Economist: blame for deficit negotiation impasse directly at the feet of Republicans

[boutons_deux]

If You’re Out after Three Strikes, What Happens after Three Lies?

First, the Speaker declared that government spending was the reason for joblessness. Until this year no one believed that government spending decreases jobs. There has never been any public debate on this point because it flies in the face of common sense. Does anyone out there think government spending — on a net basis, if you like — reduces employment?

Second, Boehner described Republican conditions for an increase in the debt limit in terms of what Americans demanded — namely reduced spending and reforms. Several White House proposals have now offered deeper cuts than the Republicans dared propose, however. In his convoluted trope, Speaker Boehner thus managed to hide the fact that the key condition Republicans have imposed is no tax increases and, astonishingly, no reduction in tax loopholes. In other words, the Republican leader hid from view a key demand leading to an impasse that could cost American families thousands of dollars — and one, namely no reduction in tax loopholes, for which there is no public support.

Third, the Speaker declared that the vote for the House Republicans’ Cut, Cap and Balance bill was bipartisan — but hid the detail that only 5 of 234 votes for the bill were Democratic ones.

This appears to be a level of public duplicity on a par with what got the U.S. into the Iraq War.

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/...+capitalism%29

[boutons_deux]

After Boehner Releases Plan That Doesn’t Cut En lements, He Rejects Reid Plan For Not Cutting En lements

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) this afternoon rejected Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) plan for raising the debt ceiling, saying he can’t support any plan that doesn’t cut en lement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

But Boehner’s office told staff members of his own caucus that his plan wouldn’t touch Social Security, Medicare, or the Affordable Care Act.

John Boehner’s proposal” that make this very clear:



==========

Repugs are as ing nuts as they are dishonest and extremist.

[boutons_deux]

GOP Leaders Voted For Three Of The Biggest Debt Drivers, Costing $3.4 Trillion

Boehner and Cantor, along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) have all voted for some of the biggest contributors to the debt — the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bush tax cuts, and President Bush’s Medicare prescription drug plan — which helped to double the debt over the past decade:

Together, a Bloomberg News analysis shows, these initiatives added $3.4 trillion to the nation’s ac ulated debt and to its current annual budget deficit of $1.5 trillion. [...]

“There’s plenty of blame to go around,” for the debt, said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, an Arlington, Virginia-based group that advocates for balanced budgets. “If there had been no Barack Obama, we would still be bumping up against the debt limit.’”

The analysis shows the wars have cost $1.3 trillion since 9/11, the Bush tax cuts cost $1.7 trillion in lost revenue over a decade, and Medicare Part D costs $369 billion over a decade. The recession has also been a major contributor to the debt.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/201...policies-debt/

========

The Big Picture is very clear: the sociopathic, anti-American Repugs voted reliably to run up the debt while cutting taxes for wealthy and corps (going back 30+ years) and now they intend to use THEIR debt to defund/kill regulation and make the poor, sick, disabled, old, middle class, and environment pay.

[cheguevara]

well this country's ppl deserve all that is coming to them. They are the ones who elected these clowns.

Unfortunately the ppl have fallen asleep at the wheel. I feel for the children.

[boutons_deux]

I read today where the craziness of the Repug obstructionism represents their overwhelming desire to beat Barry in 2012.

No matter how much pain they cause all around (except to their benefactors), to poor, old, sick, environment, economy, about none of which do the Repugs give a , the Repugs are looking for the deal that maximizes their damage to Barry, they deal they can and will lie ruthlessly about until Nov 2012.

[hitmanyr2k]

I read today where the craziness of the Repug obstructionism represents their overwhelming desire to beat Barry in 2012.

No matter how much pain they cause all around (except to their benefactors), to poor, old, sick, environment, economy, about none of which do the Repugs give a , the Repugs are looking for the deal that maximizes their damage to Barry, they deal they can and will lie ruthlessly about until Nov 2012.

Well, of course lol. That should have been expected. I've said since Day 1 the Republicans aren't going to let some semi-young black guy come in office and attempt to fix the problems created by a bunch of old white guys They would rather see the country go to than to have that happen. They're going to do whatever they can to butcher his presidency and make everything difficult. That's all this debt ceiling crap is really, just another unnecessary obstacle to screw with the economy in preparation for 2012. The economy is the Republican's ace at the moment. The longer it stays stagnant the better for them to regain power. They don't give two s about the deficit. , a lot of these guys didn't bat an eyelash when they went on their 8 year spending spree and suddenly they're up in arms now? Yeah right. It's all about power.

[boutons_deux]

Speaker Boehner's Disgrace

Seldom have we witnessed a more dishonest speech [4] in prime time than that delivered by House Speaker John Boehner last night on the debt ceiling crisis. "The sad truth," he declared, "is that the president wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. That is just not going to happen."

The sad truth is that statement is a bald lie, applied to a president who, far from wanting a "blank check," has endorsed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan for an unconscionable $2.7 trillion in over ten years from discretionary spending as ransom to Republican threats [5] to blow up the economy by not raising the debt ceiling.

In a speech cobbling together stale conservative talking points, Boehner claimed to be "Speaker of the whole House," while talking for and to its lunatic right-wing fringe. In doing so, Boehner introduced Americans into the funhouse hall of distorted mirrors that is the current conservative delusion.

http://www.truth-out.org/print/4499

[Winehole23]

[CosmicCowboy]

Speaker Boehner's Disgrace

Seldom have we witnessed a more dishonest speech [4] in prime time than that delivered by House Speaker John Boehner last night on the debt ceiling crisis. "The sad truth," he declared, "is that the president wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. That is just not going to happen."

The sad truth is that statement is a bald lie, applied to a president who, far from wanting a "blank check," has endorsed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan for an unconscionable $2.7 trillion in over ten years from discretionary spending as ransom to Republican threats [5] to blow up the economy by not raising the debt ceiling.

In a speech cobbling together stale conservative talking points, Boehner claimed to be "Speaker of the whole House," while talking for and to its lunatic right-wing fringe. In doing so, Boehner introduced Americans into the funhouse hall of distorted mirrors that is the current conservative delusion.

http://www.truth-out.org/print/4499

Funny how two different people can see a speech in two totally different ways. I thought Boehner handed Obama his ass last night and Obama was the one distorting the truth. Reids 2.7 million is a joke considering over half that is "savings" we were going to have anyway as we wind down in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[RandomGuy]

well this country's ppl deserve all that is coming to them. They are the ones who elected these clowns.

Unfortunately the ppl have fallen asleep at the wheel. I feel for the children.

I might take mine to Denmark/Norway. Keep saying I will do this, but may pull the trigger at some point. Canada is another option. Eh.

Two less workers supporting WC/Darrin in their old age.

[RandomGuy]

Funny how two different people can see a speech in two totally different ways. I thought Boehner handed Obama his ass last night and Obama was the one distorting the truth. Reids 2.7 million is a joke considering over half that is "savings" we were going to have anyway as we wind down in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Boners response was pablum for the converted.

Both men are trying to spin this as being the other's fault, but Obama has been far more willing to negotiate in good faith and comprimise, a fact noted by most outside observers. Like, say, the OP....

[Wild Cobra]

GOP Leaders Voted For Three Of The Biggest Debt Drivers, Costing $3.4 Trillion

Boehner and Cantor, along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) have all voted for some of the biggest contributors to the debt — the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bush tax cuts, and President Bush’s Medicare prescription drug plan — which helped to double the debt over the past decade:

Together, a Bloomberg News analysis shows, these initiatives added $3.4 trillion to the nation’s ac ulated debt and to its current annual budget deficit of $1.5 trillion. [...]

“There’s plenty of blame to go around,” for the debt, said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, an Arlington, Virginia-based group that advocates for balanced budgets. “If there had been no Barack Obama, we would still be bumping up against the debt limit.’”

The analysis shows the wars have cost $1.3 trillion since 9/11, the Bush tax cuts cost $1.7 trillion in lost revenue over a decade, and Medicare Part D costs $369 billion over a decade. The recession has also been a major contributor to the debt.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/201...policies-debt/

========

The Big Picture is very clear: the sociopathic, anti-American Repugs voted reliably to run up the debt while cutting taxes for wealthy and corps (going back 30+ years) and now they intend to use THEIR debt to defund/kill regulation and make the poor, sick, disabled, old, middle class, and environment pay.

The two wars were backed by both parties, and see to be wrapping up in the next few years. When will Obamacare stop costing us money once we see the real cost of it?

There is not consensus that the Bush Tax cuts lost revenue. I am not alone in believing the revenue would have been less without the tax cuts. However, the 15% bracket should have been left alone in my opinion. The lower income people didn't pay much at 15%, why make a 10% bracket, except to appease the liberals.

As for the Prescription Drug Program. I'm OK with providing our seniors with better care.

We need welfare reform. It's those who turned their safety nets into hammocks that need less assistance. make life harder for them by requiring drug testing and send them out to employers who have a hard time finding legal employees. If they don't try to work, they get cut off.

The future is not pretty. We are overextended already with a debt that we have no means to pay down now. When the full force of Obamacare kicks in... watch out!!

[boutons_deux]

"two wars were backed by both parties"

The Repugs pushed hard for it, LIED about it, the less Dems went along.

"There is not consensus that the Bush Tax cuts lost revenue"

tax cuts NEVER pay for themselves, nor do they create jobs. That they do is one of the blatant, persistant VRWC lies.

"Prescription Drug Program. I'm OK with providing our seniors with better care"

... was gift to BigPharma. There's much proof that drugs do more more harm, or do nothing, than good. Prevention is a much better solution.

"It's those who turned their safety nets into hammocks "

yet again, parroting St Ronnie Welfare Queen lie.

"we have no means to pay down now"

Restore taxes to 1960s level, and the policy-driven debt disappears in a few years.

[coyotes_geek]

GOP Leaders Voted For Three Of The Biggest Debt Drivers, Costing $3.4 Trillion

Boehner and Cantor, along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) have all voted for some of the biggest contributors to the debt — the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bush tax cuts, and President Bush’s Medicare prescription drug plan — which helped to double the debt over the past decade:

Together, a Bloomberg News analysis shows, these initiatives added $3.4 trillion to the nation’s ac ulated debt and to its current annual budget deficit of $1.5 trillion. [...]

Great! Let's get out of Iraq & Afghanistan, let the Bush tax cuts expire on everybody and completely eliminate the medicare prescription drug plan.

Who's with me? Democrats? Republicans? Bueller?

[Spurminator]

Rah rah rah!
Rah rah rah!
Rah rah rah!

[CosmicCowboy]

Boners response was pablum for the converted.

Both men are trying to spin this as being the other's fault, but Obama has been far more willing to negotiate in good faith and comprimise, a fact noted by most outside observers. Like, say, the OP....

Like Obama's was real earth shattering new stuff???

[RandomGuy]

Like Obama's was real earth shattering new stuff???

Didn't say it was.

I said he was far more willing to put the sacred cows on the negotiating table.

The fanatic caucus in Congress, the " no" crowd won't budge.

Quite frankly, given how much the Republicans have taken advantage and ed him since he got to be president, I'm surprised he hasn't called them on it a bit more.

He has extended a hand to the GOP in Congress and gotten a fistful of for his troubles from the poo flingers in the tea party.

It is good to see him finally figure that out.

[Winehole23]

http://www.readersupportednews.org/o...res-the-uproar

[boutons_deux]

"encourages American companies to bring money home and put it towards capital, investment, and–most importantly–American jobs."

dubya gave the US corps, esp BigPharma, with their $300B offshore cash the gift of 5% income tax in return for jobs. Of course, the corps did it, and of course, there were no jobs, and no penalty or follow up by dubya. BigPharma actually laid off 10s of 1000s.

[Wild Cobra]

"two wars were backed by both parties"

The Repugs pushed hard for it, LIED about it, the less Dems went along.

You should stop saying that until you can prove they intentionally lied.

"There is not consensus that the Bush Tax cuts lost revenue"

tax cuts NEVER pay for themselves, nor do they create jobs. That they do is one of the blatant, persistant VRWC lies.

Where is your proof that shatters the "Laffer Curve?"

"Prescription Drug Program. I'm OK with providing our seniors with better care"

... was gift to BigPharma. There's much proof that drugs do more more harm, or do nothing, than good.

How was it a gift? Would it be your idea to make seniors buy no drugs, so you can be happy about hurting BigPharm?

Prevention is a much better solution.

I didn't know that bill remove preventative measure. Please give me a link on that!

"It's those who turned their safety nets into hammocks "

yet again, parroting St Ronnie Welfare Queen lie.

Are you one of those Hammock user by chance?

"we have no means to pay down now"

Restore taxes to 1960s level, and the policy-driven debt disappears in a few years.

At those tax rates and a global market, we will lose even more tax payers to other nation.

You could confiscate the wealth of the richest people we have, and it would only make a small dent. Thinking more taxes can be had so readily is just an excuse to raise spending.

[Wild Cobra]

http://www.readersupportednews.org/o...res-the-uproar

So...

Do you agree reducing taxes corporate will bring that money back to our shores, or not?

[ElNono]

Do you agree reducing taxes corporate will bring that money back to our shores, or not?

I'll answer that: No.

Considering they received a tax holiday under Bush, and seemingly will receive another one now, there's no incentive to pay the regular rate, whatever low it is. They'll just negotiate another tax holiday for a better rate.

What you haven't understood yet is that the solution isn't lowering the taxes, it's closing the loopholes that allow them to park their money overseas.

[Wild Cobra]

I'll answer that: No.

Considering they received a tax holiday under Bush, and seemingly will receive another one now, there's no incentive to pay the regular rate, whatever low it is. They'll just negotiate another tax holiday for a better rate.

What you haven't understood yet is that the solution isn't lowering the taxes, it's closing the loopholes that allow them to park their money overseas.

One time actions don't cut it. Just as simple as that.

[boutons_deux]

Like Obama's was real earth shattering new stuff???

Barry offered cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, SS, $4T+ in cuts and the Repugs said no.

As was pointed out, if dubya had done that, Repugs would ejaculating all over DC.

Repugs don't give a about the debt ceiling (a fake crisis), the economy, the jobless, the poor, sick, young, old, the country, or The American People. They only want to destroy Barry.

All destructive, obstructive politics, all the time.

[Wild Cobra]

Barry offered cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, SS, $4T+ in cuts and the Repugs said no.

As was pointed out, if dubya had done that, Repugs would ejaculating all over DC.

Repugs don't give a about the debt ceiling (a fake crisis), the economy, the jobless, the poor, sick, young, old, the country, or The American People. They only want to destroy Barry.

All destructive, obstructive politics, all the time.

Bull .

It's just empty words until its in a tangible form.