Given the time of year, and the larger circumstances, some rhetorical excesses are probably inevitable, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) speech on the floor this afternoon was a little over the top, even for him.
For those who can't watch clips online, the Republican leader argued, "[F]or Democrats, apparently, every dollar in federal spending is sacred. Once secured, it can't be cut. That's why we've got trillion-dollar deficits. And the truth is, until the president gets specific about cuts, nobody should trust Democrats to put a dime in new revenue toward real deficit reduction -- or to stop their shakedown of the taxpayers at the top two percent."
OK, let's unwrap this a bit, because I think it's important to appreciate how silly this rhetoric really is.
First, Democrats have already accepted $1 trillion in spending cuts, and have offered hundreds of billions of dollars in additional cuts. "Every dollar in federal spending is sacred"? McConnell -- or whoever writes the speeches he reads -- isn't paying close enough attention to current events.
Second, we know exactly why we have trillion-dollar deficits, and I'll give you a hint: it's not because Democrats spend too much.
But what really stood out for me here is the notion of a "shakedown." Can the political world pause to get a grip for a minute?
President Obama is talking about an increase in the top marginal rate from 35% to 39.6%. That's it -- a 4.6% increase, returning the wealthiest folks to a top rate they paid during the Clinton era, and still giving them a tax break on their first quarter-million in income.
This is what McConnell considers so outrageous. This is the fight Republicans consider paramount. This is the line in the sand for the right that must not be crossed. This is the difference between capitalism and socialism, a free market and a job-crushing dystopia. A 35% top rate is great; a 39.6% top rate is a confiscatory "shakedown."
Please.
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The Confederacy is looking for any reason to have another round of stupid white morons fighting for Ol' Massa. This time we won't let them off so easy.
The GOP lost their grip with reality a very very long time ago. Whine and bitch Mitch just shows how badly they lost their grip.
But the sad thing is that they claim the opposite of reality. Dems (Clinton) created surpluses (by raising taxes). But Bush cut taxes and created the original trillion dollar deficit.
Luckily, the liberal media calls them on it. Right? Right?
Oh, we, the damned Democrats. Right. MitchiePoo, get your head out of Paul Ryan's rear end and wake the hell up. Okay, that visual was gross.
Bush and the spend-a-holic Republicans destroyed our economy.
Our POTUS, regardless of everything standing in his way, has actually gotten things turned around... progress made... and a slow, but solid recovery.
Clinton also cut spending, as well as bringing surplus to pay down the debt that accrued from WW11.with no help from Reagan, but then the Rs love to complain about debt after they run it up or refuse to pay it, until they can aim all cuts at the New Deal.
Democrats have already paid their dues, it's time for the 1% to start backing their words up with a little action on their party, have they always been as slow as a mollasses turtle.
Just like the turtle with molasses for brains mentioned above. They're 50 years behind the times and that's the way they like it.
The sad thing is that as long as our politicians are for sale to people like Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers, Democracy is just a word in the dictionary. The fact is that the one who pays the piper calls the tune, and it's not the 98% of the American people providing the music these days.
The politicians are dancing to the tune of these fascist Koch brothers, and as long as that's the case, Democracy is a lost cause. Their mission is to starve government and gain control of the country. The are relentless in this agenda, and they have deep pockets and Fox "news" on their side. Our ill informed electorate is being propagandized to the max by the right-wing toxic talkers. As long as this continues, people like Michele Bachmann, Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell will remain in our congress.
People need to wake up and smell the money. That's the fuel the government is running on, not the will of the people!
India, all your comments are "spot-on". Sadly (maybe a good thing), the repubs aren't hiding anymore... so much of what they are doing is out in the open for all to see! But, now what? How do we stop the repub machinery? I just heard that "they" want to replace Jim Demintt with John McCain. That will put him in position to have a bigger say in stopping Pres. Obama's recommendation to have Susan Rice as the next Sec. of State..... and then... fill that job (sec of state) with John Kerry, thus opening his chair in the Senate, for Scott Brown to take Kerry's place. Do you (we all) start to see a clever scheme(s) taking place? We are so lucky to have Pres. Obama in the White House. If anyone can hold down the GOP.... I truly believe Pres. Obama can! He has done so much for this country already!!! Go Obama!!! :)
3.3 1inspired girl,
It's really a bad situation as they are using the union busting as a way of defunding the Democratic party. They are relentless in their desire to take control of this country and run it according to the Koch brother's agenda.
Thank God Obama won the election, but the majority still isn't ruling and is being held hostage by the T-Party in congress. I believe we will have to go over the cliff. I see no compromise on taxes coming from the GOP at all. They'd rather take the country down than take away the tax breaks for the richest 2%.
We, the people, are losing our Democracy. It's a scary situation. We desperately need an informed electorate.
The sad thing is that as long as our politicians are for sale to people like Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers, Democracy is just a word in the dictionary.
Lets not ignore the dem politicians paid for by the unions India.
I know that that I'm stating the obvious, but it is the Republican Party who is shaking down the middle class. Their view is this: "Either the rich get a tax cut, or nobody gets a tax cut."
Republicans aren't for lower taxes. They're only for lower taxes for the rich. The evidence is overwhelming. (e.g., Republican deduction cap proposals would raise taxes on households and small businesses making less than $250,000, thereby mitigating the burden for the richest Americans.)
Face it. No one is getting a tax cut. It's either a tax increase on some or all. Or, no change if rates prevail.
All this talk of the Pres offering a trillion in cuts is a ruge. Until we compare apples with apples - annual deficits with annual cuts in costs or increase in revenues, we will continue to dig a hole. Forget who caused the problem, we are where we are.
Ignoring history does not help changing behavior/policies that brought us to this state.
It's not Dems. that did this. That is the "ruse" they are telling and selling. The low taxes for all is HOW they low taxes for rich.
I disagree, Tom. We must not forget who caused the problems, which are borrow, spend, cut taxes.
The Rs have long sold the "ruse" that cutting taxes will trickle down and it flat hasn't. So we can believe the evidence presented here. I think this economist has made the case.
http://zfacts.com/p/gross-national-debt.html
People should see clearly that Rs want big debt, work toward that, cut wages and cut taxes. Then have the audacity to blame their acts on Dems.
Oops! Should read
This is what voters need to open eyes and ears about. The agenda of the Rs is being "advertised" a certain way, because the actual product is not so much for all.
I hear some Rs criticize the last election "message", then say that conservatism is OK on its own, say let's talk of the uplifting message of conservatism. Well, if you look below surface, it can't be seen.
Mitch is just looking for Obama to make major concessions. Due to The Obomination's prior history in negotiating with the repukes, it is not necessarily an unjustified expectation. So far, we can only hope that Harry Reid has grown a spine and will get some meaningful filibuster reform in the senate and that Obama will develop a major set of balls for negotiating with the repukes.
sadoldveteran, #5, I guess we can dream.
I am becoming a cynic. I hope Obama proves me wrong.
We'll see. As for me, I'm sort of sitting in the corner, losing my religion.
I have to agree. Obama has already given more than he should. The longer Boehner keeps his BS lies up, the more Obama will give. Hope he proves me wrong.
Maybe if he'd just choke himself eating some CROW,,, we could get Ashley Judd in there Early!!!!
I don't know about the rest of you , but I am getting awfully tired of listening to pronouncements from that turtle necked old geezer.
Someone needs to clue him in that he is the minority and doesn't get to call the shots I will be so glad when he is too infirm to get up and blather on . Way past his useful life expectancy
I have always liked Ashley Judd. How about you, Sandy?
when he is too infirm to get up and blather on
The 2 infirmed part was 7 years ago effin
India, I would find Ashley Judd a most competent and an excellent (meaning much, much better than) replacement for the most obstructing Senator from Kentucky (ever?).
Nothing McConnell said makes any sense at all. Clinton's government "shakedown" led to a surplus. Republicans have no memory...that is apparent. But now they have lost the ability for rational thinking as Mitch's sputtering demonstrates
Consider this...Repubs bottom line is gaining power and looking good at all costs and they always accuse dems of doing what they themselves are doing- i.e. tax cuts "once secured, it can't be cut". McConnell no longer cares about appearing irrational and embarrassing. Sad and pathetic. GOP is S&P
Clinton benefited from a tech stock bubble, Cisco, Microsoft, Intel and Qualcomm capital gains are what led to budget surpluses notwithstanding his increase in tax rates.
That is ALSO true, Hank. The economy based on well paying jobs DOES help with budget surplus.
I do recall the defense cuts and tax increases being yelled about by Rs. Hafta question if that was the real reason for the witch hunt on Clinton, or the surplus impeded the goal of "starve the beast"/cut Medicare, SS and Food Stamps, etc.
The surplus began paying down debt until RW led "stop counting votes" and SCOTUS declared G.W. Bush President. From there, we can see what happened.
Stipulation: there were budget surpluses until G.W. Bush/Dick Cheney/Rumsfeld, etc. came to town.
I suspect 35.1% would be a confiscatory shakedown. If the current top rate were under 35%, 35% would be a confiscatory shakedown.
I really wish someone would seriously propose a top rate of 90% (and a few more tax brackets), just so they'd get an eyeful of what a confiscatory-shakedown tax rate actually looks like. Though one would think the tax rates in the 1950s (when we were quite prosperous as a country, however much suck there was in other ways that they really wish we'd return to, and the tax rates were a big part of the collective prosperity) would have shown them that.
Why not just have a revolution where we could summarily round up wealthy people and have them beheaded, redistributing all their possessions to the needy poor so they can continue to wage war against the privileged. After all, none of them earned their wealth with hard work, good choices, prudent investment and sacrifice, did they? Oh wait, they actually did that before, I believe they called it the Holocaust.
Steve - You should be careful with comparing percents - This is an increase of 4.6 percentage points - not 4.6% - I'm sure you see that the rate is going up more like 13% - You're right, of course -it's just a return to an earlier rate - and not exactly highway robbery, - but this sort of error leaves you wide open - Granmere
Holding America hostage DAY1422 and counting......
McConnell considers Obama's refusal to tell McConnell how much he's willing to let McConnell extort from him to be a shakedown. Threatens to wreck economy if Obama doesn't stop holding the economy hostage until McConnell tells him how much to pay. This will continue until Obama offers his guess at McConnell's demands that McConnell can then reject for being too small, thereby justifying McConnell holding the economy hostage until Obama offers another guess at what McConnell's demanding.
The act of Obama offering what he thinks McConnell wants will render the offer unacceptable to The Base because it came from Obama. And so Obama must make another offer until The Base is satisfied Obama has caved to Obama's guess at McConnell's demands, so long as that guess did not come from the President.
I took a break from "politics" for a while and have spent most of my time watching the "news" - including local "news". It is SAD but Obama and the Democrats are NOT effectively getting their message across to the masses (most of us) who watch only CNN and the local "news".
CNN and the local news stations aren't doing any research into the issues but just parroting what is told to them, and quite frankly, the Republican's speakers are much "slicker" and more appealing than the Democrats I've seen talking. I've also noticed that most local news people don't have a clue about the "fiscal cliff" and are giving the exact same "credence" to the Republican's positions are they are to the Democrats. You would believe that the Republicans are just looking out for the middle class and trying to keep the middle class taxes low and its the bad old Democrats who are trying to raise taxes - again! We all know nothing could be further from the truth, but that is exactly what the local populace is being told by the so-called "news stations".
And frankly, every time Obama gives a "concession", it doesn't make him look strong or like he is willing to "compromise" to work things out. The Republicans twist these "concessions" to make it appear that Obama is weak know-nothing President who is finally coming around to "what is right" - which of course, is their point of view!
I am not at all surprised that Obama and the Democrats don't have a much higher rating on this issue, even though, when talking to people, they say they want what Obama is proposing but they think it is the Republicans' plan, NOT Obama's. Nothing is going to stop the Republicans from a technique that seems to be working so it WAY PAST TIME for the Democrats to up their game!! They need to be speaking more often and getting "slicker" talking heads to present their position!!
I'm fairly certain that the appearance is by design.
I keep hearing about "optics". That News can be viewed as something to put forth opinion has become viewed as legit, journalism is not easy to find.
I believe it's the ownership of media consolidation that is more of "certain messaging" instead of 5 Ws.
http://stateofthemedia.org/media-ownership/local-tv/
I hope more people will get involved in stating media consolidation is causing a less informed electorate. Even the editing of stories to show a certain narrative.
Just ask any "minority" how this affects stereotyping. Or what is seen as beautiful, manly or stylish. Movies, TV shows, full page ads in magazines.
I learned long ago to look for what is the desired message or being advertised. It helped me be more realistic and recognize being "sold" something.
I remember studying "propaganda" as seen in examples in advertising, etc. (A long, LONG time ago)
There is are many reasons that Yertle is the most unpopular senator, and this is but one of them.
It's not a 4.6% increase - it's a 4.6 percentage point increase - 4.6 is 13% of 35. Most people won't notice, but you leave yourself wide open when you make this error.
Where? When? Please someone document. And for the record, cuts (or savings) in one area that is then applied to another area is not a "spending" cut. One can even argue that a cut in increase is not a real cut, but I'll take that. Oh, and one last observation, when you win a war and bring troops home, that is not making a budget cut. This drop in spending will happen whether Republicans or Democrats approve or not.
So, where are the real budget cuts that have already happened?
Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012/12/11/cliff-movement-obama-boehner-trade-proposals/#ixzz2Et8MDawp
This is a strawman. The statement was not that the budget had been cut by $1 trillion now was it mr-i-always-intentionally-misrepresent-the-statements-being-made-because-i-think-it's-cute? The statement was that Democrats have already accepted $1 trillion in cuts. "Accepted" doesn't mean "passed" it means that Democrats have stated that if Republicans will agree to the proposal they, Democrats, will vote in favor of those cuts. He's referring to plan offered last year in which Obama offered said cuts. Exactly as Benen stated.
This is rather dubious framing. The current deficit is being driven by the wars overseas, but primarily by Afghanistan, and by the Bush tax cuts. Granted ending the Afghanistan war will not eliminate our already over-bloated budget for fighting overseas, but it will reduce our deficit by several hundred billion dollars. Ending the tax cuts and returning back to the Clinton rates would pretty much set us back to a balanced budget. You are acting as though the trillion dollar deficits come from out of the blue and as though egregious spending cuts have to take place to get us back to a balanced budget. That's not true. You have to look at what's driving the deficit and then you can make your decision about what needs to change to get the budget back into order. Since most of what is driving our current deficit comes from things that are ending (the wars and the tax cuts) that will help to eliminate almost all of the problem.
Basically what I just heard you say is that you want arbitrary cuts to programs regardless of their necessity for ending the year-to-year deficit. In which case OK man that's your position, but quite frankly that's silly.
Your source for budget cuts made or proposed by the adminisration is what?
A summary from the White House! Now that has got to be impartial and fair, fur sur!
Here's you a quote to chew on:
Now, who could have said that? He wants to pay for proposed tax cuts, he wants to eliminate spending or increase revenue proportional to spending increase. A sort of "pay as you go" philosopy. This must be Cantor or some Republican! Nope, it was then Senator Obama in 2008! Wow, what a difference a few years makes.
Robdon , you and your party demanding answers is a complete joke , I have seen you screwed backwards in here with facts, and you just run and hide like chicken $hit McConnel every time , so STFU and go back to fux news with your whining
Patango, please ask any question about my posts, I'm more than willing to respond. It has appeared to me that you are the run who runs and hides. Let's see.
Hello, Patango, out there anywhere? You've made comments to several other posts but you seem to have run from this one.
Looks like this description belongs to you, not me.
The GOpp want to avoid any responsibility for suggesting specific cuts that their supporters may oppose like Medicare benefits. They want to say Obama wants to cut Medicare. Simply asking for specific cuts by the right is fair and necessary and puts the onus on the obstructionists where it belongs.
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I cannot think of a significant bill or piece of legislation offered by Mitch McConnell. He's devoid of any creative ideas and has no cause except to kill other people's attempts to make our country work better. He's a man without a vision or an idea. Not to put to fine a point on it - he's really more like a small time crook - a huckster for the dark forces. And finally, he has no shame. He is why congress has a 10% favor- ability rating.
All teapubs have an allergy to truth.
"Reality has a well-known liberal bias." - Stephen Colbert
You don't have an allergy to truth...
You just ignore it..
His rhetoric is becoming more and more unhinged as the cliff nears. Why do we tolerate these hysterical rants from the GOP? America needs to stand up and say enough is enough.
These lunitics are no better than the Nazi's. They could care less if the common man, woman, or child live or die. They want only the elitist to prosper.
Defining Traits of Fascism...
Reads like the TEApublican Playbook...
David,#20.1
It does, and you should post it. These fascists are trying to take over the country and people are too blind to see what is happening. They think it can't happen here.
They're wrong.
India...
You might remember I did post it a few times back in October of last year, but it was so long, and garnered so much opposition from trolls, I was spending too much time defending it, point by point, against folks who could NEVER look at it objectively.... I put it on my Newsvine page... Now, I can cite it any time in a short post, and trolls don't hassle me nearly as much...
Actually, that is a 13% increase. If you use 4.6, then it is a 4.6 point increase. Here, let Dr. Math explain it.
Thanks - Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed -
To clarify, it's only an additional 4.6% levied on taxable income above $250k. It is a 13.1 % increase in the amount of tax levied on that bracket.
RobDon is the king of strawmans.
Your using the linguistic fallacy to nit pick at a statement the blogger made that comes from your misinterpretation of his statement.
He was talking about the literal unit itself at 4.6% (common sense here Robby). You're referring to the percentage of the basic unit in question. There is a difference.
I don't mean to be rude, but this basically makes you look like a jackass. It's kind've like Republicans getting upset about Obama using the term "that" instead of "those" or Democrats getting upset over Ann Romney's use of the term "you people."
Can we please go back to honest discussions and not this trivial, childish bull@!$%#?
Its not childish or a strawman. As the President would say, "it's math." Did you notice someone else made the very same observation? It is called being accurate, but then that might be a foreign concept to you.
RobDon, Still clueless. Still making it up as you go. Typical of you right wingers.
You are still incorrect Robdon , obama is not insisting on it , the taxes expire by law , because it is illegal to pass tax cuts that will eventually bankrupt america , which is exactly what the gop tax cuts succeeded in doing , cutting taxes while starting to wars has to be one of the most moronic things your party has ever done , one of many any way , and still counting
What? Please source the law that makes this illegal?
My guess, as usual, you will just say that I am wrong without quoted what I said this is incorrect while making your own claims without any source. Let's see if I am right again.
Sorry 2 notes posted - I had trouble getting validated to post -That capcha or whatever is a royal pain.
If I were Harry Reid, I'd be asking the Turtle for one good reason not to just adjourn for the year. I think the President and his lovely family would really enjoy Christmas at Camp David.
What I find interesting is that when Governor Romney was running for president, his position was “if I come in and - and lay down a piece of legislation and say, It's my way or the highway, I don't get a lot done.” He also said “When Ronald Reagan ran for office, he laid out the principles that he was going to foster.” When Governor Romney said it, all was right as rain and the Republicans supported that. But now, “until the President gets specific about cuts”, then “nobody should trust Democrats.” Why is it OK for the Governor to lay out his principles but it is not OK for the President to lay out his?
are you the last aware person on earth that noticed that the republicans are, shall we say, a bit inconsistent? or that they are occasionally veracity-challenged?
face it - they lie ALL the time. they will say anything at all to aid their cause. they realize that too many voters have the attention span of a gnat and about half it's intellectual prowess and take advantage at every opportunity. they constantly scream toxic crap at the top of their lungs from every possible venue and too many people haven't the critical thinking skills to separate the lies from the half-truths.
if the democrats don't start getting the message out in clear, concise, 15 second sound bites, and do it loudly and constantly those too many voters will just remember the last thing they heard and vote accordingly. the republicans NEVER STOP. they never consider the war over, especially if they've won.
if this isnt evident that all this is to protect the top 2% from paying more taxes and how they are willing to push us over the cliff unless they get their tax cuts.