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Subscribe to RSSTrying to build support for his agenda, Obama met with members of the senate Thursday following a Wednesday meeting with House Republicans. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
In the final afternoon of his three-day outreach effort to Congress, President Barack Obama got a rare thumbs up from some of his top GOP rivals after a private luncheon on Capitol Hill Thursday.
“I think we all felt that it was a very good meeting,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who told reporters after the luncheon that the group had a “great” discussion largely focused on reforming entitlement programs.
Dining on lobster salad and blueberry pie, Obama and Senate Republicans spoke behind closed doors before the president also paid a visit to House Democrats on the Hill.
Like the president’s meeting yesterday with House Republicans, participants said the tone of the Senate event was respectful and candid.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Minority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, greet President Barack Obama on Capitol Hill before he meets with the Senate Republican caucus in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2013.
McConnell told reporters after the meeting that he hopes Obama will work to win the support of his own party to reform programs like Medicare.
“He certainly understands that you can’t fix the country without adjusting entitlements to fit the demographics of our country,” he said. “We’ll see where we go from here but it was a great meeting.”
According to one senior Republican senator who spoke with NBC News, Obama said, "I can't provide the cover to get entitlement reform done without revenue."
The senator called this the "overriding theme" of the meeting, adding “To get really hard things done the president has to lead. He gets that, but he gets that in the context of, 'I have to lead, but you have to give me some things that I can say were victories.'"
The senator went on, “At one moment he said, talking about things he could do better, he said, 'Hopefully I’m a better president now than the day I started. And all of us need to learn from our mistakes.’”
Freshman Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who earlier Thursday had a heated exchange with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein over the constitutionality of an assault weapons ban, also told reporters that he was “encouraged by [Obama’s] expression of willingness” to work on corporate tax reform and other economic issues.
“I’m hopeful that this conversation today was a positive step in that direction,” Cruz said.
For his part, Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran called the meeting “bland,” adding that there were “no fireworks on either side ... it was just a polite conversation with nothing unusual.” He said that corporate tax reform is one area where both sides might be able to forge an agreement.
Obama called them “good conversations,” but added, “ultimately it's a matter of the House and Senate both caucuses getting together and everybody being willing to compromise.”
President Barack Obama comments after meeting with Senate Republicans and House Democrats on Thursday.
The president dined last week with some of the GOP caucus, holding an intimate dinner at the swank Jefferson Hotel in Washington with a dozen Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and John McCain of Arizona.
The luncheon with Senate Republicans came as some of the president’s most vociferous conservative opponents gathered on the other side of the Potomac River for an annual confab-slash-pep-rally.
While the president and senators were behind closed doors, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul – who led a 13-hour Senate filibuster last week in protest of the administration’s policy on drones – lambasted Obama as fuzzy on civil liberties at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.
“The message for the president is that no one person gets to decide the law,” Paul said at the beginning of his remarks. “No one person gets to decide your guilt or innocence.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to have lunch with him today,” he added with a dollop of sarcasm, earning laughter from the conservative crowd. “Maybe he can see this later on C-SPAN.”
NBC's Frank Thorp contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:26 PM EDT
Leave a Comment:
Mr. President, Don't compromise on social security and medicare. From the news:
There is no crisis facing social security and medicare. GOP wants to cut these 2 middle class lifelines to make up for shortfalls in the budget. But why are there shortfalls in the budget? The rich donors of the GOP gambled away other people's money, caused a major recession, that's why. why had these rich banksters been able to gamble away people's money? The GOP leaders in Congress sold their souls to these banksters and deregulated financial markets since Reagan. These ReThugLiCons are still fighting against the nomination of Richard Cordray as director of the regulator (CFPB) - consumers financial protection agency, designed to regulate markets and protect consumers.
Beware of
dogsreThugliConsSuggested names for Ed's new show now that he has been booted into obscutity by moving his show to Sat and Sun AFTERNOONS.
Feel free to suggest others.
Applause by the members of Congress is meaningless. Here is what really counts:
Baloney Ms. Piggy...Obama said two years the number one driver of the deficit is Medicare spending. Tackle medicare spending now; raise the eligibility age, means testing for rich seniors. It makes sense, do it now.
Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought that we would have a president that did absolutely nothing but make this country worse. Jimmy, where are ya Jimmy...this country needs ya!
Come on, Pigboy, even NBC thinks there will be a Social Security crisis unless the system gets tinkered with now! Where have you had your head lately?
KingK
Quit living in the past. He won the only poll that mattered, RE-ELECTION,...
Now quit your sniveling and HELP work on issues that matter to average Americans.
And in a bipartisan snit, I assure you that doesn't include dining on Lobster Salad and Blueberry pie for lunch!
Yes bob let's tinker with it some more so Congress can continue to rob it blind for the next 40 years.
JFK2012 has been asleep since 2008; he think that W is still President.
Hey, Righties, the 2016 election results are in already:
Hillary (D) 54%.
Christie (I) 28%.
It doesn't matter who (R) 16%.
All the rest 2%.
And there is a jobs crisis TODAY. Yet you keep worrying about what might happen in the future.
Work on jobs, get people back to work, and you will get people paying taxes instead of collecting unemployment and living on foodstamps. Oh, and incidentally, the deficit will go down because we have more people paying taxes...
But no...let's slash spending, let's put people out of work, reduce the number of taxpayers and then complain about how the deficit is so huge. Smart. Very smart.
It's unconscionable that the GOP wants to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the middle class just because these people can't afford lobbyists.
It's unconscionable that the GOP wants punish the middle class so the GOP can eliminate the budget deficit that was caused by GOP deregulations and irresponsible gambling of GOP rich donors.
.
Wait and see if the GOP still wants to balance the budget if a ReThugLiCon is elected to the White House. Definitely NO.
SS is safe & funded for 25+ years (Ezra Klein)
Te math/science-deniers will . . . well, continue to deny that . . . and, guess what, ObamaCare (EXCEPT FOR THE MATH/SCIENCE-DENYING CROWD) ***IS*** a reform to Medicare/caid . . . we need to give them a few years to work.
.
MEANWHILE: WE CANNOT CUT OUR WAY TO PROSPERITY! We have done enough cutting for the short-term; with return to full employment, the debt/deficit will come down.
We need JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!! Mr Boehner - WHERE ARE THE JOBS YOU PROMISED!
We need infrastructure, R&D, tech, & to fund education - we need to invest in America's future!
.
FORWARD! :-)
PS: *IF* you want to compare the national budget to an individual's budget, don't sy you are in favor of a "balanced budget," or against "deficit spending" unless you paid cash for your car & your home . . . these are examples of times when borrowing $$ makes perfect sense - if you could qualify for a 0% loan for a house (and were otherwise qualified) you wouldn't hesitate, would you??? this is what the US can do NOW!
Obviously, if he actually listens to what he says, Mr. Obama has a lot to learn from.
Can't help thinking of Rev Al's commercial dissing the republican rants about the deficit and debt--the GOPers have blueberry pie all over their faces! Guess they really do.
President Obama knows what he is doing; he knows there are simple fixes to both programs that will strengthen them; he also knows the GOPTP's goal is to eliminate social security, medicare and medicaid. Mitch McConnell is simply trying to divide democrats--play the legislators against President Obama and vice versa. It won't work, Senator. President Obama is ten steps ahead of your side all the time; as Lindsay Graham once said--he ate us for lunch.
Yeah, Mr. "Drama" Obama.....don't touch our Progressive stuff.
Go with Peppermint Patty's Progressive budget to finish decimating our military and increase TAXES on EVERYONE.
That is all you have to do since ObamaCare will take care of the rest next year.
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Hillary bumper sticker:
Byron Raum, why don't you tell the GOPTPers to work on jobs; they haven't done one thing to create any the past two years after promising "jobs, jobs, jobs" in the 2010 elections? They've named a lot of post offices, passed legislation to repeal ObamaCare 32 times, passed a boatload of anti-women's health laws, and created 5 self-inflicted financial crises. Some record the GOPTP has. They have actually eliminated jobs. Oh, I forgot, that government jobs like teachers, fire fighters, police aren't real jobs according to conservatives.
Stupid libbies say that the GOP has done nothing about jobs. Then they say what a good job the dems and President Obama are doing because jobs have been slowly coming back for the past 2 years. What changed except the fact that the GOP took back the House of Representatives 2 years ago?
It is a very good thing that Prsident Obama is FINALLY doing his job. He said he would bring us all together and change the way things are done in Washington. That was 5 years ago. He spent over 4 years dividing this country and now that he sees his approval tanking he decides to reach across partry lines. He only does things to advance his image but, as a conservative, I will thank him for finally trying something that might work to help the country out. I also don't think that it is only a coincidence that he entertained Bill and Hillary at the White House a few days before his change of attitude. As much as I hate scumbag Bill maybe I can thank him too for guiding Obama in the right direction for once.
Well, the cry baby Boehner is still crying. I guess he's not happy because he didn't get to dance with the President, instead, he's complaining about dinner dates and phone calls. What a jealous cry-baby!
President Obama has been working diligently to do the peoples work, after all, they've elected him twice to office because they believe he's the person that can help this country, but the republicans are still paying lip service, still being controlled by big company, military, pharmacy industries, and their lobbyists to play their cards, not the cards of the disenfranchised people of America, the lower/middle class, republicans couldn't care less about these people, it's in their DNA to do the bidding of their super rich friends who are fattening their pockets.
Keep up the good work Mr. President!
JH-479998 . . .
Well then, why don't you enlighten us all as to what they have done? Mittens & Co certainly have the monies to invest in this country but continue to ship jobs overseas. You state that Boehner has the power to move things, well, what has he moved other than his bowels in the last four years that have to do with job creation????
That's right libs. Don't compromise on Social Security and Medicare.....Let it GO BROKE.
Then you can blame Republicans because Democrats refused to do anything to save it for our kids and grandkids.
You're completely kidding yourself. My bet (and I would put a grand on this) is that Obama will end his 2nd term as one of top 20 rated US Presidents. He will be nowhere near Carter or GW. There is no need to review his accomplishments to this point because your hatred leaves you blind to them. But you will have no voice in the matter regardless. Neither will much of anybody from the Far Right.
The hate of the Far Right will not matter. These things are rated by actual historians (that does not include David Barton). You know, academics who actually use facts and knowledge to make these judgments. Academic failures likes Beck and Limbaugh will have no voice. In fact not much they have ever said will have any shelf life. They have to move forward because they can't have their listeners reviewing their past statements and realizing how false most of their words were in the end. But that seldom occurs in cults. The cult member is taught not to do this in a sly manner. Listen to Rush cull his sheep daily and correct any missteps. So how did Rush and Beck become a part of this conversation? Because you sound like one of their victims! Seek help immediately:<)
Republicans way or no way, now that's smart - this party is dilapidated !
I recently researched the problem with health care entitlements, and it is far worse than most people imagine. I used the President's own Budget (OMB) for 2013 as the basis for the basic information, and here are the results;
The projected Revenues for Medicare/Medicaid over the next 10 years are $2.823 Trillion.
The projected Costs for Medicare/Medicaid/Obamacare over the next 10 years are $11.134 Trillion.
That leaves a net Deficit in the Medicare/Medicaid/Obamacare programs of $8.311 Trillion, which is even greater than the total projected Federal Deficits of $6.684 Trillion over the next 10 years. In other words, if we did not have a Deficit from health care, we would have a budget SURPLUS of more than $1.6 Trillion over the next 10 years.
Obviously, something needs to be done with this HUGE 'entitlement problem', but Obama has conveniently ignored the problem in his Budget projections, and will demonize any Republicans that try to address the problem (Rep. Ryan).
It's a shame that the media does not give us the information that we need to make intelligent choices. Here's the link to Obama's Budget to verify - See Table S-5
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/tables.pdf
My recommendation – Fully fund Medicare with increased payroll taxes of about $75 per month each for employers & employees, and for Medicaid, a combination of a small deductible ($10 per doctor visit) for Medicaid beneficiaries plus a National Sales Tax of about 3% (excluding food and medicine). These simple changes would fully fund these programs and lead to a Surplus instead of huge Deficits within 10 years.
I welcome any comments.
Pigotry
appears you have read Ryan's latest budget plan, just a rehash of his "path to prosperity", or more commonly called "path to the poorhouse", hey I am a moderate, or maybe a little right of center, and I don't like it.
This country don't run on sounds bites they sound cute but do nothing to do with fixing are economy,That would take a leader and one that knows what real work is.
This guy taxed the rich and the middle class and still wants more he needs cut spending and stop wasting MY MONEY.
Nice try MSN... again. Yet after all your "positive" Obama press, he is still a failure.
Sounds like the gop approved of the meeting because they were finally able to lend some reality his way and start compromising on a workable level than the same nonworkable nonsense we've experienced the last 4 years!
"
"Following days-long outreach, rare kudos for Obama from GOP rivals"..
....just goes to show, there's still honor among thieves in Washington.....
No offense, but its hard take anyone seriously, when the president and congressional leaders are having lobster salad and blueberry pie for lunch... Did anyone else notice this? Seriously, no average American dines this way... lets see we could save what a couple hundred thousand right there?
Ok, but honestly it is cool to see these guys finally (attempting) to compromise...
Republicans kudos for Obama.................the lobster was good, ...........................but Obama has no interest to balance the budget ......hmmmmmm
Democrats don't care about our debt, 17 trillion in debt is not a bid deal even we all will owe 20 trillion as a gift at the end of this administration. Where is Obamas budget, he wait for Ryans Budget to criticize but he don't submit his budget, which is the law. The fact is this administration is not interested in cut the spending is more interested in demagogy and play politics attacking Republicans to the the House back , in order to make the radical changes he promote has community organizer.
This is nice 'Dining on lobster salad and blueberry pie".
Guess who paid for it all..WE DID!
Plus the tips!
I dropped my Chalupa when I saw the GOP giving a thumbs up...
the real story is they were eating freakin Lobster for LUNCH..... sequester has hit our elected leaders hard... all Federal agencies are furloghing employees, no pay, and these Fxckers are eating Lobster lunches
think about that carefully ... during sequestration, with people out of work, that lunch probably cost $300 a person... whens the last time you spent 3 benjis on lunch?
It's like - the president grew up a little - WE are all American's - after all Barack
Stop the name calling, finger pointing and placing blame - Go - and stay adult - and see more positives
Moving the Liberal to the Center - not such a bad thing after all - Ask old Arkansas Billy C.
Obama's tax and spend approach to growing the economy has already been tried in places like France and the United Triple Dip Recession Kingdom. The results were predictable.
The "good ol white boy" club is the greatest threat to the advancement of this country.
Someone needs to dismantle this club for the good of the Country.
Young folks need to take over otherwise we are not going anywhere anytime soon....
"The tender trap" has been renamed:
And the GOP is falling for it, hook line and Progressive bait.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Good ol white boy" has been replaced by:
Bit of a racist,aren't you Doc.
ROY WILSON-336103
And by "Research" you mean cut and paste.
lol See Roys "Research" straight from the following link
core java for Freshers / FACEINTERVEIWS
www.faceinterviews.in/question/2427/
Slodon,
I am gettin a chuckle out of that one...lol..my dog too..hehe
You say the good old white club?
That's funny because there sure a lot off good old gay white guys on Obama staff telling him what to do.
Young folks like the dummy's that voted this guy back in.
King, you got so many show names for Ed. I got one for Rush
"Rush to Mediocrity"
sreeeeminglib "ROY WILSON-336103I recently researched the problem with health care entitlements, and it is far worse than most people imagine....And by "Research" you mean cut and paste.
Your 'links' were unintelligible.
Perhaps you should try again. My analysis was based on a thorough review of Obama's 2013 Budget projections.
You touch S.S. and all bets are off we the people will not stand for it we will take the streets and it will be hell to pay
I'm not surprised at all that the GOP are praising Obama. They're both aiming for the same goal:
Cut Social Security and Medicare and gut what remains of the New Deal
http://www.dropshots.com/zoom.html?large=http://media100.dropshots.com/photos/1055507/20130305/b_200823.jpg
"…The deficit debate follows a well-trod and predictable path. The Republicans set the tone and framework of the discussion by taking the most extreme position, while the Democrats, themselves proposing unprecedented and brutal austerity measures, posture as the defenders of the “middle class” and proponents of a “fair” and “balanced” approach.
These planned cuts are the latest in a series of actions through which the crisis of capitalism that erupted in 2008 has been utilized to effect a restructuring of class relations in the United States. The financial oligarchy, having precipitated the Wall Street crash through massive speculation and fraud, demands that its losses be repaid many times over through the impoverishment of the broad mass of working people…"
US budget debate targets Social Security and Medicare
14 March 2013
Just two weeks after the start of $1.2 trillion in “sequestration” budget cuts, the burden of which is already being felt throughout the country, the Democrats and Republicans are moving on to their next order of business: a coordinated attack on the core federal health care and retirement programs.
While the two parties and the media are once again seeking to create the appearance of deep and fundamental conflicts—with endless talk of congressional “gridlock” and the “partisan divide”—there has never been greater bipartisan agreement on basic policy. The political theatrics of the so-called budget “debate” is but the latest example of the cynical dog-and-pony show of US politics, leading inevitably to a new round of bipartisan attacks on the working class.
The budget proposals of the two parties were unveiled this week. Republican Representative Paul Ryan, the 2012 candidate for vice president, presented a proposal to cut $4.8 trillion, including cuts already legislated. The Democrats followed with a plan that that calls for $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction. The Democrats’ budget assumes as a baseline the sequestration cuts, making clear that these drastic cuts in social programs will never be restored.
While the overwhelming majority of the population—90 percent according to one recent poll—opposes any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security, the Democrats and Republicans are united in demanding that they be slashed…
…In the immediate aftermath of the financial crash, the debts of the banks were assumed by the state through the largest bank bailout in history—supported by Bush and then Obama. This was followed by an historic attack on workers’ wages, initiated by the Obama administration’s 2009 restructuring of the auto industry, which included a 50 percent reduction in the wages of newly hired workers.
Next came an unprecedented attack on government workers, with 750,000 public-sector jobs lost since 2008, mainly at the state and local level. State and city governments, under both Democrats and Republicans, have, with the support of the Obama administration, taken an axe to vital social services. Hundreds of schools have been shut down, hundreds of thousands of teachers laid off, fire departments cut to the bone.
The assault then turned to federal spending, with $1.2 trillion in cuts to discretionary spending worked out between Democrats and Republicans in 2011 and another $1.2 trillion imposed with the sequester….
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/03/14/pers-m14.html
Paul Ryan's BS Budget plan lets the 1% super mega rich off the hook and screws the middle class, this is total Hogwash - When are the fools that vote for this trash going to smarting up, these losers don't care about you or your children's future !!!
"Wake Up", Angry Birds know Best - "Wink Wink" Get it right !!!
Well, Roy, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I actually kind of agree with your approach to funding Medicare. It makes a lot more sense than the nebulous "means testing' that keeps coming up. I don't mind taxing the ultra-wealthy at a higher rate, they're affected much less by a 30% tax rate than someone at or below the poverty level is by a 5% rate. But if they've been paying into something for 30 or 40 years, they have as much right as anybody else to receive the same benefits out of the program. If there are any wealthy people with a conscience out there, they can voluntarily opt out, that's another thing. But the gov't doesn't have any business taking the benefits away based on "means".
One thing I don't agree with was your comment about Ryan's budget. It's completely ingenuous. He counts the $716 billion dollars in Medicare savings from Obamacare in his budget, then turns around and says that his budget assumes that Obamacare will be repealed (which even Chris Wallace admitted will never happen). There is also a long list near the end of Ryan's budget listing "unspecified" savings from "cuts" without ever giving any indication of what they are or where the savings come from.
It's so nice to see that ROY WILSON can take so much time away from his job as Mayor of Smallpenis, Wyoming, to come here and give us all his lies and pig-headed comments on the MSNB Vine (which he claims to hate, but practically lives here...)
Wow, reading some of these posts there's no wondering why this country is so messed up!
Pigotry can't be for real, nobody is that ridiculous. Thats about as much as can be said about any posts she makes.
Obama is setting the stage for a major GOP or Liberatarian takeover in the next several elections.
Heres on of my favorites of the night.
"You touch S.S. and all bets are off we the people will not stand for it we will take the streets and it will be hell to pay"
I dont even know this person but this individual feels that I owe him his living, if we dont provide his living this is what he will do?
S.S. was never designed to pay for everyone who is depressed, angry, drug damaged,struggles with focus I think you get it.
Oh yea, can we stop giving out massive tax refunds back to people that have kids and dont support them, on the welfare system, never paid a penny of tax but yet get a 12k refund??????
You can't...
Really? No one is saying that you owe anyone his/her living. I agree. SS should be off the table. As a matter of fact, the money that's been stolen from it should be counted as part of the National Debt and move to the front of the line for re-payment.
I've been working for 36 years. I have planned my retirement (which isn't coming for 15 more years) including SS. Should I have to scramble around and work out something else because Reagan couldn't find any other way to pay for his Star Wars fantasy?
And your comment about "massive" tax refunds is straight out of Breitbart or FauxNews. You're delusional.
When Social Security and Medicare funds were taken out of the pot and used for other purposes, thus creating a shortage of funds that is then used to rationalize cuts to Social Security and Medicare, you have what is called "embezzlement" in legal circles, and embezzlement is a serious crime. What I would like to see is every politician who has embezzled funds from Social Security and Medicare to spend the rest of their lives in prison.
But no... it is so much easier to blame it on the people who paid into those programs by falsely claiming that they are somehow scamming the system by being medically, certifiably too sick to work, or daring to retire in their old age, or demanding the medical care that they paid for with their taxes before they needed it. "We stole their bread, let them eat cake! Or let them die without eating anything!" Such is the Republican mentality. I cannot help but wonder, why are the the elderly and the disabled not rioting in the streets over this? Oh, that's right, I remember the obvious now-- they're too old and sick to resist tyranny like that, which might explain why they have become the scapegoats for the economic crash brought on by the embezzlers in Washington.
Roy...
I appreciate your effort, even if it was just cut and paste. That's more work than the rest of the delusional right does. Here's my only issue though, as you stated:
As much as I appreciate your effort, reading through projections doesn't actually rise to the level of being considered "research", as it is research that leads to projections, not the other way around. True research would be to narrow down the conrete facts that those projections are based on, and then determining the validity of those facts based on the process and reporting methods used to arrive at those facts. I know that sounds complicated, and it is, which why research is often done in the fields of math and science. Researching (in your words), or reading through budget projections to the point that you actually understand them, really doesn't amount to much more than reading through a public corporation's projections in their quarterly and annual financial reports. If they were always 100% accurate, there would be no risk in the markets, and we would have no need for financial advisers, research analysts, or quants.
IDIOTS are born everyday!
Mike in AZ...
I'm glad to see an example of some level headed and intelligent discourse coming from of a citizen of AZ. I was beginning to think they ran you all out of town.
I have no problem with S.S. if it would have been left alone for its design. I wasnt a credit card for the politicians and it wasn't designed for every person who feels sad and finds it hard to focus at work.
Mike from AZ.
Most people have no clue that people on welfare get refunds that never paid taxes, the refunds are based on # of children and result in checks from 5k to 12k. These are the entitlements that we want cut. They are not legit!
Mike227....
You're going to have to be more specific. That is not really news
You can't be serious...
I think you would find that most welfare recipients have not been on welfare their entire lives, and you will probably find none that have managed to avoid purchasing a product with money (not stamps) over the course of their entire lives, so at least sales tax was paid. No that's not the same as taxes paid on income earned that go to SS, but tax nonetheless. They get standard deductions for # of kids, the same as everyone else, and if that deduction exceeds what they pay in income taxes each year, then yes they get a refund. Your numbers for refund checks is a bit high, but thats ok. However, according to Republicans tax deductions and subsidies are not entitlements, just tax cuts, which you all fully support.
With all of that said, here's an idea I've been tossing around lately that I think makes sense to the bases of both parties. People like free money. In fact, it's natural law to expend as little energy as possible to get what is wanted, whether it be food, water, shelter, etc. We can't take issue with people following natural instincts, but we can incentivize people to work, and decentivize people from not working. Here's how it works. You allow any earned income from "work", lets say under $20k a year, to be tax free. However, anyone that collects government money that does not require them to work, will then owe taxes on the amount they recieve in government benefits. This, I think, would incentivize work, even for the poorest among us, and decentivize collecting free money without working. Thoughts?
Of course, had this been Bush, NBC's headline would have read "After Five Years of Dormancy and Divisiveness, President Bush Finally Tries to Reach Out To Democratic House. Too Little, Too Late?"
But then again, that's what makes NBC the nation's least trusted news network. Oops, tied for least... with THE COMEDY CHANNEL (at least according to the most recent poll). Now THAT'S FUNNY!
Nobody gets income tax refunds on welfare income. Only poor people with minimum paying jobs get those refunds.
I have to smile at all of the right-wingers bursting at the seams with just the thought that the President has become Mitch's bitch. I'm afraid you "misunderestimate" President Obama. He always plays his cards close to the vest. Nobody knows his hand til he sweeps the table. Don't believe me? Just ask Romney when he is in a sombre mood and not making ridiculous excuses.
Is it ironic that the President treats all of these obstructionist GOP leaders to lobster salad and blueberry pie as they discuss "entitlement" reforms to rob Grandma of her Medicare and Social Security benefits to give even more in corporate welfare? Anybody else smell a set-up to expose the GOP court jesters for the clowns they have become? Smile Mitch. You're on candid camera.
Will someone explain to me who the Great and Powerful Obama will blmae when the economy dumps HARD when The affordable (laughing) care act kicks in after the first of the year. When the people who can least afford it are forced to purchase insurance at double the current prices and small employers lay off workers or close completely because of the added burden on thier bottom line. You people who think everything is coming up roses with this President are in for a very rude awakening in the not too distant future.
Does anyone Know the difference between Kissing a$$ and Brown-nosing ??.......The Answer is......."DEPTH"
and it's apparent you were living under a rock from 2000-2008.
They're dining on lobster, while the rest of the country is dining on the debt left over by the "To Big to Fail crowd" I guess we could all just eat cake, or something. Meanwhile the country's infrastructure is going to hell, pretty close to 22% of the country is out of work, or under employed, the war drags on as Karzai sets up our service people as targets and billions are thrown away on worthless defense projects and socialistic programs for the oil companies. Is it too much to ask for responsible representation of all the people by this congress? They get their knickers all tied up in a knot if the black man in the White House doesn't pay them enough respect. I guess they expect Obama to kiss their asses before they do what is right for the country, not just the filthy rich.
Bt the way Avenger, the country has already dumped hard, it was called the Financial melt down of 2007
Disagree as much as you want Pigotry, but Math is on the side of a balanced budget. No matter what the President or Paul Krugman or Dick Cheney say, Deficits DO matter. Until our politicians are willing to tell the truth, we are heading down a slippery slope. Right now, interest rates are artificially low. When they return to normal levels, what the hike in the % of the budget that has to just pay the interest.
I for one am willing to pay a bit more in taxes, get a bit less in government services so that I don't bankrupt my children and grandchildren. How bout you and your grand-piglets?
With all due respect, Senator Paul, get your head out of your tush.
President Obama is fully aware of the rule of law.
Someone needs to school you on your responsibilities as a senator... but I'd prefer the good voters of Kentucky send you home instead.
Hey, now that the Republicans have the Prez's attention, maybe than can get an answer about this:
House Republicans Demand Access to Benghazi Survivors
By John Fund
In January, the three-day hostage-taking of American and other Western oil workers in Algeria ended with 23 hostages dead. The U.S. survivors were able to tell their story quickly, and several soon appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes to answer questions about their ordeal.
But the survivors of the 9/11/13 terrorist attack on Benghazi that left U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three coworkers dead have been “sequestered” or hidden for a full six months. Congress, which has plenty of questions about how and why the Benghazi intelligence failure happened, has been stonewalled.
That’s why fed-up GOP members say that they are prepared to issue subpoenas for some of the survivors to appear before Congress if they don’t get more of their questions to the White House answered.
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342988/house-republicans-demand-access-benghazi-survivors-john-fund
We are in debt. How are we going to pay off any debt without a surplus? How do you get to a surplus without at least first balancing the budget?
The Dem/Libs have their heads so far up where the sun doesn't shine, it's incomprehensible.
I can solve the crisis now. Raise the Payroll Tax Cap. Social Security and Medicare crisis resolved. Why hurt the people who can least afford it? Basturds!
Hey, I have a right wing solution that should make the conservatives happy...
ELIMINATE MEDICARE! We're currently spending 21% of our federal tax dollars on socialized medicine.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258
The Solution? UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! Yes, believe it or not righties, universal health care for everyone, is in fact, cheaper than the price-gouged ridiculous socialized medicine for a few that we currently have. The UK, with universal health care, spends 18% of federal spending on healthcare. They fund it with a universal insurance (tax, really), while we don't fund ours. The medicare tax we currently pay does not pay the bills. And we all get raped by the for-profit health insurance companies.
http://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/year_spending_2013UKbt_12bc1n_10#ukgs302
So righties, here's the new Neocon train to jump on - Universal Health Care as a way to cut down government spending!
Allright everyone, just listen for the pops... minds blown!
Mike from AZ, I work at the IRS, and YOU are delusional. Not only are there MASSIVE tax refunds for parents who don't "parent" their kids, the women who end up towing them around from man to man end up allowing the man to claim some, she claims some, and they BOTH try to dip into massive refunds for the same household because you can get THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS of free money PLUS you get back any withholding you paid in.
YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
A crisis we have over 20 years to resolve. How will cutting taxes 500 billion a year mostly for the rich as Ryan's plan does fix Social Security or balance the budget? There's no argument from Democrats that the deficit needs to be brought under control we've been saying that for 12 years. The question is what sense does it make to cut revenue 500 billion a year when debt is so high. Bush raised our debt from 5.7 trillion to 12.1 trillion why did you people just notice when Obama was elected?
Applause by the members of Congress is meaningless. Here is what really counts:
If they Republicans were talking about handling out money, they'd want the "Top Down" approach, or the "Trickle Down" approach.
But when they're talking about "cuts" it's always "start with someone else".
From "Charm Offensive" to "Outreach"... Why I do believe he's finally made it to second base with the town whores... and the media that approximate them.
The Republicans will be fooled again. They were going to reduce deductions for the wealthy. Obama said no. He wanted top tax rates up for the wealthy to go up. He got what he wanted. Though no actual spending cuts. Which means spending less this year. So much for three to dollars spending cuts for each dollar of taxes. Now the Dem's want to stop people from receiving benefits they paid for.
Piglet , valley girl ( American girl)
Its killing you isn't it ............Obama leaning right .........no longer listening to his own lame left wing. The backs of the middle class can't stand any additional tax piggy !! the 53% are supporting the 47%.
Obama going to use Medicaid , and social security reform to balance the budget !! no more free cheese !!
Face it ...........Obama going to lean more to right for the next three years !!!!!
Mitch McConnell is an IDIOT!
Hey, Ed Coles (#2.4)
.
What are you talking about? Obviously, you haven't paid much attention. I have always praised Pres. Obama for leaning right and taking thunder away from the GOP. It's his winning formula, which really started with Clinton's centrist presidency.
.
It's not killing me, it's killing the GOP.
.
FORWARD...
How piggy how much forward do you really think we can more before they run out of ink.
Because are money right is not worth the paper that it is printed on.
Forward is a sound bite you voted on a sound bite that all it is.
What do they pay you piggy 15 an hour if your lucky?
The main target of Ryans plan to balance the budget in 10 years rests on massive cuts to social security to create massive surpluses to offset the rest of the budget. Reducing benefits from a program separately funded to make over spending appear less is smoke and mirrors. Congress has the right to borrow social security funds they don't have the right to reduce their obligation for Americans who've paid in a lifetime so they can spend as usual. Implementing long term solutions to keep social security solvent is great, reducing benefits to steal from it to pay for other government programs is not.
Obama signaling that he is looking for a couple of points of air cover to support the Ryan plan in it's entirety with the exception of Obamacare. Barack will work with Ryan to cut elsewhere to support Obamacare.
Sorry lefties. Welcome to the wonderful world of Obama following the polls.
rgdsca...
I'm sorry, but you have to take a timeout from insulting others, until you can form a complete sentence and learn how to proofread, spell, punctuate, etc. If you want to be taken seriously, then you need to read and write at least as well as a 5th grader. I don't think that's asking too much.
@Pigotry, I understand where you are coming from but compromise means tick for tat. You give me this and i'll give you that. Neither side will get completely what they want!
@Ido, you really need to get a grip. "finish decimating our military"...WTF? The cut to military spending was put into place by REPUBLICANS, the sequester was a REPUBLICAN idea. Even with the 40 Billion in cut's we still spend almost a TRILLION dollars on defense every year, you have to include Homeland Security in defense spending. Besides that, our military is the largest in the world. The 23 country's below us COMBINED don't equal the size of our military and they are all our allies!!!!
Larry..."Congress has the right to borrow social security funds they don't have the right to reduce their obligation for Americans who've paid in a lifetime so they can spend as usual."
I guess you will be really upset when the libs socialize your 401K.
Piggy must be Pelosi. It makes sense, doesn't it? Pelosi the Pig. It must be her, because Pelosi is the only other person I ever heard even try to say with a straight face that Obama is a centrist.
I think we ought to pass the Ryan budget. Then once we pass it, we can read it to see what's in it. What say you Miss Pelosi? Oops I mean Piggy... Oops I mean Pelosi...
Not really. I'm retired on SS and cashed out my 403B.
sleuth23
Yes my grammar is bad real bad but I can add like a mother @!$%#er and make enough to pay people to do my paper work at a lower pay wage.
Are country is almost 17 trillion in the whole do you understand that?
Give credit where credit is due, GOP!!
Yes, give the GOP credit for not caving in to more unbridled record pace deficit spending and debt building. And for exposing Mr. Obama's 'the sky is falling" rhetoric over a meager 2% reduction in the rate of increase in spending. Now make Obama keep his word that he would reform Medicare and SS. BTW, Mr. Obama, where is your proposed budget?
That's what I am talking about. Credit (kudos) to the President.
The balanced approach, a budget plan that balances the budget in 10 years ans saves SS and Medicare via sensible reforms.. Obama's "balanced approach', a budget that never balances, but calls for continued deficit spending and debt building no end in sight, while bankrupting SS and Medicare.
KingK,
Tell us, in what year does Social Security go bankrupt ?
Dennis
From the beloved NBC
REPORT: SOCIAL SECURITY BANKRUPT BY 2037
A new report from the Congressional Budget Office says that Social Security is paying more than the program is taking in, and will leave those 41-years-old or younger without a retirement safety net unless changes are made soon. (msnbc tv)
Go to the story
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41297966#41297966
KingK,
(Forbes) It is a logical impossibility for Social Security to go bankrupt. We can voluntarily choose to suspend or eliminate the program, but it could never fail because it “ran out of money.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntharvey/2011/04/08/why-social-security-cannot-go-bankrupt/
Benefits may be reduced but it cannot go bankrupt as long as people pay into it
And from Oldbama himself:
The following is what Obama said in his previous speeches before Congress. Obviously he didn't mean a word of it, otherwise he would not be submitting budgets to Congress that call for continued massive deficit spending and the creation of a $26 Trillion debt, while punting again and again on meaningful spending cuts and moving towards a balanced budget.
Dennis
Bankrupt doesn't mean you ran out of money, it means you don't have enough money to pay your obligations. And since, at least until now, Mr. Obama has been unwilling to engage in any meaningful reform of SS, it will be unable to meet its obligations (be bankrupt) as NBC reported, per the CBO, in the not too distant future.
Of course, Dennis, guys like you are not interested in dealing with reality, but more interested in being the cheer leading squad for Mr. Obama, regardless of the facts and what he says or does.
KingK,
Then you better correct Steve Forbes ... a great Republican
KingK,
You say that SS will be bankrupt when it cannot meet its obligation.
What is its obligation? How much has it promised to pay to those that pay into it ?
Dennis
if you think S Forbes is going to say that SS and medicare don't need to be reformed, than you are just plain delusional
Here are some of Mr.Forbes thoughts on reforming SS:
KingK,
I never said that he said it didn't need reform and I agree. I question your thinking about bankruptcy.
Also if SS cannot meet its obligation then, as a government program, would mean that the government would have to pay the obligation shortfall from the remaining budget funds. Since the USA as a sovereign nation cannot go bankrupt then in turn SS cannot go bankrupt.
Dennis
Tell that to all the people that lend the government the money to pay its bills. Yes, the nation is not subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, but like Greece, which for all intents and purposes is bankrupt, the practical effects are the same, poverty and despair. But if you want to get all hung up on semantics, go ahead, knock yourself out
KingK,
Thank You !!
16,700,000,000,000.00 and counting.
The Ryan plan isn't designed to make social security revenue and payments balanced it's geared toward reducing benefits to the point we once again take in far more then we pay out to allow this separately funded program to offset other government spending. To ignore the fact the government has borrowed massively since it's inception and still has received over 2 trillion more than it's paid out is to ignore the intent of it's creation. It wasn't created as an alternate source of funding for our war machine but to provide benefits to those who paid in a lifetime.
"…The deficit debate follows a well-trod and predictable path. The Republicans set the tone and framework of the discussion by taking the most extreme position, while the Democrats, themselves proposing unprecedented and brutal austerity measures, posture as the defenders of the “middle class” and proponents of a “fair” and “balanced” approach.
These planned cuts are the latest in a series of actions through which the crisis of capitalism that erupted in 2008 has been utilized to effect a restructuring of class relations in the United States. The financial oligarchy, having precipitated the Wall Street crash through massive speculation and fraud, demands that its losses be repaid many times over through the impoverishment of the broad mass of working people…"
US budget debate targets Social Security and Medicare
14 March 2013
Just two weeks after the start of $1.2 trillion in “sequestration” budget cuts, the burden of which is already being felt throughout the country, the Democrats and Republicans are moving on to their next order of business: a coordinated attack on the core federal health care and retirement programs.
While the two parties and the media are once again seeking to create the appearance of deep and fundamental conflicts—with endless talk of congressional “gridlock” and the “partisan divide”—there has never been greater bipartisan agreement on basic policy. The political theatrics of the so-called budget “debate” is but the latest example of the cynical dog-and-pony show of US politics, leading inevitably to a new round of bipartisan attacks on the working class.
The budget proposals of the two parties were unveiled this week. Republican Representative Paul Ryan, the 2012 candidate for vice president, presented a proposal to cut $4.8 trillion, including cuts already legislated. The Democrats followed with a plan that that calls for $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction. The Democrats’ budget assumes as a baseline the sequestration cuts, making clear that these drastic cuts in social programs will never be restored.
While the overwhelming majority of the population—90 percent according to one recent poll—opposes any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security, the Democrats and Republicans are united in demanding that they be slashed…
…In the immediate aftermath of the financial crash, the debts of the banks were assumed by the state through the largest bank bailout in history—supported by Bush and then Obama. This was followed by an historic attack on workers’ wages, initiated by the Obama administration’s 2009 restructuring of the auto industry, which included a 50 percent reduction in the wages of newly hired workers.
Next came an unprecedented attack on government workers, with 750,000 public-sector jobs lost since 2008, mainly at the state and local level. State and city governments, under both Democrats and Republicans, have, with the support of the Obama administration, taken an axe to vital social services. Hundreds of schools have been shut down, hundreds of thousands of teachers laid off, fire departments cut to the bone.
The assault then turned to federal spending, with $1.2 trillion in cuts to discretionary spending worked out between Democrats and Republicans in 2011 and another $1.2 trillion imposed with the sequester….
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/03/14/pers-m14.html
Social Security can go Bankrupt if it's up to the Republicans, all the GOP-TP cares about is their 1% super mega rich supporters, get it right !!!
Today's weather report in hell must have predicted a snow blizzard with a chance of hypothermia.
I applaud the President on showing more leadership and his willingness to at least listen to all ideas and approaches to the problems. We should insist that spending cuts be real; in other words, spending less of a projected increase in spending for a budget line item is not really a cut. If cuts are real , then the GOP should put revenue on the table in the form of tax reform. So far, outside of the sequestor, I have not seen Democrats willing to cut anything (except Defense of course).
Well, then Chris, you clearly haven't been paying attention. President Obama and democrats have cut more than just defense; they voted for those cuts in 2011 and 2012.
Ah, Chris the pretend Rhodes Scholar.
Chris, you are no Rhodes Scholar...but you might be as predatory as Cecil Rhodes.
the only thing obama reached out for in the last four years was a golf club.
Yeah, the one he's using to beat Boehner over the head with.
he reached for michelles weiner
...and nearly shattered your teeth upon removal.
Don't even try, texsas, you can't keep up.
Dont mess with texas,
He's reached for Reggie's too.
Those members of the GOP who had nice things to say about the President will never get invited to speak at CPAC!
CPAC is like jury duty. Nobody really wants to go unless they're bored out of their minds with life.
McConnell shouldn't go anywhere near CPAC. CPAC doesn't stand for Centrist Political Action Conference, after all.
The GOP screams about government waste yet can't find a single deduction or subsidy they'd be willing to end or cut. It's fine to be anti tax but clearly with the level of government spending they should be able to find one thing that should be cut. Maybe it's more about being stubborn rather than being right.
I agree about real cuts. Cuts in increases are just net increases.
Christie has a chance, a REAL chance, at establishing a viable third political party in 2016, especially when funded by the Bank of Zuckerberg.
Whatismore, that third party would actually become the 2nd Party, as the GOP slides further and further to the Right.
Not that a new 2nd Party could ever win the presidency...at least not in OUR lifetimes, but it would be entertaining to watch the Righties come pandering back to the Independents.
Christie would tell them where to go in a heartbeat, while Hillary carries on with the Progressive agenda.
Thanks, Chris, for running interference.
christie is a loser....he will be invited to the dems dinner,,all you can eat on the tax payers dime...
You'd have to be brain-dead to think that Christie is a loser. Personally, I don't like the man, but he is the ONLY hope for the GOP in 2016.
Saddle him with Rubio or any other RWNJ and he falls to Hillary. Give him a moderate as running mate and you have a chance.
Wishful thinking on my part, I know, as you guys have run plum out of feet to shoot off.
NJ's credit rating is on the verge of being downgraded again. Christie is a tax and spend RINO who has spent the last 6 months with his lips around Obama's glans.
both parties are killing us....
Both parties...as in Grand Old and Tea.
You can understand why the kudos are unfamiliar territory. It's the first time in five years he has acted like a President instead of a King. Give us a minute to get over the shock. And Pigotry, it is a tough sell to believe Democrats have had the White House and controlling majorities for 13 of the last 21 years and yet hold no responsibilty for the state of the country. In fact 99% of your rants have been out right lies. Politicians have done this collectively, and usually under the control and leadership of Democrats.
Oh, Sane, whatever shall we do with you? Take W out of the equation and life in America would probably be pretty sweet right about now.
But you and your ilk gave him to us and now you own his record.
Take W out of the equation? You must be a complete idiot. And life for me is pretty sweet right about now, in spite of the current administration. Sorry your life sucks.
KC,
Yeah, you look it.
We own the likes of you now.
The GOP has the White House in 20 of last 30 years, and the GOP started all the deregulation that caused financial disasters one after another...but I am still waiting for the GOP to own up to these disasters. These GOPigs are still fighting against regulation in Congress, stalling Richard Cordray's CFPB nomination, for example.
Sane, you said it perfectly. He is ACTING! He pretend he is being 'reasonable', and just like Arafat, when it comes time for him to make a reasonable decision, he will bail. Obama is unable to make a logical, conciliatory decision in which others can get any credit whatsoever, because he is an egomaniac and a narcissist. This is all a set-up to trap Republicans by putting them in a no-win situation, so he can blame them when nothing substantive happens. This is his pattern up until now, and it will never change. Remember-this is the state senator who voted 'present' most of the time so he would have no real record to examine. Obama is a figment of his own imagination and a movie screen upon which morons project their own image of what their ideal liberal president should be.
JUST WATCH.
Thank you, minus testicles.
Correction to #13.4
The GOP has the White House in 20 of last
3032 years, and the GOP started all the deregulation that caused financial disasters one after another...but I am still waiting for the GOP to own up to these disasters.Pigotry,
And we have had a Democratic President 12 of the last 20 years and on top of that the Democrats have controlled at least 2/3rds of the government for over the last 6 years but you do not think they are at fault for any problems.
Starting with Jimmy Carter and ending with the first term of Obama, 36 years, the GOP has had the White House 20 years and 8.3 trillion in debt and Dems have had the White House for 16 years and 7.1 Trillion in debt. At the end of Obama's second term it will be 20 years each for both parties, and at the rate of current spending the Dems share of the debt will be well over 10 trillion. If you have doubts, just go to the congressional web site, the facts are there. Both parties have had a part in creating the current problems this country is in.
Carter 4 Years
Ending: $ 930,210,000,000
Beginning: $ 653,544,000,000
Added Debt: $ 276,666,000,000
Regan 8 Years
Ending: $ 2,684,392,000,000
Beginning: $ 930,210,000,000
Added Debt: $ 1,754,182,000,000
Bush 4 Years
Ending: $ 4,177,009,000,000
Beginning: $ 2,684,392,000,000
Added Debt: $ 1,492,617,000,000
Clinton 8 Years
Ending: $ 5,662,218,013,697
Beginning $ 4,177,009,000,000
Added Debt $ 1,485,209,013,697
Bush 8 Years
Ending: $ 10,699,804,864,612
Beginning: $ 5,662,218,013,697
Added Debt: $ 5,037,586,851,015
Obama 1st 4 Years
Ending: $ 16,432,730,050,569
Beginning: $ 10,699,804,864,612
Added Debt: $ 5,432,925,185,957
You ignore the fact Bush passed the 2009 budget in 2008 before Obama was elected with a 1.2 trillion projected deficit. When you add that in it brings Bush's total to 12.1 trillion. The conservative Cato institute says the 2009 deficit belonged mostly to Bush. Even the most radical right winger has to know a new president doesn't even take office on January 1st nor does he enact his first budget until October.
http://www.cato.org/blog/dont-blame-obama-bushs-2009-deficit
JimO--forgot to mention that at least @2 trillion of Obama's "debt" was the unfunded wars in Iraq/Afghanistan. And much of the added monies were also spent on getting us out of those conflicts with as little as possible expenses.
Reagan extended social security solvency 12 years by slightly increasing the rate. The GOP ignores the fact that it remains solvent for another 25 years and a small increase would extend it to beyond the baby boomer years. They're more concerned with creating the huge social security surpluses than making it solvent so they can borrow instead of cutting spending. We're supposed to accept less so they can continue to pay less and cut less. Reagan could never get elected in todays republican party.
http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/08/news/economy/reagan_years_taxes/index.htm
The cause of our massive debts are our 2 wars, the Bush tax cuts and the Bush drug plan. Getting enough democrats to support a republican presidents agenda doesn't make the responsibility democrats. Every single program that began our slide toward this massive debt was initiated by Bush. Democrats are no more responsible than they were for the Reagan tax cuts. You might notice that every single driver of the debt has been initiated by a republican president. The only major program initiated by a democratic president is Obamacare which is fully funded. A shame republicans never consider a plan to pay for their programs and adventures. If they did the debt wouldn't be an issue.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3490
Maybe this is a sign that Obama is becoming more of a leader and starting to act like Clinton. At least I can hope....Too bad he has shown that he isn't all that trustworthy.
OMG, is Put becoming somewhat reasonable?
ROTFLMAO
Sane, although I'm extremely liberal I've had the poison pig on ignore for, oh I don't know, about the fourth or fifth time I read anything she had someone type for her. Same for Alan-Static. I may be liberal, but I just cannot stand shrillness, which those two seem to have in deep common. It's the same with Don't mess with texas. Whoever that is needs to get his/her brain out of the oatmeal and the same goes for anyone with shrillness or idiocy, which I wish I could just hit instead of ignore, no value or whatever. Regardless of my leanings, I'm willing to listen to a well-thoughtout idea, even if I don't agree with it. You stay Sane and I'll stay liberal, but let's at least agree to be polite to each other and all others, with the exception of the ones that are obvious idiots or buttcheeks.
You forgot about ME, jackie.
Yeah, you're an extreme liberal in the same sense that Romney was a severe conservative.
Both useless liars.
There are two possibilities here:
1.-Obama spiked their drinks
2.-Obama had an epiphany and decided to become president of ALL the people and not just the federal workers unions and his millions of dependent voters.
I VOTE FOR # 1.
"Obama got a rare thumbs up from some of his top GOP rivals after a private luncheon on Capitol Hill Thursday"
OR, the SOB actually picked up the tab.
Bla bla bla --- actions speak loader than words and that not only goes for Obama but the rest of the worthless Democrats and Republican currently holding office. The longer they have held office the more accountable they are to creating this mess in the first place. Need to clean house in 2016 across the board sending anyone running for re-election packing.
Yes, and replace them with true Progressives.
Good call, Jeff.
Must be able to pass a 3rd grade math SOL test because I do not see how any of their math adds up.
In 2008, I was going to vote against any politician who was already in office. Had a problem with our House member, though. He was a Republican (as I remember them from 50 years or so ago) and I really wanted to vote for him. No problem, he got ousted in the primary by TP Harris, who lost the first time, but we now have to live with for a total of 4 years. It seems that the TP pledge to make Mr. Obama a one-term president has extended life to prevent anything good from happening for eight years.
Republican members of Congress may have praised President Obama after meeting with him today, but talk is cheap. I'll believe these gasbags are serious about governing ONLY when they stop trying to block everything proposed by the president simply because he supports it.And, I wouldn't advise anyone to try holding their breath until that happens.If members of Congress had been the ones voting in the Papal Conclave, I doubt the Catholic Church would have gotten a new pope in the next couple of centuries.
Thank heaven for republicans. Somebody has to stop the madness in the White House and the Senate.
logico is tripping.
Can anyone explain to me why it took 5 years for Obama to do this?
Some leader.....nothing is his fault either.....
Gary,
How much time do you have?
W. Romney. Santorum. Perry. Gingrich. Paul. Bachmann. Priebus. Limbaugh. Beck. Hannity. O'Reilly. Levin. Savage. Erickson. Norquist. LaPierre. Trump. Adelson. Koch. Koch #2.
Silly question.
MSNBCMFE,
Your answer makes no sense because out of your list the President only had to deal with three of them, of which none had a leadership position, the rest are people outside of government. That would be like saying Bush is not at fault because of Al Sharpton, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Ed Shultz, and Rachel Maddows.
He had to get "his people" in stratigic appointments....
I swear to god MSNBCMFE, it's infuriating isn't it? You speak plain English to these people and it's like they either can't hear what you say, or their brain has some problem processing language properly.
If only another sinkhole appeared under CPAC...
One can only dream.
Really Palin invited and not Christie? When you lose to the worse president in our life time you need to call it quits and make room for a new party to take over.
Jeff,
You write well for a five year old, or did you forget about W?
Nobody...and I mean NOBODY....considers Bush anything but the worst president in their lifetime.
Well, except for bigots.
You must be hanging out with obama always blaming someone else --- I did not forget W but obama has doubled our debt in just 4 years without a budget or even a plan other than continuing to spend money he does not have. --- Should be removed from office and taken to jail for check fraud.
1,000 Americans dead because of delayed FEMA assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
3,000 Americans dead on 9/11 because W didn't take the time to read the memo.
5,000 Americans dead in unnecessary wars in the Middle East just to win daddy's approval.
...and you worry about Obama's handling of the debt W left behind?
jeff- during a severe economic recession the safety net is designed to INCREASE the deficit. We had the equivalent of the Great Depression plus two unfunded wars and you act SHOCKED?
did you just awake from a long long long nap?
Removed from office and jailed for check fraud JEFF? Conservatives had TWO opportunities to keep Obama out of the White House and chose instead to have a group grope with their wing nut fringe. Comprendez?
How much longer can we continue to have elections between dumb and dumber --- Face it we are not electing the brightest --- Obama, Gore, Bush, McCain, Romney etc... then we have Reid, Cantor, Boenher and Polesi etc... --- we are in deep xxxx and we have idiots in office and you try to say one is sharper than the others?
Republicans had two opportunities to win the WH but lost both because they ran extreme centrists.
Bush took over an economy with a 4.2% unemployment rate and a 450 billion surplus. Obama took over from Bush with a 7.9% unemployment rate that hit 10% while still under his last budget, 700,000 a month losing their jobs, millions in foreclosure, tax revenues down 500 billion and a financial system in collapse and his final 2009 budget with a projected deficit of 1.2 trillion. Not even a democrat can fix such a train wreck over night.
Shouting at empty chairs Jeff?
So they celebrated pi day with blueberry pie. I love pie.
Well, the market is up AGAIN and unemployment claims lower than expected. The President is getting praises from the opposition. What a fine day this is.
Please, oh please, Governor Christie....go Independent in 2016 and relegate the GOP/TP to a third place finish behind yourself and President Clinton.
This can't be good news for conservatives:
It took a lot longer than anyone would have liked, but the recovery from the Great Recession is now firmly in place. At least, that's what investors in the stock market seem to believe.
The markets powered ahead again Thursday for the 10th straight day, the longest streak of winning days in more than 16 years, after another round of data pointed to continued improvement in the job market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 83.86 points, or 0.58 percent, to end at 14,539.14. Hewlett-Packard and IBM led the gainers, logging its first 10th-consecutive winning streak for the first time since November 1996. The S&P 500 rose 8.71 points, or 0.56 percent, to close at 1,563.23 -- just short of its all-time closing high set in 2007. The Nasdaq gained 13.81 points, or 0.43 percent, to finish at 3,258.93.
The stock market is in a bubble much like the housing market was, and for the same reason. The FED's printing press is working overtime to create asset bubbles. We're about the leave the eye of the financial hurricane folks.
Jackieboy,
You are dang near perfect, thank you.
I have no problem with liberal views that don't melt in to name calling by the second line. I appreciate the difference in opinions, even if I don't agree with the methods or priorities at times. Civility sometimes leads to agreements. And well I know that people who share my opinions are guilty of being shrill. Politics just makes us all crazy at times.
I agree, Sane. I listen to conservative viewpoints, and liberals viewpoints. I don't think Rush is Right, or that Saint Maherer has been beatified.
Sadly, many are trying to sway the crowd with half-truths and misinformation, which frankly is not working.
Remove the cap on SS
Yes! Totally! Completely! Every dollar earned should be subject to the levy regardless of income level or source ~ wages, investment, interest income, etc. Eliminate employers from the equation altogether. Not fair. some will say? Its not fair for a person making $20-grand a year to have to pay the levy on 100% of income but the fat cats get capped at just over $100-grand. Here's what's not fair ~ that employers have to contribute one-half of the individual's contribution. Leave the percentile at its present rate but make it applicable to all sources of income with no cap and drop employer contributions altogether. Business essentially get a huge tax break, the self-employed see their contributions cut in half, and the program would be solvent into perpetuity. The only exemption would be Social Security benefits for seniors over age 65 ~ but all other income they receive would be subject to the levy.
Better yet, just phase out SS altogether.
Remove the cap, and lower the benefits for those who don't really need the SS benefits.
It's fair, and it saves ... a lot.