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November 30th, 2010
12:19 PM ET
Obama may delay Hawaiian vacation over tax fightWASHINGTON - CNN has learned that President Obama is privately considering at least a short delay to the start of his holiday vacation in Hawaii in order to try to work out a deal with Congressional Republicans on the Bush tax cuts that expire Dec. 31. Two senior administration officials tell CNN the White House has been getting signals that the lame duck session of Congress could drag on past Saturday Dec. 18 when the President was scheduled to depart for Hawaii and that Obama has privately said he is willing to stay in Washington until Christmas Eve if necessary in order to finish the contentious debate over taxes. But senior Republican aides scoffed at the idea that a tax cut deal could not be worked out before Dec. 17, suggesting that perhaps the White House talk of a vacation delay may just be a negotiating ploy to push Republicans into a quick compromise since they have vacations waiting for them as well. "There is absolutely no need for that," a senior Republican aide said of a possible delay in an end to the lame-duck session. "Once they make a decision, it's done in a couple days. I hope it doesn't take the Democrats until Christmas to make up their minds." At issue is whether the current tax rates should be extended for just middle-class families earning $250,000 or under per year, or whether they should be extended to include wealthy Americans earning above $250,000 a year. Back in the midterm election, Republicans hammered the message that failing to extend the Bush tax rates for wealthy Americans would result in a tax hike that will hamper the already-slow economic recovery. Obama staked out the position that only the middle class tax rates should be extended because extending tax cuts will result in a huge drain on the federal treasury. "The last thing we can afford to do right now is raise taxes on middle-class families," Obama said at an event in Kokomo, Indiana on Nov. 23. "If we allow these taxes to go up, the result would be that a lot of people most likely would spend less, and that means that the economy would grow less. So we ought to resolve this issue in the next couple of weeks so you've got the assurance that your taxes won't go up when that clock strikes midnight." The President and his aides have also signaled since the election that he is potentially open to a compromise on a short term one-year or two-year extension on the tax rates for the wealthy if the tax rates for the middle class are permanently extended. But in remarks on the Senate floor before Tuesday's summit meeting at the White House, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) took a hard line in suggesting that his party will only accept extending all of the tax rates, including those for the rich, without caveats. "We've heard a lot of chatter here in Washington lately about the negotiations that are expected to take place on this looming tax hike in the weeks ahead - on how to prevent it," McConnell said. "How about we start with this: the beginning and end of any negotiations shouldn't be what's good for any political party. It should be what's good for the economy and for the American people. And if we leave the politics aside, if we look at the facts, the answer here is simple: no tax hikes on anybody - period." If Obama stays in Washington until Christmas Eve that would be a repeat of what he did in 2009 after another contentious battle in Congress. The President stayed in Washington until Dec. 24, 2009, when the Senate finally passed health care reform legislation. It was only then that Obama and his family finally left for Hawaii a few hours later. The President, First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters are traveling to his home state of Hawaii for their annual holiday vacation that will span until the beginning of January. |
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Obama should tell the Republicans to take what he is offering or leave it. then, he should go on vacation. That is exactly what Reagn would have done. He mght have told Congress while he was on vacation (which was often!)
The Republicans should get a taste of their own medicine. Wait until January and see how much REAL power they have!
The Democrats will control the Senate and the Presidency. All this talk about sharing power, the Republicans will be outmatched and outnumbered.
When will Kentuckians realize their senior senator doesn't have a clue?
I totally agree. Screw McConnell and his ilks
You say that as if it's a good thing...we've seen all the "Hope and Change," that this farce of an administration has done, and now the "waffle in Chief," is going on yet another vacation. I only hope that those who put him in power suffer the most...It's amazing; even after all the devastation this clown and his circus has caused, there are still so many drones supporting him...whether or not he was born on US soil will always be an issue, but one thing's for sure, he's no American.
No, you my dear friend are un -American. By reading your comment, you do not have a lot of knowledge.
I read somewhere that Bush was on vacation for two and a half years out of his eiight years in office. If Obama takes a week some people are up in arms. He may be the hardest working president ever. He deserves a vacation.
Hey Paul I "read somewhere" to. What ever !
Stop being so obtuse. You have no idea of the depth and breadth of the Office of the Presidency. Whether you like President Obama or not, he deserves some respect – he's earned it.
You are 100% right on. I am a recovering democrat and a lot of my friends are turning around as well. This president is self serving, egotistical, and does NOT represent the population. He has also been on more vacations in our time of need than acceptable. He does NOT work hard...he's a joke here and abroad....and one last question, what did he do to deserve the Nobel peace Prize? Anyone have an answer to that?
Fully agree. Obama is a lame duck.
Bush took 879 days off to work on his ranch in 8 years. President obama has taken 26 days off for vacation. The rest were working vacations.
Look it up just google U.S. presidents vacation days
I was under the impression that Reagan was taking his vacations in the White House ...
Obama is a lame duck, really, what do you call the GOP who say no to everything so they have to do nothing. or have no real idea what to do. Where is the JOBS THEY ARE CREATING. Jane
He's going home for Christmas. That's as American as you can get. Before you criticize vacation time, remember that our LAST president spent more time on his ranch than in the White House.
Boy you do not know how politics work. He can't tell the Congress what to do. Everybody haS a boss even your man that walks on water. I wish he would tell them to take what is offered. Let's see then how long it would take for them to impeach his sorry rear. AND YOU'RE RIGHT BOY HE SURE HAS WORKED HARD AT DESTROYING AMERICA.
It would be nice if you even had an inkling of the truth in your statement. lets not distort a good lie with any truth.
I had to laugh when someone posted that Obama is the hardest working president ever. Really? Are you serious? He plays golf all the time and basketball. He seems to be gone more then he is in Washington. Paul- you say that you read that Bush had taken about two and a half years of vacation time – really? Seriously? I would really like to know where you read that. I remember that when he went to Texas, he took his work with him and he had many meetings while he was there. He also gave up golf when people complained that he was out golfing when our soldiers were dieing. Has Obama given anything up?
The only people destroying this country are clowns like you!!!!!!!
Lets not forget about our last HARDWORKING president BUSH. Wasnt he on vac when people were dying down south? wasnt he in power when the resession started? How soon do we forget. NO TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH
@RoseCD--You do know that President's are on call 24/7 right? Even if he is golfing or playing basketball on the weekends. As far as Bush taking his work home let's hope so cause he was home in Texas 879 days of his two terms.He was cutting the brush on his land and mountain biking. You said you wanted to know where that guy read about his two and a half years of vacation well here it is.
cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/11/politics/uwire/main3927378.shtml Bush--- 879 days of vacation
factcheck.org/2010/01/president-obamas-vacation-days/ Obama -26 days
Awesome that he can afford to go on vacation while the rest of the country just tries to get by. So the "rich" should give up things...but not him. Comparing this lame President to Regan is foolish. He can't hold a candle to Regan.
The past presiident to whom you attempt to refer spelled his name R E A G A N. Is this an example of your prowess in getting the facts right?
He's going home for Christmas. He's POSTPONING his vacation to fix this mess. That's more than our last president ever gave of his vacation time.
I agree
I'm in total agreement, Mike. I am tired of the President trying to play nice with the Republicans. They want him to fail – it's their only goal and American citizens be damned.
AB SO LUTE LY !!!
Take a vacation Mr. President, nothing is going to be accomplished in this lame duck sessions and you need the energy to fight the Republicans over the next 2 years.
I think he needs a vacation. He's worked so hard the past 20 months destroying this country that I think he deserves a long vacation.....about a 26 month vacation........that would do, followed by an early retirement.
what exactly has he done to destroy this economy??? what in your life has drastically changed in the 2 years that he has been president?
Well said, Victoria. These paranoid people spewing their fear and hate are amazing. I cannot figure out what it is that they are so afraid of. NOTHING terrible has happened to them and yet somehow they keep screaming he's the worst president ever in their eyes. Blind hatred (racism?).
Your country is no more destroyed now than it was 3 years ago.
All the parameters had already been set.
But of course, it's more fun to blame a democratic president. And one that actually works hard and tries to do the best for his country. Unlike a president who wastes his country's time by "clearing brush".
Let's not forget the two unpaid for wars.
How has Obama destroyed the country? The country was destroyed before he took office. President Obama has been trying for the last 2 years to fix what the last administration totally screwed up. It 's so easy to blame Obama for everything. I say Mr. President go on your Christmas vacation and enjoy you family. Let the damn tax cuts expire for the RICH. Call the damn Republicans' bluff.
I hope you understand that the "rich" Obama attacks so often is a married couple (firefighter & teacher in NY).
@ Phoenix--didn't President Obama save your jobs? If you make 250,000 consider yourself lucky. Some make 15,000 a year. Try living on that. Come on have some compassion.
Heads up: he got family in Hawaii. So it really is more 'a few days to spend the holidays with his familly'.
I can't wait for the first right wingers to scream "vacation" again, while they plan to go home for the holidays too.
Heads up: he got family in Hawaii. - WOW! He got family in Hawaii. He got family in Africa too. Is he going to see them all. You people are so stupid you make my backside hurt. HOW MANY SOLDIERS DO YOU BELIEVE MAY HAVE RELATIVES AT HOME. If he can go why can't they. Hades, it's thanksgiving the world has stopped. ONLY IN AMERICA AS FAR AS OUR POLITICIANS OR CONCERNED. THEY CAN COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE. BUT SENDING TROOPS IN HARM'S WAY IS NO PROBLEM, HADES WE SENT THEM A TURKEY OVER THERE SO ABOUT A THIRD OF THEM CAN HAVE A COOKED DINNER. THAT OUGHT TO MAKE THEM HAPPY EXCEPT FOR THE FAMILIES THAT ARE RECEIVING THE BODY OF THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER BACK FROM IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN. YES! EVERYONE HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING OBAMA YOU SCUMBAG.
Who started this freakin war idiot
Man Shut Up! Its ok for every President regardless of party to go home for vacation but he cant? Funny, all the Republicans are going home for Christmas so the holiday must be for them alone? When I was in Iraq and missed Christmas it sucked!! But I chose to be there to protect fools like you. In all my life I have never seen so many facts distorted by both parties. If you think anyone is for us anymore you have lost your mind lol. Its about "The Party" and nothing else. They have to get the perks etc from the lobbyist on both sides. So yes he can go on vacation. I help pay his salary & every presidents since I was able to work & serve.
Wow. You are really scary. You have tons of misplaced anger. You need to direct your anger to the right source. President Obama did not start this war. Do you think the solutions is to just snap a finger and pull everyone out now that it's begun? You really aren't very educated about what's going on.
guest
Who started this freakin war idiot
Last time I looked it was Muslim Tewrrorist. But of course you brainless wonder you have different ideals. Right? There is no use arguing with an AA for they can't understand what they are doing even at the moment.
OH PLEASE! – I started to leave this alone for you are just plain ignorant, then I told myself no way would you get off that easy. So you were in Iraq protecting my rear, right? Well Mister I retired out of the US Army in 94 after 30 years as an Infantryman. I went through three wars. Two in Nam that would make Iraq look like a picnic. I wish I'd had your donky's rear in my outfit. You would have lasted two patrols. I've heard braggers like you before that run your mouth when you should have been listening. My oldest son is also a retiree from the Infantryman and my Youngest has had a tour in Bosnis, 1 in Afghanistan, 3 in iraq and is leaving ton his fourth to take 3,000 infantrymen back to Iraq Dec 14. Another lie Obama told. Oh he was brining them out. YEAH HE IS ONLY ROTATING THEM. Grow up sonny and you might learn something. I was a top sergeant for 15 years so I know what I'm talking too. You'd mess your britches the first time you got in a fire fight. What was your MOS. My point is you don't have to go anywhere to protect me I'll do it myself. That is what I am doing now. I can see through your Obama. If you can't then I'm sorry for you. You say Palin can't talk well she at least speaks from the heart unlike your man if he doesn't have a teleprompter he just stutters. If your such a soldier. Then you explain to me why he will not salute the flag or the national anthem. or soldirs guarding his Air Force one when boarding. Why didn't he bow o the Queen of our biggest ally. Or embarrass us with the President of Israel. OH BUT he did bow to kiss the hand of a Muslim president who hates our guts. You go right on praising this unpatriotic traitor. When it finally wises up on you what you helped put in the White House then don't come crying to the Tea Party that you undoubtedly don't have a clue what they're all about. The Tea Party are Christians and believe in the Constitution. They are not racist as you people would like them to be. We have a diverse membership. Not as many minorities as we would like but then we can't make them come because of the media and people like your mouth. They're scared of what I don't have a clue. Anyway don't you bother for you must protect us, HA, HA.
If you were such a patriot like you want us to believe ( we have no proof of your story) why do you disrespect YOUR
president? Most soldiers respect their Commander in Chief.
How many millions will this vacation cost the tax payers?
It will cost just the same as the Christmas vacations "W" took....and the Christmas vacation that Boehner and McConnell are taking...Get your head out of your arse and quit the BS.
Didn't he just take his family on a trip to Indonesia?
Indonesia, and all the other places they went to, was a working trip. Jane
Wow, time for another vacation, I thought he just got back from one!!!!!! I understand he has family in Hawaiii, then he should pay for his travel, not us the tax payers, I have to pay for my vacation.
Oh my goodness...a vacation! No other President in history has ever taken a christmas vacation to spend time with family memebers...you people will find any reason what so ever to fault this President! What sad bunch of people you are...
Why not? Us taxpayers pay for Congress health care. Did you voice any opinions on the amount of vacations President Bush took. No. Boy you guys are about to burst a vein just knowing there is a black man in the white house.
He's half WHITE, you idiot. I hate his white side just as much as I do his black side. 🙂
Tell you what...YOU tell all the members of Congress that THEY cannot take Christmas vacation then! Congress was out a week for Thanksgiving as well. Cut the crap about the President being on vacation when Congress is as well!
VACATION DAYS
BUSH JR. 879 days cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/11/politics/uwire/main3927378.shtml
President Obama-–26 days factcheck.org/2010/01/president-obamas-vacation-days/
Every president has vacations. and most a lot more than this presidents had, he can't take 2 working days off, it seems like without everyone yelling. Bush took abt 3 times as many days off. and even while the war was going on strong. This president will and has canceled trips to get things done. I'd like to see the dems call bluffs on these filibusters and see how many of the gops will stay up all night. Jane
I would love to be able to afford a vacation. Unfortunately, in the non-existent economy Obama is desperately trying to pretend doesn't matter, I simply don't have the money for it. Right along with millions of other Americans.
How about it, Mr. President? Share your fellow countrymen's pain.
Oh, that's right, you're too special to do that.
Have you asked all of your elected Republican officials to do the same or just the President? Thought so.
Dave the Republican officials pay for their own vacation time with families. We have to pay for Obama's. This family jet sets all over the continent to vacation.
the president is asking them not to take tax cuts as he is advocating for himself, you can see how many GOPS will do that, NONE. JANE
@ Debby---Of course the Republicans can pay for their vacations, with all they are collecting from corporations and lobbyists. And besides we all pay taxes not only you. So he can go on vacation on my taxes.
Jennifer, of course you can afford a vacation. If you pay taxes you are paying for his...
By the logic of Obama and the Democrats, if you can afford to take a vacation you are, by definition, "rich" and therefore ought to be taxed mercilessly until you can't afford the vacation.
Well apparently The president doesn't mind paying more taxes, but I guess since the politicians there in the house and senates average salary is 900,000 they apparently don't wanta pay so they want to vote themslves a tax cut. Nice Going. jane
Why don't you blame the guy that could have prevented the mess you are in, in stead of the guy trying to fix it?
Oh please tell me who to blame and who is tring to fix things. i need a good laugh.
@ TOM --okay I will so you can laugh. Bush should have avoided this mess instead of taking all that vacation days and President Obama is trying to fix it. Are you laughing yet?
Would you prefer that he not take a salary either? While we're at it, should we just eliminate the salaries and benefits of all gov't employees? Who needs a gov't anyway. Why don't we just tell them all to stay on vacation. You're a little short-sighted, aren't you?
I suggest that we have our elected officials be true public servants. Let them serve the people at their own expense and as a result we will get the term limits we need.
I like that idea Dave and obviously so did Obama since he put a freeze on government salaries.
Jennifer, you don't work half as hard as the president. This man deserves breaks. You don't make life and death decisions for nations of people. how in the world can you complain????
I served my country in the US Army for 7 years, some of that in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. I don't recall, during my two year tour there, getting a vacation to head back home to Hawaii.
Is risking your life for your country easy work? Please, let me know.
Pat
Heads up: he got family in Hawaii. So it really is more 'a few days to spend the holidays with his familly'.
I can't wait for the first right wingers to scream "vacation" again, while they plan to go home for the holidays too.
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Vacation again???? I didn't want you disappointed so here ya go! No need to thank me! Happy holidays and merry Christmas!
with a round-trip airfare in excess of $1,000,000. Not bad to just be with family for a few days.d
Where did you get that number –from FOX? Better watch out you might be the laughing stock again.
Mike
All this talk about sharing power, the Republicans will be outmatched and outnumbered.
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The Republicans were out numbered (not out matched ) on 13 Jan 2008. Your point, Sir?
Pass the tax cuts only for the middle class and let the republicans fight for the billionaire in the new congress. or let them vote against tax cuts for the middle class.
interesting, anyone making over $250k is now a billionaire?
Then when your company lays you off, please do not complain.maybe if everyone paid taxes instead od getting something for nothing. we would be better off.
I love how, until this President, it was never a big deal that the President was going somewhere with his family over the holiday season. It seems like such a bunch of BS. Take your family holiday, Mr. President, you deserve it!
Considering the Clown has done nothing but vacation and golf I think that is a legitimate issue to bring up. How many vacations have you had in the past 4 months. I have had none. Obama has had one per month or more.
It's called losing touch with the people. Then again the elitist snob never had it.
Must be loving the Unemployment Checks, Welfare, and Food Stamps. Did I mention Medicaid? This man has zero concern for the hard-working American. Trying to take us down in every bill he slams through.
If the Dems would drop the petty vindictiveness of insisting on punishing competent, productive, people for being competent and productive, all this fuss could be done with by tomorrow afternoon.
If the Dems would drop the petty vindictiveness of insisting on punishing competent, productive, people for being competent and productive, all this fuss could be done with by tomorrow afternoon.
Right and let's keep borrowing $$ to give the top 2% a tax break....Did that for 10 years to create jobs....where are they? Bush didn't fund the tax cut, didn't fund the wars (did them off budget). didn't fund medicare part D...right Dems the Repubs are right borrow that money for the top 2%....but of course we can't afford to extend unemployment cause that's not funded....what a joke!!!!!
I'm sure no one feels too sorry for the President having to delay a vacation to Hawaii. However – the Republicans should realize that they control only 1 branch of the federal government and they do not have a 'super majority' there. I don't know how they think they're going to push through their agenda with a Democratically controlled Senate and a Democrat in the White House.
They are employing their same old tactics – it's bipartisan only if the Democrats do it their way. There is no compromise. The party of no hasn't really changed. It's their way or the highway. The Democrats should have done it that way when they had the chance.
Actually Mr McDonnell, when we look at the 'facts', we see Republicans are wrong – again. Tax cuts for the top 2% of the country will increase the deficit by $700 billion, and do NOTHING to stimulate the economy. You see sir, if America had been paying enough attention to the facts in November, you would never have been elected. And now America will realise it's mistake too late.
Sad but true. If people had gone out and voted for the democrats in November they would not be in the predicament they are in now. The Democrats would have passed unemployment benefits. The seniors would not be getting a pay cut in Social Security.
Good luck working with the repubs. You'll need it.
Why does he need to delay his vacation. He's going to cave anyway. Why not just give the rich er I mean Republicans what they want and then head off to Hawaii.
Jennifer you idiot,
The republicans are the ones whose not feeling your pain. They will make you miss out on a tax cut so that the very rich can get one. They will not allow an extension of unemployment benefits that the president wants for people who are hurting. If you weren't such a blind fool you would be able to see who really feels your pain and who dosen't give a S-.
You people never learn.
The owner of the tax office I work for "makes' more than $250,000 a year. Most of that gets invested back into the firm, which keeps it going from year to year.
Last year, she had to lay off three people, because there simply wasn't the money to pay them. Raise taxes, and more of us could lose our jobs.
I know this woman well. I've been to her house, I've seen the car she drives, I know how she lives – and she's not "rich" by any stretch of the imagination. She's also supporting two of her children and 3 grandchildren because they can't find jobs in this economy.
So, please, tell me – how will taxing anyone who makes over $250,000 help me? I really am curious.
It will help you by making the country be able to pay its bills. Like the military that protects you, like the roads you drive on , like the schools the children attend, like the military benefits you receive, like healthcare. Like hospitals. Get the picture?
Why is Obama such an idiot? The Republicans will never compromise. Why does he not realize that? It is like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown to kick. Then she pulls it away at the last second and Charlue Brown ends up on his ass. Why? Becaues Charlie Brown (Barack Obama) never gets it, no matter how many times it happens!
When will he realize they are just not into him.
‘Why is Obama such an idiot? The Republicans will never compromise. Why does he not realize that? It is like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown to kick. Then she pulls it away at the last second and Charlie Brown ends up on his butt. Why? Because Charlie Brown (Barack Obama) never gets it, no matter how many times it happens!’
This is totally maddening. The Obamas just spent over a billion dollars going to India, Asia and other destinations at the expense of the Taxpayers on pretense that he was finding jobs. BULLCRAP. Now he is going on another vacation to Hawaii at what cost to the taxpayers. Didn't he just yesterday say he was cutting out pay raises on Civil Servants for two years to gain peanuts against the national debt. YOU DID NOTICE THAT HE DID NOT INCLUDE HIMSELF, HIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE CONGRESS IN THOSE PAY CUTS DID YOU. He continues on with all the costly vacations (Morons don't say the Bushes did the same. They at least went home on working vacations with virtually no cost to taxpayers) and not one word about his high priced ugly big hipped first lady giving up all her aides. That right there would save the taxpayers $3,500,000 annually in salaries that are not needed. This is just scratching their pals backs in those jobs. I've never been so disgusted with the politics that is running amok in government. CITIZENS IF YOU BELIEVE LIKE ME JOIN THE TEA PARTY AND LETS TAKE BACK AMERICA TO GOD AND THE CONSTITUTION. IT WORKED FOR OUR FOREFATHERS. NOW WE HAVE SHAMEFULLY PUT THIS COUNTRY IN JEOPARDY IN THE HANDS OF BUFFOONS AND GANGSTERS. We can pay for no more of the same. THAT IS THE REASON AND A MUST THAT WE ELECT SARAH PALIN FOR PRESIDENT. SHE IS NOT OLD SCHOOL POLITICIAN OR THE BLACK MAFIA OR MUSLIM. SHE IS A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE. COME ON WAKE UP GET ON THE BAND WAGON AND LETS SAVE AMERICA BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. THE PRESIDENT IS THROWING MANURE IN YOUR FACE AT THE MOMENT. HE'S TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW NO MATTER WHAT THE NOV. ELECTION SAID IT IS IN YOUR FACE HE WILL DO AS HE PLEASES. IF HE GIVES THE ILLEGALS AMNESTY THEN WE ARE LOST FOR SURE. STAND UP FOR THE UNITED STATES AND BE MEN AND WOMEN WITH HONOR.
You are SOOOO STUPID! Pick up a book and try to learn something. You Tea Party Folks are Idiots. You're stupidity is shown by you wanting Sara Palin to be President. She is not capable of speaking in complete sentences. How on earth do you think she could run the country. I can't stand listening to her speak for two seconds! It's amazing how you Republicans seems to reward stupidity........Bush and now Palin! When will you all learn that REPUBLICANS don't give a DAM* about you! Try joining their country clubs and elite groups and lets see how much your vote counts!!! This country has to get smarter!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A billion $$ REALLY are you that clueless.....Guess you don't watch Anderson Cooper or do any fact checking.....Stop throwing around the crap like Fox does.............
really? a billion in india? last time i checked i thought bachmann only said it was 200 million (either estimate is ludicrous), now it's a billion. if he wanted to spend a billion dollars in india he would've bought the country
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Palin should stick to Stand-Up and Television.
Lunatic. You are swayed by her looks and not her brain. Seriously, do you think she will stand a chance dealing with other heads of state? Palistine? China? She couldn't do the time running for Governor of Alaska!! What is it that you find so great about her? Her cutesy way of talking? Nice, that'll help run our country into the ground.
Natasha Posted on Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry you are in pain, it's very very dcilfiuft. Try to stay positive and move forward. Peace and blessings, Natasha
OMG your screen name needs to be total farce
Man you got it bad for Sarah Palin. (like a lot of old white men). You willing to give up your vets benefits for her? You don't like the government right? You willing to give up your Medicare or your Social Security? All government benefits.
Put your money where your mouth is or shut up. Nobody wants to get on the bandwagon with you, not even Sarah Palin would. Michelle Obama has class and she is inteligent and a good mother. Sarah is the opposite.
The Reds want tax cuts for the top 2% but want to stop unemployment benefits for 6 million unemployed.
Question for you "christian" cons.
How is that putting Christ back in Christmas?
Very well put GOP. WWJD? Give the wealthy tax breaks while cutting benefits for people in need??? I don't think so...party of God my arse
Lets see its been what a couple of months since the last vacation so I guess the Obama's are due.
Total fact.. u are totally wrong.. u must be one of the Tea party people!
I hope to make over $250,000.00 a year one day and I do not want to give more than half of my hard earned money to the fed, state, and local governments and I would bet most of you liberals would not either. My oldest son makes $125,000.00 and gives 48% of his earnings in taxes living in California. That is rediculous. Maybe if all of you with your hands out to the government had to pay income taxes you would think more about where your tax money was going and what good was coming from it. Companies are not going to hire someone who has not worked in over 2 years so those sitting around waiting for their old jobs back need to start over in a new carrer even if it is a pay cut. When I was laid off last November I was willing to move to get a good job, even though I will lose my house.
The key word is Hope. That's how the Republicans fool you on oyur Hopes! We'll I hope you make over $250k one day so your votes over all these years will finally count!
He's going on YET ANOTHER VACATION? That brings it to what, nine or ten so far? Really. I guess running the country into the ground is hard work.
Bush would've been in Crawford by now. The double-standard is incredulous. Bush spent half his presidency in Texas while he created this mess. Obama says he's willing to stay in Washington till Christmas Eve to solve it. The wingnuts don't even want to let him have Christmas off – it's another war on Christmas, brought to you by the Republicans.
Bush's vacations didn't cost the taxpayers hardly anything since he owned the ranch and the flight was short from Washington DC. The Obama's on the other hand are very extravagant with our money. I guess this first family wants to get all they could out of us if he is a one termer.
Sorry Debby, but Bush spent so much time in Crawford that he actually set up all the necessary facilities there to run the country at his ranch in lieu of being at the White House. If you think Obama's vacations were expensive – you have no clue the $$$$ Bush spent on his "Western White House" absurdity. We provided him with a perfectly good White House; he had no business spending my $$$ to set up a second place to work from home.
Let's not forget that Obama is from Hawaii, calling visiting his family and friends over the Christmas holiday a "vacation" is a bit of a stretch. Given your post, you probably also one of those who think Obama's trip to meet with Asian leaders was a "vacation" too.
No it wasn't a vacation but considering the results, he sure as hell wasn't working either.
Posted on Thanks so much for this post. As a writer, my uarntal inclination is to stay in my cave and write my books. Marketing is hard for me, but your tips are things that I can do!Katherine KaneTraining The City Dog(available on Amazon)
Great, another vacation.
TOTALFACT,
Where do you get your numbers? And if you want to compare travel costs, let's take a look at GW's travel costs, just to Texas, where he spent so much of his second term. Obama's job is, among many other responsibilities, to maintain relations with other countries. I know that narrow-minded buffoons like to think that the US is the only country that matters in the world, but there are others. As for TCM, he has to have commited a crime to be impeached, and unlike Mr. Bush, he has not. I don't hate Republicans, just ignorant, fear-mongering, self-absorbed dumb-####es like yourselves.
Those who continue to support Obama have to be on Welfare, Medicaid, and Food Stamps. Obama has never understood that most Americans want to work, support their families, and pay their bills. To those who look constantly for a hand-out – Shame on you. Obama is bringing us down floor by floor. He has bypassed the steps. Another Vacation – Hawaii – Can he spell "AROGANIZE?"
I work, have all my life. Never been on unemployment, though I have been unemployed. Paid my own way through college, though I couldn't afford the most expensive. I support President Obama 100%. Not everyone supporting the President is looking for a handout. Some people who need a handup have been convinced, somehow, that this President is something other than his has promised. They are wrong. Those that don't support the President, and those who use language like that up above, are elitist, unAmerican, uninformed, or all of the above.
Besides, even if someone does need a handout or a handup, our America has always strived to live under the adage that we are our brother's keeper. We are the people we have been waiting for. We can bring America closer to the ideals encoded in our founding documents. God bless America. God bless the President of the United States of America.
How you lunatics pick and chose what to get mad at is hysterical.
– You are mad that President Obama wants to take a vacation. Did you ever get mad when Bush did?
– You are mad that you think he "skipped steps". What about the steps that Bush skipped? Or the overstepping of constitutionally VP boundaries by Chaney. Did those upset you at all. No, because Rush & Beck didn't tell you to get upset.
Love that tag line "Obama Hawaiian trip in jeopardy" How could the Obama possibly delay or forgo a vacation in Hawaii to work on the budget, the economy, North Korea, Iran, and those other pesky issues that he works hard to keep off his desk. Just leave everything in the hands of his two well loved and well respected henchmen, Nancy and Harry, and they'll take care of everything.
As much as I may disagree with President Obama on a number of issues, I support his taking all the "down time" he needs to bring his full energy to the important job we have given him.
Work that entails as much stress as the President endures requires frequent vacations so that the work can be done properly.
I hope he gets to Hawaii soon and has a good time.
Oh, dear, work interfering with yet another vacation. How will he be able to get through this?
Things are in the worst shape ever in the US–at least during the Great Depression they weren't also fighting two wars–and all we see is basketball, outings, vacations, and the occasional sound byte.
Working hard or hardly working, O?
Bunch of whiny idiots
When are people going to WAKE UP....This is a National problem, not a Party Line Problem.......America is headed for complete destruction!!!!!!!!!!! Taxes have to be raised to pay off all this debt. To extend the tax cuts for those making more that 250K only supports what this nation has always been about, THE RICH KEEP GETTING RICHER while the POOR KEEP GETTING POORER! Where else in the world do the poor people (in some cases) pay more than double the tax percentage of a rich person (assuming rich is over 250K) Wake Up PEOPLE! We need to tackle the debt before there is nothing left of the USA......
100% with you on this
I agree he has worked hard, Hard at spending our money!!! He has spent in two years almost as much as Bush did in eight. I don't claim to be a Republican or a Democrat both parties screw the working American and what gets me is so many people get caught up in arguing back and forth," It's Bush's fault" "No it's Obama's fault" Thats what these politicians want us to do argue with each other so that we are distracted from what they are doing SCREWING US!!!!
Rodney, you don't know what you're talking about, here are the FACTS
President Obama became President in January of 2009. Prior to that time Bush was still President (lord help us). Here is what the Republicans, under the leadership of President Bush did . . .
2001 George W bails out the airlines 19 Billion
2008 George W bails out Bear Stearns 30 Billion
2008 George W bails out FannieMae FreddieMac 400 Billion
2008 George W bails out AIG 180 Billion
2008 George W bails out GM, Ford, Chrysler 25 Billion
2008 George W presides over TARP 700 Billion
2008 George W bails out Citigroup 280 Billion
Bush inherited a budget in healthy shape. He left it in tatters. The faltering economy played a supporting role, but the chief factors were of Bush's making: his tax cuts, his wars, his prescription drug bill. Without these, the country would have been running surpluses during his tenure. Median household income, adjusted for inflation, actually fell from 2000 to 2007. For the Republicans to deny a vote on extending unemployment benefits yet push for permanent tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans is "Lunacy" plain and simple, and Americans voted these idiots back into power. This will add $700 Billion dollars to the National Debt while an extension of unemployment benefits will keep many people who have jobs, employed (store clerks, temp workers, etc.) because these people "spend their money" in order to survive.
TAX CUTS DO NOT CREATE JOBS! If that were so then during the last 10 years we would have gained jobs instead of losing them. This is called BAD ARITHMETIC, What is wrong with these people?
"Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men, for the nastiest of reasons, will somehow work for the benefit of us all." – John Maynard Keynes
get your facts right 180 billon to AIG that was Obama george bush was not in office then Obaqma bailed out wall street and these other compaines then they opened them up over seas
Let the tax cuts expire. Let Congress work out how much the budget can afford 'New' tax cuts. Let them justify separately, who deserves tax cuts.
We should not add the the debt any more than we have to while letting the economy grow. I am not convinced that the initial tax cuts stimulated all the job growth the GOP has been talking about. We have had them for 10 years, where are all the jobs?
When initially proposed, the previous administration said, 'if the country has a surplus, it should give that money back to the taxpayer'. Even though that surplus did not take into account social security, among other things. We no longer have a surplus, thus the initial justification is gone.
Make it a two step process. Let the initial bill expire as planned. Then, start on a bill that gives tax cuts, to those who need them, to the extent we can afford.
I AGREE, LET THE CUTS EXPIRE. Then first vote on an "Extension" or Tax Cut for the Middle-class. Let the Republicans block that vote!
Good. He is entitled to a vacation (like the rest of us), but also needs to be step up when duty calls. I have cancelled vacations because important things have come up at work...why shouldn't the President?
I'm completely amazed by the amount of people that continue to blame presidents... Do you really think they are the ones making the decisions. Come on people use that thing that is rattling around in your head! The president is just a puppet no matter if he's demo, repub, tea, lib or whatever other parties are popping up out there. The Congress is what has gotten us all in the mess! Who do you think purposes bills and votes on them! The man in the house just signs his name! If you want change vote out all the lifers in the House! And encourage your Senators and Reps to make sure that all health care/social security laws apply to them the same as they do to the general public! Make them accountable for their actions read what they are doing and how they are voting!
Obama should not delay his vacation. It is well deserved.
–
He will not get any help from the Republicans. He should start treating them like whipped dogs.. he'll get more respect from the public if he starts handling them like unruly animals.
if you don't want to pay taxes, don't call 911, send your kids to public schools, drive on the very road on which you live, or act as though you are supporting our troops.
Awful nice of the Idiot-in-Chief to think about stickin around until the biggest problem with our economy is solved, isn't it?
How do you liberals live with yourselves having voted for this imbecile?
The real idiot -in- chief created this BUSH tax cuts. President Obama is just trying to fix the mess as usual, like all the other messes he left.
America and the Free World are always safer when this clueless empty suit is on vacation. While he is away, the boob tube media will still throw their wet underwear at Obama and paint his toenails for him. No one will know he is gone.
THE SOLUTIONS IS: ANYONE 50 AND OLDER STILL WORKING GIVE THEM $1 MILLION AND THEY MUST RETIRE AND THEN THEY MUST BUY A HOUSE OR PAY OFF THEIR MORTGAGE AND THEY MUST BUY A CAR NOW THAT HELPS THE UNEMPLOYMENT, THE HOUSING AND THE CAR PLUS THE ECONOMY. SINCE THE DEMOCRATS DID DESTROY THIS ECONOMY BACK IN 2007 WHEN THEY TOOK OVER, SO QUIT BLAMING BUSH HE TRIED AND CONGRESS WON
I would like to see our #1 Federal worker who is not on active duty take a pay freeze ... and short of that at least not spend 10's of thousands of taxpayer dollars for his family to take a vacation in Hawaii.
How sad is it that this is even an issue or part of the discussion?
Mr President, do what you planned and campaigned on – permanent cuts for the middle-class and eliminate the cuts for the wealthy.
Then go enjoy Christmas with yuor family.
And Republicans and conservative- NOT ONE WORD ABOUT HIS FAMILY PLANS FOR CHRISTMAS- YOU ARE ALWAYS CLAMMERING ABOUT RELIGION AND FAMILY VALUES- HE IS LIVING THEM!
Just go take another vacation. You're as lame as they come!
Bush was lamer !
And i wonder how many vacations Bush postponed, for anything!
I don't know if any of these messages ever get to the President but just in case. I want to tell him not to bow down any more than he has. There's no reason for him to take anything from his efforts to work with those people. He's gone way overboard in trying to be sensible with them. Those three, Boehner, O'Connell and Cantor have taken the position that President Obama should follow their rules. Show them Mr. President that you mean what you say and you will not allow them to continue to get rich at the expense of the ones who are struggling. Mr. President, they have not changed and are working on your failure. Face it – they just don't like you. Because of your love for all Americans, I'm depending on you to do what's right and not bow down and give them what they want. We have wants also. What will happen tonight at 12:00 with millions not getting their checks is shameful. What's so sad about all of this nonsense is that they just don't care. Please, President Obama, do not give them the last laugh at your expense.
oh lookie another vacation for the welfare president and his spendy welfare wife on our tax dollars when some of us live paycheck to paycheck, just another expense to us, it is time for husseni obama to LISTEN to WE THE PEOPLE.
If you are living from paycheck to paycheck and you are not for the democrats and President Obama then you got what you deserved. Don't expect to get anything better from the repubs. No unemployment, no healthcare, no jobs.
@Debby, from where did you get your information?!? ALL Republicans and Democrats, whether they be Senators (Senate) or Representatives, (House) they get paid vacation time, as well as expense accounts! That's outside of the BIG salaries WE PAY THEM! Don't be so mean and envious of THIS first family being flown around the continent to vacate! Since AIRFORCE ONE was commissioned, every PAST president and his family, had that same 'perk'. They 'jetted' around in it too! Taxes we paid, also PAID for them!
Ok, TOTAL(non)FACT – If you were part of the military then I am sure you had your R&R while you were deployed. Yeah – my husband is a 13B and served in Bosnia and Iraq, so I know that us taxpayers paid for your vacation too, and for your healthcare since you enjoy government health benefits – so stop talking because you are just putting a foot in your mouth here.
Yes- the man deserves some time with his family, like others too. And as far as cutting payraises for GS jobs – you know, to be honest: about 30% of them need to be fired anyway. I have never seen people more ineffective than some of the DoD employees here. And just to add: Moosebarbie did not even finish the job she was elected to do, that much to her honor – hope she paid her wardrobe back by now. And since you make those subtle racist remarks: why don't you crawl back into your white supremacist hole.
Nicely put!
He is getting another vacation?
Bush Jr. --879 days in 8 yrs.
Obama---26 vacation days
Look it up. Google-- U.S. presidents vacation days
Two more years of Obozo!
Still trying to recover from the Bush/Cheney debacle! YOU are the bozo.
Just to offer some perspective,
According to the most recent Census data (http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf, page 40), 96% of ALL households in the U.S. earn less $200,000 per year. So, the Republicans want to hold tax cuts for 96% of the population hostage to a tax cut for only 4% of the population.
I guess, when I hear Republicans talk about 'morals', 'values', 'ethics', I now know what they really mean ......
Let the tax cuts expire. The rich are the only ones who even care about hoarding their money. Their arguments about hampering the "job creators" is laughable. The rich will invest in the stock market and not hire a sould – unless you mean in India or the Phillipines. STAND UP Mr. President, and let the Republicans see what it feels like to have someone REJECT them. Period.
No unemployment extensions for 2 million Americans who can't find work, but tax extensions for the rich, what a sick Country we have become. And Republicans are leading the way! Here are quotes that define "The Ugly Republican American".
"Demagogue: One who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." ~ H.L. Mencken"
"If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're going to get selfish, ignorant leaders." ~ George Carlin
"You know why they call it the American Dream? Because you have to be asleep in order to believe it!" ~ George Carlin
Remove the $106,000 Social Security Cap.
Equal Contribution into Social Security For All Americans.
Everyone Should Pay Into SS For All Earned Income (not just the first $106K).
I sure wish I could take a vacation to Hawaii on taxpayer money!!! He really doesn't get it.
@NotoObama-–You don't get it. Hawaii is his home. Everyone wants to go home for Christmas. As far as tax payer money he is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. With that comes security. So he can't fly commercial silly. That's what Airforce One is for. Google U.S. presidents vacation days and you will see that Bush Jr. took 879 days off to work on his ranch in texas in 8 years. President Obama has only 26 vacation days in 2 years. The rest were working summits. Go ahead check it out.
@Notfooled; thanks for getting them told! For a long time, I thought I was the ONLY one who was REALLY willing to jump out here and point out the most blatant and shockingly obvious bigotry and double-standards they are placing on this president! YOU GO!
The enemy with in obama and THE WEAK-KNEED REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRAT,Wake up america!!!! OBAMA goes about his business by speaking the lie.If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.
Mmslim Barack Hussein Obama people have no idea of the extent to which they have to be gulled in order to be led." OBAMA will use every tool available: school teachers, politicians, news broadcasters, artists, musicians, scientists and doctors, lawyers and businessmen. All will be pressed into the service of OBAMA to deceive men. "All propaganda must be so popular and on such an intellectual level, that even the most stupid of those towards whom it is directed will understand it. Therefore, the intellectual level of the propaganda must be lower the larger the number of people who are to be influenced by it." truth be damned. Obama and his Chicago boys are still guffawing over how all the chumps in the media reported this one with a straight face. Hey, it's a just another reason why running a gangster government is nothing but laughs for the Obama crew in the White House.
It would
be easier for the Devil to go to church and cross himself with holy water than
for these people to comprehend the ideas which are accepted facts to us
today.How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think.
What good fortune for governments that the people do not think.It is not truth
that matters, but victory.truth be damned.
The commander
The end of america
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