-
How Long Is This War?
May 20, 2013 | 15 comments
-
Next: The Benghazi Select Committee
May 13, 2013 | 94 comments
-
Nobody Died in Watergate
May 9, 2013 | 148 comments
-
Benghazi Bullchips
May 6, 2013 | 184 comments
-
Obama’s Thin Red Line
April 29, 2013 | 207 comments
Loose Canons
No Ifs, Thens, or Buts
Obama is giving Republicans an offer they can refuse.
Believe it or not, there was progress in the fiscal cliff negotiations between the White House and congressional Republicans this week. Progress was made, at least in flushing out what both sides really want.
Obama’s “offer,” taken to the Hill by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, was a back-of-the-hand slap at Republicans. Having won the election, Obama chose to make an offer he knew Republicans had to refuse. Starting with $1.6 trillion in increased taxes over the next ten years, Obama asked for more spending — not spending cuts — and a potpourri of increased White House power and government growth. Not only did he want unilateral permanent power to raise the debt ceiling, he wanted another “if-then” deal on Social Security, promising an eleven-month study that would supposedly produce an agreement on entitlement reform.
Real progress was made in the reactions to Obama’s Christmas wish list. As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told the Wall Street Journal about his meeting with Geithner, “He noticed that I laughed. That pretty well summed up my view of what he was saying.” House Speaker John Boehner (R-Oh) called the offer “unserious” and said that there was no way the House would give the White House unilateral authority over the debt ceiling. And that was only the beginning.
In a radio interview last week, McConnell told me that the Republicans weren’t going to fall for another “if-then” deal, a point he reiterated to the WSJ. If McConnell and Boehner stick to that resolution, and they must, whatever deal may be made will have to be on legislation that takes effect now, not later, when it comes to entitlement reform and spending cuts. Boehner, on Fox News Sunday, explicitly rejected the idea of another commission to study Social Security. He said America has a serious spending problem and “we’re going to fix it.”
So, at this point, where are we? Nowhere. Which is the good news and the bad news.
It’s good news because it will be far better for our economy for no deal to be made before the year ends than if there’s another bad deal, like the Budget Control Act of 2011, which created the mess we’re in now.
And it’s bad news, because Obama and his team have focused the media narrative on one narrow issue: whether the upper income taxpayers will suffer a tax increase. As the narrative goes, that’s the only big issue dividing the two sides.
In that radio interview, Sen. McConnell told me that if the upper income rates were raised as Obama wants, the revenue would be so small that it would only pay for six days of the government’s operations. The most important issues are twofold, and the Republicans would benefit greatly by undertaking a big media offensive to clarify them.
First and foremost is economic growth. For the economy to recover, for unemployment to drop and for the economy to be able to sustain growth long enough to even begin to make up for what we’ve lost over the past six years, economic growth has to be spurred.
Obama’s plans only increase spending and maintain $1 trillion increases in the federal debt for the foreseeable future. They do nothing to reduce spending or restore growth. And while Republican ideas don’t harm growth, they don’t focus on producing it.
Thanks to the Free Congress Foundation and prominent economist Gary Robbins, we know what will promote growth. Instead of freezing or increasing tax rates, their “Growth Code” would reduce business taxes, end double taxation, allow expensing (same-year deduction) of the cost of business investment, and provide parity in tax rates for investment and consumption spending. The five points of the “Growth Code” are economically proven, simple, and explainable. They should comprise the simplified agenda Republicans pursue now.
The second issue is federal spending, including Social Security and Medicare. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) is first among the Dems in insisting that Social Security doesn’t add a penny to the federal debt. What nonsense. According to yesterday’s Washington Post, Social Security takes in — at least for now — more than it spends. But the surplus is borrowed from Social Security’s trust funds and spent elsewhere. The borrowing adds to the debt. In 2012 alone, Social Security’s income (what’s paid into the funds) had $110 billion in interest payments out of a total income of $854 billion.
Yes, we owe it to ourselves, but every penny that is “borrowed” from Social Security trust funds is still part of the debt that has to be repaid.
The rest of the federal budget is as out of control today as it was before the election. The federal debt is now equal to our Gross Domestic Product. The congressional Republicans need to come up with a specific menu of cuts — massive cuts that take effect now, not ten years from now — and demand Obama deal with them in whatever deal is made to avoid the fiscal cliff.
Obama’s team is out pressing their case. Following Susan Rice’s example, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner made the rounds of the Sunday talk shows yesterday, making Obama’s case for higher taxes that congressional Republicans had literally laughed off. His talking points were a bit better than hers, but included one amazing claim.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (165) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jed Babbin
More Articles From Loose Canons
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/12/03/no-ifs-thens-or-buts
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.3.12 @ 6:20AM
The worst thing that will happen with the fiscal cliff is that taxpayers and many of the freeloaders will find out that big government costs are big to the individual not to big government.
Darin| 12.3.12 @ 6:25AM
I'd say most already know and don't care because THEY don't have to pay for it. They are parasites in the truest form and could care less how their actions destroy the "host."
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.3.12 @ 6:55AM
You're right but these tax increases will force burdens on even the freeloaders. Rents will go up and so will almost everything else. Even freeloaders have to pay for things even if it's with government hand outs. Even those hand outs will be affected and the freeloaders will get upset at that.
Darin| 12.3.12 @ 7:13AM
The freeloaders will keep demanding bigger handouts to pay for the increased cost, and they'll keep voting for politicians that give them the handout. Freeloaders are drug addicts and politicians are drug pushers. Unfortuantely, the only way to deal with it is "cold turkey." Eliminate ALL welfare programs. Harsh? Yep. Necessary? Absolutely. Let taking care of the needy be done by private organizations and churches. Those groups can be supported by private donations, and the organizations are motivated to keep parasites off the dole.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.3.12 @ 7:23AM
You apparently don't understand the fiscal cliff. The fiscal cliff will also cut the hand outs at the precise time costs go up. Even though there will still be freeloaders the Congress will be able to do little to help under the mandated sequestration.
On another point the Fiscal Cliff can be overturned in the future with an impact close to what you describe.
However, there is a third element at work and taxpayers are already doing everything possible to cut taxes. When taxes go up they will make more moves which will further cut revenues to federal and state governments.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:28PM
I will never understand Congressional Republicans.
What's the big deal? Hold out for what you want. You can't make any One Sided Deals with a guy who LIES, everytime he opens his LYING MOUTH.
"I Won".
But, Republicans Won, as well. They Control the Purse Strings. So, go on, CONTROL the Purse Strings, and if you're too afraid that you'll be called names by the Hyper Liberal Press? Step aside and let MEN take your place. Let a STRONG WOMAN take your place. There are enough Potted Plants in the Halls of Congress, without YOU taking up space.
He wants to Raise Taxes on the Rich? Let him. Just make sure you get what YOU want, first. We've been down this road too many times, Charlie Brown. He WILL pull the Football away.
They always do.
He wants more Stimulus Money? And, what did he do with the Last $900 Billion he had? (There's a term for when Liberals [like him] get their Welfare Checks on Friday, and by Monday, it's all gone.)
If they give him $250 Billion more in Walking Around Money, then it'll pretty much be time for Us to start paying these people "Visits" to their Homes, like The Muslim's Union Thugs are wont to do. Load up the Buses. Next Stop? McConnell's House. Boner's House. All of their Houses.
They play the Game, because they think they're safe.
They really need to be reminded that NOBODY'S SAFE, when it Hits the Fan.
Like with all Revolutions, they will be The First to Go.
It's as certain as the Sun coming up in the East.
Von Mises Jr| 12.3.12 @ 8:20AM
The Debt Ceiling is a contrived "crisis." I don't believe any other country has invented this boogeyman bullshit. It is like you calling American Express or your Visa/MasterCard financial institution and telling them you just decided you had no more restrictions on your credit line, and that for now you are unilaterally raising it from $20K to $25K since you want to buy a new wardrobe.
The real lending market is controlled by lenders. We often call them the "Bond Vigilantes." China and Japan are not so hot on buying our 2% Coupon short-term Bonds, so the Fed created QE3 to buy $40B per month of Sub-prime. Now Ben "The Bank" Bernanke announced QE4. Do you see any similarity between a $1.3 to $1.6 trillion deficit and an increase of one trillion in the M2 money supply per year? You don't have to be Sir Isaac Newton to realize our government is buying its own debt. It is called "monetizing" the debt and it has never worked out well.
The reason China and Japan are skittish is explained by Lehrman's article today. As the money supply explodes and the value of the dollar crashes, China and Japan get paid back in cheap dollars. If they get 2% Coupon and Real Inflation is 6-8% ranges, then the debtor loses about 4-6% in purchasing power per year. It is a losing proposition if you earn 2% more but everything cost 6-8% more compounding every year.
Grzmlyk| 12.3.12 @ 10:07AM
Inflation is the way all countries try to float away unsustainable debt.
It is also the most insidious tax in existence. First, the target of inflation is the middle class.
Second, the Fed WANTS inflation - do not believe govt’s protestations to the contrary - that bilge that 2% annual inflation makes for a healthy economy. As VMJr. says, the true inflation rate now is above 8%; it's going to go up not only because it's advantageous to the debtor nation to pay its creditors in devalued currency, but also because the Fed wants the velocity of money increased; if you know your dollar is going to be worth less next week, you'll spend it this week and create bogus "economic activity" - i.e., demand-side economics is "vindicated."
Savings, the lynchpin of a truly healthy economy, are anathema to Big Brother; they want to point to increased spending (spurred also by artificially low interest rates) and, in lieu of a real expansion of wealth, they're going for an increase in the velocity of money.
Also, inflation is ideal because it is a hidden tax. My friends – liberals all - bitch about higher prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump. But do they lay the blame where it belongs, on the Fed and the profligate Obama administration and the Keynesianism that gives them intellectual "cover" to steal our money?
No, my friends all blame Big Grocery and Big Oil and Big Pharma and Big Medicine and Big Retail - never once figuring out who is hiking prices and why.
R Martin| 12.3.12 @ 10:12AM
...and, of course, George Bush.
Grzmlyk| 12.3.12 @ 10:36AM
Wish I'd added that in there.
Who knew that evil's first mover, the font of all that seeks to undermine Peace on Earth, is not Satan or Hitler or Stalin, but George W. Bush?
If not for Bush, we would be living in a Socialist Nirvana by now (ironic, since he was every bit the statist that your average Democrat is).
Libs will blame Bush for the next thousand years of the Progressive Reich for the failure of their own nihilistic policies. And they will get away with it.
Because the mainstream media will be right there to validate it, the textbooks will all regurgitate it and the increasingly stupid American electorate, ever more absorbed in its own collective narcissism and fully indoctrinated by socialist propaganda, will nod in unison, parrot the lie, hector Tea Party patriots and then call for the purging- by whatever means necessary - of conservatives and conservative thought from AmeriKa.
You know, in the name of celebrating diversity and institutiing "social justice" and "caring" about their fellow man.
The good news: Hitler's reich was supposed to last a thousand years. It fell short by 988.
Mike W| 12.3.12 @ 10:55AM
I dont know what Bush has to do with this thread but since it has been brought up we can categorically state that Bush was a total tool and he is the reason we have Obama. He is the reason the Dems took the House in 2006 and took it all in 2008. His stupid, pointless war in Iraq was a shot to the heart for the GOP. I voted for the idiot once.
Now, back to the fiscal cliff because this is where we are. Let it go over. Never, ever raise taxes again and let the whole thing find it's own level. Those cuts also include cuts to DOD also.
SUBVET| 12.3.12 @ 11:11AM
Mike..........you got it all wrong Bush wasen't the reason "it was the other sides turn".
When are you people going to figure this game out.........you really think "we the people" run the country. Only in the last 4 years has it been ......in your face.
They do just what they want using "we the people" to push their agenda.
In the end it's about CONTROL.........load the waggon the mule is blind.
Grzmlyk| 12.3.12 @ 11:29AM
Quickly on Bush: it is easy to say in hindsight that the war was a mistake - it was certainly poorly thought out. Shock and awe seemed to be the only trick they had up their sleeve, and then the "lean and mean" hopscotching strategy didn't work at all. It dragged out forever and, even though the loss of life was less than one tenth of what it was in Viet Nam, it seems that the primary tenet of the Bush Doctrine - that people want to be free - is simply wrong. And we will never be masters of our fate in the Mideast (regardless of Israel's fate) - Obama's proving just as every president proves it.
But we'd have arrived at Obama no matter what. Don't forget, JFK and especially LBJ gave us Viet Nam, and yet, just 8 years after LBJ ignominiously declined to run for reelection, we were given the gift of another Democrat - Jimmy Carter. The Democrat "brand" bounced back quickly.
The GOP brand, on the other hand, will never recover. It's gone (just look at the myriad of articles by conservative pundits telling us, each in his own way, essentially to adopt planks of the Democrat platform).
Bush didn't help, but the fact is that the GOP is going the way of the dinosaur because we are now a country firmly ensconced in a left-wing ideology. We're about as "center-right" as Charles Manson was a well-behaved, law-abiding member of the establishment.
That's why Obama was elected the first time, and, if it weren't clear enough, that's why he was re-elected.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 12.3.12 @ 5:52PM
..."Charles Manson was a well-behaved, law-abiding member of the establishment"...
For some, Mr. Manson was merely an eccentric entertainer (songwriter) with a desire to dabble in social experiments. Considering his cult of personality and beliefs, how is he different from the average Hollywood Democrat today?
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 4:50PM
The Bush/Rumsfeld strategy for Iraq was but a similitude of the WWII German concept of Kampfgruppe, a quick-striking, combined arms effort, designed for quick advance, yet hardly efficient once the initial gains had been achieved, particularly when confronted by in the long run by larger enemy forces, in this case Sunni insurgents, greatly aided by a continued inflow of AlQaeda terrorists. In other words, they tried to do it on the cheap, without much if any thought to the above said contingencies, as they found themselves lacking in troops to secure their gains.
Terrible Ted| 12.3.12 @ 12:24PM
If one is to believe the left’s concern of free market activity on the environment, then by extension, inflation (as well as many other regulations) is harmful to the environment. If purchases, particularly hard goods purchases, are sped up to solely avoid the consequences of coming inflation, that is fundamentally wasteful.
Grzmlyk| 12.3.12 @ 12:30PM
It's funny how inconsitency and double standards never bother the fools/pawns/crooks/vandals that comprise the left.
My favorite example of this is their philosophy toward war:
"If we could only round up all of those evil conservatives who think violence solves problems and kill every last one, we will finally have a Utopia."
Jack in Wi| 12.3.12 @ 7:36AM
There is tremendous waste in government. The first places to cut are in foreign wars, foreign aid, corporate welfare, Pork, freezing social programs, and closing whole departments. An immediate pullout of Afganistan would cut 50 billion a year for example, once once it was completed. Bringing all our troops home from Europe, Japan, Korea, and most of the Middle East would save hundreds of billions more. Foreign aid is used mostly to prop up kleptocrats and criminals in the Middle East and Ccntral Asia. End it all and save at least 20 billion billion more. Corporate welfare and all it's subsidies needs to end. In it's place taxes should be reduced on all productive people and business. As for Social Security, it should be ended for the young and the taxes for them should be eliminated. The money they have already put in should be paid out immediatly in the form of 5% 20 year govrnment bonds. They could be used for any reason. They could be sold to banks, retired people, or other investors. This money would help the young get started. It also would be a tremendous boost for the economy in this depression.
C. Vernon Crisler | 12.3.12 @ 11:13AM
Unfortunately Jack, once we've done all that, we will lose billions and billions and billions when the terrorists start attacking our commercial infrastructure. You and your fellow anarchists may not care about that but ... well, given that today's Americans are unworthy of the founding fathers, perhaps it would be better if we followed Jack's advise and let it all burn down.
Jack in Wi| 12.3.12 @ 12:05PM
Terrror starts because we are over there. When the French came home from Algeria there were no more terrorists. There terror in Ireland has always been about the British being in their country. The Terror in Kenya ended with Kenya's independence. There were no terrorists in Iraq until we invaded. The same can be said of Libya. The terror in Afganistan started with the Soviet invasion etc. We call them terrorists. They call themselves freedom fighters.
C. Vernon Crisler | 12.3.12 @ 12:11PM
Ugh, moral insouciance of a high order. So those who attacked us on 911 were freedom fighters in your perverse world view? As Mises said of Rothbard, your mind has gone to pot. They attack us because we're over here.
Jack in Wi| 12.3.12 @ 5:33PM
Ht's called payback and blowback. We have made far more terrorists since 9/11 by being over there and killing innocent people. We have made a few terrorists into many thousands. The war on terror is a total flop. Terror is a tactic not a country. The whole premise is wrong.
Solo| 12.4.12 @ 10:24AM
Pffft! Spoken like a true PaulBot!
Where were we "intruding" when the Barbary Pirates were seizing out ships?
Try reading history instead of inventing it. Jackass!
Tim the Enchanter| 12.3.12 @ 5:11PM
Wrong. Terror (for the Islamist) starts because we EXIST, not because we're over there. Learn a little history, will ya?
Jack in Wi| 12.3.12 @ 5:36PM
Tim: Baloney! Almost all terrorism in modern time goes back to some cause. It is usually involved with getting an invader out of the place. Bring the troops home and defend these borders and shores, not those of Afganistan and Pakistan.
Occam's Tool| 12.3.12 @ 12:06PM
Vern: good points. I say let's go over the cliff and then start fixing it as the agonized phone calls come in.
Social Security also pays for disability. That does need to be handled.
C. Vernon Crisler | 12.3.12 @ 12:12PM
Occam, I don't think there's going to be any fixing it at this point. Leo Strauss spoke of the crisis of the West. I think now we can pretty much speak about the decline of the West.
Grzmlyk| 12.3.12 @ 2:25PM
Agreed. There is no fixing it.
Look at how unserious everybody is right now in DC about fixing this. Obama is still trying to expand government and Boehner and McConnell, et al, are playing Washington Generals to the Dems' Harlem Globetrotters. NOBODY is going to admit that we're already over the cliff; they're just going to continue to feather their own nests until the music stops.
We are going the way of Rome, as is Western Europe. It is over for America.
Don't know that getting out of the Middle East is going to stop a caliphate in the making, either. This is the classic libertarian myopia; if we just breathe our own air, everything will be fine.
But air has a way of moving around; it's hard to quantify and to order it to stay put over a single nation-state. Such is the modern world; isolationism - I know libertarians hate the word - is just as impossible to achieve as quarantining the air we breathe.
If you think abandoning Israel will solve the problem, either, you are mistaken. There are centuries of geographic scores to settle, and the fires of revanchism will simply by fanned if they successfully destroy Israel.
Islam is on the march, and it has no reason to think it can't kick down the rotten edifice of the West and walk right in. It can, and it will.
French Algeria and America's presence in the Middle East are two different animals, and Islam's militant wing has become a lot more ravenous since 1962.
JmsA| 12.3.12 @ 12:18PM
There you go, you've finally figured it out: They're not worthy of the greatest patrimony ever bestowed on a people. Now, the real question is how to define the true cause and effect of it, so as to hope to revert it. Care to take a crack at it, given that you've read all of those marvelous by Jaffa, etc. As I remember correctly, didn't Jaffa offer a somewhat Hitlerian defense
Sincerely,
"The lunatic"
JmsA| 12.3.12 @ 12:20PM
Oops, meant to conclude: ...defense of Lincoln?
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 2:23PM
That's already happening without terrorist attacks. Just take a look see at the striking 600 Los Angeles and Long Beach port workers.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 2:51PM
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." --A. Lincoln
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 7:50AM
I will never understand Congressional Republicans.
What's the big deal? Hold out for what you want. You can't make any One Sided Deals with a guy who LIES, everytime he opens his LYING MOUTH.
"I Won".
But, Republicans Won, as well. They Control the Purse Strings. So, go on, CONTROL the Purse Strings, and if you're too afraid that you'll be called names by the Hyper Liberal Press? Step aside and let MEN take your place. Let a STRONG WOMAN take your place. There are enough Potted Plants in the Halls of Congress, without YOU taking up space.
He wants to Raise Taxes on the Rich? Let him. Just make sure you get what YOU want, first. We've been down this road too many times, Charlie Brown. He WILL pull the Football away.
They always do.
He wants more Stimulus Money? And, what did he do with the Last $900 Billion he had? (There's a term for when Liberals [like him] get their Welfare Checks on Friday, and by Monday, it's all gone.)
If they give him $250 Billion more in Walking Around Money, then it'll pretty much be time for Us to start paying these people "Visits" to their Homes, like The Muslim's Union Thugs are wont to do. Load up the Buses. Next Stop? McConnell's House. Boner's House. All of their Houses.
They play the Game, because they think they're safe.
They really need to be reminded that NOBODY'S SAFE, when it Hits the Fan.
Like with all Revolutions, they will be The First to Go.
It's as certain as the Sun coming up in the East.
JmsA| 12.3.12 @ 12:08PM
"I will never understand Congressional Republicans."
Although there are exceptions, they're mostly cowards, who lack conviction and live in fear of losing their sinecures.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:51PM
That was Sarcasm.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 2:27PM
Sarcasm is good, but it won't help with what's coming. I've seen it happen. It won't be pretty. Winning midterm and even presidential elections in the short term won't help. Socialists abound. Only radical change will be bring about the desired effect. It's just a matter of time.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 4:01PM
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas
Only 53% of Americans believe Capitalism (I prefer to call it Free Enterprise System) is better than Socialism.
"We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Care to guess to who said it? Why, it was the former senator from New York, and the current Secretary of State, soon to depart her post, in preparation of her next presidential run.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 4:04PM
Socialism is an even expanding mechanism which transforms government from its “noble” role as a protector into a predator, through the destruction of private property and wealth. For several generations , Karl Marx, Lenin, and others have provided both inspiration and guidance to most of those who now ostensibly control of America. Those include some Republicans, though they may deny it, but who have not just been out-campaigned and out-maneuvered, but have also been and continue to be willing participants, in facilitating the Democrats’ implementation of Socialist ideals, and thus the destruction of freedom. Freedom, as defined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, continues to be vanquished in the school house, the courts, academia, the arts, etc. As such, it cannot survive when government led both by Democrats and Republicans ignores the limitation placed upon it by the Constitution. Both parties began ignoring those limitations long ago, to the extent the government has now grown into a people management apparatus in a devilish cabal with the United Nations, Federal Reserve, Council of Foreign Relations, etc. In short, the elitist clicks who presume to know what’s best for us all.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 4:06PM
Cont'd.:
The Russian people welcomed Marxism during the early part of the 20th century, only to be crushed by it by the end of the century, as were others who traveled such a road. Yet, despite the continued warnings of history, an ever increasing number of Americans refuse to recognize that the current ascendency of the Democrat party amounts to nothing less than a Marxist tsunami, by which they will be swept away, irrespective of whether they recognize it or not. There will be, no doubt, many who will carry on the fight for freedom. The question remains, though, will it be enough or timely enough to avert the final precipitous surge towards the destruction, rendering life hardly worth living. I, for one, believe it will be, though no doubt difficult, for ours is a highly politicized society thanks to democrats, whose most notable skills lie in the game of politics. This country is much greater than the efforts of those who strive to destroy that which made it great. I will conclude by borrowing a quote from a great man, Jose Marti: Liberty is the essence of life. Whatever is done without is imperfect.
JmsA| 12.4.12 @ 4:15PM
Correction: Meant to write...without it is imperfect.
Darin| 12.3.12 @ 6:24AM
Republicans are doing a better job of informing the public WHY the proposals from the Democrats and White House are laughable. They need to do this more. Once the public understand that Dems and the WH are not being serious, perhaps things will change. Doubtful, but possible.
Stephie| 12.3.12 @ 8:54AM
How we should be informed of what's going on, is that C-Span should be in the room! We're being lied to on a daily basis.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:51PM
Contest, Friday.
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 1:26PM
Here I sit,
All Broekn hearted,
Tried to Obama,
But only Biden'd.
Did I win! Did I win!
Ohhhh, it's on Friday.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 1:33PM
You Win the Joellen I Can't Spell Award.
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 1:50PM
I didn't mis spell anything. Thats straight from Obama's new dictionary published last week by the Oakland school district.
Other examples would include, "U B 2 Dum 2 get outta da rane" not you of course, thats just an example, or "I b rich, it chkday(Wednesday).
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:30PM
"Broken".
Sorry.
I'm just messing with you.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:31PM
I stand corrected.
pogybait| 12.3.12 @ 9:00AM
Yes, but Republicans have demonstrated on a almost daily level that they can no longer hope to shape policy by the traditional methods of balancing benefits and risks. The question remains to be seen if they can continue to define the issues because of political stability within the ranks or implode.
CrackerHound| 12.3.12 @ 4:01PM
Darin,
Republicans can "inform" the public all they want but it's been demonstrated already that the message will be distorted by the media arm of the Democrat Socialists. Couple that with the general stupidity of the American public and a good percentage wanting less freedom in exchange for a bigger nanny provider and the GOP's information means nothing. They become the principled parent that the spoiled child learns to hate.
I agree with many that say we need to step back, let it all go to pot, and bring a little tough love to the entitled masses.
This nation is going through something that cannot be viewed properly in the present. It will be for the history books to provide the proper perspective and it is not even close to being fully played out.
The Avenger| 12.3.12 @ 6:42AM
We have been down this road before. The tax hikes ALWAYS come first and the SPENDING CUTS never materialize. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Darin| 12.3.12 @ 7:15AM
It's been far more than twice. Republicans must stand firm that they will consent to tax hikes only AFTER spending cuts have been passed and enacted (with language that they revoking them automatically revokes associated tax hikes).
Matthew Quigley| 12.3.12 @ 7:37AM
Fool me fifty or sixty times and it's time to form a new party because it's obvious even to a blind man that the Repubics are too stupid to be trusted to have any authority at all over anything!
SUBVET| 12.3.12 @ 11:35AM
Matt........Repubics ! Their not stupid...... you are if you believe there is a difference.
You couldn't fool the real Quigley...
CrackerHound| 12.3.12 @ 4:06PM
Now you're talking.
To use a football anology, the election was 4th down and 10 with three seconds on the clock. We didn't get the ball across the goal and the game is now over. We have had several losing seasons with the GOP and now it's time to go into rebuilding mode....with a new conservative party (and pick a more serious name than the Tea Party).
Martin kzovich| 12.3.12 @ 7:14AM
i largely agree with your article--but I also believe from what the CPUSA members of congress have said as does Obama --they want our economy to collapse. That is their wet dream.
Appleby| 12.3.12 @ 7:28AM
The only way to convince people like my youngest sister that raising taxes kills jobs is to stand back and let it all crash. Let them eat the meal they have cooked. And I hope they choke on it.
PolishKnight| 12.3.12 @ 10:00AM
Appleby, I grew up with your youngest sister, so to speak, and they simply blame the Republicans for all the problems. Forever. It's always "snowball's" fault that the grain key went missing or the 5 year plan wasn't met.
But I think there's a limit even to their self-delusion. If "snowball" gives 'em what they claimed to want: The rich wrapped up in a bag and delivered in a car trunk to their warehouse, and it doesn't "fix" the problem, they'll eventually figure it out UNLESS, and this is the key, someone such as FDR doesn't get America dragged into a war first. Just as Chris Matthews giggled over hurricane Sandy saving Obama, they would cheer on a war despite their claims that Bushs' wars were a waste of treasure and blood.
SUBVET| 12.3.12 @ 11:37AM
Ya........apple queen just where will you be in that long line......
LeoInTheWoods| 12.3.12 @ 1:34PM
I'm getting ready to tell these people, "Gee, too bad your employer closed and you're going to lose your house... but, you can get a free abortion from Obamacare. That's what you voted for, you should go do it and make youself feel better."
Kwan| 12.3.12 @ 7:30AM
Obama knows his terms are unacceptable. Obama and the Democrats want the economy to go over the fiscal cliff, then blame the Republicans for it, and use this disaster to win back the House for the Democrats in 2014. Obama could care less about the economy or the citizens, it's all about gaining more power in order to continue with his Marxist agenda to fundamentally transform the United States into a Communist People's Republic.
R Martin| 12.3.12 @ 8:41AM
I have a slightly different take on this. If congressional Republicans can summon the courage to adopt the inverse of Obama’s strategy—first cut spending, then we’ll talk about taxes—government will become deadlocked, and the consequences of all those previous fiscal blunders will surface. We’ll revert to the Clinton tax rates, which even the schlickmeister himself admitted were too high, and the costs of Obamacare will become apparent to all (and not just the financial costs). The economy will get ugly.
The Republicans have two years before the 2014 midterm elections and they have to be willing to hang tough the whole way. No matter how much demagoguery the left shovels, the real effects of high taxes and big government will be apparent to voters in 2014, and they should be clamoring for a more conservative government.
Stephie| 12.3.12 @ 8:56AM
We thought that would happen this past presidential election R. and look what happened.
CrackerHound| 12.3.12 @ 4:15PM
Exactly Stephie...When will we finally except that America's political demographic is not what we thought it was? There is not a liberal disaster too big for the media to cover-up and everything will be blamed on the grown-ups in the end.
Our culture is rotted and the voting patterns reflect it.
Pecos Pete| 12.3.12 @ 7:33AM
A deal will be done. Taxes will be increased. Spending will be increased. The national debt limit will be raised.
The deal will either be: (1) to do nothing and let the "Bush" tax cuts expire along with instituting sequestration; or (2), the Republicans roll over and let King O have his way with us (we have to enjoy it too).
Matthew Quigley| 12.3.12 @ 7:34AM
The Repubics will cave. Steers have more balls than McConnell, Boner or any of the alleged "leadership" of the GOP (Gutless Old Party)!
Intelligent Design| 12.3.12 @ 8:02AM
"The congressional Republicans need to come up with a specific menu of cuts -- massive cuts that take effect now, not ten years from now..."
No, tell Obama it's up to him to offer real cuts. Let the Bush cuts expire if he fails to do that. The nation is already over the cliff. The canyon floor is rushing up to meet us. Government is out of control and the medicine will be harder to tolerate the longer we wait to take it.
Joellen| 12.3.12 @ 8:20AM
DICK Durbin who called our Marines "Nazi's". Yea, he gets as much respect from me as, well, any lying, evil democrat. Just another reason why NOT to trust any democrat and do as Rush and even Krauthammer say, just walk away - walk away and let the dems own this mess that they have created for their own evil gain.
Von Mises Jr| 12.3.12 @ 8:34AM
The reason the Republicans should walk away is not only that they are being played like fools, but it is "social justice."
Obama, Reid, Durbin, Pelosi and the rest of the little commie organizers divided Americans and pitted them against one another. Now the only way they can keep some happy is to pick off other groups. Next it will be the top 10%, then the top 20% whom have 401K's while the bottom 80% do not, then it will be Suburban tax payers....until everyone has been taken down to size. That size is one-size fits all communism, except for the Ruling Class like Obama, Reid, Durbin, Pelosi......
For those not paying attention, Obama has floated the idea of a National Retirement Plan. This is communism and just like ObamaCare for your savings. You contributed to your 401K, just as Medicare payments were contributed by those older working citizens. Obama stole $716B of the Premiums and gives it to "Julia."
For those liberals that don't get it that have a 401K, he wants to give that to "Julia" as well. It happened in Argentina and Kirchner got re-elected. See, when you have (8) "Julia's" that did not save for retirement, and (2) Jane's that did, Jane is SOL in a plebiscite. Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner.
Indy| 12.3.12 @ 8:53AM
Once again, you are spot on. Please share this interview with Mark Levin and "Professor Teresa Ghilarducci of the New School who testified before Rep. George Miller’s committee in support of a plan to nationalize private pension plans — in particular, 401-k plans." h/t rightscoop
http://www.therightscoop.com/m.....the-alarm/
Levin's shows from last Thursday / Friday are worth listening to in full, he had some excellent callers and covers a lot of turf.
Von Mises Jr| 12.3.12 @ 9:26AM
You are terrific Indy. I heard this on Rush. It was floated four years ago and now it is appearing back in the news. This is the way Nazi propaganda functioned per William Shirer's "The Long Night." The propagandist for the regime got a call to put it out there.
The amusing thing is liberal idiots in the Northeast have no idea what is happening. My trust fund baby relatives don’t realize that their inheritance gets whacked with rates going from 35% to 55% and exclusion from $5M to $1M if their father makes it another 4 weeks. My dopey liberal colleagues from years ago will just yell “Shut up” when I bring up the National Retirement Plan over the Holidays. One had some very high earning years and is quite proud of his hefty 401K. Wait until he finds out it is being redistributed to the teacher next door and the migrant farmer from Mexico.
Indy| 12.3.12 @ 10:00AM
You are too kind sir. Too many are asleep and won't wake up until it is too late. If you haven't seen this piece, you may find it of interest. I know, I'm preaching to the choir but in your circle of contacts, it might be worth sharing to try to awaken others. The Left built the machine and are now turning the keys, the window of time to course correct is short and with the weak GOP leadership, it is fully up to ordinary citizens to do the job the media refuses to do.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ma.....d-fiction/
Von Mises Jr| 12.3.12 @ 11:08AM
Great article Indy. For those who did not read it, the Marxist ten points are happening all around us:
1) Control of property - In NJ Christie is passing Agenda21 by Executive Order. A Board of 17 decides your property rights in Trenton, DC or UN.
2) Progressive Tax - This is Obama's war on the top 2%.
3) Inheritance eliminated - The new tax is 55% over $1M v. 35% over $5M.
4) Offshore Investment - Patriot Act and Romney's investments demonized.
5) Financial System takeover - Dodd Frank
6) Communication/Transportation - UN working on controlling the internet with telecom laws.
7) control production - fascism of GM, GE, Soyndra, Solar Trust, etc...
8) Work Armies - Civilian police force proposed and 16K new IRS Agents.
9) Control where you live - Back to Christie and Agenda21.
Free Education - If you chose a government job, Barry wants to limit your loan repayment to 10% of disposable income for 5 years. Other approved jobs have 10 year re-payment of 10% of DI.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:53PM
You really are, too kind.
Mike G| 12.3.12 @ 8:32AM
"...and the Republicans would benefit greatly by undertaking a big media offensive to clarify them."
We know that Obama wishes to increase revenues by increasing taxes on "the rich." And the Repubs have said that they're willing to discuss new revenues.
We know that the Repubs want spending cuts, yet they haven't made any proposals on the issue--at least not as specific as Obama's proposed tax increases. Maybe the Repubs should make some proposals in that area, and put Obama on the defensive for a change. Then when Obama laughs at their proposals on spending cuts, they can legitimately ask Obama what spending cuts he is proposing.
That would be an ideal time for the RNC to purchase 30 minutes of air time to lay out the Republican stance on growing the economy and dealing with the debt.
SUBVET| 12.3.12 @ 11:49AM
Mike........it better be in spanish.......
tdiinva| 12.3.12 @ 8:43AM
The Democrats control the media so there is no way that we can get our message out. Obama has us over the barrel. What he really wants is higher taxes on everyone but he wants the Republicans to take the fall for the recession that follows. He sees that as the road to get control of Congress in two years. That argues for the "let it burn strategy." Take it to the brink to see if Obama blinks and if he doesn't give him what he wants with Republicans voting present. He then owns the disaster that follows. Remember Obamacare is already insolvent. He will have to come back for the middle class tax increase to pay for it by the 2014 election. I say burn the house down.
Indy| 12.3.12 @ 8:49AM
We have already gone over the fiscal cliff, just look at our debt / GDP ratio. The GOP fails to focus on spending, it's not that hard. Spending reflects future tax obligations so that means taxes must go up on everyone in order to pay for spending. Cut the spending to reduce future tax obligatons and educate the masses who seem to believe that taxing the rich will solve our problems, the GOP also needs to educate the public on inflation to come, here's an excellent interview on what's to come - h/t rightscoop
"what makes this interview so compelling is that Archer explains the problems that we face because of our true debt, which is due to out of control entitlements, and like Ryan he feels we’ve only got a couple of years to fix this or it isn’t going to be pretty. Considering the recent printing of money done by the United States over the last few years, he said that inflation is indeed coming, and when it comes “it will devastate the economic environment for every American family”. And the amount of debt is so massive that it could not only devastate our economic environment, but it could completely take out the world economy.
And there’s more, including whether he believes or not if we’ve gone so far that we can’t turn back. "
http://www.therightscoop.com/m.....an-family/
Louis Jenkins| 12.3.12 @ 9:02AM
I watched Geithner lie through his teeth yesterday. The man is not a good poker player and the income tax dodger should have known better. But he was out there giving the Obama speal 100%. Boehner is also equally frightening, not because of what he said, but because this man is now the head Republican. Best to let this merry-go-round slowly wind down to a halt, and perhaps then someone can begin to rebuild. Obama wants it all, and is not willing to negotiate. As I have previously said, let's get on with and go over the edge. The wind blowing in our hair, and the speed will increase, what a ride.
Anthony| 12.3.12 @ 9:16AM
So true Louis, we've all seen this type in our workday lives. Geithner is the epitome of the arrogant, nasty, condescending weasel doing his best shill job for the captain of the Titanic.
Geithner has wanted to slither out of town before the crap hits the fan, perhaps he'll catch some full face before the rat deserts the sinking ship.
Yep, we need to grab the pitchforks and do a number on some of these bastards.
SUBVET| 12.3.12 @ 11:51AM
Anthony.....there all..... TEFLON
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:36PM
THEY'RE al.....Teflon, ya Drunk.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:37PM
THEY'RE alll......Teflon.
DAMN IT!
Drunken Sailor| 12.3.12 @ 3:19PM
Even I do better than that.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 4:35PM
Yeah, rub it in
SUBVET| 12.4.12 @ 9:54AM
It's tough to type down here the diesel fumes cloud the mind.....
Mike G| 12.3.12 @ 11:02AM
Ever notice how Geithner always looks at his listener sideways? You know, his face is pointing one way,while his eyes are looking at the listener to see if he/she believes what Geithner is saying. Isn't that the body language of someone who is lying?
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:54PM
That was the Best Comment I've read at AS in a long time.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:32PM
Also, Sarcasm.
Anthony| 12.3.12 @ 9:08AM
I was waiting for just one moron in the MSM on Sunday to say, "what fiscal crisis, when Obozo is proposing $60+ billion in more spending????
Not to mention the totally unconstitutional proposal to control the debt ceiling. More shovel ready jobs!!!
At least Boehner did a good Kabuki dance, until he caves in this week. What a bunch of pathetic morons.We are living in a Twlight Zone re-run, and our leaders are as insane as the inmates.
If these are our best and brightest, it's time to take a flamethrower to the place and start anew.
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 2:35PM
Anthony. WTF?
Come to The Contest on Fridays.
Go look at last week's Contets, at Wednesday's Story about The Honourable Backup.
It's a Scene, man.
BShep| 12.3.12 @ 9:38AM
We have already gone over the cliff. Now we are cartoon characters arguing over who has to hold the anvil on the way down.
Marc Jeric| 12.3.12 @ 9:38AM
Have you ever heard of a drug addict curing hinmself alone? Only prison can cure him. Let us give them (our sozis, commies, eco-nazis) another trillion dollar deficit, and then another, and another - into the far future. Nobody remembers Carter's economy - 11% unemployment, 13% inflation, prime rate at 21%. What is needed is the complete elimination of these bloodsucking parasites:
(1) Department of the Interior;
(2) Department of Agriculture;
(3) Department of Commerce;
(4) Department of Labor;
(5) Department of Health and Human Services;
(6) Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(7) Department of Transportation;
(8) Department of Energy;
(9) Department of Education;
(10) Environmental Protection Agency;
(11) Small Business Administration;
(12) Federal Housing Administration.
Then a thorough review must be performed to eliminate about 70-100 various boards, commissions, panels – such as NLRB, FCC, EEOC, etc. Obamacare nightmare and that monstrosity invented by Frank & Dodd must be repealed in their entirety, and all bureaucrats there fired without delay. These creeps should join the ranks of the unemployed to compete with their protégées illegal aliens for part-time temporary gardening jobs at $8/hour.
Deerknocker| 12.3.12 @ 9:50AM
Marc, from your lips to God's ear as they say, but perhaps God's hearing could be improved if we had an electoral majority.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:43PM
The Federal government employs 3 million people roughly. What exactly do you think this will accomplish?
Result: More ppl out of work is all. Great plan.
Put down the Fixed News talking point and think about what you're really saying ...
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:16PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Deerknocker| 12.3.12 @ 9:46AM
A few random thoughts:
First, the fiscal cliff argument must focus on spending and not on revenue. To the extent the Republicans focus on tax revenue, they lose because their position of protecting the job creating class is all too easily caricatured as protecting the rich against the interests of the middle class. Focus instead on Obama's reluctance to cut spending in a time of overwhelming debt.
Second, insist that the revenue/spending talks be open to the public; on C-Span perhaps.
Third, bring in some reform. Most important is the moral and political imperative that the tax base must be broadened so that few, if any, get away without paying taxes at some level. The gimme class has got to be made to realize there is a price for the goodies they receive.
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 12:27PM
Finally, someone that ACTUALLY gets it. Thank you for your comments, maybe there is some hope.
Those comments are not random but astute.
Zeppo| 12.3.12 @ 1:00PM
Deerknocker for Congress.
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 1:29PM
You mean President.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:45PM
The rich don't create jobs. What they are after is more money if anything. And they don't need a tax cut to invest some money.
Middle class people trying to start small businesses do. They need the tax cuts and breaks. They will rev up the economy, not the rich beotches.
Drop the ideology and THINK!
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:15PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Tina B| 12.3.12 @ 10:18AM
Don't forget to throw your hands up in the air, everybody on a ride doing that seems to be enjoying it. They look like they're screaming at the top of their lungs, so do that too. This should make for the maximum experience we've all been looking forward to. Here we go-ooooooooooooooo!
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 1:36PM
I'm still waiting for that Bikini Picture, from 40 Years ago.
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 3:05PM
Hmmm, I see next Friday's prize.
Drunken Sailor| 12.3.12 @ 3:20PM
TLP in a 40 year old bikini?
What are you trying to do, kill the contest?
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:46PM
Enjoy the new recession, brought to you once again by the Republican Party! Wheeeeee !
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:16PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Paul A'Barge | 12.3.12 @ 10:25AM
You can't just belittle the Democrat insult/plan. You have to offer a counter plan. I could come up with a million of these. Fine. Pick one. But put one on the table now. We should have beat Obama to the table with our plan and it could easily have been as outrageous as his. We did not. Now we look stupid. Oh wait. We're Republicans. My bad.
Kingofthenet| 12.3.12 @ 10:32AM
Hey NeoCons your FIRST Loser in Chief, Mitt made EXACTLY the same arguments in the Presidential Race, now he is pumping his OWN gas, get it?
Enchanted| 12.3.12 @ 10:50AM
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT give obama carte blanche to the debt ceiling. This is not only against the Constitution and the checks and balances put in place to keep despots from gaining control, it will be the cause of our great nation's demise if it does happen.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:47PM
On the contrary, the US Constitution says we have no choice but to pay our debts. Period. It isn't a game.
Go back and talk to Reagan and the Bush twins about the spending of over 10 Trillion they put on the National Debt.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:16PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Kingofthenet| 12.3.12 @ 11:23AM
Republicans REALLY are the Stupid Party, you ran on these themes in the General Election, lost BIG TIME, so what do you do? Come back with the same Belligerent plan that the American people rejected. I think the ONLY way you will learn is when you lose the House in 2014.
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 12:10PM
You better hope they do not take your advice, useful idiot.
Comments like the ones you have thrown up above expose the true nature of your trolling and why you are so invested in the left wing baloney that you have bought so readily without question.
See, it really is not about fairness, justice, equality or any of the crap you spout about. It is about revenge about some kind of perceived offense you once received, and your little childish ego that gets off pretending like you know so much you can now help your opposition. You sit there apparently with nothing better to do than gloat like a 6 year old that got his way on something and pulled something over on someone.
The thing that really gets me laughing is the obvious reason why you all come out here and troll on a conservative web site in the first place.
It really needs to be said...
You seem to have this mistaken and egoistic idea that your efforts are going to have some impact and that anyone actually gives a rats ass about your dribble. They don't. This would be the same if I did what you were doing on the Huff and Puff.
You are a bit sick, like the kid that loves to go down to a zoo and from a safe spot derides, aggravates, and taunts the lions in their cages.
Pathetic.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:54PM
Simon - you really are paranoid with twisted logic. We come here for the same reason rigthies go to Huff Post ... you figure it out.
Stop projecting all your shortcomings on everyone you don't agree with - are you 12?
Argue your case or if you can't shut up. It's that simple. No name calling is necessary. But it is fun I know.
You righties don't have all the answers - the last 2 elections should have taught you all that. But I guess not.
If you feel taunted, well suck it up and be a man. Get over it and start presenting an argument and stop whining.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:16PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Albert Constantine Jr.| 12.3.12 @ 6:36PM
I think you might be exaggerating his majesty's usefulness, ST.
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 11:40AM
When I read articles such as these from supposed leading conservatives and talking heads, it leaves me with the idea that perhaps it really is hopeless. When I pick up an news paper and read about he GOP dimwits responding to outrageous demands and so-called bargaining of Democrats and hear these dimwits, say things like, "are you serious," I reach the same conclusion.
Notice, the whole direction and focus of the article - taxes, defensive posturing, reaction rather than action, and a lack of big picture focus.
The demoncrats are like magicians using every sleight of hand and trick ever know or used to successively distract, mislead, and misdirect Republicans like the "spectators" they are. Like gullible idiots, it is looky over here at the beautiful lovely assistant.
It really is maddening.
This is a war. It is a very well crafted propaganda war and it is politics played for keeps.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:58PM
You are hysterical ... You taught the left how to use propaganda and now that they dish it out, you whine and moan it's not fair.
They are better at it than your guys are, but moreover, truth and fact is on the Democrats side and that's why you lose. You can't beat the truth for convincing people. And, that is not something the Roves and Koch Bros. deal in. That's why you will continue to lose.
And it's about time... Thank you
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:17PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 11:54AM
What gets me the most about all of this is that it is the same old plays being used over and over with no new ideas, no new approaches, no new counter strategies.
There seems to be no ability to fight this like this is a war and adapt, no ability to learn from mistakes or try something different than what has always been proposed or done when dealing with these issues.
Stop focusing solely on the taxes, they want you to focus on the taxes. Take the issue off the table and force them to focus on the SPENDING, WASTE, and THE DEBT! Start taking the lead and controlling the narrative rather than reacting to it. Start framing the debate and stop them from doing it.
Get out of your damn holes in DC and get out and talk to the PUBLIC. Expose the lies and the lack of reality and sincerity that underlies this whole mess. Control your message and image.
Kingofthenet| 12.3.12 @ 12:07PM
Here's the DEAL, the Republicans are out of options and time, the President can and should stand strong, than when we go over the cliff, offer a 'Special' stimulus for the Poor and Middle Class EQUAL to what they would have got had the rates remained low for them, and DARE the Republicans to Veto that...
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 12:14PM
Here's the deal, get a life, get your own web site, join the communist party, stop trolling on these web sites, stop pretending like anyone gives a rats ass about what you think, and start stocking up on food moron because your big daddy government will not be there for you if it actually goes over.
Kingofthenet| 12.3.12 @ 12:44PM
I get it, so this is like a NeoCon 'Circle Jerk' with NO basis in reality...How dem 'Unskewed Polls' work out for you?
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:57PM
If this is a NeoCon Circle Jerk?
That would make You the Pivot Man.
Drunken Sailor| 12.3.12 @ 2:20PM
That would be a step up from his job as the mop jockey of the local porn theater.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 6:00PM
No. you do care or you wouldn't be whining.
You just aren't winning now, and it hurts. I get it. But no, we are here and you must make an argument or you're irrelevant.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:17PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
JP| 12.3.12 @ 3:50PM
Errr... King, the GOP cannot veto anything. Only the President can, and that's only if both the House and the Senate pass something.
Funny, how after a decade of demogoguering the Bush Tax Cuts as nothing but tax cuts for the rich, the Dems now are beside themselves with faternal love for the "middle class tax cuts" that make up the heart and soul of the Bush Tax Cuts. Of course, that is where the real tax revenues lie. If the tax cuts expire for the rich only, Congress may (and that's a big MAY) collect an additional $60 billion in annual revenues. However, if one adds in the tax breaks, cash pay-outs, and credits for the Middle Class, that number almost triples. Add in the AMT and Death Taxes and now we're talking about an additional $220 billion of new revenue at the very least.
And that is what Obama really is gunning for.
Drunken Sailor| 12.3.12 @ 4:32PM
Exactly! He wants us to go over the cliff. He gets the increased revenu and the downsizing of the military. The republicans get the blame and then Obama can come back in and give a tax break (of course smaller than what they would have kept) to the middle class and claim he is a hero.
And as stupid as what appears to be over half the country is, they will buy it.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:12PM
Already did ... Let's go over the cliff ...
but it's sure not stupid - it's what you have to do with obstinate children that don't care about the country, only to get their own way and save their own a**. It's brilliant.
You do remember you LOST the election?
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 6:03PM
JP - if it's only 60 Billion - what's the Big Beef about? The more you downplay it, the more it seems stupid to defend it... or don't you get that?
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:18PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Occam's Tool| 12.3.12 @ 12:08PM
Tax CUTS will result in MORE tax receipts, ya know. But if the Dhimmis are too stupid to realize that, let's go over the cliff because the dhimmis don't want that.
Simon Templar| 12.3.12 @ 12:22PM
This is not about increase revenues from economic growth, it is about power and control over the means of production and the wealth it generates. Objective number one of all socialist.
As far as the cliff, they want it, they have been working for it, and they need it. Objective number two. Obtain this control through crisis that you can blame on your opposition as you control the media and propaganda machine.
Roosevelt had no problem getting reelected three times and establishing essentially a dictatorship after doing nothing but worsening the situation after they went over the cliff in 1929.
They are not stupid. They are evil but not stupid.
Please consider what I am saying.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:34PM
Wrong - FDR didn't take control of production. And, he didn't take the country into the Great Depression - a Republican did (Hoover).
JFK didn't, nor did LBJ. Neither will Obama take control of production. Another right wing canard that is incessantly played like Hitler's hatred of the Jews. It's just propaganda.
As far as the cliff:
1) - the end of the Bush Tax Cuts was planned by the Republicans. So let it be done.
2) The National Debt Ceiling fiasco is all the Republican's doing. So let them repeat it. They'll take that blame too.
3) The sequester cuts were agreed to by the Republicans because they wouldn't vote for the Super Committee recommendations ...
4) The payroll tax cut holiday IS a real tax cut and they lost that battle last year too. Are they that stupid to do it again? I presume so.
It's funny how the right blames the left for all the things the right has done over 30 years. Take control of the media, convince the middle class to get rid of itself, destroy unions which are the only thing management will have to listen to, and constantly promote propaganda against the Democrats ... You know who I mean - Frank Luntz and Karl Rove types ...
But Americans have awakened to these tricks, and now you want to project them onto the Democrats .. funny, very funny.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:18PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
TLP| 12.3.12 @ 12:58PM
You're just Confusing him.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:17PM
The Congressional Research Service has debunked that canard. Tax cuts have no effect on tax receipts, but you don't know that, do you?
Perhaps you should look it up and read the non-partisan truth before you open your partisan mouth?
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:18PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Cats1cowboy| 12.3.12 @ 12:20PM
The additional taxes proposed by obama will only pay for the federal government to operate for 8 days.( That's not a mistake. It's days) The best thing that can happen, right now, is for obama to resign and let Whacky-Joe be President. Sad, isn't it.
N8tivTxn| 12.3.12 @ 1:25PM
What a bunch of drama queens (both sides).
Will "dear leader" take us on a Thelma & Louise ride, so that he'll be able to forever bask in the glow derived from class warfare symbolism?
Will ole Bill talk him down, over golf?
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 1:38PM
What this continues to be about is Boehnor and McConnell's failure to be able to communicate with the citizenry of America. In otherwords, a lack of leadership, a lack of original thought and a total lack of balls.
All Boehnor has to do is stand up and say loudly, clearly and for all to hear, "The Republican Party will not raise taxes on anyone until the Obama administration lays out an equal amount in cuts to domestic programs excluding Social
Security and Medi-Care(or Caid whichever it is) as those programs are not entitlements. The Repulican Party will not entertain any tax increases until reform is brought to any welfare type program and to Social Security as too many people are able bodied but are scamming the sysytem." Tell the American people Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,then walk the hell out of the capital leaving just enough members so Obama can't do an end run. Show America that this time you won't back down. If Obama wants to bring over the cliff, then let him do it!
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:40PM
They lost the election on that one - were you paying attention?
Social Security does not add to the deficit or debt.
You're right - Medicare and Social Security are insurance programs, not entitlements. Only Medicaid may be considered that, and only if you are dirt poor. Hardly a good place to be.
The Welfare Queen syndrome is dead, but you're still living in the past, as if there are many welfare recipients - approx 1% of the population receive welfare payments, and most of those are single white mothers with children.
Oh, we're going over the cliff. Republicans will be blamed for it all - they already are. And they know it and are freaking out.
2014 can't get here fast enough to take over the House ... Only 17 seats need to go blue and it's done.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:17PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Stkman| 12.3.12 @ 1:40PM
If Obama wants to bring us over the cliff, then let him do it!
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 5:02PM
All for it! Republicans are already being blamed... Might as well raise taxes on everyone!
JP| 12.3.12 @ 3:58PM
The Obama strategy is a two part plan:
1)First he and the Dems want all of the "lost" tax revenues. That is, they WANT to go over the cliff in a big way.
2)Secondly, they must somehow blame the negative affects of the tax cuts on the GOP. That is why there may be a deal. But, the deal must do 2 things: get a GOP stamp on it without risking any current spending. That is, they want exactly what happened to Bush41, who agreed to the tax increases but only agreed in principal to any future cuts (ie no cuts). The problem with Obama is that he is President. In the end, it is his signature on the bill that makes it law, and not Boehner's. And that may be the biggest reason there will not be a deal. For once, he cannot avoid the repsonsibility. It would be much easier to go over the cliff, and then go on an outright media blitz and blame the GOP for everything
But, this is only the beginning. The Dems are already talking in the open about phasing out the mortgage deductions, and implementing a VAT tax. Perhaps they will again over-step their bounds before the GOP caves completely.
Drunken Sailor| 12.3.12 @ 4:34PM
Guess I should have read down here before I posted to one of your previous post at 3:50.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 4:54PM
The GOP is already being blamed ... their brand has suffered irreparable damage. They are not trusted, and they sure can't protect their billionaire friends anymore.
So what good are they? They should do what the majority of Americans want done. Or they won't be there for long.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 4:28PM
So far, all the R's want to offer is what Romney lost on ... revenue from eliminating deductions. NOPE. LOSERs don't get their way.
If we go over the cliff, it will be Republicans who are blamed. Polls say so. Not a very good strategy on their part. But then, they aren't very good at this, are they?
The President campaigned on, and 60% of the people support the taxes being raised on the wealthiest. So let it be done already. In fact, all the taxes should be allowed to raise and the deficit will be cut in 1/2 over 10 years. Republicans planned the Sunset of the Bush Taxes, let them sunset already.
On top of that, 70% of the electorate, including majority of Republicans don't want Social Security touched - and it does not add to the deficit anyway. "But the surplus is borrowed from Social Security's trust funds and spent elsewhere" - so stop spending the surplus. End the Afghan War, cut military spending and close 500 military bases.
A few tweaks and it will be fine. Raise the cap to $25ok/yr and Soc Sec is solvent forever. You won't hear that on Fixed News tho. Social Security has nothing to do with the fiscal cliff - it's off the table for now. No biggie there. Unless you're an ideologue.
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 4:30PM
Cont'd -
Now for the other items in the President's plan.
"Double Taxation" - a bogus issue. Income is income is income. And it should be taxed same regular labor rates as are wage earners. Ronald Reagan said that capital gains should be taxed at wage earners rates. Now you don't like him either?
Now, the raising the debt ceiling - another LOSER for the Republicans. You spent the money, now pay up. You owe it, you have no choice. Spending cuts today don't stop what is owed now. It's that simple.
Medicare is the bigger problem. But thanks to the Republicans screaming about 716 Billion in Medicare cuts from the Democrats, it's now the Republicans turn to say what they will cut. Too bad they don't like it. Do it. Have some balls.
"Obama is weaker than he appears. Let's take this one to the brink, and not do another "if-then" deal." - Wanna take bets on that? You thought Romney was going to win too - by a landslide ... How'd that work out for your oh so wonderful predictions?
Go over the cliff, Republicants will be blamed. Don't go over the cliff and raise taxes,
Republicans are blamed.
Stop from raising the national debt ceiling, Republicants will be blamed. Raise it, they will be blamed.
And, who is in the weaker position? The country is with the President. Turtleface and Boner are stuck and they know it.
Funny to watch the false outrage by the Republicans now that the President is holding tough - because he holds all the cards.
Kingofthenet| 12.3.12 @ 5:39PM
Turtleface is not correct, it's RAT EYE'S for your information ;)
N8tivTxn| 12.3.12 @ 5:23PM
The bad math of the fiscal cliff bait and switch doesn't matter.
This is all about "dear leader" being able to prove to the bloodthirsty unwashed masses, he will lop off a few ("rich") producers heads. No matter your income level, who on earth, hasn't wanted a little taste of revenge on the boss, at one time or another?
YOU didn't build THAT,... I did!
Surely you noticed the rabid cheers when he uttered those words? Words I thought would be his political demise. As a producer, I certainly noticed the crowd's uber-enthusiasm when he delivered that line.
Are we Venezuela del Norte'yet? Hugo must be quite proud.
As unserious as it sounds, this "game" isn't about economics, this is about "optics". I'd love to play poker with the Speaker and the Leader. I'm not sure they know what planet they're on most of the time.
The burning question is - can Boehner and Mc Connell cry in unison?
Purp| 12.3.12 @ 6:11PM
"the bloodthirsty unwashed masses" - you mean like your Grandmother, your sister, maybe your daughter and her boyfriend?
If it is producers vs consumers - you LOSE. Your propaganda tactics of the last 30 years have now failed and you don't know it.
So you better clean up your act, support the middle class or you won't be producing anything - let alone your own living.
Buck Ofama| 12.3.12 @ 8:12PM
> support the middle class
Hey DUMB ASS! Go back to slobbering and jacking off to your collection of faded Ovomit posters! Then wash yourself and go to the mailbox for your gubmint check, you G0DDAMNED C0CKSUCKER!
Purp| 12.4.12 @ 8:50PM
Don't get a government check (can you spell), God knows the rest is your own fantasy. And I'm sure He's happy how you've used his name.
LOSER ... you have failed, you have been found out and you will never win an election again. LOSER.
N8tivTxn| 12.3.12 @ 9:43PM
The hallmark of collectivists is their deep-rooted distrust of freedom and of the free-market process, but it is their advocacy of so-called "consumer protection" that exposes the nature of their basic premises with particular clarity. By preferring force and fear to incentive and reward as a means of human motivation, they confess their view of man as a mindless brute functioning on the range of the moment, whose actual self-interest lies in "flying-by-night" and making "quick kills". They confess their ignorance of the role of intelligence in the long-range vision required to maintain a modern industry. They confess their inability to grasp the crucial importance of the moral values which are the motive power of capitalism. Capitalism is based on self-interest and self-esteem: it holds integrity and trustworthiness as cardinal virtues and makes them pay off in the market-place, thus demanding that men survive by means of virtues, not of vices. It is this superlatively moral system that the welfare statists propose to improve upon by means of preventive law, snooping bureaucrats, and the chronic goad of fear. "The Assault on Integrity" ~A. Greenspan
Here's y'ur SIGN!
Purp| 12.4.12 @ 8:53PM
Greenspan's a senile old free marketer. nothing more.
You could put "neocons" in place of collectivists and a dozen other monikers. So what? Makes none of it true, just blather.
And, it is wrong by the way.
It isn't all for the State or all against the State... that's where all your ideas fall apart.
Biff| 12.3.12 @ 5:55PM
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to change the narrative put forward by the Democrats. But doing what is right is more important, and if "taking the blame" is what it takes, then so be it. We know that Obama and the Dems are equally at fault. Our biggest problem of late seems to be selling our message.
CJW| 12.3.12 @ 6:17PM
Purpie the Village Idiot's view of the unborn child:
"Purp| 11.7.12 @ 1:16PM
The unborn have no rights - they are biological entities until God allows them to be born."
Buck Ofama| 12.3.12 @ 8:10PM
Thanks for voting twice for that silly c0cksucker, Ovomit.
Purp| 12.4.12 @ 8:54PM
You ARE obsessed with C**KS**king, aren't you ?
Ain't you gettin' any little boys to bully?
florin| 12.3.12 @ 9:34PM
Dec. 3rd: I watched Christ Wallace interview both Geithner and Boehner and they both stuck with their talking points - neither was forthright. Wallace kept asking for specifics but they would not give specifics. Geither either cheated on his own taxes or did not know how to do them...he is incompetent. I think Boehner needs to be replaced by someone like Kantor ...where is Paul Ryan in all this?