Obama pushing for payroll tax cut extension

The Associated Press

President Barack Obama, visiting the key battleground state of New Hampshire on Tuesday, targeted Republicans in Congress and those seeking to deny him a second term with a push to extend payroll tax cuts.

During a speech at a Manchester high school, the president argued that a failure to extend the tax breaks would hurt middle-class families already struggling amid a shaky economy, effectively daring congressional Republicans to block the extension and increase taxes.

"Don't be a Grinch. Don't vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays," Obama said.

But if Republicans are in Obama's sights, he's firmly in theirs, too.

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is airing his first TV ads in the state, and they are sharply critical of Obama's economic record. He also ran ads in New Hampshire newspapers that say to Obama, "I will be blunt. Your policies have failed."

The president's trip to the state that holds the first presidential primary follows the collapse of the special congressional deficit-reduction supercommittee, which failed to reach a deal on $1.2 trillion in cuts. Democrats had hoped to tuck the payroll tax extension, as well as a renewal of jobless benefits for the unemployed, into a supercommittee agreement.

With that option seemingly off the table, the White House plans to push hard for a separate measure to extend the payroll tax cuts before they expire at the end of the year — and set up Republicans as the scapegoat if that doesn't happen.

The White House says a middle-class family making $50,000 a year would see its taxes rise by $1,000 if the payroll tax cuts are not extended.

Republicans aren't wholly opposed to the extension. In fact, party members sent the White House a letter in September stating that extension of the payroll tax cut is one element of Obama's $447 billion jobs bill where the two sides may be able to find common ground.

Some Republicans worry that the tax cut extension would undermine the solvency of Social Security pensions, and others are opposed to any effort to pay for the renewal by taxing the wealthiest Americans.

Obama wants to cut the payroll tax by another percentage point for workers, at a total cost of $179 billion, and cut the employer share of the tax in half as well for most companies, which carries a $69 billion price tag.

The issue could appeal to independent voters in low-tax New Hampshire, the presidential swing state Obama won in 2008. With Republican candidates blanketing the state with an anti-Obama message ahead of the Jan. 10 primary, the president and his surrogates, including Vice President Joe Biden, are seeking to steal some of the spotlight for their economic message.

It's been nearly two years since Obama visited New Hampshire. And on Tuesday, he'll find a state that has shifted distinctly to the right since his 2008 victory. Recent polls indicate that, if an election between the two of them were held today, Obama would lose by roughly 10 percentage points to Romney, who governed the neighboring state of Massachusetts.

Romney's print ads, in the form of an open letter, say the evidence on Obama's economic stewardship is "unequivocal" — his policies have "fallen short even by the standards your own administration set for itself."

"Far from bringing the crisis to an end, (they) have actively hindered economic recovery," the ad says. 

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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..but but but...how are we going to fund granny healthcare and retirement if we aren't kicking money into the kitty? What about borrowing for grannys bennies and leaving our kids and grandkids with the bill...oh the inhumanity of it all...

  • 7 votes
#1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:48 AM EST

Obama just trying to buy votes. No purpose other than that. Question is whether America is stupid enough to fall for it a second time...

  • 18 votes
#1.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:32 AM EST

Once again, this is not a payroll tax cut, it is a Social Security Insurance cut. You know, the agence that needs the most help is the one Obama cuts back on. Makes no sense at all, just another way for Obama to trash the social security system. Which I find so odd, since he claims to be such a socialist, why is he trashing the closest thing to a socialist program in the system? Why we are not all screaming at the top of our lungs is beyond me. He is trashing the social security program, get it folks?

  • 17 votes
#1.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:40 AM EST

This is BHO's plan to sure up N.H., let's see if it works.

  • 3 votes
#1.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:54 AM EST

Now all the rightwingnuts are against tax cuts. Anything to make Obama look bad rather than do what's right for the country. Un-American. Pure and simple.

  • 11 votes
#1.4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:59 AM EST

What Obama's own commission recommended a year ago was true tax reform for individuals and corporations. This could include eliminating loopholes, flattening rates, and providing a dose of certainty for individuals and corporations. Of course that has not happened. What we have are gimmicks and one off ideas.

Social Security and Medicare are underfunded and near the crisis point. The "payroll tax cut" that is so small as to be nearly meaningless, comes dollar for dollar from Social Security and Medicare. No President has seriously tackled SS since Reagan. Bush tried and he was run out of town for daring to suggest a new idea. Obama watched this spectacle and he has wisely ran and hid instead of proposing a new idea.

The super committee was a pure political stunt from day one. Now each side can blame the other until November 2012. What we need is a president who is a leader. Obama is the master of gimmicks, tricks, and theater. He needs to be the master of putting forward a credible plan and working with all parties until completion. That's what presidents do.

With his silly scolding and cajoling, Obama looks more like Carter every day.

  • 11 votes
#1.5 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:28 PM EST

Gary, the Legislative Branch of our government is equal and separate from the Executive Branch. If Congress can't do their job, don't blame Obama. Time to elect our Senators and Representatives based on factors other than partisan rhetoric.

  • 8 votes
#1.6 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:48 PM EST

its all so confusing, i thought the libs believed that increasing taxes was a good thing?

  • 3 votes
#1.7 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:55 PM EST

lol ....they no its not they just want to wage envy warfare

  • 2 votes
#1.8 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:26 PM EST

Folks, with all due respect, not a one of you knows what you are talking about.

I strongly suggest that you read the article in ROLLING STONE on how the GOP became the party of the rich. When you finish the article get back to me and let's see if you think any of this is the President's fault.

It is well-written and fully documented quoting real people in power from the Reagan Whitehouse forward.

Here is the synopsis, but please don't take my word for it, read the article.

Basically it says that Reagan (I'm not a fan, but...) raised taxes 11 times in two years to control the deficit. He RAISED taxes on the rich and he ELIMINATED corporate tax breaks. Those are all well-documented facts. Clinton paid down the deficit and had the country on track towards a budget surplus in the trillions of dollars by 2012 when Bush took office. Bush lowered taxes on the wealthy, started two unfunded wars and an unfunded prescription drug mandate and nearly drove this country and the rest of the world off a cliff. The current GOP leadership is continuing these failed policies while trying to make YOU think it's somehow President Obama's fault.

Read the article. It will not only turn your stomach, it will change your opinions.

Obama/Biden 2012

  • 8 votes
#1.9 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:41 PM EST

Skip, don't believe everything you read. The real estate bubble was rooted in the Community Reinvestment Act. Google that, why doncha. Obama has resorted to bribing the people with their own money. What a country.

Dope and Strange 2012

  • 7 votes
#1.10 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:32 PM EST

Let's see, there's a Republican PRIMARY in New Hampshire pretty soon, so what does that have to do with him trying to BUY VOTES there ? Everything people. The Narcissist-in-Chief is in full campaign mode ! The Republican opposition has not even decided on a candidate yet, but Obama does not dare to allow any political activity OVERSHADOW him ! LOL !!

Do you remember what happened after the Iowa caucus a few months back ?? That's right, Obama just had to go visit Iowa in his sleek and shiny Canadian built bus, to make his presence known.

Social Security is in serious financial shape now, so Obama's plan is to drain funds from it as he panders for votes ! The man is a walking contradiction ...... Obama contradicting Obama !!!

  • 6 votes
#1.11 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:35 PM EST

Read the article and get back to me.

  • 1 vote
#1.12 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:48 PM EST

No one in Obama's administration can or has explained to the public how and why a payroll tax cut extension,“Cash for Clunkers,” Obamacare, buying into GM, threatening Boeing, giving $$$ Billions to democrat special interests, the second stimulus, or new regulations on business were supposed to create more jobs or economic growth. That is because these Ivy League elitists never had to explain themselves to defrauded students overpaying $53,000/ year with taxpayer funded guaranteed loans, and when their policies fail in Washington they just bail and go back to their cushy jobs at posh universities and "too big to fail" Wall Street firms now guaranteed against loss by US taxpayers under Dodd-Frank-Obama.

What could possibly go wrong?

  • 9 votes
#1.13 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:51 PM EST

Jim: The Republican opposition has not even decided on a candidate yet

The Republicans may not have picked a candidate, but they are all campaigning, more against Obama than against each other. Like it or not, they have started the national campaign. Obama is simply responding, as is his right.

  • 4 votes
#1.14 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:10 PM EST

Obama is simply fearful ... as well he should be !

Anyway, he is still pandering for votes. You can slice it, dice it, put lipstick on that pig, rationalize it anyway you can ... Obama is passing out lollipops hoping voters will pick him, in spite of his many failures.

  • 6 votes
#1.15 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:27 PM EST

They owe the old age and disability trust (social security) over 3.6 trillion in principal and another 1.6 in interest, total iou from Treasury =4.2 trillion, now to get votes and put a extra 160 dollars a month in working pockets, they want to reduce the tax, are they totally nuts !

  • 3 votes
#1.16 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:46 PM EST

Obama is trying to fix an economy Bush II and the Republicans screwed up. If Bush II had left a blueprint of how to fix his wrong doing we wouldn't be reading any of this - but then if we never had Bush II and the Republicans we wouldn't be reading this either.

Bush II inherited a booming economy with full employment and look what he did to us and what he left Obama! Give Obama credit.

  • 6 votes
#1.17 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:51 PM EST

Dick you are correct. But give credit where credit is due. GB the first started this program in his first Presidency. He signed Norquists little pledge and then had to reneg on it. It cost him a second term.

Junior made good on his daddy's promises with a vengence. Read the Rolling Stone article, it is brilliant and a real eye opener.

How anyone can believe or support the GOP after reading that article is totally beyond me. It defies all logic.

Obama/Biden 2012

  • 4 votes
#1.18 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:59 PM EST

Oh no, no no. Don't blame the CRA for the housing crash. That was only 9% of mortgages and only 20% of those were defaulted on during the housing crash. 20% of 9% is only about 2% of all mortgages.. That's way too small a number to have caused the housing crash.

The housing crash was triggered by widespread predatory lending and securities malfeasance; not the CRA. The failed loans from the CRA were just too small a piece of the housing crash pie to have caused a global financial collapse.

  • 3 votes
#1.19 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:24 PM EST

Bush II inherited a booming economy with full employment and look what he did to us and what he left Obama! Give Obama credit.

You're joking right? I mean you absolutely HAVE to be joking. At the end of the Clinton administration anyone with half a brain saw the downturn. People were cashing out their investments as fast as they could (me included) due to the market downturn.

I'm not going to start the raving about how great a President Bush was (I would be lying), but to listen to people time and time again rail on how great Obama has done is laughable. He MAY have been a good President under different conditions, but he was the wrong person at the wrong time.

    #1.20 - Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:05 AM EST
    Reply

    Where are all those Jobs from extending the Bush tax cuts?

    • 8 votes
    Reply#2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:49 AM EST

    Why does Obama want to extend the tax cuts? and on borrowed money at that!...I thought tax cuts don't produce jobs...I thought he was against any tax cuts at all...wow pick a damn side will ya

    • 10 votes
    #2.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:04 AM EST

    Obamas policies have destroyed any potential job growth....I'll ask you, where are all the jobs from the first trillion dollar jobs bill he rammed down our throats?

    • 10 votes
    #2.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:18 AM EST

    The only real job growth has been the Federal Government. Unfortunately those jobs do nothing but suck money out of the economy... But hey Obama has secured the votes from those new government workers!!! Job well done!

    • 4 votes
    #2.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:34 AM EST

    Inflation hasn't kicked in yet, just wait, they're in the pipeline.

      #2.4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:55 AM EST

      The Bush tax cuts "saved" 2,000,000 jobs, you know, kinda like Obie has "saved"..Just ask Nancy Pelousy

      • 1 vote
      #2.5 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:14 PM EST

      Pissedoffperson,there never were any,and if left to the Republicants there will never be any. Just like that bullsh$$ trickle down economics.The only thing trickling down is down their leg.I guess it gives them a warm feeling if nothing else.

      • 5 votes
      #2.6 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:51 PM EST

      look at the unemployment under bush and look at it now ????

      • 2 votes
      #2.7 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:29 PM EST

      Does anyone really doubt that the boom of the 90's was in part due to the successes of Reaganomics of the 80's? It certainly wasn't anything that Clinton did. Trickle down did happen, but not in the glassed over eyes of the Demo-denialists.

      • 2 votes
      #2.8 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:06 PM EST

      Yes, I really doubt that the 90s success had anything to do with the Reagan tax cuts. Especially since he cut them early, saw it wasn't working, and then raised taxes 11 times. I remember the unemployment that came with the Reagan tax cuts.

      • 4 votes
      #2.9 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:00 PM EST

      The economic success of the US in the Clinton years was based on the tech boom, which in turn was created by government investments made many years before. Louis Gerstner, among others, has said the computer industry would not have gotten off the ground if not for one early client, NASA. The internet was a government creation. Heck, even Ross Perot got rich by developing data systems for one client, Medicaire.

      Gerstner and other intelligent CEOs know how important the federal government is in developing innovation. If Reagan hadn't cancelled government sponsored solar research the US would be leading the world in that field right now instead of China, German, and Spain. That would mean a huge number of good paying jobs right here at home. And there would be no need to try and support companies like Solyndra trying to play catch up.

      What we need now is for all of the nay sayers to get out of the fast lane with their 19th century ideas so the rest of us can make some progress.

      • 2 votes
      #2.10 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:07 PM EST

      So here are some theories on tax cuts I have heard so far

      1. Republicans-if you cut their tax break or raise their taxes, they will not have the money to create new jobs

      2. Democrats- If we tax more money from the rich, then we can create the jobs.

      3. Repub- if you cut from social services then we will give you some more revenue.

      4. Demos- If you give us more revenue we will cut from social services.

      5.Independent Idea- if you let the tax cuts expire then companies will hire as a way to decrease their tax liability.

      6. demos- we need more money to fund our social services.

      7.repub- cut the excess out of your social services then we will talk( they mean cut out people that really do not qualify, "liars, illegals").

      8. demos-but the people we support with your tax money vote for us.

      9.repubs- the people that support us want the waste cut then we will see just how much more revenue you need.

      10. independents- your all idiots!

      These are literally LMAO some of the post i have read lately. Summed up of course. I mean come on!! You have trickle down and trickle up ideas. But as to you question of jobs there is an article on how much Alabama's unemployment rate has dropped since their new illegals laws went into place. There's your jobs baby!!! Right smack dab on the nose, if it was a snake it would'a bit ya, answer! One little bitty law is reversing one states economy and Obama boy is against it. Thats his whole re-election right there. support these states rights and watch your unemployment drop. All he needs is a measly 1% drop and he has the re-election in the bag. and you know what else supporting those states rights does? those states are no longer paying wic, medicaid, medicare, ss(yes illegals have gotten their hands on that too) towards illegals who do not contribute and then all those ppl on unemployment r no longer on it. so theres more money, for more job creation or paying back the debt!!! We can sing the mo'money song!! After that we go after ppl abusing the EBT system. GET A JOB and then come talk to us about assistance. Raise minimum wage too and find a way to go after companies sending jobs overseas (Hershey's jerks just sent jobs overseas). Theres your jobs!!!

        #2.11 - Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:52 AM EST

        So Obama is not only wanting to hold over Bush's tax cuts, now Obama's tax cuts, but wants to rob social security payments to an already troubled program.

        This clown doesn't have an original bone in his body.

        Hilarious!

          #2.12 - Wed Nov 23, 2011 6:28 AM EST
          Reply

          Of course he would be cuttig a chogy for NH. He lost ground there to Romney. I doubt that he will recover what was lost, but . . . he's a loser, face it.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:53 AM EST

          just yesterday Obama said he would veto any attempt at an end around the automatic triggers from the failed debt commission. now he's trying to sway the public with his own end arounds. can the public really be that stewpid?

          • 9 votes
          Reply#4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:59 AM EST

          @ Stop

          The public intelligence shouldn't be in question. It is human nature to hear what one wants to hear. President Obama just spoke in N.H. to push the extension of the payroll cuts. I'm sure many people heard "more money in my pocket", and many as well, "less money into the S.S. Trust".

          The only blame that can be cast is on the deliverer of speech. I personally don't care for borrowing from the S.S. Trust to buy votes through a "stimulus".

          • 6 votes
          #4.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:01 PM EST
          Reply

          Everybody should pay into social security regardless of income level. Remove the cap for the employee and just allow the employer the exemption after the income level is reached. Fairness for all income levels.

          • 8 votes
          Reply#5 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:04 AM EST

          Your correct, everyone knows this, except Obama, who chose to reduce the income to this program and call it a tax cut. This is not a tax cut people he is trashing the social security system.

          • 7 votes
          #5.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:42 AM EST

          Love

          SS is set up so that the MORE you pay the MORE you receive. So by RAISING the cap you MUST RAISE the BENEFIT. Thus no new increase in revenue over the long run. To change this you must change the SS System. I don't think that people would like that. The other ways are to RAISE the Payroll Tax or LOWER the total cost of some benefits.

          • 2 votes
          #5.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:44 PM EST

          slodon - You are the only that understands the SS program. The more I put in, the more I collect! It is not a wealth re-distribution program as many of you are wishing for.

          • 4 votes
          #5.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:55 PM EST

          No, the benefit will be proportional to the increase, but not dollar for dollar. Removing the cap would help.

          • 2 votes
          #5.4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:17 PM EST
          Reply

          So Obama would lose 10% points today to romney?Well thats not to bad obama's 90% to romney's 10%.So whats romney gonna do in the next 49 states?

          • 3 votes
          Reply#6 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:11 AM EST

          Dream on

            #6.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:31 PM EST

            american #1,

            You are wrong according to our President. Your "analogy" should say "So what's romney gonna do in the next 56 states".

            • 1 vote
            #6.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:42 PM EST

            Obama has 44% and Romney has 44%. He'll need to change some independants. They are increasingly hopeful for change in 2012. The most recent poll I've seen for independants was around 35% approval for Obama. He will need to really flim-flam them again to keep it all going.

            • 4 votes
            #6.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:50 PM EST
            Reply

            This man is truly amazing. By taking money away from S.S. then borrowing money to pay S.S. benefits, then turning around and saying if we don't extend this idiocy the Repubs are responsible for raising taxes is just ludicrous. I know Americans should be smarter than this but knowing they really are not smarter just shows that politicians will and can say anything they want to get re-elected. Amazing!!

            • 8 votes
            Reply#7 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:16 AM EST

            Yep and they fall for this "Tax Cut" crap when it isnt that at all, he is stealing from the social security system. The one program that needs the most help, the moron chooses to substantially reduce revenues too. And people dont even get it because the never use the correct terminology 'SOCIAL SECURITY INSURANCE CUT" It is not a "Tax Cut".

            • 3 votes
            #7.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:45 AM EST

            JMO - as Churchill once said "the best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the man on the street".

            That's a bit harsh but true nonetheless. No one reads books of differing ideology to inform themselves. They watch 30-second soundbites on the liberal biased network news and/or MSLSD and think they are informed. When in fact they are clueless.

            • 1 vote
            #7.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:46 AM EST

            rebelwithoutaclue,you talking from experience,or you brain washed from Faux new.

            • 2 votes
            #7.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:00 PM EST

            I don't think Americans are dumb; it's more that there is a preveiling feeling of disenfrancisement - that our voice /opinion doesn't make a difference. American people can see through the rethoric, but it is the thinking that it is futile to voice our opinions that has not only furthered the problem but has directly contributed to it.

            Silent America? -- it's time we did something. Call you're local/state/national representative to convey that we are tired of our elected officials who have seemingly forgotten that they are directly responsible to Americans first and formost, and not the "party."

            • 1 vote
            #7.4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:35 PM EST
            Reply

            It has been proven that raising taxes does not raise revenue...I just watched the interview Obama had with Charles Gibson...Charles told Obama that history has proven the fact that raising capitol gains taxes actually lowered revenue....Obama said he know that..but in the interest of fairness he wanted to raise taxes...Now here is a President that will try to push a tax increase that is not good for the country because of his failed political ideology...He stops the pipeline from being built until after the elections...It's ready to put 20.000 Americans to work right now, not to mention energy independence..but his extreme left base would protest...So it is purely a political stance to stop the pipeline...it is definitely not in the best interest on United States..So I ask why is this President doing things that are going to be detrimental to our economy....I know the answer, do you...

            • 8 votes
            Reply#8 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:20 AM EST

            Yes that almighty tax cut, call it what it is, defunding Social Security.

            Wow, if I was so lucky to make $50,000 a year that extra $1000 would have me laughing all the way to the bank.

            I could retire in four more years with that and a promise of more hope and change!

            Ron Paul interviewed by AARP in Iowa:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSApkP8Frfs&feature=player_embedded

            • 1 vote
            Reply#9 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:24 AM EST

            Yeah, Change you could step in...

            • 2 votes
            #9.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:30 AM EST
            Reply

            The payroll tax cut is a big venture into nothingness as to its impact in spurring new hiring. Obama is doing nothing more than throwing a bone to make it look like he doing something.

            If no one is buying XYZ Corp. has no need for employee(s). If XYZ Corp. is cranking sales then regardless of the payroll tax cut they won't hire because of the big unknowns: tax increases and the additional medical benefit costs or penalties due for non-compliance for Obamacare. Still known as the bill no one read.

            The payroll tax credit is a great big zero as to effectiveness. Obama needs to do something bold - the Ireland experiment. Close the loopholes for all corps and lower corp tax rate to 10% for all big and small businesses.

            Oh, that's right. That is not a balanced approach. Never mind it is a growth approach that will lead to economic expansion. It just isn't fair boo hoo hoo!

            May I remind Obama and his minions zero + zero = zero. Offshore cash belonging to U.S. corps in the trillions would come back into the U.S. for expansion. Not to mention foreign investment here that will build plants and hire American workers. Thereby increasing Treasury revenues from both corps and individuals.

            He is ignorant as to the economy as are his minions he espouses his divisive garbage to on a regular basis. He and Paul "Shifty-Eyes" Krugman are to economic theory what Ghengis Khan was to peace and love. And Obama worships at the flake Krugman's altar.

            • 5 votes
            Reply#10 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:30 AM EST

            More like he is burying the bone, only for gramma and grampa to dig it up and find that it has rotted away when they most need it.

            • 1 vote
            #10.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:05 PM EST
            Reply

            One more time people. This is NOT a PAYROLL TAX CUT. It is a SOCIAL SECURITY INSURANCE CUT. You know, the program that needs the most help is the one Obama has cut back. Why do you think he is doing this? He is programming Social Security for failure and all the lemmings jump up and down because they think it is a payroll tax cut. Moronic. Can we really wait another 350 days?

            • 7 votes
            Reply#11 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:36 AM EST

            Unfortunately, we must wait another 350 days.

            • 2 votes
            #11.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:51 PM EST
            Reply

            Obama says its ok to raise taxes in 2013 & 2014, but in 2012 its not ok to bring the payroll tax back up to par saving Social Security.

            Folks, once again its all about political posturing and nothing else. The Democrats want the whole pie.

            • 5 votes
            Reply#12 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:56 AM EST

            Just imagine how healthy the social security system would get if they tax these CEOS 7% of those 10-20 million dollar bonuses?

            • 3 votes
            Reply#13 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:01 PM EST

            OK I didnt mean to say 'tax'.I meant to say "if they paid social security insurance" on their 10-20 million dollar bonuses.

            • 4 votes
            #13.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:11 PM EST

            As long as they are allowed to collect SS benefits equal to what they pay in - I see no problem with that!

            • 4 votes
            #13.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:50 PM EST

            The CEOs aren't the ones I wonder about, it's anyone who makes over $106K (the cutoff now) who don't pay. How about raise the limit to $250K and see how much more money comes in. Yes, BigPaul, the benefits should also increase for the increased contribution.

            • 2 votes
            #13.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:39 PM EST

            Well get educated and get a ceo job if your crying about it

              #13.4 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:33 PM EST
              Reply

              It's hard for me to understand why anyone would be surprised by the condition this nation is in! During his campaign and even in his books he told us what and how he intended to govern! How can one "fundamentally change the way government works", in a Constitutional Republic, without first devastating the economy, the infrastructure and the peoples faith in their leadersHe told us! Far, far too many simply chose not to listen!

              • 6 votes
              Reply#14 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:04 PM EST

              The above comment is an absolute lie! This is what I meant in an earlier comment when I said some whites in America are willing to do or say anything in order to win. They will cheat, steal and fudge or anything else just to get the victory. Here is the truth according to what the CBO just recently released:



                #14.1 - Fri Dec 2, 2011 2:39 AM EST

                Attached to above comment:

                President Obama's much-maligned economic stimulus package added as many as 3.3 million jobs to the economy during the second quarter of this year, and may have prevented the nation from lapsing back into recession, according to a report released Tuesday by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

                In its latest quarterly assessment of the act, the CBO said the stimulus lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.7 and 1.8 percentage points during the quarter ending in June and increased the number of people employed by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million. (Type in a search for: CBO latest report of Obama's stimulus) it should pop right up for you. Let's have the truth for a change, okay?

                This is the truth, so where did tedcrawford (above) get HIS facts from? Some of you people get on here and lie like hell and you know you're lying! Is that fair? Is it? You say you are the Party of family values and principles; so, is lying something you teach your children to do? Obama is black and therefore the weak-minded will go along with any horrible thing you say about him. No one will ever believe Obama is a good guy because "ni**gers" are terrible people and can never be as smart as a white man. Obama only got to be president because of Affirmative Action anyway and that's why we have the right to see his birth certificate and demand to see his college grades! He schemed and shuffled his way to the White House but he has no right to be the leader of this nation. He is in kahoots with the other eastern ni**gers like Saddam and his buddies in a plot to overthrow America. Did you see him give his wife that fist bump that them people do when they think they have put one over on us whites?

                This is the year 2011; when does it end, where does it end? These lies typically spring from whites of the lowest intelligence because they can not rationalize for themselves. So the more clever or sinister whites plant this sh!t into their empty heads and they then run with it! Unable to sort out facts from fiction, some even believe their telling the truth but the one thing you don't do as a white knuckle-head is investigate the facts! Don't do that because then you will see the truth and be of no further use to the real conspirators who are actually trying to overtake the freedoms of all Americans. The war between blacks and whites will never end because we know how to hate also. We know now how our ancestors got here and that can never be completely forgiven in any true black person's heart. Ni**gers and blacks and two entirely different races. Ni**gers are also of a lower grade of intellect. They rob and brake things, shoot each other up on the weekends and then rot in prison for their stupidity!

                The future of this nation is for the intelligent; the idiots will be day laborers. So, keep fighting and keep right on lying and killing off one another. Obama has had only three years to repair all the sh!t that Bush, with eight years, did to this economy. I can tell by the fact that so many of you are ready, willing, and able to support Newt; a man who is a known liar, a known cheat and a known crook! What do you all honestly think that you will get from a man who believes that poor children should be janitors; but who would get to make that call? May I submit to you all that Newt Ging-grinch is a certified fool and woe be unto to those who hitch up to that wagon!

                  #14.2 - Fri Dec 2, 2011 3:25 AM EST
                  Reply

                  Any bonus is taxed at a minimum of 46%, and SS comes out of there. Use all the money you save in not paying YOUR FAIR SHARE to buy some brains please.

                    Reply#15 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:18 PM EST

                    SS only comes out to a max of $106K in wages a year. Bonuses would be taxed at the appropriate tax rate, not a flat 46%. My brains are just fine, thank you.

                    • 2 votes
                    #15.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:41 PM EST
                    Reply

                    If anything, we should raise SS payroll tax by 2% for one year to get money back into SS. Our President takes us for a bunch of uneducated fools!

                    • 4 votes
                    Reply#16 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:48 PM EST

                    I notice that the republicans like taxcuts for the wealthy but think they are wrong for the working families. When an attempt was made to eliminate the Bush tax cuts the republicans called that a tax increase and disallowed the increase. Now when the worker is coming up to a potential end to a tax cut there is no such outcry that it is a tax increase to allow the cut to disappear.

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#17 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:52 PM EST

                    James: Everyone who earned a living and paid federal income taxes got a cut in their rates. Some got so much of a cut that they fell off the tax rolls altogether. Repeating a lie doesn't make it true. It just makes the person who repeats it a liar.

                    • 1 vote
                    #17.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:49 PM EST

                    I'd be all for it, in fact I am. The problem for me is that its taking money out of SS, which will be insolvent soon if it is not already. In my opinion, we ought to do it for middle-class families and below and have everybody who makes over a certain wage (like $300k) pay an SS tax of about 7%.

                    • 1 vote
                    #17.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:20 PM EST
                    Reply

                    We need tax breaks that are paid for - not like the Bush tax cuts, or every other corporate loophole that Republicans continue to call a tax cuts! Those who benefited by tax cuts of the past benefitted by plundering a surplus that this country had, and then by taking out a Chinese credit card. Republican leaders and right-wing media operatives know that they are spreading disinformation when they say that the country needs more corporate breaks - breaks are sitting in off-shore accounts rather than risk taking to stimulate the economy here. It a tax code issue, because if accountants were not busy taking advantage of the loopholes, businesses would be growing AND helping the country. 

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#18 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:56 PM EST

                    What we need is a government that lives within its means. When a person gets a tax cut, the government doesn't have an actual outlay of cash. So, there is no reason to have to pay for it.

                    • 3 votes
                    #18.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:51 PM EST

                    What we need is a SMART government that can live within its means when possible but help the nation financially when necessary. A tax cut should be done only in times of a rough economy, ought to be CANCELLED during a war, and should be targeted at those who ACTUALLY create jobs: businesses and the middle class because demand stimulates an economy and demand comes mostly from the middle class. In addition, a tax cut ought to be AFFORDABLE; if it causes a huge deficit WITHOUT boosting the economy it should be discarded immediately.

                    • 1 vote
                    #18.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:23 PM EST
                    Reply

                    You guys sound just like Wesley Mouch and Ellsworth Thooey. Blaming everyone but yourselves as your little socialist world crumbles around you.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#19 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:02 PM EST

                    The "Super Committee" has failed and Hensarling pointed the finger at the president.

                    "Unfortunately, the committee's challenge was made more difficult by President Obama," he wrote. "Since the committee was formed, he has demanded more stimulus spending and issued a veto threat against any proposed committee solution to the spending problem that was not coupled with a massive tax increase."

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#20 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:10 PM EST

                    Absolutely do not extend this the reduction in SS (payroll) tax. Further, DO NOT extend unemployment benefits when the time comes.

                    Why? SS is already running behind in revenues to output. This is putting a burden on the budget. We are borrowing the money to make the SS payments now!

                    Re: unemployment....it's a time-proven fact that people find work when the benefit expires. Sure it's 9% unemployment but, folks will have to re-consider the job that was 'beneath them' when those govt checks were rolling in. We need to get off the govt tit and bring back the dignity of working for our survival and self pride. I am convinced that working at flipping burgers is healthier than sitting on your ass and doing nothing.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#21 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:13 PM EST

                    This is interesting, Obama, addressing prospective voters in NH, telling them that he favors the extension of tax cuts, yet, not over 30 minutes ago, on the various TV news channels, not just FoxNews, he made the comment that he would veto any bill that would extend tax cuts.

                    Which side of his gapping mouth is he speaking from?

                    My NA ancestors would say 'black/white man speaks with forked tongue'.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#22 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:21 PM EST

                    Wow, let's make sure we underfund a government program that's on the brink of insolvency. Great plan, Mr. President.

                    • 4 votes
                    Reply#23 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:39 PM EST

                    SS is solvent until at least 2047. stop believing faux news.

                    • 1 vote
                    #23.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:54 PM EST

                    Not to mention the baby boomers will start dying off and decrease costs. Things run in cycles.

                    • 1 vote
                    #23.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:24 PM EST

                    Sheila,

                    Your "logic" escapes me. Baby boomers get "older" and start COLLECTING THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY before they die.

                    • 2 votes
                    #23.3 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:32 PM EST
                    Reply

                    The whole Norquist pledge thing makes me sick. Isn't there a legal basis there for calling him and the GOP politicians who signed his pledge out for extortion or perhaps even treason? I'm serious. Why no movement on that issue?

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#24 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:49 PM EST

                    Speaking of treason perhaps we should consider our wonderful President who has been on the attack against no less than 3 fundamental rights guaranteed to our citizens:

                    Reps, Dems, Congressmen/women, Senators, the President, The VP, The Attorney General, The Sec of Energy...it make's no difference.

                    THEY ALL HAVE SOLD OUT TO SPECIAL INTERESTS AND ARE SCREWING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OVER. All of these people should be convicted of treason and HUNG

                    • 1 vote
                    #24.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:45 PM EST
                    Reply

                    Last year's cut in the 6.2% payroll tax, which raises money for Social Security, was accomplished with borrowed money.

                    No thank you. Time to quit spending our children's money. Time to get rid of Obama in 349 days.

                    • 3 votes
                    Reply#25 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:49 PM EST

                    I say time to quit worrying about our children. I'm sure they will get along just fine, every generation has. Who knows, it might even make real men and women out of them.

                    • 2 votes
                    #25.1 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:27 PM EST

                    Time to get rid of Obama, 435 Congreemen/women and 33 senators.

                    Let's just hope that people have common sense enough to not vote IN the other party. Instead, get independents who don't owe anything to anyone.

                    • 1 vote
                    #25.2 - Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:56 PM EST
                    Reply
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