I just dont get it

[RIJIMMY]

He had over a year to work on this. there are no follow up meetings scheduled to work this out. He is going on a publicity campaign?
There are no elections for 2 years, this needs to be worked out in DAYS. Please tell me how this guys is a leader of this country. I feel like Im in a bad dream.

Washington (CNN) -- It helped get him re-elected, so President Barack Obama is again employing campaign-style tactics to increase pressure on congressional Republicans to compromise to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

Failure to reach a deal means tax increases and deep spending cuts take effect in five weeks, a scenario analysts fear could push the country back into recession.

While aides on both sides have been talking, no follow-up meeting between Obama and congressional leaders has been scheduled after their initial post-election discussion on November 16.

Instead, Obama met Tuesday with small business owners, the first in a series of events this week intended to highlight his push for raising taxes on the wealthiest 2% of Americans while maintaining current rates for everyone else.

[striperman36]

He's trying the Reagan to the people approach.

[RIJIMMY]

the people dont matter at this point, a solution does.

[Jim in CT]

It's also been amazing to me, how much energy Obama puts into his notion of increasing the taxes on those making more than $250,000. Obama is obsessed with this. Yet, the CBO says the revenue from those tax hikes will pay for - wait for it - NINE DAYS of federal spending. Nine days. Problem solved??

The GOP should just let him do it, and when absolutely nothing improves as a result, we can say "I told you so. Now let's talk about what will actually address our problems."

Republicans say raising tax rates alone will hardly put dent in budget, deficit | Fox News

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

It's also been amazing to me, how much energy Obama puts into his notion of increasing the taxes on those making more than $250,000. Obama is obsessed with this. Yet, the CBO says the revenue from those tax hikes will pay for - wait for it - NINE DAYS of federal spending. Nine days. Problem solved??

The GOP should just let him do it, and when absolutely nothing improves as a result, we can say "I told you so. Now let's talk about what will actually address our problems."

Republicans say raising tax rates alone will hardly put dent in budget, deficit | Fox News

Has Pres. Obama's said that he only will agree to raising taxes and not cutting spending?

[buckman]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Has Pres. Obama's said that he only will agree to raising taxes and not cutting spending?

He will have to make 12$ in cuts for every dollar confiscated from people and couples making 250k or better just to not increase the deficit
When has giving the government more money ever improved anything ???
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by buckman

He will have to make 12$ in cuts for every dollar confiscated from people and couples making 250k or better just to not increase the deficit
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Correct. These tax hikes will account for about 1/12th of this year's deficit. They will not provide for one cent to pay down th eexisting debt. If these tax hikes were 12 times higher that what he is proposing, it would still go towards reducing next year's deficit, not one cent would be left over to pay down the existing debt.

It's meaningless. It sounds great, because Obama can tell his base that he's taxing those who can afford it. But it has no meaningful impact. None whatsoever.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Has Pres. Obama's said that he only will agree to raising taxes and not cutting spending?

A fair and important question...

Obama is spending an incredible amount of time talking about these tax hikes for "rich people". The tax hikes are meaningless, they will have no impact, and Obama knows this. Not nearly enough impact to justify the amount of energy we dedicate to discussing them. And Obama does demonize those who oppose those tax hikes. And that's dishonest. My opposition to those tax hikes doesn't stem from the fact that I hate poor people, it stems from the fact that we need tens of trillions of dollars in relief, not $80 billion.

Second, Obama hasn't proposed any significant, specific, spending cuts - his most specific idea, as we all know, is the tax hikes. OK, so what will Obama cut? We don't know. But yet again, that doesn't stop Obama (and many liberals) from attacking guys like Paul Ryan who have the integrity to propose significant, specific cuts.

Paul, the math clearly shows that we cannot begin to get out of this mess with tax hikes - do you agree or disagree with that? I answered your question, perhaps you could shoe me the same courtesy.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Paul, the math clearly shows that we cannot begin to get out of this mess with tax hikes - do you agree or disagree with that? I answered your question, perhaps you could show me the same courtesy.

I totally agree w/your statement and have stated so before. I thought when they had the "great compromise" months ago, the Dems. agreed to $10 of cuts for every $1 increase in revenue. Buckmans says $12 - either # shows that Pres. Obama doesn't believe tax increases alone will solve anything.

It is going to take many, many changes to our current budget, policies, etc. to get to where we have to be. Tax hikes are a small part. However, you don't not do something b/c it won't get you all the way to where you have to end up.

PS - I changed a typo when I quoted your question so as to not make people on the site call you out for a simple typo.

[ecduzitgood]

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance baffle them with BS.

[ecduzitgood]

It's not the do what is best for the country mentality, it's what's best for the party mentality. How else can entitlements and amnesty be explained.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

It's not the do what is best for the country mentality, it's what's best for the party mentality. How else can entitlements and amnesty be explained.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Imho, it's what's best for HIS mentality and the socialstic agenda he brought with him.

Look at his past history, before he ran, and you will see that a leopard dosen't
change his spots.He still has a lot of sheeple buffaloed.

He insists on taxing the rich, which would bring in an estimated $68 billion, against an expected 16.3 trillion $ debt, and won't entertain entitlement or spending cuts. All points to mediocracy and socialism.

[PaulS]

What is the process for negotiating? Are they currently doing that and if so, who?

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by PaulS

What is the process for negotiating? Are they currently doing that and if so, who?

While aides on both sides have been talking, no follow-up meeting between Obama and congressional leaders has been scheduled after their initial post-election discussion on November 16.

I'd get fired if I worked like this.

[striperman36]

Or he's waiting for the republicans to cave

[RIJIMMY]

lets be clear as I know the media will confuse this as will 99% of Americans. The fiscal cliff is a reality, The one and only item on the table right now is the senate proposal to reinstate the Bush tax cuts for people less than 200/250k. that is the only thing the house republicans are being pressured to pass. This does not avoid the fiscal cliff, does not solve the budget or defecit. Its on item. period. please obama supporters, tell me what your leader is doing in this time of national crisis?

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

lets be clear as I know the media will confuse this as will 99% of Americans. The fiscal cliff is a reality, The one and only item on the table right now is the senate proposal to reinstate the Bush tax cuts for people less than 200/250k. that is the only thing the house republicans are being pressured to pass. This does not avoid the fiscal cliff, does not solve the budget or defecit. Its on item. period. please obama supporters, tell me what your leader is doing in this time of national crisis?

please see below. Im not nuts.

Senate Passes Tax Measure With Election in Mind - NYTimes.com

[PaulS]

Predictable - and sad.

[striperman36]

Talking to children

[PaulS]

Some people shouldn't have children as they'll grow up as petty as them

[RIJIMMY]

lets see how the negotiatons are going.....from today's news:

President Barack Obama on Friday toured a Pennsylvania toy factory that's churning out would-be holiday gifts, warning of a "Scrooge" Christmas if Congress does not pass legislation extending tax cuts for 98% of Americans.

In Washington, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, warned of an impasse a month before the "fiscal cliff" package of automatic tax increases and spending cuts is set to take effect -- to the detriment of the nation's fragile economic recovery, many economists warn.

Not on that list are House Republicans, whom Obama accused of holding "hostage" legislation that would keep tax rates lower for most Americans because insistence that taxes not go up for anyone.

"That doesn't make sense," he said.

The president urged Americans to flood House Republicans with calls, letters and social networking messages, demanding that they pass the Senate bill.

Obama's remarks came a day after the administration unveiled details of a comprehensive package, widely rejected by Republicans, to avert the looming "fiscal cliff"

Obama's proposal calls for $1.6 trillion in new taxes, including higher tax rates on families making more than $250,000.

Obama also wants to close loopholes, limit deductions, raise the estate tax rate to 2009 levels and increase taxes on capital gains and dividend taxes.

The proposal also calls for additional spending, including a new $50 billion stimulus package, a home mortgage refinancing plan, and an extension of unemployment insurance benefits. It would also extend the payroll tax cut passed early in Obama's administration to give taxpayers more money to spend.

In return, multiple sources told CNN that Obama is offering $400 billion in new cuts to Medicare and other entitlement programs. Specifics would be decided next year, the sources said.Boehner characterized Obama's proposal for spending cuts as a trifle, calling for "a little, not even $400 billion" in cuts to the $3.8 trillion federal budget.

so the Obama plan - we'll raise taxes and cut some stuff but we wont tell you what we'll cut until next year.

You cant make this up!

[buckman]

Jesus!!! How many times are we going to count the same 400 billion in Medicare cuts that will never happen!!!!
We aready cut that for Obama Care.
It's like claiming we will save a trillion from the war .
Go on vacation you fraud and take your sideshow with you
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[spence]

I love it. Obama is putting the screws to the House GOP and you guys can't even understand what's happening.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by spence

I love it. Obama is putting the screws to the House GOP and you guys can't even understand what's happening.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

oh, I get it Spence and I'm glad you love it.. The only outcome will be raising taxes and nothing else. He is further dividing the country and using the fiscal cliff to pursue a tax and spend liberal agenda and avoiding any serious cuts or solving our nations problems. What a hoot! Playing politics while our country spends out of control. That Obama, the worlds most interesting man!

[RIJIMMY]

Enjoy your America! Its coming and Obama is leading the way!

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

you guys can't even understand what's happening.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Maybe the arrogant elitist could explain it to us neanderthals?

[Piscator]

Originally Posted by spence

I love it. Obama is putting the screws to the House GOP and you guys can't even understand what's happening.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

You love it?

Great post Spence, keep up the good work.....................glad your guy is working accross party lines like he promised and "putting the screws" to the GOP. You're proud of that? Really shows some true colors.......
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[spence]

Originally Posted by Piscator

You love it?

Great post Spence, keep up the good work.....................glad your guy is working accross party lines like he promised and "putting the screws" to the GOP. You're proud of that? Really shows some true colors.......
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Because the GOP is out for the best interests of the Country? You're not that naive are you?

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

Because the GOP is out for the best interests of the Country? You're not that naive are you?

Which party is proposing to address the actual problem that we are facing?

The GOP says they want to cut spending, and they are willing to talk about tax hikes as part of a compromise.

Obama's proposal calls for higher taxes, more spending, no significant cuts, and gives him unilateral authority to increase the debt ceiling, suggesting he plans on increasing the debt more and more.

Spence, you tell us, who is looking out for the best interests of the country?

Oh, and PS...Obama goes on a $4 million vacation at our expense? Four million dollars on a vacation? At this time, in this economy?

Spence, please don't hoard all of your genius to yourself. Share it with us, enlighten us, tell us how that proposal is in the best interests of the country?

I'm all ears...

[Piscator]

Originally Posted by spence

Because the GOP is out for the best interests of the Country? You're not that naive are you?

If being against increased government spending, higher taxation and contiued borrowing for a country that is broke, than I guess I'm naive.
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