Month: September 2011

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Barack Obama Politics Republican

Obama – This Is Not Class Warfare, It’s Math

Today, President Obama outlined his plan for deficit reduction. He again called for a balanced approach to reducing the nation’s deficit through both spending cuts and raising revenue by asking the top 3% of the wealthiest Americans to pay the same rate middle class Americans already pay. Of course, Republicans used the last few days to get their talking points out, calling the President’s proposal “class warfare.”

But President Obama had an answer for them;

It comes down to this: We have to prioritize. Both parties agree that we need to reduce the deficit by the same amount — by $4 trillion. So what choices are we going to make to reach that goal? Either we ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes, or we’re going to have to ask seniors to pay more for Medicare. We can’t afford to do both.

Either we gut education and medical research, or we’ve got to reform the tax code so that the most profitable corporations have to give up tax loopholes that other companies don’t get. We can’t afford to do both.

This is not class warfare. It’s math. The money is going to have to come from someplace. And if we’re not willing to ask those who’ve done extraordinarily well to help America close the deficit and we are trying to reach that same target of $4 trillion, then the logic, the math says everybody else has to do a whole lot more: We’ve got to put the entire burden on the middle class and the poor. We’ve got to scale back on the investments that have always helped our economy grow. We’ve got to settle for second-rate roads and second-rate bridges and second-rate airports, and schools that are crumbling.

That’s unacceptable to me. That’s unacceptable to the American people. And it will not happen on my watch. I will not support — I will not support — any plan that puts all the burden for closing our deficit on ordinary Americans. And I will veto any bill that changes benefits for those who rely on Medicare but does not raise serious revenues by asking the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to pay their fair share. We are not going to have a one-sided deal that hurts the folks who are most vulnerable.

But explaining simple math to a group who thinks teachers are the enemy and wants to eliminate the Department of Education, may not be the easiest thing to do, but based on the President’s attitude today, I think he’s up for the challenge.

Categories
Barack Obama Politics White House

President Promises To Veto Bill With Entitlement Cuts Alone

As the middle class continues to suffer, another Washington showdown has begun.

Last week, John Boehner made a statement in which he advised the Super Committee to keep taxes off the negotiating table, “it’s a very simple equation,” Boehner said, speaking to the Economic Club of Washington,”tax increases destroy jobs. And the Joint Committee is a jobs committee. Its mission is to reduce the deficit that is threatening job creation in our country.”

Boehner’s claims of course, are unfounded. Over the last 11 years, taxes on these “job creators” have been lower than in previous administrations, including the Clinton White House, where they paid more in taxes, and the economy flourished. If lowering taxes was the answer, the economy would be better now than it was under Clinton.

But back to the showdown…

After Boehner made his statement trying to influence the decisions being made in the Super Committee, whose job is to come up with another $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction by Thanksgiving, Senior White House officials told the Huffington Post that President Obama will veto any agreement that has only cuts in entitlement programs and no tax increase on the wealthy.

“[W]hat the president is saying is he is not doing [beneficiary reforms] if the Republicans are unwilling to ask the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share,” explained a senior administration official. “What they can’t do is send something to us with the things we propose and without the stuff on the revenue side because we will veto that.”

In a speech today, the President will also outline a proposal to ask the top 3% of millionaire Americans to contribute at the same tax rate that middle class Americans pay.

If we are to draw a conclusion from previous showdowns between the White House and the Congressional Republicans, calling this a win for the no-compromising-Republicans would not be far-fetched. However, the Super Committee’s decision is above the influence threshold of Boehner and the Republicans.

Built into the agreement to raise the debt ceiling is specific language that governs how the Super Committee functions. And part of that language states that the President maintains his veto rights and can use those rights if he disagrees with the Committee’s recommendations. But if an agreement is not reached by the members of the Committee, a trigger mechanism automatically goes into effect, cutting funds from programs both Democrats and Republicans adore.

Hmmm, maybe the President did win the debt ceiling debate after all…!

 

Categories
Chris Wallace Herman Cain Republican

Herman Cain Cannot Say If Bugs Bunny Is His Economic Adviser

Appearing on the Fox News network today, was the grandfather of pizza making and a Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain. Like you’ve probably heard in his Republican debates, Cain is pushing a 999 plan that he claims, is the missing link to cure the country’s economic woes. A plan that will introduce a flat tax rate for Corporations, individual income and national retail sales tax.

When introducing his plan, Cain said;

“It is revenue neutral, so it will raise the same amount of revenue that we’re currently collecting with this messed up tax code that is being manipulated by the politicians to pick the winners and losers.”

So naturally, knowing the names of the economists who drafted this plan would be necessary when considering the seriousness of Cain’s 999 plan. Otherwise, one could easily call it the price of a small pizza – $9.99. So Chris Wallace, the host of the Fox program Cain appeared on, asked the obvious question; could you name one economist who endorsed this plan?

Cain fumbles, then admits he did not have the authority to name names. Wallace points out that if the plan was any good, the authors would have no problem having their names associated with it, but Cain maintained his position of secrecy. He did, however, offer this at the end of the segment, “I am going to try and get my advisers to allow me to use their name.”

So until we know who created this 999 prescription for our economic perils, I’m sticking to calling it what I think it is – the price of a small pizza with extra cheese. Soda would be extra.

Categories
Politics taxes

President Obama To Introduce The “Buffett Rule” On Monday – Taxing The Rich

The New York Times is reporting a new measure by President Barack Obama called The Buffett Rule. According to the news report, President Obama will announce on Monday plans to tax millionaires at the same tax rate middle class Americans pay today.

According to the Times Report, administration officials said the plan would require those making “more than $1 million a year to ensure that they pay at least the same percentage of their earnings as middle-income taxpayers.”

Mr. Obama, in a bit of political salesmanship, will call his proposal the “Buffett Rule,” in a reference to Warren E. Buffett, the billionaire investor who has complained repeatedly that the richest Americans generally pay a smaller share of their income in federal taxes than do middle-income workers, because investment gains are taxed at a lower rate than wages.

Mr. Obama will not specify a rate or other details, and it is unclear how much revenue his plan would raise. But his idea of a millionaires’ minimum tax will be prominent in the broad plan for long-term deficit reduction that he will outline at the White House on Monday.

Although this is a great idea, suggested by many millionaires including Warren Buffett among others, there is one minor obstacle. It’s a small pledge signed by Congressional Republicans called the Grover Norquist Pledge. Republicans have promised Mr. Norquist that no matter what the situation is, no matter how much revenue the American economy needs, raising taxes would not happen.

So yes, Mr. Obama’s Buffett Plan will be a fair plan, but Grover Norquist and the Republicans will not have it.

Categories
Ohio Planned Parenthood Politics

The Teaparty Challenges John Boehner’s Seat In Ohio

Although Republican House Speaker John Boehner has lived his life according to the teachings of the Teaparty, with his no compromise, no middle class jobs, no Obama second term, ‘Yes’ to the rich stance, the Teaparty is still not happy with him. On Monday, another Teaparty member will announce his intention to run against John Boehner to represent Ohio.

Mr. David Lewis, Boehner’s next Teaparty challenger, released this statement;

“I used to believe in John Boehner until I found that his words were empty promises. In June 2010 Boehner stated, ‘When human life takes a back seat to other priorities — personal comforts, economics — freedom is diminished…we have a moral obligation to defend the defenseless. And nothing is more defenseless, or more innocent, or more pure, than an unborn baby.’ But this was not enough for Boehner; he solemnly declared, ‘There is no cause more noble than the defense of human life. There is no mission more critical. No debate more urgent.’

“In his first nine months as House Speaker, John Boehner has had several opportunities to defund the largest baby killers in America — Planned Parenthood. But Boehner caved in to Obama, and gave Planned Parenthood taxpayer’s hard earned dollars. Neither pro-lifers nor Tea Party activists should ever forgive John Boehner for lavishing our money on Planned Parenthood.

“It is clear from the facts that Planned Parenthood is not only the largest killer of unborn babies in America, but also that they have become a criminal syndicate covering up the crimes of rapists, sex traffickers, and pedophiles.

“Concerning Obamacare, John Boehner could have stopped it dead in its tracks by refusing to fund it; instead, he passed a meaningless piece of legislation to overturn Obamacare, knowing that it would be dead on arrival. Ohio voters are not stupid; time and again we see clever campaigning made of empty words and broken promises. John Boehner is the quintessential establishment insider; John Boehner is no friend of the Tea Party, and no friend of the pro-life movement, and it’s time for him to enjoy the retirement that he so richly deserves.”

Categories
Politics

Republicans Reject Jobs Bill – No Jobs For You

Back in August when President Obama announced his intentions to present a jobs bill when Congress returned from their vacation, the entire world knew that bill would be rejected by Republicans – dead on arrival. Well sadly, everyone in the world got this one right. Republicans just announced that getting Americans back to work, is not their main priority.

 House Republican leaders say they are rejecting President Barack Obama’s jobs proposals to rebuild schools and blighted neighborhoods, and help keep state and local employees on the job.

In a memo to GOP lawmakers that was also issued publicly and reprinted in The New York Times, House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and other Republican leaders also objected to the president’s proposal for a temporary reduction in payroll taxes, in order to boost consumer spending and increase demand.

The GOP leaders say such a temporary reduction means taxes will go up later when the reduction expires in 2013.

“While employees would see an additional temporary benefit from this proposal in 2012,” they wrote, “they would experience a larger effective tax increase 12 months later when the payroll tax reverted back to its full level.”

Oh really?

So Republicans have decided not to put middle class America back to work. Here are their concerns: One of the benefits of the jobs bill will be a payroll tax cut. That tax cut will temporarily reduce taxes from their current rate and is designed to trigger more hires by the private sector. After the temporary payroll tax cut expires, the rate goes back to what they are right now, not more than they are now, but the same rate you’re paying this very second.

This is what the Republicans are calling a tax hike, and this is their reason for rejecting a bill that has the potential to put millions of Americans back to work.

The politics at play here are sickening. The ideas outlined in the President’s jobs plan were previously submitted by these very same Republicans, but now, because of their agenda to make this president fail, these Republicans have decided to finish what Bin Laden started, and that’s to destroy the American economy.

Republicans, Al Qaeda, Taliban… they’re all the same to me.

Categories
Barack Obama Politics Republican United States

Debunk The Lies – Read The American Jobs Act Here

If you only listen to the conservative radio punditry or the Republicans in Congress, you will think that President Obama’s jobs proposal, also known as the American Jobs Act, is the feather that finally breaks the camel’s back.

So, to bring some clarity, we’re including the entire bill, here. See for yourself, and debunk their lies.

American Jobs Act
Categories
Arizona Democratic Politics Sarah Palin

Charles Barkley Calls Glen Rice His “Hero” For Sleeping With Sarah Palin

Charles Barkley couldn’t wait for the conversation to come up. During an on-air radio segment on ESPN Radio, the group briefly spoke about Joe McGinniss’s book, where the claim was made that Glen Rice had a one night stand with former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin.

Barkley, who has a history of looking for the most controversial thing to say about everything, put in his two cents.

“You know I have a thing for Sarah Palin, I do. I think she’s hot! I wouldn’t vote for her, but she is hot now. I’m talking both. I’ve always said, ‘I’ve got a crush on Sarah Palin.’ I would never vote for her. I always vote Democratic because I think you have a better chance of helping poor people if you vote Democratic.

But, I’ve always had a thing for Sarah Palin. When I read that… Glen Rice is my new hero! He’s my new hero. You know she just moved in my neighborhood and I haven’t had a chance to meet her. I stay in Philadelphia in the summer, and I go back to Arizona when it starts getting cold. That cold is creeping up on me. I’m talking 50 or 60 degrees. So, I’m heading back to Arizona soon and I look forward to meeting Sarah Palin. Hey listen if that story is true, more power to Glen Rice.”

Barkley sounds a little too excited about meeting Sarah now. Maybe Todd should pack up Sarah and the family and move as far away from Barkley as possible.

Categories
Politics

The Beginning Of The End For The Michele Bachmann Lies

The lies just keep coming from Michele Bachmann, but the American people haven’t really paid her any mind, because of who she is… a Republican named Michele Bachmann. But since Mrs. Bachmann announced her candidacy for the presidency, Americans are now taking note and are seeing that she is satisfied with saying whatever – lies and more lies – if she thinks it promotes her agenda at that moment.

Anderson Cooper and his panel discuss whether Michele has told her last lie. The lie at this moment, has to do with Bachmann’s claims about HPV – Human papillomavirus. 

Watch below.

Categories
Politics United States

Can President Obama Really Create Jobs?

The simple answer is, of course he can’t. And that is because we operate under a system that is governed, for the most part, by the United States Constitution.

There are specific Constitutional duties set forth for the President of the United States. Included in these duties however, are specific restrictions. According to the constitution, the President – although his office is one branch of government and is considered one of the most powerful positions in the world – cannot make legislation. Introducing bills or legislations that could eventually become law, rest solely in the hands of Congress. And more specific, any bill or legislation that has to do with finance or revenue, must begin in the House of Representatives. This too is laid out in Article 1, section 7of the Constitution, that states – All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

So what’s a president to do when government is divided, when he and his party controls the Senate and the opposing party controls the House of Representatives? What can the President do when the unemployment rate hovers around 9.1%, representing over 14 million people looking for work? What can he do when the arm of government responsible for revenue – in this case, the Republican controlled House of Representatives – refuses to do their job and is content to just watching the economy go down the toilet?

What’s a president to do? Exactly what President Obama has done.

Realizing his constitutional limits, he proposes jobs solutions and negotiates with the enemy in hopes that they will work with him in good faith to get people back to work and get the economy and country moving in the right direction again.

This President have been criticized on many occasions by members of his own party for negotiating with the enemy. They question the President’s ability to “get things done” or “fix the economy.” We have all seen the weekly, sometimes daily polls asking participants if the country is moving in the right direction, and the pundits all wonder aloud whether the President can right what is wrong, “fix the economy,” and reduce unemployment before the next election.

These questions of course, all deal with revenue, and the President’s hands are tied by a sacred document called the Constitution. His duties are specific, his restrictions are precise. And with a Republican party determined to hold the American worker hostage, we can just be thankful that the general unemployment numbers are at only 9.1%

It is time that the pundits and the American people realize what is happening. There is a Republican agenda at play here, and it is to make sure this economy fails, to bring down the middle class, and thus, to bring down this presidency.

We must realize who the responsible party is, and we must draw a clear distinction between them and the irresponsible Republicans in Congress.

Categories
Barack Obama Politics Wall Street

Chris Mathews Ask Why Business Hate President Obama?

Jim Cramer, CNBC host of Mad Money is considered one of the main voices of Wall Street. He is known as an outspoken financial expert who is not afraid to speak his mind. The financial expert went on Hardball with Chris Mathews today, and was asked one main question – why does Wall Street hate President Obama, when they are making record profits?

Cramer attempted to answer for Wall Street, stating that what investors are concerned about is that President Obama is anti-business. Shocked by Cramer’s claims, Chris Mathews points out the facts: that under President Obama, the stock market rose 31%, and Corporations have gained 88% of all income. Chris asked the question again, “Why do they hate this guy?”

Watch Cramer’s answer below.

Categories
Politics Republican Texas United States

Anderson Cooper – Keeping Them Honest – Rick Perry Edition

It been a known fact in Texas for many years –  Rick Perry does not come cheap. Even Perry himself alluded to his price tag when he said in the recent Republican debate that $5000 would not be enough to buy him. He said, “if you’re saying I can be bought for $5,000, I’m offended.”

But in a pay to play system, Rick Perry kept getting the finances he needed to get re-elected. So the real questions started being asked, and Perry’s own Republican contender for the presidency brought the main question to light. Michele Bachmann questioned Perry’s decision to require all girls in Texas to get a vaccine for HPV… a vaccine created by one of his biggest financial supporters.

Anderson Cooper of CNN’s AC360 took a deeper look into Perry’s pockets.

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