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Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS file
Harry Reid, center, hasn't ruled out other ways of offsetting the revenue loss caused by the payroll tax cut, if Republicans succeed in blocking the surtax.
Over the next few weeks, Congress faces a sprawling mess of tax and spending decisions, with the likely outcome being an overstuffed pre-Christmas package held together with the legislative equivalent of wrapping tape.
Complain if you will about congressional gridlock, but right before the holidays is often when the gridlock eases because everyone is focused on getting out of town and back to their families.
This week is merely the opening round of the bargaining. The decisive question: What tradeoffs will members of Congress be willing to make as the clock ticks down to the middle of the December?
This week’s action focuses on Senate votes to extend the Social Security payroll tax cut which Congress passed almost exactly one year ago in a similar end-of-year bargaining bazaar. Without the extension, a worker who earns $40,000 would see his or her payroll tax go up by $800 in 2012.
“Republicans know that raising taxes on the middle class is the wrong thing to do,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Tuesday after the weekly strategy luncheon with his Democratic colleagues.
Democratic leaders propose to pay for an expansion of the payroll tax cut with a surtax on incomes over $1 million, an idea Republicans oppose.
On Tuesday, Reid didn’t rule out other ways of offsetting the revenue loss caused by the payroll tax cut, if Republicans succeed in blocking the surtax. “We are going to continue working until we get the payroll tax (cut) extended,” Reid said.
Reid also didn’t rule out simply passing the tax cut without any offsetting revenue raiser. “Let’s see what happens on this (surtax vote),” he said.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) lays the reasons why he thinks "we have a good chance of actually getting a good package for deficit reduction in 2012."
Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl said Sunday that the payroll tax cut “has not stimulated job creation.” But on Tuesday two other Republicans from opposite ends of their party’s ideological spectrum indicated they weren’t opposed to the payroll tax cut.
“I don't like toying with taxes the way we are doing,” said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. But he added, “I just don't think it's a good time to increase any taxes, so we're looking for a way to pay for it.”
And Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, voiced support for extending the tax cut, but wasn’t too enthusiastic about it. “What I've heard from employers is that a one-year policy isn’t going to be sufficient” to create sustainable employment, she told reporters. The payroll tax cut is “a short-term measure that’s not going to achieve the long term results … We should be doing more long-term policy of fundamental structural (tax) reforms … .” But despite talk of the long term, Congress now seems able only to legislate for a year at a time.
Senate staffers on both sides of the aisle indicated that the payroll tax cut extension will probably pass, after some theatrics, assuming some revenue offset is found.
The other must-pass contents of the end-of-year package that Reid mentioned Tuesday included:
1. An extension of emergency unemployment insurance benefits which currently provide up to 53 weeks of additional money after the regular 26 weeks of state payments have been exhausted. Of the dozen policy options, including the payroll tax cut, which Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Elmendorf examined in his Nov. 15 testimony to the Senate Budget Committee, extending unemployment benefits was the most cost-effective way of creating additional employment. That might sound paradoxical, but he said, “Households receiving unemployment benefits tend to spend the additional benefits quickly, making this option both timely and cost-effective in spurring demand for goods and services, and thereby economic activity and employment.”
2. The postponement of the scheduled 29 percent cut in payments to doctors serving Medicare patients. The cut in payments to doctors is a result of the 1997 budget law, which attempted to restrain Medicare spending. But each year since 2003, Congress has overridden the reduction in payments and allowed the postponed reductions to accumulate. So if Congress fails to act, doctors next year will see a sharp cut in what they get paid for treating Medicare patients
3. The extension of at least some of the 53 tax credits and preferences which Congress created or preserved last December. The platter of tax breaks includes something for almost all tastes: the deduction of state and local sales taxes, which is worth about $2.8 billion to taxpayers who itemize, the economic development credit for American Samoa, worth about $15 million, a tax break for mine safety equipment, worth about $20 million, and many others.
With the holiday break approaching, Congress still has plenty on its plate including avoiding big pay reductions for Medicare doctors and avoiding another government shutdown. NBC's Luke Russert reports.
Almost certain to be in the final package is a “patch,” or one-year adjustment, of the Alternative Minimum Tax, which will otherwise hit upper-middle class people who have lots of deductions. The current AMT “patch” is providing about $136 billion of tax relief, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation.
The vehicle for all this is likely to be a bill providing funding for the agencies and departments for which Congress hasn't yet passed annual appropriations bills. The current funding runs out on Dec. 16 but Congress could pass a stopgap extension and then a longer-term one before it adjourns for the year.
If the package does pass, the budget deficit in the current fiscal year may not be any smaller – and depending on economic growth, may be bigger than the Fiscal Year 2011 deficit of 8.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product . Despite the attempt to “pay for” the payroll tax cut with some offsetting revenue, the other elements in the package are all revenue losers
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Actually Obama was handed the worst disaster in 80 years and now unemployment is going down....In fact it's lower than the same time in Reagan's first term.
The Dow is up 50%, the banks are stabilized, one war is ending, Bin Laden and Qaddafi are gone.
Not bad for the pile of GOP dung he was handed.
Deportations are at record levels and less illegals are coming in than in a long long long time.
Just the facts, sorry right wingers love a political party more than they love their country.
But the President promised that if the stimulus bill were passed, unemployment would not rise above 8%. That did not happen. The President promised that if the health care bill were passed, my health care insurance premiums would go down. That did not happen. The President promised that he would go over the health care bill "line by line" with my congressman and that the proceedings would be broadcast on CSPAN. That did not happen. These are the facts.
Common,
Hey, putz. At this time in Reagan's first term, unemployment was 7.4%. Obama 9%.
Any questions, schmuck?
Obama was handed a horrible situation that was ignited by Barney Frank when he told Congress in 2003 that Freddie and Fannie were stable and we had nothing to worry about. He argued that all Americans deserve a home and if they didn't get one, we were all racists. The Bush admin warned over and over again about the coming problems but the liberal schmucks would have nothing to do with it.
Hey Bernie, how did the label of racist twist the banks arm to give loans?
How did the label racist force Wall Street to begin to trade Mortage as securities knowing they were bad paper??
What was the Bush/GOP plan to pay for two wars other than the tax break for everyone???
Congress first needs to pass a budget for FY 2012. Remember that our President promised the American people that the 2012 federal deficit will not exceed 229.27 billion dollars. To do that the federal government will have to spend more than 1 trillion dollars less in 2012 than it did in 2011. The congress, especially the Democrats need to support the President and his promises to the American people. The President also said that taxes should not be raised during a recession. So in support of the President the congress needs to pass a budget for 2012 that does not raise taxes and that restricts the Federal deficit to not more than 229.27 billion dollars.
Cut all defense spending and we can get close to a balanced budget.
In case anyone doesn't know......Taxes pay for national defense.
Therefore if you think taxes are the government stealing from you, then you shouldn't be against cutting all national defense and waiting for the bad guys to come take your property.
Common,
Hey, putz. The number one responsibility of the federal government according to the Constitution is to protect and defend the United States. That means a strong national defense.
Feeding people, seeing that they have a home, health care, The National Association of the Arts, the National Education Association, IS NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.
bernie
You complete and total moron, the #1 responsibility of the Fed according to the US Constitution is not national defense.
You are too intellectually inferior to even know what's in the US Constitution.
My gawd man, why do you insist on making a fool out of yourself?
Really dude, do you not get embarrassed looking like a total joke?
Common,
One more time. THE NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY of the federal government is to maintain a strong national defense.
benie
So now you are changing your story.....Before it was under the US Constitution.
hahahahhahahahahha
Dude, you can't even get your story straight.
What a joke you are.
hahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahha
Common,
The Constitution says "To Provide for the Common Defense".
Any more little hahahahah's, putz?
Sure, cut all defense spending. Zerobama has already cut funding for border security, killed NASA and is gutting the military and forcing businesses out with endless regulations. Open the gates and weaken this country while China and Russia grow stronger everyday. The charlatan apologizes to those who want to destroy us. He is making this country weak and disrespected around the world now, like you liberals are the weaklings of the U.S.
My dear imbecile, NASA was slated to become exctinct during the Bush regime, learn the facts.
Congratulations go to Common Sense 4U ..... for consistently and flagrantly violating the Newsvine Code of Honor ..... I sincerely MUST nominate you for the daily MASSENGILL AWARD .... you have earned it !!
Your comment at #85.2 IS CLASSIC ! Tell us ... Did you "wet yourself" while spewing out this reply ?
The article is about end-of-year spending and legislative band-aids, try to stay on topic once. Otherwise, I suggest you read your own remarks to yourself .... while looking at a mirror !
I love to read these posts. It shows how divided this country really is. And it is funny when we call Obama the "great divider" the libs cry out "oh no, he is great, he is wonderful, he is the Messiah" And while we are all on here bickering back and forth about Obama being the "great destroyer", the country is truly falling apart. Yet the libs continue to cry out "oh no, he is not the "great destroyer, he is wonderful, he is the mesiah"! And then the inept congress continues to take us all for a ride, sucking out every last dime we have, and yet the libs cry out, "oh Barney, you are the great liberal, you are the second Messiah" as he leaves with all his millions that he scammed from all of us. Now we know why Michelle Obama want us to wean off of the McDonalds; it because they won't be serving Big Macs in the soup lines.
Not sure what planet you live on.
The only one who calls Obama the "Messiah" is Hannity.
But then again it's easier to be against things than for anything.
That's the right wing way.
Against everything.....For NOTHING.
CommonSense, do I detect frustration and anger in your words? How can you be angry? Obama is your president, all is good, all is great, there are no more wars which is why we don't need a military, there is no more illness, which is why we no longer need healthcare, there is no more famine or starvation, which is why we no longer need McDonalds, there is no longer religion, which is why you don't need to buy any Christmas presents. What more can you ask for? You should be dancing in the streets, not pouting on this blog. Shame on you!
Common,
A balanced budget, no waste in government, a strong national defense, prosperity for everyone through the free enterprise system.........Not against that!
bernie
Sounds great, you forgot puppies and ice cream in your dream.
hahahahhahahahahahhahaa
Common, That's what I'm talking about. Be happy, laugh a lot. I am sure with all the money you have reaped from this wonderful economy that you voted for and Obama created, you have no problems. More money than you know what to do with. We are all so happy for you. You-da-man.
Common,
WOW.......Strong come back!
Hey Dumbocrats, where is Obama going to be when they lit the X-Mas tree in New York...huh?
JUST DISTURBING THE PEACE AS USUAL.......CAN WE SEND HIM WITH A ONE WAY TICKET TO GITMO?
He better learn to park his A** somewhere else than where people celebrate...until they celebrate his permanent departure from OUR FACES............Yeah! Obama raise all the money, you'll need it even to get in Hell since Heaven is forbidden to you after giving our kids a Hell for the next 200 years..............
Since Barnie Frank is leaving us, I hope Obama will join him soon....in the world where these guys have lips which look like a mule's butt...........................
Work and Congress is an oxymoron. Those B&*%^$ds and the esteem leader are the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars. They will take care of the people donating big bucks to the re-election effort and screw the middle class unconnected people. We have a government that is "of the people, by the people, to the people"
Too bad for His Highness Ombama, he will eventually get an invite to turn on the X-Mas lights at Gitmo.
How's that for the Baraque who is supposed to run our country?
Why, is he seeing Bush and Cheney off to where they rightfully should be for trying to destroy this country?
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
I can't wait to read the comments from the usual "poor me, I don't have what achievers have" whiners if the zerobama tax cuts end. You idiots are hoping for your taxes to be increased.
JameDouglas, No, they don't want their taxes increased. They want your taxes and my taxes increased. Most of these "poor me's" don't work, live off their parents, and have been uneducated in the public schools. They don't pay the taxes that would be raised. Need proof, ask CommonSense.
JDM: Since we're stuck, resolutely it seems, in this false economy where resource depletion is the norm, where conservation is more expensive than wastefulness, and where non-productive "achievers" ( think hedge fund managers and other casino speculators ) rake it all in at everyone else's expense, why, yes, I'd be willing to pay more in taxes if that was really my share, and I'd expect our so-called leaders to oblige everyone else to do the same, and so ends likely the longest sentence I've ever used in any post.
It's not an even playing field to achieve. People want companies to be successful and profitable, but not at the sake of lining share-holders pockets by shipping jobs overseas. The wealthiest 1% are enjoying the largest tax breaks in the history of our country at a time where the tax burden is falling on those whose jobs have been lost. It's about expecting those who can clearly afford to pay more (as they did under Clinton and Reagan) to do their fair share. I'm educated, have a career and a business on the side, volunteer in the community, and spend time and money to support meals-on-wheels, and local food pantries. And yet because I'm middle class I will never be able to get ahead of the curb. I don't mind the rich having 10 cars and 6 homes acfross the globe, but when they spread their money in off shore accounts to avoid being taxed, don't use their wealth to create jobs, and enjoy record profitability during a recession, enough is enough. It's only fair.
So Beth you think the rich don't donate to charities?? My guess is they support a lot more than most of you think. Have you ever looked at their tax returns to see what they are actually paying?? No?? People don't talk about what they pay to the govt only what they get in a refund. Just because Warren Buffet spouts off about his 17% he paid doesn't mean the "rich" don't pay their "fair" share now. Mr Buffet has been fighting the IRS on back taxes for some years now. He doesn't want to pay his "fair" share but has the nerve to call out people who he doesn't know.
Why do people think the rich should pay more because they have more?? The majority worked for it as the days of family fortunes have declined with each succeeding generation. There are still a few out there but not many so the people who have all the money did it the hard way they earned it so who are you to say they have to pay more?? Why would these people work hard to continue making money if the govt is going to take the majority of it?? I would cash out and retire to some island and live off the fruits of my work, if that means people lose their jobs when I shut down my business that is just too bad for them since the 99%'s greed of what they don't have is the root cause.
Amazing that the GOP wants tax cuts at all costs -- unless it is one to assist the middle class and endorsed by the Democrats. The GOP has offered no solutions or alternatives, refuses to compromise, and wants to continue the war in Iraq, but denies $36 billion for teachers, cops, and firefighters. The GOP needs to shut up and sit down. They have lost the right to sit at the adult table, and the right to dial 911 and have their children educated.
You forgot that it's tax cuts for the top 1%.
They couldn't care less about tax cuts for the remaining 99%.
Common,
Again, you're showing your ignorance. The 99% you love so much ( the middle class), received 80% of the tax benefits under the 2002 tax revision.
"It would be foolish to raise taxes in this economy." Zerobama, 2010. OOOOppppssssss, lemmings.
bernie
Did I say anything about 2002?
No wonder the GOP hates education......They need more voters like you.
Here's a question for you, why does the GOP want to cut education so badly?
I know the answer, I already answered it.
Just wondering why you think they hate education so much?
Beth,
The GOP and Paul Ryan have, time and time again, brought to the floor of Congress plans for a budget. Obama didn't even listen to his own budget committee he set up in 2009.
Stop listening to Rachael Maddow and Ed Schultz.
Berth
Get off the Obama soap box. He's proven he can't lead this country even when he has Democratic control of both houses of Congress. If you don't know that this country is being turned into a 3rd world nation under his leadership, the shame is on you.
wh
Obviously you don't know much about how government works and a little procedure called the filibuster.
Try getting educated an you'll find out that the GOP blocks everything they can.
The GOP blocks things they used to be FOR....But are now against because they have stated that their #1 goal is to make Americans suffer.
Nothing says you are an ignorant clueless fool like saying "Obama had control of congress"....
hahahhahahaha
Common Sense (oxymoron there) The GOP is blocking additional spending which is always included in any thing the Dems put forward.
Maybe you should try getting educated yourself and stop listening to the liberal spin.
common sense 4 u
Showing your ignorance again. Filibusters didn't stop Obama and a democratic control of both house of congress from passing Obamacare even after the Republicans vowed to block it by filibuster.
Oh my, how did the Democrats pass Obamacare then. They used procedural rules to kill any filibuster the Republicans could mount.
There failure to accomplish anything positive for this country because of a filibuster is just plain false. They could of should of done what Obama promised in his campaign. So why didn't they do it. Simple, Obamas campaign promises were lies. They were lies then and they are lies now. Obama and the democrats in congress had no intention of fulfilling their campaign promises.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Support Obama and let him make a fool out of you.
common sense 4U
Let me remind you of one of Obama's greatest speeches; I neither earn it nor do I deserve it and there are others who deserve it more than I."
Who would have ever guessed that Obama was referring to his reelection when he made that speech at accepting the Nobel Prize and the 1.4 million prize money that went along with it that he didn't earn.
His speech yells volumns abouty the man's character as a man or should I say lack of it.
Your so blinded by your man love you don't even know Obama's been stabbing you and your party in the back the entire time he's been president
wh
Did he donate that money?
Yes.
Nice try, go suck on Rush's unit some more, it's what you love best, hate and fear.....You aren't FOR anything.
Time for bed, common lemming fool. Turn off your mom's laptop, underachiever.
jdm
You said you were going to bed a long time ago.
What, did you rub one out to Hannity and get a second wind?
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Yeah man, keep up that "I'm an Achiever" attitude, nobody is as good at "achieving" as you.
And don't let anyone punish your 'Achieving"
What a joke...They must be the superduper secret budget committee
Dems had total control of all 3 branches of govt for 2 full years. What did they do with it?? Passed a healthcare bill that no one who voted actually knew what was in it thus spending trillions on a bloated entitlement. No budget passed for both years, just think if they were serious about taxing the rich by golly they could have done it in 2 years. By not passing a budget they didn't have to add up the cost of the party they were having for the entire 2 years then after they lose the House they have the gall to say the republicans are protecting the "rich". I call BS on the whole thing.
I call BS on your post.
Not one thing you said was remotely true.
Watch, like all right wingers you will run like a coward without defending your post.
Common...you best look up the dates...dems controlled congress, senate and the presidency. Remember when they rammed obozocare down our throats when over 60% of Americans opsoed it? They didn't need republican support (nor did they allow any dialogue). They actually had to BRIBE a number of their own (remember Blanch Lincoln, Bernie Sanders, Chuck Dodd, Mary Landieu?)
Read the facts and weep, then come out of the obozo ether man!
http://www.healthtruthrevealed.com/articles/1109457003/article
slide,
Read your own post, does that kind of grammar work where you come from?
I come from the US of A, a place that elected a president to fix the broken healthcare system.
The model was taken from the GOP front runner by the way.....How ironic is that.
And obviously you don't own stocks, if you did you'd be very very happy with the 50% gains since Obama started fixing Bush's disasters.
Talk to people you know that do own stocks, they're probably as happy as all the rest of us that are part of the $trillions in wealth creation.
Really Common sense?? Maybe you ought to google just who controlled all branches of the govt for 2008 & 2009. It wasn't until 2010 that the people voted to stop the Dems spending. You apparently are one of the protesters who use the evil corporate greed's computers, cell phones, i-everything and don't know anything about what is happening to the USA by YOUR party.
Common Sense
common sense 4U
Let me remind you of one of Obama's greatest speeches; I neither earn it nor do I deserve it and there are others who deserve it more than I."
Who would have ever guessed that Obama was referring to his reelection when he made that speech at accepting the Nobel Prize and the 1.4 million prize money that went along with it that he didn't earn.
His speech yells volumns abouty the man's character as a man or should I say lack of it.
Your so blinded by your man love you don't evne know Obama's been stabbing you and your party in the back the entire time he's been president
It's called "denial" and that ain't a river in Egypt. Those demoloon are fricken' hilarious.
Man, with all this bickering we are NEVER gonna get our debt and economy under control. I have a plan: Keep $1 trillion in the Bush tax cuts and save the remaining $3 trillion to cut the debt over ten years. Raise taxes on the higher income bracket by 5 percent to gain $750 billion. Cut defense by $750 billion over ten years and cap peacetime military spending. Reform entitlements to gain around $1 trillion in savings over ten years. $2 trillion in domestic spending over two years. Result= $7.5 trillion + lower interest in savings over ten years. AND a stipulation demanding that ALL savings will go to reducing the debt. Invest in rebuilding infrastructure, reforming tax code, reduce corporate welfare, reduce subsidies, reform education and healthcare using foreign methods. Make business in America appealing. Use incentives to boost domestic production and exporting. Slap large tariffs on EVERY country that manipulates production like currency and unfair subsidies. Close bases in unneeded or unwanted areas.
And end entitlements that suck the country dry and I am talking about ALL of the entitlements including any moneys over what people put into SS. Anything over the contributions by the employee & employer IS an entitlement.
Whoa. What is so bad about entitlements? Why don't we instead reform it to keep costs down WHILE ensuring support to those who have built this country and paid into this system. Don't shift the burden onto Americans who can't bear it. Yes, we have lived without entitlements for years, but back then our life expectancy was less than 50 years and work-related deaths were rampant. Entitlements have helped us a lot, and they are well-worth the costs.
Naturally the Democrats are working their a@@es off to prepare legislation to move the Country forward and the GOP/TEABAGGERS continue to drag their feet saying HELL NO. BTW, where are the jobs John(crier of the house) boner?
You need to come out of the obozo ether and stop watching mslsd, nbc, cbs, abc, and cnn. Like obozo, you believe all the press. Check out the polls on obozo. Remember when all you demoloons controlled congress, senate and the presidency and the ONLY thing you focused on the the HEIGHT of the recession, was obozocare and rammed THAT down our throats.
What record can obozo run on?
Oops, forgot to mention that your TRUE tea bagger barney (hide the salami) frank is "pulling out" of his run for congress. LMFAO..
From the looks of your posts, you my friend are just another uninformed IDIOTS. PERIOD
You know, I really don't care what has happened in the past. Yeah, learn your lesson, study it, then move on. We elected Obama on his promise of change. Yep, he changed things. Some good, some bad. My b*tch with him, is when it comes to financial decisions for our country: his administration is always (ALWAYS), behind the eight ball. Any CEO of any successful company anticipates what is coming down the road and makes decisions based on that information. Obama is informed about what comes down the road (I just can't believe that someone didn't put a bug in his ear) and decides no decision is better than taking a stand. That way, he gets the public opinion before he has to commit himself. Our country was downgraded as far as credit rating because of this and I don't see as much hype about that as I do about Cains affairs. What's more important? And I'm no supporter of Cain. Actually, I like Romney so far.
For those of you who blame the Republicans for stonewalling that, yes, they have a more corporate view of how to handle things. But, Obama, as leader of this country, should have figured out how to deal with it, with knowledge, interests, etc. Are the Republicans at fault, yep, some. My husband put it this way to me; Does the Republican party want Social Security and Medicare to go away? If your read the media it sounds like they do. But, if you look back, nope. It's a leverage for them on what is important to our society and the Democratic party. Do I agree with the tactics? He** no. It scares the American public. But it scares the democratic party because of the structure they are trying to set forth. It's POLITICS!
I am neither Democrat or Republican. What I actually am is pro-America and taking care of the US. I was military: I have 3 siblings besides myself who served in one branch or the other. I have a nephew now who is serving the marines. When you're in your twenties and sign up, you have all the faith in the world that what you are doing helps your country. It's the politics that screw that up.
My wish: That our elected officials pull their heads out of their a**es and realize the American public is now voting on who is the candidate that causes the least damage to our country, instead of believing what they say. It's sad.
God Bless.
common sense 4 u
Educate yourself or are you afraid of what you are going to discover about Obama. FYI. Obama sat on the money for over a year. He only donated after it went public and questions were being asked that he couldn't answer like, what charities did you donate the prize money to.
Keep supporting him all you want. I believe in the statement; fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I'll write in my doberman before I would ever vote for Obama again. He fooled me once, I won't allow him to do it to me a second time. His actions speak volumes over his phony campaign speeches.
By the way, I don't listen to Rush or watch Fox. I read about what is going on in this country from many sources and form my opinions. You should try it. Then your posts might just start sounding intelligent.
How quickly all you Democrats forget. Obama and the democrats had control of both houses of Congress for two years and the only two things they managed to accomplish was that abortion they call Obamacare and put his country so far in debt, it will take generation to get out of.
As of today, Obama and the democrats have 0 private sector job growth. Now we find out that the Obama administration secretly had the Fed lend an additional 7.7 billion to the big bank after they were given billions in bailout money.
Keep supporting him as this country get turned into a 3rd world nation.
You forgot the lily ledbetter fair pay act for women, children's health care bill, matthew sheperd hate crimes prevention act, tabacco regulation, credit card reform, student loan reform, stimulous( largest tax break for thwe middle claas ever) wall street reform, the new G.I. bill food safety modernization act, don't ask don't tell and saved G.M. an Crycler. I forgive you.
try reality
You forgot. Bailouts, 0 private sector growth. Increased welfare, Medicaid, unemployment, poverty, homelessness, food stamps and a national debt that amounts to $122,303.00/American family as of August 1, 2011. States, cities, counties, township, boroughs, villages and school districts all in financial trouble with some of them filling bankruptcies under Obama.
I could go on and on but the last three years have been very depressing for many Americans at the failures of the Obama administration to address the problems of this country. It is amazing though how they've managed to hand out money to the rich that they didn't have.
Now the American people are reaping the benefits of the Obama give aways. We are turning into a 3rd world nation. You are aware that in infantile deaths we've reached 3rd world nation status. That's just one of many 3rd world nation status categories this country has reached under Obama. That speaks volumes about Obama's national health care, doesn't it.
FYI. Health care is defined as a humanitarian need of people, not a profit margin for an insurance company. Why did Obama change the definition of health care to the latter when he became President?
you are so wrong alot achieved by the President, It is not his job to do the job of Congress.
This only reinforces the already strong likelihood they will be elected to serve yet another term in Congress for more outstanding service to their country. They have been working closely together for so long they are beginning to resemble one another. Maybe they're all related, or from the same tribe.
Debt at the time Obama was elected can be found at 10.6 trillion USD.
Source: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/NPGateway
As of today: 15.05 trillion USD
Source: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/NPGateway
Simple math shows a 42% increase in debt in 3 years. Clearly the most the debt has ever increased in US history in the timeframe provided.
All the rest list your sources so people can make informed decisions, make sure they are reputable as anything can be posted to appear as real these days.
Yes the wars didn't help, but you can't have people flying planes into buildings and not claiming a country does not make them exempt from the wrath.
The IAEA along with 4 other countries intelligence agencies stated Iraq had WMD's and actually sarin gas is a WMD and was found in Iraq but the media never really reported that. As the main concern was nukes.
Clinton to busy with Monica to heed the warnings of Ollie North and failed to take out OBL not once but 3 times, are you blaming Clinton for 911? Just curious..
Congress was Democratically Controlled since 2006. Freddie and Fannie don't require additional regulation - B. Franks
Insider trading on both sides of the aisle in Congress and the Senate. Illegal for any citizen of the US and you would be jailed ask Martha Stewart but your elected representatives to federal office are exempt. They and their aides are exempt from a host of items including from participating in the HCB. So are all major contributors to the political coffers.
Sounds like it's time to rid the system of the corruption on both sides.
Vote them all out and screw their new world order is my opinion.
Remember our government ran out of money at the beginning of August. Since then Obama's been begging Congress to raise the debt ceiling so he can borrow money to keep it operating. He will continue to keep doing this until April. Then it will start all over again.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what direction our country is going in. It isn't up.
you can not be serious that that is your take on what happened, you are so wrong
Republicans stand up To your Representatives and get their butts in gear. They have sat on their rears long enough under the pre-signed oath of Norquist. Oh, yeah, Americans for Tax Reform sounds good. But IT IS A LOBBYIST FIRM. They have been affiliated with Abramoff since the College days. Get an understanding of what they promise when they say I can deliver you 90 ministers and their Congregation. YOUR Promoting the worst see what sent Abramoff to Prison. Your party is a sell out big time. Investigate how many Republican members on the Super Committee were affiliated with Norquist. Don't believe the labeling, when Democrats want something in USA to build it back up or for the USA Taxpayers benefit, that is actually the definition Tax Revenue. NOT to be used for inflated wages, open credit cards, exotic foreign travel, global corperations, global banks. Reel in Congress make them work and cut their spending on themselves.
the Republicans/Tea Party won't settle for a tax cut for the middle Class until they make sure its not paid for by the Rich will have to come out of the middle class somewhere else
Republicans/Tea Party are only for the Rich and Business forget the middle class old and poor
Sure is a good thing that the Republican/Tea Party is only made up of the Very Rich
Problem with your logic, most republicans are stupid, middle/lower class people who's family has voted republlican for so long they don't know how to do anything else. Again, stupid.
There are more rich democrats than rich republicans. Most Republicans are middle class.
MORON!
I got a sink hole they need to fill with all the BS they spew from their mouths. Of course, that would be more empty promises too so just forget about it.