else. But hey, Obama said its all about fairness. I wonder how much he and the rest of the thieves in Washington are sacrificing. Not much from what I can see.
early to bed
January 1st, 2013
11:57 pm
Georgian reps all vote no- can you believe it? Every one of them is so beholden to the NRA and the tea party fanatics- they would never in a million years not vote to save their plush seat in DC- that is what is most important to them
Mikey D.
January 2nd, 2013
12:00 am
Never ceases to amaze me that some folks are too idiotic to realize that compromise is what the 2-party system of government was designed to utilize. Gridlock accomplishes absolutely nothing, and yet there’s the lunatic fringe of both parties bemoaning bipartisanship and compromise. All these morons we send to Washington should have been voted out years ago (The Earth is 6,000 years old??) but as long as the electorate continues to act like morons, we’ll keep on sending them back to continue screwing up. Unbelievable.
Gary Cochran
January 2nd, 2013
12:01 am
The State of Georgia needs 2 new Senators. Both have lost touch with the people of Georgia. There was no compromise for the Republicans, only agreement to what Obama wanted. The Senators have to go!!
ABermudaAmerican
January 2nd, 2013
12:07 am
Chambliss and Isakson, shame on you! What happened to standing on principle? I won’t forget this when you both are up for re-election.
Puppet Please
January 2nd, 2013
12:12 am
Every state needs new Senators and new congressmen. These people are only concerned with lining their pockets at the expense of the taxpayer. The Federal budget is over TWICE what it was only ten years ago!! WHAT ARE THEY SPENDING THE MONEY ON??? YOU?? YOUR CHILDREN??? NO, they are giving big money contracts to companies and unions that buy their influence. I have a child with autism, do you think the government has helped assist me in educating him? Have they made the insurance companies, THAT I PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO EACH YEAR, pay for any of his therapy? NO, they haven’t….it isn’t profitable. I’m all for folks making a profit but if I pay for a service I expect to get that service, not for them to pick and choose what they want to cover.
Being a Senator or Representative used to be a public service….now people get into government to get filthy rich at our expense. The day of reckoning is coming…..and I’ll be waiting….for alll of them.
Lord help
January 2nd, 2013
12:14 am
Congress approval rate 17%….most of them to old to get it up and the women to old to care. The Pres is a joke. US is already over the cliff.
Lord help
January 2nd, 2013
12:25 am
early to bed..The NRA had nothing to do with it. The Tea party only wishes to protect your Constitutional rights but you to dumb to realize it. Go get your food stamps..
Voter
January 2nd, 2013
12:36 am
Fire the ones who voted yay. Good job for GA. except Chambliss and Isakson. Shame on them.
Blind leading the Blind
January 2nd, 2013
12:54 am
I read the comments on here and you all are no better than the politicians in Washington. If it wasn’t for the President we would be in worse shape than we are now. He is the only one trying to have your backs, but you all hold so much hatred for him that you would cut off your nose to spite your face. All this debt was here before he got in office and then these 2 meaningless wars we got involved in…that where lot’s of your taxes went to. Well I could go on and on but it not worth my time because it’s like talking to a brick wall.
tjatl
January 2nd, 2013
1:03 am
Enough with the fake outrage from these Representatives!
The House had TWO years to come up with something better. They did nothing except posture in the service of their “mission” to make Obama a one-term president. They banked on a different election outcome.
Do not lionize these fools. THEY are the ones who did not do the job they were sent to Washington to do. This is what we get when our “leaders” calculate their every move based on the next election instead of the realities facing the country.
Big Hat
January 2nd, 2013
1:11 am
Never underestimate Republicans desire and ability to commit murder / suicide, just because they can.
ChristianPride
January 2nd, 2013
1:17 am
@Blind leading the Blind:
Your name is very ironic, considering under President Bush, we added 4.9 Trillion in debt, and under Obama in 3.5 years – less than 1 term – we added 5.3 Trillion. If Obama continues at this pace, he will DOUBLE the amount of debt added by all of the past presidents – COMBINED. Yeah, think that one through. Know some facts before you come here blindly commenting… just saying.
ChristianPride
January 2nd, 2013
1:18 am
@Big Hat:
Never underestimate Liberals’ desire and ability to pester/annoy people, just because they can.
Voter
January 2nd, 2013
1:20 am
@Blind leading the Blind – If it wasn’t for the President we would be in worse shape than we are now. He is the only one trying to have your backs, but you all hold so much hatred for him that you would cut off your nose to spite your face. All this debt was here before he got in office and then these 2 meaningless wars we got involved in…
Are you for real? hussein came in with 10 trillion in debt, we are at 16+ trillion. Exactly what do you consider worse shape? They have no budget, annual 1+ trillion deficits and now they vote in a bill with pressure from the White House that adds more spending and very little cuts! You need to wake up!
BehindEnemyLines
January 2nd, 2013
1:54 am
Time for Sellout Sax to go, and take Johnny with him.
Blind leading the Blind
January 2nd, 2013
2:16 am
@christianpride and @ voter I have done my research….don’t believe everything you read. This country was about to go over the cliff when the President took over …where have you been ? Living under a rock and drinking the Koolaid from the Republicans?? Like I said this could go on and on. Just sit back and watch the President straighten this country out …then talk with me in 4 years …that my last comment.
rawmilkdrinker
January 2nd, 2013
5:01 am
Look out Folks! The Georgia Legislature convenes next week and we all will be screwed morning, noon, and night.
bug
January 2nd, 2013
5:22 am
Georgian’s needs to give Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss both a pink slip.
bug
January 2nd, 2013
5:34 am
“Blind leading the Blind”, your post leads me to think when brains were passed you thought they said “rain” and ran away and did not get any.
Voter
January 2nd, 2013
6:07 am
@Blind leading the Blind – Over a cliff? You need to take your head out of the sand. This president has passed no legislation that has helped America. We are more in debt today than 4 years ago. ObamaCare will show you more taxes. Wait and see. Your family probably liked King George also, I take it.
lorri
January 2nd, 2013
6:20 am
did any one see the movie ” dave” ? he balanced the budget by cutting off countrys that we are supporting. if we have to pay to have ” friendly nations” they are not our friends. one can ” buy ” a friend at the bar for a bottle of beer.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 2nd, 2013
6:21 am
Boehner’s got to go. Now.
jimb
January 2nd, 2013
6:25 am
another vote from out-of-touch paul broun. why people keep electing him is beyond me.
WS
January 2nd, 2013
6:37 am
I will pull the lever against anyone that voted yes too this bill. Senetors need to go. We need too stop voting for a party and vote for man or woman running. Ask question, will they represent people for best interest of our country or their interest. America better wake up are will be a Third rate country control by a Castrol like leader. I can not believe how stupid about 48 per cent of this country is. They are like alot of our elected officials, what will they give me.
Weetamoe
January 2nd, 2013
6:47 am
President Shifty Shiftless–not good at much, but masterful at creating and manipulating a crisis.
RGB
January 2nd, 2013
6:56 am
The spending will continue until the deficit improves.
hiram
January 2nd, 2013
7:02 am
It’s pro wrassling. When the voters began electing politicians as overtly stupid as Paul Broun, it signaled the beginning of the end. The founding fathers excluded ignorant voters from the process for good reason.
Capitol Idea
January 2nd, 2013
7:04 am
Every one of those soulless Republicans would have voted yes to give more tax cuts to just the top one percent.
Don Abernethy
January 2nd, 2013
7:06 am
There will be a lot of voters including me that will not vote for the senators who are currently in office.
Cherokee
January 2nd, 2013
7:07 am
“I can not believe how stupid about 48 per cent of this country is.”
Then, there’s “Senetors”, “too” stop voting, “are” will be, “Castrol” like leader.
I would be a little more humble, I think, before I called other people stupid…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 2nd, 2013
7:10 am
Well, they got the “rich.”
So who will the democrats demonize next? Which innocent target will their mindless babbling mob of non contributors set out against?
Off to the Bastille, morons.
hiram
January 2nd, 2013
7:18 am
If Rush told his faithful followers that the sun came up in the West this morning, they would throw away their compasses. People who are so ignorant, they can’t decipher simple information on their own, should not be allowed to particpate in decisions that effect other people.
Buffaloerik
January 2nd, 2013
7:20 am
I highly encourage every single person on this thread to follow through with getting rid of the good ole’ boys Saxby and Johnny…..us Democrats will help you, just let us know how we can assist….
And on a side note, quit whinning, you lost the election(s) – you don’t get to decide how things go until you win an election…..and I’m not talking about silly mid-term elections where you stuff the House full of 1 term Tea Party crackpots…you now hold 1 house because of gerrymandering, find real power or fall in line with the rest of the responsible citizens of America…….
clem
January 2nd, 2013
7:23 am
you can blame tp party for the rout; boehner should have taken deal last year.
CA
January 2nd, 2013
7:37 am
At least we have two Senators who know how to do what’s right. I am a Democrat (making six-seven figures, depending on the year) who truly is okay with higher taxes. The bill is needed, right now. Our United States Senators did what they know is right. The Unites States Representatives, who for political purpose, chose to lean toward politics, and not the people of our state. Our Senators had integrity to do what is right for the people. I am a Democrat, who typically follows party lines. That, ver seriously, might change. Thank you Senators Isakson and Chambliss.
hiram
January 2nd, 2013
7:42 am
@buffalo
Since they are elected at large, thanks to Georgia’s changing demographics, Republican Senators, and soon Governors, are history anyway. The House is a different story. People living in the outback, don’t get a lot of exposure to the world.
Buckhead Boy
January 2nd, 2013
7:47 am
For those of you who express such concern about the public debt, and disparage the passage of this bill, here is where you can send a gift equivalent to the amount by which your income tax has been limited by the bill, which gift will be applied in its entirety to the public debt:
Attn Dept G
Bureau of the Public Debt
P. O. Box 2188
Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188
Oh, and don’t forget the amount by which your milk purchases have been limited.
Just Nasty & Mean
January 2nd, 2013
7:57 am
Really? This fiscal disaster is the Tea Party’s fault? REALLY?? The Tea Party has been the only voice of sanity in this insane spendthrift binge with no end in sight.
Name one—JUST ONE–spending bill the democRats and Obama voted against? Just ONE over the 6 years (they one the Congress in 2006) they were in power?
This spending and redistribution, all the while growing government to unsustainable levels, is on the backs of the Socialist Progressive democRats and Marxist Obama.
You cannot prove me wrong, because FACTS are stubborn things.
woody
January 2nd, 2013
7:58 am
I’m worried enough about the national debt that I would have supported letting the fiscal cliff ‘happen’. It originally included drastic cuts to the Pentagon. However, a measure was passed that excluded the military from cliff cuts. So, what would be the point in drastically cutting other areas? We’ve got to get ourselves out of waging war as an economic practice, somehow. Yes, I’m a veteran, but we do not need to keep paying for B2 bombers when our biggest security problem is roving gangs of thugs.
clem
January 2nd, 2013
8:14 am
there was a better deal last year ( i think august 201) and the tpers gummed that one up. that also is fact.
Middle of the Road
January 2nd, 2013
8:17 am
Do we need spending cuts? Of Course we do. But where? Social Security needs small adjustments to make it solvent for the long term – it has its own revenue stream and its own trust fund and should have its own budget.
Medicare is in dire straits and needs major revamping – but it also has its own revenue stream and should have its own budget – which should be balanced. Idiots who push through an unfunded Medicare Pard D have contributed greatly to its problems. Either cut the services drastically (and thereby anger all the seniors) or increse Medicare taxes to fund what the American people want.
When you take these two programs out, what are left? Interest is 18% – that is not reduceable unless you want to default on our debt. The biggest costs are defense spending including the Department of Homeland security and military perqs and pensions – 40% of the total. So why have we not heard one word about cutting defense? Medicaid is 12% of the budget and should obviously be an area where hard choices need to be made. (BTW, 25% of Medicaid goes to pay for nursing home care for the elderly). IF you cut EVERY SINGLE FEDERAL SPENDING except defense, SS, and Medicare, it would STILL not balance the budget (and that includes running the government, and federal prisons). So do we want to CUT or do we want to TAX more? If you want something, you have to PAY for it. We want Homeland Security, right, after 9-11? So where are the new taxes to pay for it?
curious
January 2nd, 2013
8:18 am
Republicans have managed to shoot themselves in the foot, again.
A philosophy of no compromise is that of a two bit dictator. It won’t endure.
WAW
January 2nd, 2013
8:20 am
Went to see “Lincoln” this weekend and couldn’t help but think that things hasn’t changed much in 150 years. Georgia’s Representatives are still sitting on the river boat.
honested
January 2nd, 2013
8:20 am
The first vote of the year at least proves one thing…….
Georgia Congressional republicans still don’t have a clue!
honested
January 2nd, 2013
8:23 am
Middle of the Road,
Very well stated!
I guess the saddest part is we could easily do without at least 40% of military spending……but that interferes with campaign contributions.
Rafe Hollister
January 2nd, 2013
8:41 am
Well, I hope you cheerleaders for this fiasco enjoy the $1600 tax increase on your wages. Maybe your contribution will buy a couple of gallons of fuel for Airfarce 1 as it makes its way to Hawaii ($7 M trip for the Spender in Chief). All that spending has just worn ole Barry out I guess, and he needs some more golf rounds to get his groove back.
arnold
January 2nd, 2013
8:49 am
In any compromise both sides have to give up something they don’t want to lose. No mside is perfectly happy. That’s why it’s called a compromise.
joe
January 2nd, 2013
9:07 am
As they should have…for every $41 raised in additional (new) taxes, this congress gave us a whopping total of $1 in spending cuts. Pathetic. Vote them all out…at least the ones who voted for this crap.
Willis
January 2nd, 2013
9:07 am
I keep thinking of the big cliff in the final scenes of the movie “The Last of the Mohicans” and realize that Congress just let us go over the cliff and then managed to strike a deal that still leaves plenty of people unhappy. Unhappy not so much with the deal as with the performance of Congress.
The really bad thing about these cliffs is that, like the cliff in the movie, there is no way to get all the way back to the top. Not without a helicopter at least. We have only a temporary reprieve from the antics of a broken Congress and we will continue to slip back to the bottom of the cliff. They created the mess and were not able to fix it.
We don’t have a spending problem; we don’t have a revenue problem. We have a Congress problem.
Don't Tread
January 2nd, 2013
9:11 am
At least the Reps had some gumption to stand up to Barack “You can’t cut your way to prosperity” 0bama. I’ll be voting for different Senators in the primary.
WAW
January 2nd, 2013
9:14 am
Stock Markets are up around the world after the vote. So much for austerity.
Madmax
January 2nd, 2013
9:21 am
So it’s now officially the Obama Tax bill and the Obama Deficit. And we can no longer kick the can down the road, we have to push it because it’s too big to kick. At least we won’t hear the Dem’s whining about the Bush tax cuts anymore.
really
January 2nd, 2013
9:25 am
honested – Do you have a pension or will you be eligible for a pension? Do you place your life on the line for your work? Did you serve your country in any way? Don’t be so fast on cutting defense funds on people who served. You want to complain about military spending, then complain to Obama to uphold his promise to bring all the troops home, not a few groups here and there.
innerjuju
January 2nd, 2013
9:33 am
The House had two years to come up with spending cuts. Instead, they were more concerned with making Obama a one-term president. Then, once reelected, they had lessthan a month and then were more concerned about not compromising on anything. So they wait until the last minute, punt to the Senate over a holiday weekend, all so they can vote ‘No’ when it comes back to them. I’ll remember to vote ‘No’ when my congressman is back up for relection. No way I will vote for Phil Gingrey any longer. He can SAY its because it didn’t have enough spending cuts but I’ll know its because he was more interested in following his Party’s obstructionist policies than to show fiscal leadership. Thank you Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. You showed us what bipartisan compromise looked like once again and I appreciate the effort.
Just Saying..
January 2nd, 2013
9:35 am
Lord help: “…you to dumb…”
Lord help you…
Georgia, The "New Mississippi"
January 2nd, 2013
9:37 am
These Tea Party Johnny Rebs in Congress can not write and pass a bill supported by anyone but Tea Party Johnny Rebs. We will watch them take the same approach on the debt limit .
Diamond Jim
January 2nd, 2013
9:41 am
The Georgia representatives, in voting No on and not caving in to Obama, are doing exactly what we sent them to Washington to do–representing the majority wishes of the folks who elected them. Too bad the same cannot be said for Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss. Chambliss addressed a Cobb County Republican breakfast a month ago, where he said he had never voted for a tax rate increase and NEVER WOULD vote for a rate increase. That didn’t last long. We’d have been better off to go over the so-called cliff and then negotiate some real spending cuts, rather than the piddling amounts in the just-passed bill. Government does not have an income problem—government has a SPENDING problem!!
The House has constitutional authority over all spending legislation, and never should have been negotiating with Obama in the first place. They should pass a series of austere spending bills dealing with specific agencies and programs–no more big pork-laden “omnibus” bills–and send them over to the Senate. If Napoleon Reed refuses to let them be voted upon, then let those agencies and programs shut down for lack of funding, and let the blame fall where it should–squarely on the Democrats. It’s time for the Republicans to grow a pair and have the courage to stop this unsustainable spending spree that is mortgaging the future for the next
two generations.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
January 2nd, 2013
9:43 am
Workers earning the national average salary of $41,000 will receive $32 less on every biweekly paycheck. The higher the salary (up to $113,700), the bigger the bite, but business owners say their lower wage employees will feel it most.
Looks like a lot more than just the “rich” get to share the pain.
Real Athens
January 2nd, 2013
9:47 am
DJ:
Spending on the wrong things are bad. But to demonize all spending as unnecessary is to ignore what put this country at the forefront of, damn near everything.
“Can government play a positive role in economic development?
To understand who built what in the construction of the American economy from its pre-industrial origins, a look at one of the drivers of U.S. innovation — venture capital — is instructive.”
http://onlineathens.com/opinion/2013-01-01/janeway-government-has-crucial-role-economic-development
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
9:53 am
arent the repubs happy that 98% of AMERICANS taxes won’t go up?
curious
January 2nd, 2013
9:58 am
“NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stock futures surged on Wednesday, setting up Wall Street to rally in the first trading session of the new year, after U.S. lawmakers passed a bill preventing huge tax hikes and spending cuts that threatened to jeopardize economic growth.”
If Congress had been doing its job rather than voting NO, this probably would have happened sooner.
Just like negotiating with my wife; my way or the highway doesn’t work if you are working toward a common goal.
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
9:58 am
To the angry bile driven repubs who pretend to hate the government but draws a government check and voted no, did they want the country to go over the fiscal cliff eventhough it would hurt all AMERICANS especially the poor and middle class? IF they weren’t fueled by hate and bigotry for the president maybe they could get things done and move America forward instead of introducing birther bills in congress.
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:00 am
@curious
They are driven by their iuntense hatred of the president. When the leader of the gop is RUSH LIMBAUGH what do you expect?
citizen concur
January 2nd, 2013
10:03 am
I read all the comments. If people stop beening augury about the president, and think more about the country and the people. What best for them and do th e job they were elected to do. Stop taking payoffs from the rich and make the rich pay their fair share and cut out the Good OL Boy area. Then wee could survive.The rich as lived off of the default Middle case and now the have to pay.
td
January 2nd, 2013
10:07 am
iberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
9:53 am
arent the repubs happy that 98% of AMERICANS taxes won’t go up?
Not when the entire increase plus more is spent and the tax increase is nothing more then a spending bill. This bill will INCREASE our deficit by $4 trillion over the next 10 years.
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:08 am
@DIAMOND jim
So you wanted the BUSH tax cuts to expire and we go off the fiscal cliff? And that will make you feel better?
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:12 am
TD
to bad this congress listens to talk radio instead of working for the AMERICAN people. They could have put together a bill but in their hatred for OBAMA they’ve lost the ability to lead. THe gop is a is mess right now and the poublic sees it. While they were introducing birther bills and bills to protect us from SHARIA LAW they should have been working on this important piece of legislation.
td
January 2nd, 2013
10:20 am
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:12 am
You really need to stop listening too and watching the Lame stream media. The Republican house did passed an entire budget that the Dems in the Senate would not even take up plus they did a bill to stop the physical cliff that the Senate refused to take up. They did do their part it was the Dems that did not do anything until the last minute.
curious
January 2nd, 2013
10:23 am
TD,
I found out it doesn’t do much good to propose an idea to my wife when I already know she will reject it outright.
To maintain a good marriage there needs to be some give and take.
td
January 2nd, 2013
10:28 am
“Workers earning the national average salary of $41,000 will receive $32 less on every biweekly paycheck. The higher the salary (up to $113,700), the bigger the bite, but business owners say their lower wage employees will feel it most.”
The average worker will see a $60 per month increase in SS payroll tax and a $20 per month increase in Healthcare premium increase. Now tell us again libs how this is good for the economy?
td
January 2nd, 2013
10:31 am
curious
January 2nd, 2013
10:23 am
And the Republicans gave in and raised taxes on the rich (Obama’s feel good measure) and what are the results? Is the deficit going down due to this bill? Will the economy improve when we add an additional $4 trillion in debt?
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:33 am
This congress is by far the least productive. Other than trying to control a womans vagina, what good are they?
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:34 am
Maybe the reubs should have let all the BUSH tax cuts expire.
curious
January 2nd, 2013
10:35 am
TD,
Apparently some think so, but my point is that Congress could have worked together over the last 2 years so this situation could have been avoided.
“NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stock futures surged on Wednesday, setting up Wall Street to rally in the first trading session of the new year, after U.S. lawmakers passed a bill preventing huge tax hikes and spending cuts that threatened to jeopardize economic growth.”
In case you didn’t see my earlier post.
td
January 2nd, 2013
10:36 am
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:34 am
Maybe the reubs should have let all the BUSH tax cuts expire.
I thought the Bush tax cuts were the entire problem for you libs?
curious
January 2nd, 2013
10:41 am
The Republicans painted themselves into a corner. Could have been avoided, to everyone’s betterment, if they and Democrats had set down and developed a solution.
Instead, we spent an inordinate amount ot time discussing Obama’s birth cerificate, fast and furious, and Benghazi; all to “get” Obama.
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:55 am
@curious
the republican house gets their marching orders from racist talk radio…
liberalefty
January 2nd, 2013
10:57 am
Maybe the inept repub congress was fighting the MIGHTY WAR ON CHRISTMAS to be bothered by this fiscal cliff stuff….lol
Real Athens
January 2nd, 2013
11:01 am
“The average worker will see a $60 per month increase in SS payroll tax and a $20 per month increase in Healthcare premium increase. Now tell us again libs how this is good for the economy?”
SS has to be funded. This is not an increase but a return to SS funding before the collapse of 2008 and you know it.
Who’s going to pay for you to sit at home and post all this crap? LOL.
I will repeat for you again, as you will not acknowledge that of the $4 Trillion added to the deficit $3.23 Trillion is a result of lost revenue due to tax cuts, subsidies and exemptions.
I thought “good conservatives” crow that tax cuts create revenue as a percent of GDP?
double
January 2nd, 2013
11:12 am
The Organizer out maneuvers the Whistleless teapots.Obama don’t kick the can down the roar,he kicks the broken Tea Pots that whistle no more.Sad………
double
January 2nd, 2013
11:16 am
Sax & John are statesmen.May their futures be bright in this new year.
James
January 2nd, 2013
3:35 pm
Your leadership is rather a weepy bunch of girls. I say recall the ENTIRE congress and start from scratch. The Georgia Legislature is next!!!
MackTheKnife
January 2nd, 2013
7:41 pm
Maybe one of the Georgia Congressman will have their eye on Chambliss’s or Isak’s Senate seat. Or better yet, maybe someone can get a RECALL going for both of those sorry Ga. Senators.
MackTheKnife
January 2nd, 2013
7:48 pm
The recognized problem with the Sandy Aid package that most people understand is the pork barrel spending included. Most Americans, including Repubs, have generous hearts is helping those who are affected by naturals disasters.
But what most good conservatives hate the most is pork barrel spending, not matter which party one belongs too.
This aid bill was voted on within one hour of being brought before the Senate, and Chambliss and Isak (being the yes men they are) stumbled over each other wanting to get that atta-boy from Obama.