2 of the scariest stories I've ever read

[Dybber]

These are two stories I came across today and to me they are about the scariest things I've heard. Just figured I'd put them in one thread.

Obama's opening fiscal cliff bid seeks debt limit hike, stimulus


And

Democratic Rep: Amend Constitution To Allow Control Of Speech « CBS Atlanta

 

[spearheadersarge]

The Dems and the Pres have gone off the deep end! It is as if they are still in control of all three branches of govt and will do as they please. There is no negitiation in their fiscal cliff plan. They haven't mention cutting one red penny, but are asking for higher taxes, more stimulous spending and executive power to raise the debt limit at will. It is tax and spend run amok!! The Repubs need to walk away and let Obama figure out how he is gonna pay the country's bills when they run out of money at the end of December! The Pres is out campaigning again! That is all he knows!!! Keep spending, keep borrowing, keep up the class warfare and then blame the other party!!!

 

[jrogers]

The Repubs need to walk away

They are. They are throwing a tantrum that the opposition won't simply give up and refusing to participate in any meaningful way. Note: grandstanding speeches that call a perfectly reasonable opening proposal "not serious" are not meaningful participation.

keep up the class warfare

Eliminate or drastically reduce programs for the poor: Sound fiscal policy.
Slightly increase taxes on the wealthy: Class warfare!

 

[John Galt]

They are. They are throwing a tantrum that the opposition won't simply give up and refusing to participate in any meaningful way. Note: grandstanding speeches that call a perfectly reasonable opening proposal "not serious" are not meaningful participation.



Eliminate or drastically reduce programs for the poor: Sound fiscal policy.
Slightly increase taxes on the wealthy: Class warfare!

Where's Obama right now during this time? What perfectly reasonable opening statement are you referring to?

 

[kenjb]

They are. They are throwing a tantrum that the opposition won't simply give up and refusing to participate in any meaningful way. Note: grandstanding speeches that call a perfectly reasonable opening proposal "not serious" are not meaningful participation.


Eliminate or drastically reduce programs for the poor: Sound fiscal policy.
Slightly increase taxes on the wealthy: Class warfare!

OK, suppose they do "slightly increase taxes on the wealthy". It'll bring in some $82bil, one time only. Where do we get the other $1tril to "balance" the budget? Print it? Hah! There has to be some serious and deep spending cuts or we will never make it. Nobody in Congress has the cojones to do what it takes. And the Annointed One just doesn't care.

 

[jrogers]

Where's Obama right now during this time? What perfectly reasonable opening statement are you referring to?

Look, at some point you have to poke your head out of the gulch and pay attention to the news. The quote I provided should have made this trivial, but since you're not willing to put forth the effort I'll help you this once. As I don't personally benefit from this, think of this as a gesture in the spirit of collectivism.

 

[danbb]

The only problem with the president's plan is that we don't have a revenue problem. IT'S THE SPENDING. The president's plan to raise revenue is not serious because it's addressing a non issue. It's like going to the ER with both cancer and a cold, and the doctor telling you to just take NyQuil and everything will be good, I don't think any of us would take that seriously. Entitlement reform. That is all.

 

[HavokCycle]

this will happen. they've already speculated obama will rackup another 8-9 trillion in the next four, provided our current economy can take it.
face facts, we're truly headed for communism.

so now what do we do?

 

[spearheadersarge]

The Bush tax cuts can expire, fine. The tax holiday can expire, fine. What can not happen is the giving over of the debt cieling conrol to the executive branch. With this President, that is a disaster in the making! Obama has no fiscal resrtaint. He has shown he is more than willing to rack up huge debts. He has expanded federal spending to around 25% of GDP when the norm is around 18%! What has changed in this country the past 4 years to justify it? Nothing! That is all!!!

 

[ATOMonkey]

The Bush tax cuts can expire, fine. The tax holiday can expire, fine. What can not happen is the giving over of the debt cieling conrol to the executive branch. With this President, that is a disaster in the making! Obama has no fiscal resrtaint. He has shown he is more than willing to rack up huge debts. He has expanded federal spending to around 25% of GDP when the norm is around 18%! What has changed in this country the past 4 years to justify it? Nothing! That is all!!!

I don't understand the practical difference between Congress raising the debt ceiling every time vs. the executive raising the debt ceiling every time.

Perhaps if congress had ever denied raising it in the past, it might mean something.

 

[rambone]

I don't understand the practical difference between Congress raising the debt ceiling every time vs. the executive raising the debt ceiling every time.

Perhaps if congress had ever denied raising it in the past, it might mean something.

Yeah, the only practical difference is that there is a tiny outcry whenever the ceiling is raised, and we can easily identify the turds who were complicit in raising it.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Yeah, the only practical difference is that there is a tiny outcry whenever the ceiling is raised, and we can easily identify the turds who were complicit in raising it.

Now all we need to do is figure out a way to flush them.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Now all we need to do is figure out a way to flush them.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Like anyone is going to do that. Do you remember the wailing and gnashing of teeth the last time congress threatened a gooberment shutdown?

The only people in favor of NOT raising the debt were "those crazy libertarian anarchists."

Republicans lined up to raise the ceiling to "save military families."

Democrats lined up to raise it to "save the poor and helpless."

We hit the ceiling, they raise it, they spend more, they hit the ceiling, they raise it, they spend more, they hit the ceiling, they raise it, ad infinitum...

 

[Dybber]

To me the difference is that if congress votes to raise the debt ceiling it's 435 people voting for it. That decision should not be left to one man to be able to raise it whenever he wants....republican or democrat. It should be a checks and balances thing. Then what's next that the president could make the sole decision and bypass congress? I'm sure the debt limit would not be the only thing he would try to gain complete control of.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Here is an interesting tid-bit of info to ponder.

If a member of Congress is only making the typical rank and file salary, and nothting else, they would technically be in the < $250k tax bracket.

US Congress Salaries and Benefits

What we know, however, is that many have other income streams such as personal business and investments, and would most likely be above the $250k bracket.

The median personal wealth for members of Congress grew to $911,510 in 2009, up from $785,515 in 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Nearly half of the members of Congress are millionaires.

Wealthiest Members of Congress - List of the 10 Wealthiest Members of Congress


So...is a vote to let the tax cuts expire and thus "raise" taxes on the wealthy really a vote to raise their own taxes, or is it a cut to their ability to deduct from their taxes?


Discuss.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Since congress critters are exempt from "insider trading" I don't think they'll really care.

Also, I'm sure they'll write in more deductions and credits to cover any that they close.

Congress will never vote a rod against itself.