Today's edition of quick hits:
* Cerberus sees some writing on the wall: "A major private equity firm has decided that putting its clients' money into a company that makes assault-type weapons isn't a wise strategy."
* Unsatisfied with President Obama's generous fiscal offer, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is moving to what Republicans call "Plan B." It's not going anywhere.
* House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) sat down this afternoon with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell to discuss the tragedy in Newtown, fiscal talks, and Boehner's "Plan B" on taxes.
* Yet another tragedy: "A man shot and killed three people in a home in Colorado on Tuesday before turning the handgun on himself and committing suicide, authorities said."
* Official word out of Michigan: "Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have allowed gun owners with extra training to carry concealed weapons in public schools."
* Sign of the times: "A sixth-grade student in Utah is in police custody after he was accused of bringing a gun to school Monday, reportedly claiming he wanted to protect himself in the event of a school shooting."
* The NRA says it is "prepared to offer meaningful contributions" to prevent massacres similar to the one we saw in Newtown, and has scheduled a Friday newsconference.
* Following the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) yesterday, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) was sworn in today as the new President pro tempore of the Senate.
* Some significant Senate committee chairmanships have also been shaken up by virtue of Inouye's passing.
* And good news from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp's (R-Mich.) office: following chemotherapy treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the congressman is now cancer-free.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
the repugs would not know what s.s. was if bussines did not have to pay matching conttibution
had enough yet let's lock arms in front of gunshops
IF President Obama Caves , just 1 more time to the gop/tp thugs , then I will have lost All respect for him totally and completely ! Do Not touch SS or Medicare and Stand your ground on your proposals , Do NOT Waiver not One bit ! Screw these gop/tp Nuts , They have destroyed America ENUFF !
I'd like to see Nancy Pelosi & Dianne Feinstein propose legislation to end the wars across the world. If the United States is using weapons of mass destruction to solve problems with other nations and peoples, what is to deter people here in the U.S. from doing the same? I understand Feinstein and her husband make millions from military contracts. Hypocrisy much?
You hear. Where's the source?
Free republic where else would you hear crap unless drudge is at it again.
Always good to have another of these witless morons come around to demonstrate that they ALL fail to have frontal lobes or opposable thumbs.
"Unsatisfied with President Obama's generous fiscal offer, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is moving to what Republicans call "Plan B." It's not going anywhere."
works for me john. i didn't like the "generous fiscal offer" either. so, that offer is now off the table. we're now back to to where we were before, eliminating the bush tax breaks on january 1, plus significant deficit reduction as well, although it may not be in the exact areas we would prefer.
want to try coming up with something yourself? because i think we're fine standing pat with our hand.
oh, and barack? stop giving stuff away. you don't need to compromise, they do. i would prefer that you just sit back and offer nothing. and get out there on the road and sell this thing. it's what the public wants, you know.
This is why I'm amazed at the current "negotiations." Obama has NO reason to compromise at this time. He has no reason to do ANYTHING until at least January 2.
Or maybe I shouldn't be amazed. This has been Obama's pattern for four years. Start making concessions, then be forced to make MORE concessions until you've virtually given away the store.
Come on Obama and Democrats. Show some backbone here.
I watched the interview in the video above, and Nancy Pelosi gives a full-throated endorsement of President Obama's awful proposal. She indicates that we can't afford to go over the clliff (or something to that effect).
Two points. First, stating out loud that our country can't afford to go over the fiscal cliff is like walking into a car dealership and telling the salesman that you can't afford to walk out with buying a car. Who has the negotiating strength in that scenario, you or the car salesman?
Also, by endorsing the notion of protecting tax payers making between $250,000 and $400,000 (or higher) while also endorsing ending the payroll tax cut and Social Security benefit cuts because "we can't afford to go over the cliff" (or something to that effect), our beloved Nancy Pelosi is executing the Shock Doctrine tactic like right-wing pro.
Disappointing, to say the least.
while also endorsing ending the payroll tax cut and Social Security benefit cuts
Don't you think these two are related? SS is a seperate bucket of money from the general fund which is what this fiscal cliff is really about. For the past two years we have been shorting the funding to SS by lowering what we pay into it. I would rather have the 2% put back into SS to maybe prevent benefit cuts. I read today that the payroll tax cuts totaled around $240 Billion over the past 2 years. $240 Billion literally taken out of the fund that many people are relying on as their primary retirement funds (unfortunately). Taking that money out to help folks in the short run at the expense of their future benefits is not right in my opinion.
Skip,
That's not exactly true. I believe the first year the SS payments were suspended but the second year they were replaced by general revenues to prevent the funding shortfall you are talking about.
OK Pauly,
So basically we replaced it in the second year with funds from the general revenue which is running deficits of over $ 1 Trillion for a handful of years already - and will continue to run close to that Trillon mark even after the cliff/negotiations - so that isn't much of a comfort to me. We just put the second year on the credit card called the deficit/debt. Most folks - including me had a problem with unfunded tax cuts like the "Bush era" ones, yet no one seems to have a problem with this tax cut. Even if that second year came from the general revenue fund, it was essentially still unfunded. AND any "Bush era" tax cuts that stay for everyone under 250k (or 400k or 1m) will also still be unfunded.
$240 Billion literally taken out of the fund that many people are relying on as their primary retirement funds (unfortunately)
No money was literally, or figuratively, taken out of the Social Security trust fund to finance the payroll tax credit. The payroll tax was only used as a calculation tool (income not subject to the payroll tax was eligible for the credit).
Also, Skip, your comment indicates that you do not understand "what this fiscal cliff is all about." It does not arise out of tax credits that help the economy. To the contrary, it arises out of specific (not all) tax increases (such as the payroll tax credit) that are likely to hurt the economy.
Only if you cut no spending which is why most people know we must have a balanced plan
CJ,
I do understand the fiscal cliff, it is just how you look at it. First regarding the SS trust fund. You state:
The payroll tax was only used as a calculation tool (income not subject to the payroll tax was eligible for the credit).
The 2% DID come out of income subject to the payroll tax. I am an accountant and every week I wire our Federal tax payments in and we pay 6.2% for the employer piece and 4.2% for the employee side - which was always the same as the employer side. So yes, maybe you are technically correct. It was not taken out....it just was never put in.
As for the fiscal cliff - I do get the tax cuts and their relation to helping/hurting the economy. But that does not diminish the "cost" which is increased deficits and evenutally our debt. It is all one big pie. Just as the Stimulus was pumped into the economy, while also adding to the deficit, any tax cut will do the same. The cuts would be for the same reason as the stimulus, but it would still be adding to the deficit(s). Whether you just write a check like the stimulus or let people keep more money from their paycheck, they still affect the annual spending.
And cynical citizen. That is all good and fine if spending cuts will cover any tax cuts. But then that would essentially be a zero sum effect with regards to the deficit. A spending cut to cover a tax break is just a shell game and the annual deficits would go unchanged.
Just in case anyone wants a good laugh (or a really good scare) Here is Tea party Nations reasons for the Sandy Hook shooting as interpreted by Wonkette
http://wonkette.com/493657/tea-party-nation-knows-what-causes-shootings-unions-loud-stereos-and-sluts#more-493657
and the scary part their own words
http://www.teapartynation.com/profiles/blog/show?id=3355873%3ABlogPost%3A2364503&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_post
The madness must stop...or I need to drink more...haven't made up my mind yet
Best comment on the Wonkette site:
"Homeschooling. If it worked for Nancy Lanza, it'll work for you, too."
I think the Tea Party lives in one of those movies they want to ban.....
Or they wish they did
"I sat through every filthy disgusting real of this film Twice!"
While restricting the ability of a gun user to kill massive numbers of people in a few seconds is absolutely necessary, it isn't the whole story. Prohibiting ownership of lethal weapons that have no other purpose than to kill as many people as possible in the shortest time possible is only part of the answer.
The rest of the answer is prohibiting nut cases from getting hold of any lethal weapon at all. To get a license to own any kind of firearm there should be exams much more stringent than a driver's license exam that includes psychological evaluations. Background checks for any transfer in any way should be mandatory, and not just superficial checks, either. And the license should need to be renewed on at least a five year basis if not an annual basis.
I see no reason why this should run up against the second Amendment because anyone who wants to own a gun can obtain one as long as they can show that they aren't likely to misuse it. To argue against restricting gun ownership to those who can show that they are unlikely to use the gun illegally is the same as arguing that guns should be sold to terrorists, violent criminals, and certifiably violently insane.
sounds like showing id to vote
hello all, i don't mean to spam an open thread on the Maddowblog but I started a petition on whitehouse.gov's We the People site that is related to topics covered here. i entitled my petition "increase already existing taxes on firearms and ammo to fund state safety, education, and mental health programs." i'm an active viewer of the We the People site and only saw petitions either asking to abolish the 2nd amendment or arming more people. such drastic measures on either side only stalls true reform to gun control policies. the link to the petition is here
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/increase-already-existing-taxes-firearms-and-ammo-fund-state-safety-education-and-mental-health/J7kyYgJY?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
and i thank you in advance
How can you not yell fire in a crowded theater, but you can walk into a crowded walmart with an assault rifle slung over your shoulder and a loaded pistol and get away with it just to make a "statement". See the article in today's local paper in Newburyport, MA.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x520561790/Customers-frightened-as-man-brings-assault-rifle-into-Walmart
Do people seriously believe that behavior like this makes anyone safer? How are the police to distinguish between a guy like this and someone wanting to be the next headline for insanity? Restrictions on public display of weapons such as this need to be included in efforts to bring some reason to the 2nd Amendment and to keep our police officers from being put in a position such as this.
Just Asking
The "negotiations" are going nowhere....SURPRISE......and that is on the republicans not Obama. The dems will not support large changes to SS or medicare despite what they say now. If that was the president's plan and I'm not sure it is, they would jump ship because that's sooo unpopular.
What I think this new "offer" from the whitehouse with changing the top marginal bracket down to 400k essentially shrinking it is a ploy. I don't believe this offer is real or serious. By that I mean we have seen the GOP put out nothing, not one loophole or deduction, not one actual completed plan, all while not attempting to do any real compromise as if they can win this politically no matter what happens. The GOP has no ideas look at the Ryan budget, it's not a whole budget. The document isn't even complete Ryan does not prove his math on anything in it and told the CBO to score it essentially by taking his word for it in those incomplete sections.
The left needs to stop running around with their hair on fire, come down people I'm not sure we should freak yet. Think of the politics, remember that aspect. I think Obama is attempting to show the GOP as rigid and ideological with no plans to work with the other side. Think how much do the republicans want to cut entitlements, after spending a campaign attacking Obama over fictional cuts to medicare, they have said they want tons of it. The right really wants to attack those earned benefits and they are not hiding it. How much does the GOP like the 250k marginal bracket idea? They say it's too much so Obama is saying "okay I'll work with you, we will have revenue but I'll be nice and give you a piece of candy with this deal even though you lost".
Now does anyone believe the GOP will work if Obama no matter what he puts on the table? They are never going to accept this deal from the dems even with all these concessions which the left they doesn't need to give since the dems won not the GOP! In rejecting it they show they have no intention to work on anything. I think Obama is sort of acting like Harry Reid on Turtle-man McConnell and calling the right's bluff that they want to govern on anything.
When they reject this deal, I don't see any other possible reality...I mean common does anyone think the GOP cares about working? It seems clear they not only lack a plan but they lack the actual drive to even create one. Obama is dangling the bait and tellling the republicans to proceed in showing just how fake they are to the nation.
On a practical note, with both Inouye and Akaka no longer in the Senate, there are now two openings on the Indian Affairs Committee. Perfect to place Warren there as her second or third committee appointment.
Angeleno,
Maybe you should see someone about your obsession with Elizabeth Warren......
How long did it take African-Americans to gain their full civil rights? We don't know--they don't have them all yet.
So, by your logic, anyone still concerned with African-American civil rights today is suffering from a mental illness and should give it up. Very logical.
Same concern here with Native American rights. One step at a time, as they say.
Sorry Angeleno,
Your comments about Elizabeth Warren have NOTHING to do with civil rights of any kind. You seem to have gone over the bend because she claims to be part Native American. Well only her great grandparents know for sure - you sure as hell don't!
Sorry Once,
YOU are the one who knows nothing about Native rights, civil, legal, and otherwise. Obviously. You've got a lot to learn.
And if you're saying she's probably not Native by ancestry, they you're admitting that she used a false Native ancestry to score big points to get elected. That means she's a liar, fraudster, and racist. Nice way to support your candidate.
Angeleno,
Come back to reality!!
I have no idea if Elizabeth Warren is Native American or not, and frankly, I don't care!!! Being Native American or NOT being Native American has NO BEARING on whether she is a good Senator or not.
How the hell do you know what I know about Native American anything??? Or are you one of those people who is so involved in their own pity party that they think that no other person can "understand" their suffering???
Dude I don't know who you are and frankly angeleno I don't particularly care, but I do happen to care that you see to be ill informed about at least two things
1. the elections over
2. Mr Brown lost
and just as a bonus I will let you in on another lil secret...the only way he will ever see the inside of the Senate again is with a tag that says "Visitor"
Have a nice day BuhBye
Ah, an admission that you don't know and don't care about her ethnicity. Also, don't care that she may not take a post in the Senate that could help her people a great deal.
Crude, ignorant, disrespectful, and racist.
Now that we've got your number, no need to continue this thread. Bye, Bye, racists.
Angeleno,
By stating that Native Americans are Elizabeth Warren's people because she is 1/32nd Native American indicates you believe in the racist one drop rule. This is not surprising, since your belief that ancestry indicates interest and expertise is also racist.
Senator Warren was not the one to bring up and emphasize her ancestry. Mr. Brown and his idiot staff did that. Any luck looking for work now that y'all are within 2 weeks of having to clear out of the staff offices?
As a point of accuracy, the NRA didn't say it is "prepared to offer meaningful contributions...", Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) did, and although not stated in the article, I doubt he was speaking in the role of an NRA spokesperson.
We'll see what the NRA says on Friday, but I'm guessing it won't be all that "meaningful" or significant.
also a Friday get away day for the holidays. think maybe they hope what they say will get loss in that.
What's the succession if a President is gone?
I want Pelosi as President!!!
She'd do a better job than the current occupant.
Not if she supports this new hairbrained plan by Obama to punish senior citizens for the fiscal cliff!!!
This is not what the Second Amendment was for...
“As Mayor Bloomberg of New York said... “The argument that we can do with existing laws and stop this is just preposterous.”
Have to be able to protect yourself at all times...
All these peace-loving homebodies that ran out and bought their guns for protection of their homes and loved ones... simple little handguns (or... maybe one with a 30 bullet clip that can take out a couple of dozen muggers at a time), perhaps small rifles (or... maybe an assault rifle that can cut a deer in half in three or four seconds)...
People say they need having weapons readily available for any reason or any instance where you might be threatened... like say, passing an ugly school building, and you hate ugly buildings ... or seeing children in their little navy school uniforms... and you hate navy.
...Have to be able to protect yourself at times like that.
It would be difficult carrying around a big, clip-heavy gun around...
One can always go to the NRA store and purchase their “concealed carry” hoody sweatshirt with it’s built-in holster, which would hide that gun from everyone. Then he’d be free to go and do whatever he felt like. It’s nice to know they’re thinking of everyone...”
http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=11&p=CO+635&ct=e
The Second Amendment wasn’t intended to cover that...
I can't believe Pelosi, listening to her defend everything she was saying last week shouldn't be done. What the hell has she been drinking, to suddenly get this bleeding STUPID??????
and in today's "Good News" section, good to see one Richard Engel (and a few buddies) released from captivity.
I have an idea about how we could show our displeasure with Walmart, one of the major, nationwide sellers of firearms. It borders on civil disobedience, but I don't think it's illegal. If a huge number of shoppers went to their local Walmart, took a cart, and filled it with items from all over the store...full to the brim... and then left it in an aisle and left the store, the aisles would be clogged, the carts would all be full, and it would take hours to put everything back. We could do that every few hours until the stores are shut-down... and do it day after day after day. Anyone want to go "shopping" with me?
I have a solution to some of our "gun problems".
First of all ATF should take over the licensing, testing, and training. The Gun shops can't be trusted. That's like the fox watching the chicken coup while the possum steals the eggs.
I think a VERY DEEP psychological profile exam needs to be in use as an annual renewal for a license and obtaining one. Just like you take a drivers license written test and a practical/safety exam every year. Which means you have to produce your gun also. If you don't pass the tests they keep your guns.
We need to seriously elevate ATF's responsibilities and we could use a head of that department by the way for 4 years GOP!!
It occurred to me with all the VETS returning from war-& some disabled VETS would be perfect for the ATF licensing facility examiners for the gun licensing and training. If these crazy MFers "responsible gun owners", are going to have guns, I want some serious safety requirements, testing and retraining required. They would also be pretty good at profiling the crazies. Not to mention a good job with benefits they could support a family on. They go to work doing something they are really good at and they keep an eye on the crazys with guns!! LOL :)
The new gun shows run by ATF the gun sellers are going to love! Hold them in the National Guard Armory's and let the ATF examiners (VETS) work those shows also along side the ATF agents who do all the background checks and regulate who and what and how many gets sold. (And yes Grover there will be exorbitant taxes to pay for this gun habit America has!)
Gun ranges could be provided....maybe paint ball war zones would fill these fighting needs that these gamers need.
Stable Vets should be able to keep their guns. You never know...
Force and fund the updating of the firearms hold data base with court and Psychiatric records.
It occurred to me that the only data base that will be able to retain this information is the Health Care Record. It doesn't do any good to put a red flag alert on someone if it goes no where. So the flag would have to link the medical record to the SS data base linked to the hold list. Certain medications would prevent a gun license from being released.
Since the ACA will now cover Mental Health Care with no restrictions for preexisting conditions, this should help cover the existing gaps and spaces. What will be needed is Mental Rehab facilities for long term in-house care for those diagnosed with "issues" that are treatable.
The Giant Veterans Jobs Corp stimulus program called Gun violence resolution!