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Originally Posted by justplugit
No hate here for the man, just disdain for his agenda and policies.
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Was speaking to the bugger...
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Just what is Obama's plan for the mess and where are his numbers?
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I believe Obama has endorsed the bi-partisan debt commission recommendations. While they're attacking Carney for not outlining an "Obama Plan" I'm not sure it makes any sense the Administration to do so. Obama has already given consent to very deep spending cuts in exchange for increase revenues. The Tea Party faction of the GOP has got our economy by the balls and even the House Leader can't control the situation.
Boehner misses cuts target, delays deficit vote - politics - Capitol Hill - msnbc.com
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Imho, as a leader he needs to step up, see the reality of the fact we're broke, stop spending, put a cap on the current budget make sacrifices now, rather then trying to look good for 2012. That's what a true leader would do wether it's popular or not.
He needs to ask himself, ask not what his country can do for him,
but what is best for the country, and more spending is not.
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I think this is exactly the point, and why Obama has called for spending cuts along with increases in tax revenues.
Given our situation we need to look at EVERY avenue available to get on a sustainable trajectory. House freshman who all signed "no tax" pledges to gain early party backing are in my opinion taking an position that threatens our national security. For more senior House and Senate leadership to be opposing any revenue increases as a matter of principal should go back to their own voting records which document how they've contributed to the deficits we are now facing!
Hell, even Reagan increased taxes 16 times during his presidency in an attempt to offset excessive spending. This fact seems to get lost when the Right likes to proclaim he brought about the growth of the 1990's. Note: It was probably more a product of low oil prices and the invention of the Personal Computer
We can't solve this problem through spending cuts alone, and contrary to the assertion that the Bush Tax Cuts increased revenues...well, I think there plenty of analysis that shows they didn't.
FactCheck.org: Supply-side Spin
Bush Administration Tax Policy: Effects on Long-Term Growth - Brookings Institution
Etc...
And tragically, we also know that the mid-decade boom from 2003-2008 was being driven not by stable growth but rather a real estate bubble about to pop.
Reality check...
Real wages continue to lag inflation for several decades now. Wealth generation appears to be more a product of speculation than productivity in the marketplace. Overall taxation in this country is at an historic low and effective tax rates allow the top earners to pay far below the top brackets while they bemoan progressive taxation (Warren Buffett excluded
). The wealth gap continues to grow. We have 15 trillion USD in Federal debt...and the topic of short-term revenue generation through taxation is OFF THE TABLE?
If I had a friend in a similar situation I'd tell them to stop going to Starbucks every morning and get a second job.
I'd love for us to spend less and tax less, I'd also like every day to be Christmas, but there's
the way it ought to be and then the way it is.
-spence