Category: Politics

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China democrats Politics washington

China State Media Calls Washington “Irresponsible”

China is speaking out, and it’s apparently not happy. As the world sits on pins and needles, watching the unnecessary man-made crisis going on in Washington in reference to raising the debt ceiling, China, the biggest “investor” in the United States economy, is voicing their displeasure, calling Washington’s antics “political brinkmanship” and “dangerously irresponsible.”

The piece was written by the government controlled, Chinese State Media, and is attributed to Xinhua, and written by Deng Yushan.

As the Aug. 2 deadline approaches for Washington to raise its borrowing limit and avoid a catastrophic debt default, deeply divided U.S. politicians remain stubbornly engaged in what is widely seen as a game of chicken.

Given the United States’ status as the world’s largest economy and the issuer of the dominant international reserve currency, such political brinkmanship in Washington is dangerously irresponsible, for it risks, among other consequences, strangling the still fragile economic recovery of not only the United States but also the world as a whole.

Analysts worldwide have already painted a grim picture. Although an exact outcome of a Washington unable to pay its bills is yet to be known, they warn that a U.S. default would trigger massive repercussions throughout global financial markets.

The piece also laments the reality of divided government in America, and refers to the “donkey and the elephant,” saying,

It is arguably true that the ongoing tug of war in Washington is Uncle Sam’s own business, as the United States has not yet defaulted on its debt. However, the ugliest part of the saga is that the well-being of many other countries is also in the impact zone when the donkey and the elephant fight. The potential collateral damage is way too heavy.

With leadership comes responsibility. It is unfortunate and disappointing that when political leaders in Washington spar over who is doing good for their country, they take little account of the world’s economic soundness.

With less than 3 days before the August 2nd deadline, negotiations are ongoing. The plan that is drawing the most attention now is the Reid Plan, that calls for Zero revenue and $2.4 trillion in spending cuts. The point of contention between Democrats and Republicans now is the timing and a Constitutional amendment. Democrats want the debt ceiling to be raised past the next election in November 2012, while Republicans want it raised for a few months. Republicans are also trying to get a “balance budget amendment” added to the constitution – a measure being pushed by the Teaparty.

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Democratic Mitch McConnell Politics Republican

McConnell Signals President Will Give Up More For A Deal

We’ll hope not, but hearing McConnell’s statement today, and seeing his jubilant mannerism is telling. The message I gather from his and Boehner’s press conference is that the President and Democratic Congressional members are beginning to give up even more to the Republican minority.

The press conference happened about 3:45PM today, and it featured Boehner and McConnell making a brief statement about their commitment on ‘no compromise’. But when McConnell took the podium, he broke the news that he’d been talking to President Obama “within the past hour.”

Of course, that could be a  good thing, but when McConnell, in the midst of telling reporters how strongly he feels about holding his ground and criticizing the plan the Democrats have brought forward, then says he has spoken to the President and is “optimistic” that a deal is going to happen real soon, it is hard not to think the President is again, going to yield to the minority demands.

Meanwhile, news broke that the President summoned Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid and Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to the White House for a private meeting.

With 3 days left before a deal is reached, we will find out exactly what McConnell knows about this “deal” that’s making him so happy.

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Politics troops

Mike Mullen Cannot Guarantee Soldiers Pay If Republican Block Party Wins

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told our troops in Afghanistan that if the stalemate in Washington is not resolved before the August 2nd deadline, then he cannot guarantee they will continue getting their paychecks.

“I’d like to give you a better answer than that right now, I just honestly don’t know,” he said, when confronted with questions about Washington’s inability to do what they have done many times in the past – raising the debt ceiling. And knowing that these troops depends on their paycheck to help families back home, Mike Mullen spoke about the consequence of a default, saying, ” if paychecks were to stop, it would have a devastating impact.”

The United States will have $172 billion of revenue between August 3 and August 31. If Congress is not able to raise the debt ceiling from $14.3 trillion, the revenue on hand will not be able to pay our past bills and meet our present obligations to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, defense, interest on the debt, vendor payments, Labor, Commerce and unemployment insurance among others.

It is a sad state of affairs to have soldiers, fighting and risking their lives to maintain the security of this nation, worry about whether they will get a paycheck for their families at home.

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Barack Obama Politics washington weekly address

President Obama To Congress – Get Your House In Order

With the August 2nd deadline quickly approaching, President Obama used his weekly address to urge Washington to “get your house in order.” In conveying this message, the President quoted a letter from Kelly Smith, a concerned individual who wrote to congress, saying;

I keep my home clean. I work hard at a full time job, give my parents any money as I can so that they could afford their medications, I pay my bills and by all appearances, I’m a responsible person. All I’m asking is that you be responsible. I have my house in order, and all I’m asking is that you get yours the same way.

The President ended his message by calling for both parties to compromise and get the debt ceiling raised, saying;

All of us, including Republicans in the House of Representatives, need to demonstrate the same kind of responsibility that the American people show everyday. The time for putting party first is over. The time for compromise on behalf of the American people is now.

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New York Politics

Circus Clown Rick Perry Does His Juggling Act On Gay Marriage

It is so confusing working in a circus. For Texas governor, and possibly another Republican savior for the 2012 Presidential election, Rick Perry keeps dropping the balls as he juggles his statements. Today, he says one thing, tomorrow, it’s a different story.

Forgetting his previous statement that he agreed with New York’s decision to allow gay marriages, Mr. Perry suddenly remembered that he may run for president, and would need the votes of the Christian Conservatives. In his interview with Family Research Council’s president, Perry did try to juggle, but he just couldn’t keep all his balls up in the air:

After initially telling reporters that it’s “fine with me” if states like New York legalize same-sex unions through their own legislature, Perry is pulling a 180 and calling for a Federal Marriage Amendment…

“I probably needed to add a few words after that ‘it’s fine with me’ and that it’s fine with me that a state is using their sovereign rights to decide an issue,” he said. “Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me. My stance hasn’t changed.”

Perry said he supported changing the Constitution in order to ban gay marriage, a position that he characterized as supportive of states’ rights even as it would overrule New York’s own decision on the matter.

These people will say and do anything to get a potential vote, but once in office, their Corporate masters dictate the policies.

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Politics Republican

Tell Eric Cantor To Work For Ordinary Americans – Ad

A progressive group has began targeting certain members of the Republican Party who stand in the way of raising the nation’s debt ceiling.

Below is the ad being run in Eric Cantor’s district. Good stuff!

If Congress doesn’t act by Tuesday, America won’t be able to pay all of its bills,” says the narrator in the ads. “Social Security checks, veterans benefits, military pay –all could be at risk –because Congressman Eric Cantor and congressional Republicans want to protect tax breaks for millionaires, oil companies and corporate jets. So if the check you, or your family, depends on doesn’t arrive –thank Congressman Cantor. Tell Congressman Cantor to stop holding the interests of ordinary Americans hostage.

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Barack Obama child support Politics

Teaparty Congressman Joe Walsh Owes 9 Years Of Child Support

Who said this:

 “President Obama, quit lying. Have you no shame, sir? In three short years, you’ve bankrupted this country.”

If you answered Joe Walsh, you’d be correct! Based on that statement, it would seem that Joe Walsh, a Teaparty Congressman serving his first term in the House of Representatives, is all for fiscal responsibility, you know, paying his bills on time and living within his means, as is preached by the Teaparty.

But according to reports from The Chicago Sun-Times, Joe is a little too conservative with his money, one might even call him cheap. How cheap is this congressman who accused President Obama of  “having no shame”? Walsh owes more than $117,437.00 in child support dating back some 9 years. Have you no shame, sir?

Before getting elected, he had told Laura Walsh that because he was out of work or between jobs, he could not make child support payments. So she was surprised to read in his congressional campaign disclosures that he was earning enough money to loan his campaign $35,000.

“Joe personally loaned his campaign $35,000, which, given that he failed to make any child support payments to Laura because he ‘had no money’ is surprising,” Laura Walsh’s attorneys wrote in a motion filed in December seeking $117,437 in back child support and interest. “Joe has paid himself back at least $14,200 for the loans he gave himself.”

Let’s here what else the morally sophisticated Walsh had to say about the President. In a video message to Mr. Obama, Walsh said this;

“I won’t place one more dollar of debt upon the backs of my kids and grandkids unless we structurally reform the way this town spends money!”

Well, at least he is looking out for his kids. Walsh is already placing $117,437 dollars of debt on them. One more dollar from the president will just be wickedness.

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Politics

Democrats To Obama – Use The 14th Amendment

With the Republican induced stalemate going down in Washington about whether or not to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, Democrat are slowly beginning to familiarize themselves with the Constitution, specifically the 14th Amendment. And although President Obama and his White House lawyers seem to think that option is off the table, even former president Bill Clinton has weighed in, advising Mr. Obama to invoke the 14th Amendment and worry about the consequences later.

And now, other congressional Democrats are making their voices heard. John Larson, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, told reporters, “We’re getting down to decision time. We have to have a fail-safe mechanism. We believe that fail-safe mechanism is the 14th Amendment and the president of the United States.”

Larson and others explained that they only think Obama should invoke the 14th Amendment if he’s presented with an unacceptable debt-ceiling plan–one that includes a short-term hike in the debt ceiling and that will extend the economic uncertainty now hanging over the country.

“The Republicans have taken us into the twilight zone,” said Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif, the caucus vice chairman. “We’ve never been here before.

“What we’re saying to the president is… ‘The Republicans, through their failure, have given you license to do whatever it takes to not let the American family go down into that abyss,” he added.

The House Democrats’ decision to highlight the constitutional option comes as the gridlock in Congress seemed to intensify over the last 24 hours.

The 14th amendment states that “validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payments of pensions and bounties in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.”

With the present gridlock in Washington between Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats trying to raise the debt ceiling to pay the nation’s debts and Republicans apparently pretending that there is no debt, the choice seems clear – if we claim to follow the Constitution, then we must realize that it states that Congress is required to authorize the public debt. Why then, do we question its validity?

Pay the bills, and move on something more important, like job creation for the millions of unemployed!

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Donald Trump Donald Trump Politics Republican

Trump To Republicans – Let The Nation Go Into Default

Donald Trump just wont go away quietly. In order to make himself seem relevant still, The Donald had a little advice for the Republicans in Congress trying to negotiate a plan with the President to raise the debt ceiling. What was Mr. Hairpiece’s advice? Don’t compromise, do not make any deals. Let the nation go into default!

Donald Trump is willing to watch America lose its triple A ratings, to allow our economy and possibly the world’s economy to spiral out of control. Why? Because that way, President Obama would not be re-elected. The Donald had this to say on Fox and Friends;

“Frankly the Republicans would be crazy unless they get 100 percent of the deal that they want right now to make any deal. If this happens, for instance if this stuff is going on prior to an election, he can’t get reelected. He possibly can’t get elected anyway … The fact is, unless the Republicans get 100% of what they want, and that may include getting rid of Obamacare, which is a total disaster, then they should not make a deal other than a minor extension which would take you before the election which would ensure Obama doesn’t get elected, which would be a great thing.”

When the show’s host told him of a poll that shows Americans would blame Republicans if the nation defaults, Trump added this little nugget;

“I don’t care about polls! When it comes time to default, they’re not going to remember any of the Republicans’ names. They are going to remember in history books one name, and that’s Obama.”

They just don’t know when to stop the politics and do what’s best for the country.

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Barack Obama Politics Republican Steve King

Republicans Suggest Impeaching Obama If Nation Defaults

President Obama has tried just about every conceivable angle, to convince these Republicans that a “balanced approach” is what’s needed to address the nation’s debt. That balanced approach being, spending cuts plus raising revenue. But Republicans have been defiant. They have maintained their original “no compromise” position on allowing some of the loopholes for the wealthy to end, and in effect, kept the stalemate going on how the debt ceiling should be raised.

And now this… Republican Steve King of Iowa, has turned the tables on the President. King is now suggesting that President Obama should be impeached if the nation defaults. Let that marinate!

So Republicans have refused to work with the President and Democrats on any plausible solution towards avoiding a default, but at the same time, they’re now calling for the President’s impeachment if we do?

Picture this:

The ship called The Economy just sank, and Republicans are safely in the only life boat. President Obama is in the water trying to save as many as he can. Both his hands are already full, but there’s still more to be saved. He turns to the Republicans and asks for their help…and they throw him an anvil.

Then from within the safe confines of the life boat, Steve King shouts out, ” and make sure you save everybody… and don’t let that anvil sink!”

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Barack Obama George Bush Politics

Bush Vs. Obama – Who Spent The Most

President Obama and former President George W. Bush at the dedication of the George W. Bush library in Dallas.

A new report from the New York Times attempts to answer the questions – how did our economy get to this point? And where did this massive deficit come from? The report took the spending habits of the last president, and compared them to those of President Obama, from his inauguration in 2009 and projected through 2017, and interestingly, despite what Republicans and Conservatives think, George Bush still out-spent Barack Obama by more than 2 to 1.

When President Clinton left office in 2001, George Bush inherited a surplus, one that was projected to be over a trillion dollars for the next decade if the Clinton policies remained in effect. The chart below, which took information from The Congressional Budget Office and The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, tells the story of George Bush and his spending ways, and how he turned a surplus into a deficit beginning in 2002, and how that deficit grew each year until he left office in 2009.

  • The Bush wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with Defense – $1.5 Trillion added to the deficit.
  • The Bush Tax Cuts – $1.8 Trillion added to the deficit.
  • Non-Defense Discretionary spending under George Bush – $608 Billion added to the deficit.
  • Bush Tarp and other Bailouts – $224 Billion added to the deficit.
  • Bush’s Medicare Drug Policies – $180 Billion added to the deficit.
  • Bush’s Stimulus and other spending – $773 Billion added to the deficit.

All in all, George Bush took an actual surplus of $127 billion in 2001 and turned it into a deficit of $319 billion in 2005. His total in new spending equaled over $5 trillion. This figure dwarfs the $1.44 trillion in new spending President Obama is expected to make through two terms ending in 2017.
It should be noted that the biggest spending spree George Bush and the Republicans went on, according to these figures from the Congressional Budget Office, was the Bush Tax Cuts. The New York Times report puts it this way; “If all of them [Bush Tax Cuts] expired as scheduled at the end of 2012, future deficits would be cut by about half, to sustainable levels”.
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Barack Obama Politics Ronald Reagan

It’s Time. Everyone Must Pay Their Fair Share

We all know the importance of America meeting her financial obligations and the global impact if Washington cannot or will not come together and figure out a way to get the debt ceiling raised. Over 200 world renowned economists recently wrote a letter to congress advising, no, demanding that the debt ceiling be raised and raised ASAP.

And while Republicans have steadfastly held their ground and insist that no new revenue be part of any debt ceiling debate, what exactly did their leader, Ronald Reagan, have to say about this very issue the many times America’s debt stared him in the face? On August 11th 1982, in Billings Montana, Ronald Reagan spoke to the crowed and explained the necessity of tax hikes on the wealthy by posing this question;

“Would you rather reduce deficits and interest rates by raising revenue from those who are not now paying their fair share, or would you rather accept larger budget deficits, higher interest rates, and higher unemployment?”

Reagan went on and raised the debt ceiling 18 times throughout his presidency.

Yes, everyone in these debates seem to believe that raising the debt ceiling to pay our bills is necessary. But the Republicans’ position that it must only be done through spending cuts with no new revenue is not only wrong, it’s immoral.

The millionaires and billionaires in this country owe a large portion of their wealth to the policies of this nation. The freedom of our government to empower an individual to be creative, to have and allow an idea to blossom into a product or service that benefits the masses. Whether it’s through subsidies, loopholes or legislative laws, these various provisions by the government increases the profit margin.

This is the reason we are considered the greatest nation on earth – we are free to dream and be innovative. And we are encouraged by these policies and the prospects of huge profits, to use the American capitalistic system to make our dreams come true. It is therefore, necessary that in this time of economic uncertainty, everyone – especially the rich – contribute to America’s recovery. This is not the time for more hand-outs. Sitting back while the poor and middle class bear the load of this economy is not the patriotic thing to do. It is wrong, and this type of mentality does a great disservice to the nation.

The choice is clear to all who are honest with themselves. Would we rather larger budget deficits, higher interest rates and unemployment, or should we demand that the millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share to the country that is partly responsible for their acquired wealth?

It’s time to close these loopholes, it’s time to end these unnecessary subsidies, it’s time that everyone contribute to this nation’s recovery.

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