Imagine for a moment that tonight President Obama steps up to the podium and says, "It's all going to be fine, folks. We've averted disaster, we've averted an economic meltdown. Speaker John Boehner and Republicans in the House have agreed to do what Congress has done more than 70 times since John F. Kennedy was president-- raise the debt ceiling. And we're going to do it without killing Social Security and Medicare. We're going to close tax loopholes and end tax breaks on corporate jets. "
Even if that's what gets said tonight -- and don't bet on it -- it still wouldn't change the fact that the economy getting saved is still in horrific shape (see above). Ending the Republican-made debt ceiling crisis just means getting back to the far more difficult task of bringing down the unemployment rate.
MSNBC will have full coverage of the President's speech at 9 PM ET followed by Speaker Boehner's response.
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Some times surviving is all you can do. This seems to be the case recently.
But...if the President and Democrats really believed that raising taxes could drastically help the economy they would have done so in the fall of 2010 when they had control of Congress and the White House.
They could have allowed the Bush tax cuts to expire and by now the revenue would be through the roof, no debt crisis, no bad economy. They would be sitting high on the hog going into election year 2012.
But they didn't why? 1) They knew it would not work and 2) They wanted to have it as a political issue just like now.
Because Republicans, although in the minority, had enough votes in the Senate to block (filibuster) other important bills including START and extension of unemployment benefits, and threatened to do so. Congress basically was at a standstill.
How soon you forget, @RobDon.
BS RobDon, aparently you have a very short memory. The reichwingnuts (as usual) held the unemployed hostage at Christmas time mind you, by refusing to extend unemployment benefits unless the President extended the bush tax debockle. Your entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.
"Revenue." A lovely word. "Revenue" is what the elites require to run their empire. Care to contribute? Oh wait, you already have. Except that now, because the economy SUCKS thanks to BHO, you can't contribute as much as you wish you could. Darn tootin shame for them, huh.
Is it not funny that republican tea baggers wish to make there stand NOW? When this country is in fiscal crisis? It is ohh sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo telling is it not? Who is to say what is to much to borrow? Mr. Bohhner Eric CANTor? Who is to say what has worked in the past under President Clinton or any other President doesn't work when it clearly worked time and time again? [taxes]. Every business owner know that to expand you must spend money. You must spend money to make money. Why would we shrink everything still have to borrow money just to be barely able to pay that money back? We must think greater then that. In greater overall terms. In fact why is the free trade not addressed in a debt ceiling increase that turned into a CUT the budget bill when it should never have to do with one another? What do you mean mowdy5000 you may say. I shall enlighten you.
If you are an American company looking to make more profit how do you do this in a new world order? Do you stay in America make products hire Americans pay them and ship those goods no matter what they are out and about paying twenty five percent taxes on them? Or do you move your business across the pond somewhere hire foreign workers for slave wages ship the goods TO America and pay TWO percent tax? Republican baggers will cry whine and you know what and barely get out without yelling "THATS why we need to cut taxes" So Americans will create jobs here. ONLY they haven't created one job. NOT one. Why you may say mowdy5000? Because they have already invested in there over seas slave wage jobs and buildings contracts etc..
So how do you swing the pendulum back you may say mowdy5000.. Simple. You raise the taxes on imports from all other countries. You can even put them at twenty percent still well below average and run the table on our foreign competition. You do this why? Because they have NO where else to go. America is still the BIGGEST consumers on the block period. We buy anything and everything. Where are they gonna go? China? India? No. Because there growth is unstable and they are still barely working with coal. In fact you cannot be successful in this new world order without Americas buying and spending power. We hold all of the cards plus we are STILL the worlds only super power. You see with these low taxes for imports we hurt ourselves and any self respecting business man will leave our shores. Higher taxes will insure those un patriotic rich fools are made to look it. And they will have to move back to America shores to stay solvent and competitive. Those in our government who stick up for our low taxes on imports are by extension favoring endorsing and loving China India and other countries before they love us there own brethren.
Do the republican tea baggers who claim to care about America even address that in there plan? NOPE. They just want to cut it all and make us hurt make us smaller and watch our country burn. They have NO faith in America, in us. They think we are unable to manage money we will have to borrow. How do they know this? Because republican tea baggers are the problem. They did this to us and they refuse to change. They could borrow more money raises taxes change free trade to FAVOR America and take an OATH like they love so much to not frivolously spend. But they do not. In fact they wish to make YOU and I suffer more and more because they do not believe we can be great again. REmember if tax cuts worked why are we not still thriving with jobs after the wall street and housing debacle? Hmmmm.
To surmise I must reiterate republican and tea baggers are trying to destroy our great country from within.. ; ] They wish to make "tuff" desicions that do not have to be made other then they want to make them. There are better ideas but they are frankly O STUPID to think of anything but cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cutsssssss. Horse crap in a horse patute.
They have not put fourth ONE jobs bill. Why you may ask me mowdfy5000? I will tell you. Because they hate our government. But only when they do NOT hold the power as was shown under Bush when they blew threw our surplus and balanced budget like cheap tissue. ; ] They wish to screw America by telling us to give them a head and a reach around and then they MIGHT give us a kiss. Anyone feeling me yet? The ONLY jobs Government can create our government jobs and they KNOW this so they lied when they ran on creating the jobs Obama couldn't in 2010 didn't they? YUP! They are responsible for NOT putting contractors to work and roofers concrete workers all from the housing market to work on infrastructure when they cried HELL NO! Remember that? Those were jobs. We just lost 4000 jobs from the FAA plus all of the other jobs we lost because of them and this made up crisis. THEM. Not me. Not you. Think about it.
Wake up people! Wake up.
There! I threw my juice on it
mowdy5000 2011
OMG-SUS.comm
www.stillh@rderthenu.commm
Cheers
Why are people comparing the Republican’s attitude to the “Bully who takes is ball home when things are not going his way”? I feel we should use another metaphor to describe this attitude, that is, “The scorpion and the water buffalo”.
The scorpion wants to cross the river and asks the water buffalo to take him across on his back. Of course, the water buffalo is doubtful about the safety of assisting the scorpion in this manner, but after much debate, which includes the scorpion rightly pointing out that stinging the buffalo in mid-river would be suicidal, the buffalo agrees.
And then the buffalo is fatally stung by the scorpion in mid-river, and as they both sink the scorpion explains his action to the buffalo as “ it’s just in my nature, I can’t help it”
The fact that Republicans will bring this nation to disaster is not there fault, it is just in their nature.
mightbealiberal, please tell me the bill that the Democrats were trying to pass that the Republicans blocked that would have addressed the Bush tax cuts. The Democrats decided (the Senate first) not to vote until after the election. I'd love to see the bill that was blocked. I await my lesson and look forward to seeing the proof.
The reichwingnuts threatened to filibuster, as usual, part of the bush tax cuts that were to be made permanent for the middle class so the bill was never introduced. Politics.gather.com Dec.6,2010
Oh, yea...those bad Republicans would just block it so why right the bill and introduce, let's just whine and blame instead of working. That's what you are saying? The Democrats would have written some great legislation if the Republicans had just not "threatened" them?
Oh, and let me throw in a Nazi reference for good measure.
Nice work.
I guess this means less Rachel this evening.
But whatever we do get should be a very interesting program.
Is she on vacation? Yay for her, but I miss her.
This doesn't look good....they usually mention when a host is on 'vacation'. There is no mention of Rachel....OMG.
OMG, indeed.
We're getting worried about you, Rachel. Where are you, why aren't you on tonight, and when the Hell are you coming back? Truly disappointed that you aren't covering this tonight.
Seriously missing you,
DP & Many Friends
Anyone else having Maddow withdrawal?
Rachel wasn't on Friday either. Where is she?
OMG, Indeed. Where are you? Why are Chris and Lawrence in your spot, and when the Hell are you coming back?
You are coming back, yeah?
Curiouser and curiouser...
Melissa Harris-Perry? She's nice and stuff, but you are being very, very missed.
xoxo,
DP & Many Friends
I am missing Rachel, too!
Actually, they usually don't mention that a host is on vacation until the third night they try to get as many viewers as possible so they just say, "Rachel is off tonight" and hope you keep tuning in.
Goshdarnit!
Okay, I understand this is show biz, and that announcing ahead of time that your star won't be on will cut into ratings.
But it's also supposed to be news and information, and that should start at home.
Happy vacation, Rachel, hurry back.
(I haven't had an actual vacation in a decade, but that's just my problem, and I only say it 'cuz I'm feeling grumpy.)
According to the TV Guide, Rachel is supposed to be back tomorrow, but who knows? Her show could be on with a guest host.
Four days? The GOP is behind this, I just know it!
Teh Twitter sez Professor Melissa Harris-Perry will be hosting TRMS while Maddow is on holiday this week.
Timing is everything, eh?
I still maintain Obama never wanted a deal to cut spending in the first place. His goal has always been to expose the GOP and Tea Party for who they really are.
They are political drones of the top 2%.
So that's OK? "Never wanted a deal to cut spending" - well that's so helpful now isn't it. You believe that this is all just a political thing or a "trick" to show what the other side stands for ONLY? Nice...I just wish once the people in Washington do their job just for the reason of doing their job (both parties!). Not to posture themselves and their party for the next election cycle. Pathetic. Washington is now a grade school government.....
Don't hate the player hate the game. This game was started by the GOP and Tea Party back when they called the man a liar right there on the house floor. This game went into overtime when they ALL said the main goal is to make Obama a one termer. This game turned ugly when they attack the man's wife and kids.
I agree with one thing you said though. Washington is now a grade school government. However, Obama is the principle. The man is dealing with children.
The Trotsky: WELL SAID!!
This debt issue was NEVER an issue until the freshmen children came in to office.
You seem to think that if "their" side acts stupidly, then the other side - including our POTUS should too. If little Joey jumps off a bridge...
Of course the Republicans want him to be a one term President - they're Republicans!! Yeah, I remember the good ol' days when Bush (and Reagan) was in office and the Democrats didn't think that way. Back when everyone acted so civil when Bush was in office. What a silly comment. The opposition party ALWAYS wants the sitting President from the other party to be a one term President. This is the silliest talking point of late.
I do not like either party, but some of the bloggers here think that tit-for-tat type "games" are OK when the country is in some pretty hairy s#@t right now. The only difference between the Republicans and Democrats is who they suck up to. That's it. It's all about the coveted votes. Gross.
skip, the definition of compromise is that all sides must make concessions. What concessions have the GOP offered? Not only during the debt ceiling discussions, but on anything since Jan of 2009?
Why do the Republicans vote down their own ideas? Why have the number of filibusters doubled since 2006?
Why won't the Republicans accept yes for an answer?
Please don't try to say this is a two way street, because the facts don't support that. They have ground the government to a halt, and they now are willing to crash the economy just to make Obama a one term president.
Yes, both parties want to win the next election. There's nothing wrong with that but when one of those parties ONLY goal is to make the sitting president's administration fail, then we have a problem. Where are the job bills from the Republicans? What have they offered to help the economy grow? http://www.politicususa.com/en/in-200-days-the-house-gop-has-voted-to-kill-1-9-million-jobs-and-created-0
BTW, an apology to CarolinaLady! I know, DNFTT. Sorry! :{
(The devil made me do it!)
You are right Haddie on most points. But my response here was to Trotsky blogging that to him it seems OK for the President and his party to just "point fingers" and basically say it's their fault. At this point I would, as many people here say "cave" and accept their terms for the sake of the country. If it turns out to be a bad choice, then it will be totally on them.
I cannot believe that the Republicans - no matter how much people may despise them - have a "Dr. Evil" plan to grind the economy to a halt. I do believe that they really think their ideas are the way to go. You and I may not like their plan, but I get tired of hearing the rant that the ENTIRE Republican party and all their followers are hell bent on destroying the economy. Like that would help them somehow?? Come on, this isn't Saturday afternoon cartoons with sinister laughing folks out to bring the world down. Seriously...
And I am not a troll Haddie no matter what Carolina says - that is another little juvenile thing here I know. Just because someone has a - god forbid - different opinion that you have to do a silly thing like DNFTT (how fun, you guys made up a 'do not feed the troll' label - keen!). But this is the Maddow blog and I am always amused by the maturity here sometimes.
cynical, but true.
A democratic party unable or unwilling to protect the rights of the working classes has no justification to exist.
Time for a deep breath and some reality, Skip. The republican party's leaders have made it known that their MAIN priority is to bring this president down. If that doesn't mean that they would bring the country to its knees to accomplish that, I don't know what it means.
Hello, Reason. Where have you been? Ah out to lunch I see the dripping juice of a hot dog on your chin. Was it good? Yes and so then, do you remember where we were? The Debt. Trilions. Upon Trillions. Upon Trillions. Upon Trillions. Whose money?? For what purpose? Gluttony and ruin indeed. Have some beans, then.
Skip, that's what Obama did last December when the Bush Tax Cuts were supposed to expire. He "caved for the good of the country". That was a bad idea and ended up hurting the economy more. Did that end up "on the Republicans"? No, they're the "Obama tax cuts" now. I would like to think this will end up hurting the Republicans, but Americans have astounded me by their stupidity before, who says they won't do it again?
you got that right!
something that i have learned is that if people want you to fail as being a leader, all they have to do is drag their feet and disrespect you and wont stop till that person is no longer in power.
Carrie-Anne - I also believe this is true and that this is what the tea party people and other Republicans are attempting to do -
GOP doesn't care about the debt ceiling, the state of the economy, what spending is cut, they don't give a fig about entitlements, or the people they represent back home.
From all appearances, they care about:
First goal: Removing our president. Bring America to the brink, if not over it, so it will be historically on his watch.
Exactly, Carol.........and they've made no bones about their real objective from the get-go. They aren't fit to govern anything anymore. They are too filled with their sick agenda of hate and racism and greed. The good of our Country and it's citizens is not their concern.
Oh how I'd love our President to execute Executive Privilege and ride roughshod over those perverts.
*Rant over for now*
Almost as good as hearing what we wanted to hear from the President tonight:
After he asked us to contact our people in Congress to state our opinion about a balanced approach, CONGRESS WEB SITES ARE CRASHING.
Whatever it takes for the President. If he has to go before the American people everyday with this thing to let the American people know what the Republicans are doing to our country, then he should do it.
Yeap, keep telling the 98% that the TWO PERCENT want to screw ya
Hopeful,
See my reply to Trotsky above.
Here is a video by Robert Reich that explains in 2 minutes exactly how the 2% is screwing the other 98%:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JTzMqm2TwgE
How does caving once again help this country out? Just so the Democrats can then say "Hey, this mess is the Republican's fault."? C'mon, we're supposed to be smarter than this. What is needed is common sense and that is a commodity that is in short supply, especially in DC.
Dear Ms. Maddow,
A question I have not heard you ask or I have heard from others is how will a strict balanced budget amendment impact our ability to fight a war? As we all know wars are costly so is that cost to be restricted by a balanced budget? How do proponents of this amendment propose to fight a war or respond to a terrorist attack within the confines of a balanced budget? I don't agree with the concept of the amendment. It is seemingly impossible given unexpected expenditures to the U.S. budget.
It seems rather peculiar that the balanced budget issue did not arise in the last administration when Republicans had control of everything. Why didn't they do it then? It seems that such a restriction may well have limited what policies were implemented during President Bush's term. They seem to conveniently forget or willingly ignore all of the debt incurred before 2008. To that, why should the working class be expected to pay back that debt with proposed cuts but the wealthy are not expected to pay their fair share of that same debt with increased revenue? Only the working class is responsible for paying for the cost of wars now?
AA
What you just said is why a balanced budget amendment is a very stupid idea. I won't even go through how long and drawn out the amendment process is and how the Tea Party and Republicans are just unrealistic.
There will be so many exceptions to the balanced budget amendment that it will be an affront to the Constitution and Bill of Rights in it's wishy-washiness. Let's see; we will exempt wars, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, spending money to outlaw abortions, clean air, clean water, privacy rights, yada yada. It's a non-starter as long as one house has a democratic majority or we have a democratic president.
yeah AA, we pretty much pick up the tab for the top and the bottom...the problem is we're losing ground in the middle. While more of us fall into the bottom, fewer of us rise to the top. We try to prevent taxing the rich because we're afraid it looks like class warfare...duh, the top's been waging class warfare on us for decades now. It seemed a little less obvious during the Clinton years, but isn't it amazing how many Bush supporters were middle/lower middle income? Always amazes me how they support the GOP when the party is obviously more interested in accommodating the wealthy and corporations. Now you hear the Repubs bash Obama because he's added debt to the debt by getting Healthcare passed. At least it really will help some....not like that pesky Iraq War that helped nobody except the defense contractors, i.e., Halliburton. I really want B.O. to stand up and fight for Progressive ideals/middle class, but some adjustment of entitlements is okay too. There's lots of room in Medicare and Medicaid...but if we're beholden to the pharmaceutical and medical insurers, we'll continue getting screwed. Unfortunately, these big money players are big contributors to election coffers....which is why we always endure these stalemates. The Repubs have shot themselves in the head though because they came out of the shoot screaming about repealing Roe v. Wade, unfunding healthcare, NPR and Planned Parenthood, and waging war against gay marriage, and the rest of their morality objectives. Their prejudices won't fly especially with the younger generations. I'm 55, divorced, own my home and work for my medical insurance, mortgage payments, and 401K, but I don't want anybody stealing money from those who need it. I don't mind if Social Security and Medicare are tweaked just enough so those who can afford it, pay more, while those who can't are still covered. Nobody should be hungry/homeless/uninsured in this country. So while Michelle Bachman's husband is paid by Medicaid to convert ex-gays, the rest of us are paying the bill. This and all other Medicare/Medicaid scams need to end in addition to requiring means testing for Social Security. Why should we all pay more for those who can afford it, and those who cheat the system? These Entitlements are social safety nets for those in need. We have a lot of cleaning up to do, but the Repubs are going about it completely wrong and their attacks on all of us will come back to bite them at election time.
There is one reason and one reason only for a balanced budget amendment and that is that the American people have elected irresponsible children to Congress. Eliminate electing members of congress and replace that with selecting representatives the same way we select jurors, random lot. Can't do much worse than we are now and who knows you might actually see some responsible governance.
Rachel: Please review the Houston Chronicle on all the oil gas companies awarded 25m -13m for their EEO in 2010. They need to go to jail and loose the key. What right do they have to trade oil and energy products on the market, thereby, we the consumers have to pay high prices. Texas do not have mass transit to get us to work and home.
We will have to do an Old Testimonal Prayer. "If my people will humble themselves and pray, then I will hear and heal their land."
Their right to trade oil, gas or other energy products is guaranteed by the Interstate Commerce clause of the United States Constitution, as is the right of people of the United States to life, liberty and property. Want to get rid of Capitalism, its either a revolution or a Constitutional Convention, the Republicans in Congress are trying the former with the collusion of the Dems, maybe its time for "We the people" to try the latter.
Any deal to cut spending will be on Obama's watch. They do not want that! Obama knows that. He's just playing their game.
That's yet another win for Obama from the two parties of NO. Not one person on the Republican side of the nominees can even claim credit of reducing the debt except for Bachmann. That's assuming she even votes for it.
Simple...they will rob the rest of our Social Security fund. I don't know about you but I am just under the 55 threshold. I pulled out my last SS Statement and 403B Statement. I will never see any of it.
This is what happens when you stay home. You get divided government.
Rachel, hi, If the debt ceiling isn't raised and our credit is downgraded, the first thing I want to see go is paychecks for Congress, close their offices, stop their "better than your's" health coverage that we all pay for, all perks(gym, parking, political mailings,and travel expenses, etc. I have an idea that might help with our deficit. Let's Tax every political ad in all media at 100%. The money generated could help pay down the debit. Congress needs to feel the pain they inflict on the rest of us.
Amen Donald! They have jets that take them places and they're all beholden to lobbyists. While we're struggling to hang on to our home equity, they're on the golf course. While we're paying off the Bail Outs, they're getting regular checkups. While children and old people and the infirmed are suffering, those creeps are playing with our money. We all need to send a message loud and clear that we're fed up. Obama tried to cut the influence of lobbies when he first got into office....that didn't go well. And Clinton keeps telling him to stay in the middle so as not to offend either side. He needs to stand his ground or we need to seriously revolt...kinda like the Tea Party, only with real plausible complaints and good solid solutions. We need citizen oversight of Congress and full disclosure. They waste too much time posturing and blustering about nothing. If the rest of us did that, we'd lose our jobs.
What's really sad is no one will stand up "the little people". Those of us who don't get 6 figure salaries (or even 5 figures for that matter). It's true - our Congressional members forgot who put them there "We the People" and it's all about greed. How do you get two opposing political viewpoints to agree -EVER? Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans continue to blame the Democrats. Both parties have tied a political noose around the President's neck. I will never be a politcal expert, or have a gift for politics such as Rachel Maddow has (along w/the brains). I'm a housewife, with a college degree and chose to give up the 5 figure salary to save my sanity. I've learned LESS is MORE. Corporate greed has us all believing we'll be lost w/out them. We're working ourselves to death for corporate America who get the biggest tax breaks. What's a President to do? He can't please both sides - EVER. He takes the Hell & criticism from everyone, yet, there is NO respect for the office. I am SO tired of it all. Yes, things need to be cut, and those tax loopholes tied up. Compromise works - but it takes both sides to humble themselves to do it.
Madje
I agree with you. The people in Washington will not stand up for the little people. They stand up for the people that stand up. For whatever reason the Tea Party stood up during the 2010 elections. The people they are elected are standing up for them.
Until the silent majority stands up and demands to be accounted, for the the Left and Right wings of the will be represented in Congress. Until the center cares enough about this country to stand up, divisive politics will not cease.
Standing up means much more than going to the polls and voting once a year. It means being engaged in civil discourse at all levels.
Madje -you are exactly right when you say he can't please both sides. He should not have to either and that is the core of the problem. The center is missing in the discussion. You see them in the polling but not in Washington. Except when the President pisses of the base by acting like a centrist , which is really what he probably is.
I'm sorry Pat, this President is not acting like a "centrist" he is acting like a Republican. His legacy is going to be the irrelevance of the Democratic Party as an institution advancing the rights of working people. He might want to study his American history, when a political party becomes unwilling or unable to reflect the will of its supporters on the major issue of the era, it fades into obscurity.
OK, it is now 2hr before Obama talks.
Here is my bet on what he will say although it will sound differently when it comes out of his mouth.
"Look, I have spent a life masking cowardice with caution. True, I am really good at 'rope a dope'. I have used it successfully to cover every false promise I have made. The actions of the downtrodden, the hopeful, the Utopian minded, the brilliant, the fools, the gullible, and the bad gamblers reflect on them not me. I am just the mountebank that took them for a ride. How many promises do I have to fail to fulfill to make them except the fact that they should have elected my mother. I am not my mother. I am my father.
When I do damage to the disenfranchised, the poor, the failed, the old, the social security recipients I do it adroitly and devilishly. That is why I am going along with the idea of creating a legislative body that will do my dirty work for me.
So, heads up! Even though social security fund is not Congress's money I am going to agree to let Congress continue to play with it. Congress needs it more than these old people need it. The rich need medicare's money more than the sick need it."
The president, in whom I originally had some confidence, has after my carefully watching his play of hand, earned that opinion of me. He will do us in.
He and Slick Willy are brothers under the skin.
Too bad he does not have a name conducive to verbal caricature like Slick Willy and Billary.
The President is just doing what Democratic presidents have been doing since Truman, ignoring those who put him in office. How does a man who has so much hatred directed at him that some of his haters are willing to push the nation off an economic cliff turn his back on his supporters. For too long mainstream dems have been doing what mainstream repubs did, cater to the base during the election than move toward the "center" when in office. The repubs got their payback from their ignored base in the 2010 election that turned that party over to their lunatic fringe. The dems are now doing the same thing. Its just that "progressive" Obama moved further right than any of his "centrist" predecessors did.
Wow, CanDoJack, you sure have a way with words!
"A tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
One indicator of how stupid our economy has become: Job postings requiring a masters degree, but the jobs described can be done by someone with a high school education and 3-5 years administrative experience. Then we see an article in the NYT, 'the masters is the new bachelors', because employers "can"? Meanwhile our soon to be privatized university system are all for it. More money for them. Nuts.
I guess the opposite of beggars CAN be choosers? Also, with the labor market flooded with laid-off workers with experience (3-7yrs+), how are college grads supposed to get work before them?
This is probably too darn simple.........
!. Pay the bills
2. Create jobs!!!!!! The rest can be dickered over later!
Every single one of them should ask themselves whether the vote they cast or bill they offer creates even one single job here at home. If the answer is NO, table it!! Higher employment results in higher revenues. More revenues means we CAN afford to meet our obligations to this and future generations.
Just sayin'.........................
except that the Republicans want to do neither, they actually want to prevent either. they're little children who can't share the inflatable pool on the block, then they'll just pop it instead. 'mine! mine! mine!'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt7rXE9vhNY
Game? Are you just realizing it's a game folks? This is a game for money, power and control that has been played for ions of time. The GOP is resisting the fact their politics as usual is collapsing and that the old ways don't work any more, because we the people refuse to tolerate the extreme the political scheme has gone. Politics as usual is not going to happen, but they are trying to force it. We are moving into a new age and with it comes a lot of chaos, not only in this country but globally. Just look around you. Pull back and look at the bigger picture to understand what must happen.
Who would have thought a mere 50 years ago that the venerable Grand Old Party would be taken over by anarchists? I'm kind of grateful that I don't have too many years left to observe and participate in the chaos. Although it might be interesting to watch the comedy of errors that will precede the 2nd American Republic. Wonder if the anarchists will allow a 2nd Amendment?
What has the President done?
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html
What did he have to work with?
http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/07/myth-of-progressive-majority/#.TiIPViD1vX8.twitter
The problem we have now is huge. But even worse is the Rs have changed the way the game is played by dropping the fiscal bomb. It will come back to haunt them, but worse than that, will we ever restore reasonableness to Congress or will it all be theatrics and gamesmanship?
Last week Warren Buffet said he could fix the
deficit in 5 minutes. Pass a law which says that if the deficit ever
exceeds 3% of GDP, ALL members of congress become ineligible for reelection. Simple and elegant. Trouble is, congress would
have to pass it !
that guy with the hair and TV show recommended forcing default so -- somehow, thru magical wishful thinking -- Obama gets blamed and isn't re-elected, tho for some Repubs, waiting 'til 2012 isn't good enough.
personally, i don't support any sort of deal other than the one Vanessa writes above in exchange for Repubs possibly salvaging any re-election chances by looking like they helped save the country. the distant-second option would be the "white-flag" solution, except that would require us to actually default first (instead of effectively having defaulted, as we've been at for at least a week). no tax cuts, no entitlement program cuts, period.
but Obama probably will concede and give them everything they want, because it's necessary 'if the hostage gets harmed.'
Dear rachel..As I listen to you , the "responsible" media, and evryone thta writes here and elsewhere, I winder who is really listening to "us" the people of these United States that work. I hold down three jobs and my husband a civil worker is ready for retirement at 55 after 25 years of service. Here is the catch, he cn't reitre, we can't get a grant or a student loan for our third son who made it to a great university on a paartial scholarship. The price of living in a city where salaries are at ap premium compared to some other paces is not enough. I , as a school teacher have not had a raise in going in 5 years. American politicians are all about talk and getting elected but then there seems to be a bug black hole they go into and never see, urn their heads an actually know what is really going on. I believe a represent a majority of Americans, I work, have a modest home, family to take care, elderly parents to worry about, a disabled brother that depends on his disability and SSI as do most elderly and disabled. I see cuts in Education, health benefits for children, elderly and the sick. What do we need to do and say to make them see..that this isn't about shirking OUR responsibilty because everyone here is about the working class and getting. The American Dream that enabled my dad to work whie my Mom, a seamstress, stayed home until we were grown, out us through college and married us off, is dead! We believed as we do now that these elected officials were our saviors, ha our best interest at heart. They lead we folowed,right into urope, as my Dad did, right into Vietman as my couins did, right into Desert Storm and Irag and Afghanistan as so many of our youg are..and yest I can not help but feel helpless and know that tonight no matter wht our President will say will not change anything. The GOP are the most isrespectful, tyrannical bunch of do nothings ever ..I am glad that they are showing the American people once and for all..what this is all about. The Dream is dead, the America we once knew under FDR and JFK no longer exists..Change can only come about if WE the people demand it, portest againist this stonewalling and quit being the patsies..We must act and do so immediately.
The last amendment to the constitution took 203 years after its initial submission to be ratified by all the states. An amendment to give women equal rights failed to do so. This should be a pretty easy argument for the president to win
Let's get real, about why the GOP wants two(2) debt ceiling votes, reality is, if they can kick the can down the road, they can keep saying, the Rich people are still scared, so they are not hiring, when the truth is, there are no jobs, Obama needs to tell them, ok let's do what you want, BUT if we don't have a huge amount of jobs in one year, we are doing it our way.
If the dream dies, it will have died by suicide, just as Lincoln predicted. Both political parties are at fault, as are the American people. As fewer and fewer of us participated in the process, more and more "politicians" were elected who transferred that wealth. We've only got ourselves to blame, we're the ones who got taken in by the DINO's and we're the ones who will either fix the Democratic Party or abandon it and start the struggle for working people's rights all over again.
Gee, if the networks are giving equal time to the Speaker of the House, why don't we expand the party and invite the rest of the kitchen crew? Politicians, economists, historians, pundits, authors, and anyone else that wants to provide his wisdom to the rest of us. This would be a wonderful chance to support - then shout down - our president and could go on until doomsday or August 3 which sounds like they will be one and the same.
Lawrence O'Donnell just said Melissa Harris-Perry will be doing Rachel's show all week! I hope Rachel is okay.
Oh No! Neither Melissa nor anyone else can deliver like Rachel Maddow, I wonder if she's joining Current TV? Sorely missed...
Too bad Boehner didn't fact check his speech. They know nothing but lies. And Joe Walsh is another one.
Never mind the fact Joe Walsh shares his name with a great guitarist for the Eagles. Talk about adding insult to injury!
many of the tea party freshmen appear to be ignorant and arrogant individuals - Joe Walsh is one of the rudest and most arrogant of all -