 photo: Brian Yacklyvich/CNN
February 21st, 2013
08:18 AM ET
Thursday February 21 at the White House We won't see the president today but you can hear him. He's giving radio interviews to Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Yolanda Adams. 9:00AM In-Town Pool Call Time 9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing. Oval Office 10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors. Oval Office 11:25AM THE PRESIDENT records radio interviews with Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Yolanda Adams. Oval Office Briefing Schedule |
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I guess we will hear more lies about how the government 2% sequester cuts.
All working Americans were just hit with a 2% cut with the Obama tax that just happened. Somehow all working Americans were able to live with 2% less, but the government can't? These 500 in Washington are totally out of control.
If sequester happens Americans need to set outside the house, and senate and force the 500 idiots to come up with a solution. The 500 idiots should not be able to go home and should loose their pay. Anyone else would have been fired by now!!!
WELL SAID---–
JUST A THOUGHT–OUT OF THE 500 YOU MENTIONED ONLY 50 MAKE LESS THAN THAN 2 MIL. WITHOUT THEIR SALERIES--450 ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE ONLY THEIR SALERY'S TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES-JUST SAYING-----
More good news, gas over $4.00 gallon, way to keep crushing the middle class bamman, @John couldnt agree more
if you look gas and food prices rising its a whole lot more than 2% !!!!!! We need a leader not a celeb in the white house.
I didn't hear you doing anything but praising Bush when the national average price was $4.28 per gallon on June 21, 2008. Then you said the President had no control over the price of fuel. The national average high $3.79 for today Feb 21, 2013. So quit your bellyaching. It is not the highest yet that it has ever been.
Jean, you nasty old battle ax, i am not Bush fan, think what you want, i could care less, but the fact remains this idiot in there now is worse, probably worse than carter, pull your head out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jean, BS. I didn't like Bush nor did I vote for him. But,, hey, anything to make your point I guess.
Yesterday you accuse me of "not caring" because I do not want the government to take more money out of my pocket. Today you outright lie about posts. It doesn't surprise me.
The government needs to get their act together before coming back to working Americans and taking more money.
What happened to the 2% they took last month from ALL WORKING PEOPLE? It was spent before they took it. These "Washington 500" are out of control and people like you enable them. Every day we see reports of waste and abuse and nobody in Washing seems to be doing anything about it. Obama only knows "TAX MORE", TAX THE RICH", TAX BIG BUSINESS". All very bad in an already bad economy. over 4 years of this now and even the libs on MSDNC are starting to call him out on his lies.
Today's reports out of Texas show "3.4 million of unemployment benefits paid out to people in jail" that entailed over 1700 cases of fraud over the past 4 years – just in Texas.
@ John
Well look who is in charge in Texas....and then look at who didn't post the facts of the full story. Really aren't you the first to whine about state setting their own policies and laws? And what does this have to do with the 1600 Report?
The person in charge stated most cases of unemployment fraud were caught early, because prison immate records are cross-checked with unemployment records. They averted paying $9.3 million due to checking those records. I assume much of the problem is due to people having been on unemployment when they were sent to prison, and the unemployment office was not notified of confinement in time to stop payment.
Question this: If an inmate is in prison where are they cashing an unemployment check? Don't you think a prison banker would notice that it was for unemployment? If it is being received by a source outside....who is signing the checks? What happens when that person doesn't show up at an unemployment office to prove they are looking for work?
I like everyone is for cutting waste, but also I'm for not hurting people to cut waste. I say for starters...cut the bloated military, cut the welfare for rich corporations, close many overseas military installations, means test social security, cut mortgage deductions for super-sized, and second homes, charge a higher fee for business use of federal lands.
And vehicle gas mileage is inportant...if your vehicle gets more miles to the gallon your fuel expense based on the same miles of use will be less. If you don't understand that simple math then I am obviously talking over your level of comprehension.
More lies from you i wasnt even posting when bush was in office, twist it any way you want. but bottom line is the bamman cant cut it. hes a turd as a leader
jean...this is your masters problem...obutthead.
After reading your posts its very clear that we all know B.S. when we see it. Its a shame you havent gotten wiser with age, just bitter, GO GUSSY UP MAYBE YOU CAN LAND A MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!
SAD FACT IS THAT IS, ALL WE HAVE IN OUR HOUSE THESE DAYS. IS A WANNA BE–NEXT THING WE MAY HEAR IS OB GETTING AN AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR --–
is there anyone here who at the time would have voted for Stalin or Castro? Voting for Obama was the same as voting for any other communisist member. You are getting what you voted for. This man is EVIL.....
moose when gas prices went down I didn't here you thank the president? Everyone knows that the Whitehouse does not control the price of oil. Where have you been???? You give the president way to much power. Does he control climate change too? Another example of why republicans are idiots.
Sue, you may very well be right. However, if you look at the historical prices of gasoline, it has been on a steady increase since the beginning of 2009. Plus, you will find that there are as many people blaming Bush for the spike in gas prices that occurred in the summer of 2008. What works for the goose must also work for the gander. Ending in 2008, gas prices were below 2.00 per gallon on the average. If the President has absolutely no control over climate change, then what is the purpose of government investment in green energy. Isn't it to eventually reduce the carbon emissions and other pollution that increase the rate of climate change? Are you saying that the government should not invest in green energy because it will have no effect? I respectfully disagree. Perhaps Republicans believe the President has this "power" because the Democrats also believe he does, at least when dealing with climate change.
Caramon – I know a few of the dunderheads posting here are a little young, but the truthful fact is gasoline prices have been on a steady increase since 1970. Yes, they have fluctuated seasonally, and with periods of higher demand, and on the bases of speculation, and depending on what is going on in the world on any given day. Generally though the overriding trajectory has been a steadily upward price climb. I've left my home on certain days with the gas at one price and on the way home it would be 30 cents more, and since I hadn't listened to the new I'm wondering-"Who bombed us, or who declared war today?"
In the 50's when I mentioned the price of 12 cents a gallon at the on base gas station, the citizens of Germany were paying 5 to 6 times that amount on the open market. State-side U.S.citizens were paying 23 cents. From the point that OAPEC formed in 1968, the price for fuel has been going up. As the demand grows more intense, as third world countries become more productive and reliant, and until we find a better method to fuel vehicles.... I don't see the price ever going down.
The biggest favor we can do our nation, is to find a cheaper and less damaging (i.e. war/stagnation/evironmental damaging) way to fuel vehicles ... and forget what finding that method costs. Consider it our current putting a man in space moment. Or. our energy self-efficiency moment. It will be cheaper for us in the long run from every standpoint..
I can remember having a very heated discussion with a car salesman on this very subject when purchasing a vehicle in 1973....He said we didn't need vehicles with higher fuel standard and that this day would never come....I told him him in maybe harsher and more certain terms than this that he was a fool!
Not a repub, indy, ck your spelling (hear would be correct) its unstandable why your a bamman fan=ignorance, oh by the way yes the gov does regulate gas prices, its clear you didnt study in civics either, have a nice day
@twigbreath
Explain why there are so many links to article about why the government doesn't regulate the price of gasoline; articles proposing that the government should regulate the price of gasoline; and actually a poll which ask people to vote for or against regulating the price of gasoline. Which indicates we still have an option.
The only gas prices the government regulates is for natural gas. The reason we can control nature gas and not gasoline is because our sources for natural gas is produced in this country. Not all of the source of gasoline are produced in this country,and we can;t tell another nation what it can set the price for its crude. That is done by OPEC. It goes up and down on the free market every day, plus we change from one blend to another depending on which season.
If gasoline prices could be easily set or controlled by an Incumbent president, I'm sure in a move to keep the populace forever happy they would never have budged from the 18 cents a gallon we had during the 50's.....forget civics use common sense.
Man are you clueless!
The govrrnment regulates nature gas prices...it cannot regulate crude gasoline prices those prices are set by OAPEC.
We don't drill the world's supply of crude so we cannot regulate the price of what you fill your automobile gas tank with.
Waiting on the moderator.
natural.
NO HE DOES NOT CONTROL THE CLIMATE–JUST USES IT TO HIS BEST ADVANTAGE IN HIS NEXT SPEECH OF LIES.
If the sequester does happen, Americans need to demand that all 500 idiots don't get paid, don't get health care, and don't get a government credit card to charge on.
Gas prices are set by oil companies in a world market setting. End of story. I don't remember when gas prices were last $2.00 a gal. anywhere I lived, Colorado, California or Hawaii in that time frame. Long before Obama took office.
If you want to protest the price of gas don't buy it for every little whim of a two block away shopping trip or errand or, drive with your foot slammed down on the accelerator as soon as the light turns green. When people decide to change their habits – things change. Let the oil companies kiss our behinds instead of us kissing theirs.
Cynthia, gas prices do vary from state to state. So it is entirely possible that you did not see below 2.00. However, average prices across the country peaked over 4.00 in the summer of 2008 for about 2 months. Then they dropped dramatically bottoming out at under 1.70 by January 2009. With everything else you commented, I am in complete agreement. Better driving habits will increase gas mileage, decrease demand and potentially dropped prices. Of course, OPEC may limit supply to keep prices inflated. Over time, however, OPEC may be forced to drop the price realizing that less usage may become long term. In other words, we may have some control over the price of gas.
On any given day the price varies from one end of town to another.
Yes it does, but when I speak about the price of gas I am talking about the average across the country.
So am I...but then you get all huffy when I point out that it was a higher natonal average under President Bush.
It is something no president has controll over including Bush...gasoline is an international commodity OPEC sets the price. Natural gas prices are controlled that is a product we produce.
If the price of gasoline could be controlled by the President I imagine it would never go over .99 cents a gallon, in an attempt to keep everyone happy..
Bush??
The national average is higher now then ever before for this time of year. That is a fact.
What are you talking about?
I remember. Gas prices were 1.83 when Obama was inaugurated the first time. The fact that Obama says things like "those worried about high gas prices should consider replacing their old gas guzzler" and "would have preferred a gradual adjustment" when talking about gas prices going to $4 a gallon. Then he hires Chu who openly talks about wanting to "boost the price of gasoline to encourage fuel conservation".
At this point polls show more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) disapprove of the way Obama is dealing with high prices. People understand the president has minimal impact on the prices of gas, but maybe because Bush was bashed over and over again about the price of gas during his entire tenure in office has made people think the way they are now i.e. "it is Obamas fault".
One more thing. in the history of our nation gas prices have never been this high during this time of year.
This is hilarious, John. As a country we spend far less on gasoline than just about anywhere else in the world. It's still winter. Stop warming up your car for 30. mins. a shot and you might get better results than you would cooking yer buns for a trip to 7-l l for a frosty.
True Cynthia. Of course we also use by far more oil than any other country. I believe we use 3 times more than China, and they are number two. I have seen people who idle cars for more than an hour to keep the heat running instead of coming inside where it is warm.
I am not sure what is so "hilarious". You said you didn't remember when gas prices were at $2 so I told you what the price was when Obama took over and it was less than $2.
As a middle class working person I am impacted by double the gas price – aren't you? At least you didn't say what Obama told everyone – "replace your gas guzzler".
I noticed you did not question my statement about gas prices being higher now than any other time in our history for this time of year.
Let me ask you, during the peak driving season in a month or so do you think the price of gas will rise or go down from the level it is at now? My guess is it goes up. And, when it goes up it hurts all of us, especially those of us who can barely make ends meet now. Libs seems to not get this.
Gas prices are higher now because the market says so. So when oil prices starts dropping like a rock, come back here and whine again. Oh wait, you won't because it would only make Obama look good, as if anyone with half a brain actually think that makes any sense.
I remember when people whined about gas prices. Nowadays they take matter in their own hands and drive more hybrids or electric. If you still want to whine about it, you could always move to Venezuela and get free gas after selling your vote.
John, I checked the numbers and you are correct. If I read the chart correctly, gas prices may have been as low as 1.61. But, I fully understand where Cynthia is coming from and have to agree. In fact, I made the exact same point just a couple of days ago. Years ago, the government required dealerships to lower gas mileage estimates by 15 percent to accommodate for aggressive driving. I think it was back in 2005. If you go look at the sticker price will see two sets of mileage. The bold print mileage is lower than the fine print. Automobiles driving over 60 lower gas mileage as much as 4 miles a gallon for every 10 miles over 60. People race up to red lights. I have also seen people idle cars for up to an hour while sitting in the car instead of coming inside to stay warm. We are wasteful. Gas companies will continue to charge as long as they know people will pay. People can reduce their costs at the pump simply by driving better. This is the point Cynthia is making and it is absolutely correct.
December, there is one thing I am curious about. Price per barrel has been over 140.00 in the past. Price at the pump hit close to 4.00 at that time. However, the price per barrel now is less than 93.00. So why is the price at the pump so high? It seems that the price at the pump is going up much faster than the price per barrel.
I have to check but I think oil prices were going up for months and are now tanking. The stock market is taking a beating now because of potential FED policy changes.
December, it was a general observation. I believe oil prices were at least 142 per barrel. Seems odd somehow that price at the pump is 4.00. I wouldn't worry about the stock market drop. Tomorrow, a butterfly will flap its wings in Mexico and the stock market will jump right back up.
Oil price is the biggest factor but not the only one. The market does get swayed by speculation so I am guessing the market rally from the past month has something to do with it.
Thanks December, I hadn't thought about speculation.
I'm sure if a president could control the price of gasoline it would never go above 99 cents. Sort of the two chickens in every pot logic..
Caramon get off people idling cars. I live in Ohio too, and I rarely see people idling anymore...must be a Cincy thing.
Jean, I am not the only person commenting about idling in this article. Nor was I the first to comment on it. And, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I doubt seriously it is only a "Cincy thing especially since other people are making the same observation. Perhaps you should read other people's comments instead of looking for another way to belittle me.
I see plenty of people running their cars for warm-up, Jean. Look how Americans sit in their cars at the drive-up windows at banks and fast-food establishments. Waste encourages price increases as much as anything else.
Where I live, two oil refineries had been shut down for repairs and our gas climbed to almost $5.00 a gal.. But, after one refinery was found to be back on line and still charging high prices, the state stepped in and investigated them.
Bush, Cheney and Condi Rice (who by the way worked for Standard Oil – even having an oil tanker named for her until it wasn't politically popular and they changed it's name) are associated with the oil industry and yes, they got bashed because people felt they were in on the price gouging by their cozy relationships with Saudi Arab. Halliburton, Dick Cheney's former employer and with whom he still had interests in, was set to benefit AND DID BENEFIT from the Iraq war by receiving NO BID CONTRACT favoritism. A little fishy – yes? Reason to get bashed by the public – YES!
I haven't went through a bank drive through window over twice during the last year. The bank I have used for the last 56 years, has a branch office in several of a local chain of grocery stores I use as often as once every two weeks. I rarely eat fast food...too much salt, and I limit eating meat to once a week. I turn off my vehicle if I'm in a line, or there has been an accident and I'm waiting for traffic to move again. Yes, people can waste gasoline and ruin the life of their engine. Today's vehicles actually do not need to be warmed up, they warm up better being driven.
According to the Energy Information Administration last updated 2/13/2013 the forecasted national average price for regular grade gasoline for Jan through Dec 2013 is $3.57, and for 2014 $3.39. It was $3.49 in the south end of town today and $3.51 in the north end. It looks like it eased back down the later part of this week, but by the middle of summer it will be higher.
The thing I find most odd, is the fact that people whine about the price of gasoline, yet whine again about any news that suggest our trying to become energy sufficient by exploring better technology. Does anyone have a clue what the fuel costs are to plant, fertilize, and harvest corn to make ethanol? Plus, using it for ethanol jacks up the price for a food crop. Does anyone have a clue what it costs in gasoline to ship everything miles out in the ocean to build a drilling platform, and then to drill miles under the sea for crude? Or,to lay pipeline to transport said crude to a refinery?
I would like to know who these people are who are idling? Are they the same people who buy Hummers? You will get no where whining about that. The only logical thing that can be done is don't be a party to that yourself; and to actively push for investments in R&D to make us energy independent. Which won't be best served by drilling, fracking, destroying the aquifer, and the planet.
Jean, we are not arguing against the need for better technology or green energy. We are only saying that people need to be more responsible, something the government cannot control. The sides of our expressways are loaded with trash. This is not trash from any company or wealthy people. It is the trash thrown from the car of average joe. We can also be less wasteful. This is the point Cynthia and I are trying to make.
This week, the French are paying $2 per liter for gasoline which is just shy of $8 per gallon. 1 gal.= 3.785411784 liters, and the Italians are paying more than that. Ever wonder why they pushed ahead of us sooner with more fuel efficient vehicles?
Caramon- I recycle, and I think it should be mandatory that people recycle. Have fun with that one! The obvious is we can't always control what other people do...it would be nice if every litterer was fined. But, do you want to hire the police to do that? Betcha don't! I even try to make sure a good percent of my clothing is bought from consignment shops. And I don't mind telling people when they ask where I bought it!
Maybe not so much you...but I don't see everyone posting here all for green energy or for using pushing for more R&D...it comes across as if they think it is an evil idea.
John, I don't know who told you personally to replace your vehicle, and I'm sure the president who doesn't control the price of gasoline thinks it is possible not everyone can at once be financially able to replace their vehicle. But for those who are able, and are in the market for a new vehicle, and know full well they are impacted by the price of gasoline due to their driving demands, should most certainly invest in the most fuel efficent model they can find. When they plan to buy a new vehicle, it shouldn't be a giant-sized gas guzzler.
Plus, the President is working hard for better fuel efficency of new cars as they come on the market, and for alternative sources of less costly fuel to fill the tank of the vehicle you already have. But you act like you want him to forget about doing either one of those things. What do you want him to do...stop what he is doing, and come hold your hand while you whine?
And obviously, you are very good at putting words in the President's mouth that he never said. He never said: "If you have a problem with the price of gasoline get rid of your gas guzzler!" BTW – Do you have a YouTube of that?
"I think it should be mandatory that people recycle"
Jean, you are completely missing the point. We are talking about personal responsibility. Is it necessary for the government to mandate everything. We already have laws against speeding. Yet people speed. We have laws against littering. Yet people litter. It is not going to change with more mandates and regulations. It WILL change when people begin to understand that we all are responsible for taking care of this planet.
Jean, the gas guzzler comment was made on 4/10/2011 in PA by Obama. Type in Obama gas guzzler comment to get the video.
Caramon....Whining about what other people don't do, and in the second breath saying that you are pushing for people to be self-regulating? To me that only states that you just want to whine, and not look for ways to rectify the problem.
Making recycling easier for everyone would actually be the first move toward more people being more responsible. The first step before anything is made mandatory is to implement the means for people to fulfill the mandatory. Another "Oh that would be nice if people were self-sufficient, but I don't want to pay anything that would make being self-regulating easier."
I doubt if you realize how difficult it is for a person living in a condominium which only has a trash pick-up, and has no recycling program ... for that person to actually recycle? But I do it even though it isn't easy, and the weather does not always permit me getting to the recycling place each time I would like to. And I'm sure that is the problem for a great many people...renters, the elderly, swing-shift workers, or for people where the distance to recycle is a costly imposition. Although, I have seen one elderly lady recycling while using a walker, you won't see many in that condition able to...I helped her and lifted things I didn't think she should be.
@John
http://michellemalkin.com/2011/04/07/obama-to-person-concerned/
As a refresher you definitely need to listen to that whole speech again ( and I do mean listen) not the one sentence you have misstated out of context. His exact words to the man who said he was still driving a big SUV that only gets 8 miles to a gallon was:: "you may want to THINK about a trade in."
His gas-guzzler comment was mainly made jokingly to people who in a world of high price gasoline still want to drive Hummers and hot engined vehicles, and then complain about the price of gasoline.
The whole speech in context and fully listened to...is not the same as your bitter misinformed misquote.
"I doubt if you realize how difficult it is for a person living in a condominium which only has a trash pick-up, and has no recycling program"
Wrong Jean. My family lived in an apartment for almost 7 years with only trash pickup. However, the apartment owners took responsibility and initiated a recycling program.
"Making recycling easier for everyone would actually be the first move toward more people being more responsible."
I agree.
"And I'm sure that is the problem for a great many people...renters, the elderly, swing-shift workers, or for people where the distance to recycle is a costly imposition. Although, I have seen one elderly lady recycling while using a walker, you won't see many in that condition able to...I helped her and lifted things I didn't think she should be."
I think that is terrific. Yet you did all of this without a mandate. There are many schools and private organizations that have recycling programs. We have drop off sites at the stores, schools and even the library. Of course I complain about the lack of responsibility. Why do you think there is so much trash along our roadways? I have personally watched people drop trash on the ground only a few feet from a trash can. Do you honestly believe the government has to mandate for people to become more responsible? It will be a sad day in this country when government begins to mandate everything.
By the way, these drop off sites are available all the time. Renters and swing shifters could easily drop off on the way to work. The exception would for people who do not have cars or have difficulty getting around. That is why we need more people like you to help.
Caramon -The lowest price I remember for gasoline was 12 cents a gallon on post in W. Germany in the 50's.
Now-My response to twiggy is being held up by the moderator.
The reason for the move to green sources is evident...a high price for fuel stiffles progress. The world runs on energy and it will run further faster if that energy is cheaper, and whether or not your vehicle is a gas guzzler. Would you take more long trips and have extra money to spend if the gasoline in you vehicle costs $2.00 or $6.00 a gallon?. Will you travel more if your vehicle gets 60 miles to the gallon, or 30?
Would you prefer the fuel you use cost $2.00, and that you could get 60 miles to the gallon, and it didn't destroy the planet...and have us making airdrops of food to polar bears, so they could survive? That is why!
Typical lib speak. Gas mileage? We are discussing the price of gas. You blind followers just repeat what you hear. Obama said people who have issues with the price of gas should get rid of their gas guzzlers. So, everyone who has a problem with the price of gas drives a tank? How about if the cost of a new car (car payments) exceeds the elevated price of gas? How is that going to help if a person is paying more for a new car than they would have for the additional price of gas? The people making policy in this country and apprently people like you, need to get out in the real world.
What a loss i didnt get hear your evil, sick minded, brainwashed, old batte axed retort, have a lovely day booooozy !!!!!!!!!!
Too late the moderator has posted it. Read it and weep!
Liberal and proud!.
At one time true, but now, no. Pipeline, sanctions, summer gas, winter gas etc are all from the goverment. price fixing is on the rise, the new pipeline to go to houston (koch brothers) have had major contributions, (pls ck this out it will blow your mind) from Susan rice, the clintons and yes bammy and mammy obammans. in other words manipulation= price control
Stated by someone who obviously doesn't give a fig for the environment....whose payroll are you on twigbreath?
OB JUST LOVES TO HAVE HIS ASS KISSED–POOR BOY WALKS WITH HEAD DOWN,LOOKING LIKE HE SO LONLEY
---JUST TROOTS DOWN THE AF 1 RAMP WITH HIS HANDS JERKING THE RAINS OF A COMMADER ON HIS STEED.–
HE DOES NOTHING, SAVE FOR HIS EGO–IT MAKES FEEL REALLY GOOD--BETTER THAN THE FOLKS HE HAS
FOOLED ALL THESE YEARS..---HE SHAMES AMERICA AND US ALL WITH HIS WORDS AND ACTIONS FOR OUR
COUNTRY. HE C;AIMS TO BE A UNITER,BUT HE DOES IT BEST BY DEVIDIING US ALL..
@cindi, you are in rare form today !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey there, Twiggy. It's a chilly one today but I'm fired up – READY TO GO! Ha! What's the temp. where you are?
About 80 slight winds, 10 kts maybe, hitting happy hour at the beach tonight, did you see the pic of reed, pelsmoker and boner, put them on the list of who to convict !!!!!!!!!! what a mess
appox 80, very nice sunny day , i found more to add to the list , pelos, reed , bohner
GUESS YOU ARE ALL SET WITH YOUR BOTTLE OF RIPPLE AND YOUR PAY CHECK FOR COMMENTING TODAY.–
STIMULAS MONEY IS FINALLY HITTING THE STREETS-----
Nan Vet, your hairnet is stuck to yer hat. There is no other way to explain your 'entanglement' with your favorite sports team and your wish to prevent split-ends.
When are we going to learn what Obama did all day on 9/11/2012?????
BOEHNERQUESTER IS IN TROUBLE!!!
76% of Americans polled SUPPORT CUTS WITH NEW REVENUE!
Another blow to the Republican Party – ONLY 22% of Americans identify themselves as Republicans. OUCH!! They're really pickin' each other off pretty fast.
Cynthia, is that a new poll? It is the same results Gallup reported in November before taxes were increased on those making over 400K. I gave the same number several times over the past couple of months. The populace wants a balanced approach and not just revenue increases.
You're right, Caramon, the public wants a balanced approach. Which does not mean they want needed programs cut if it means the highest-income earners continue to reap the benefits of the Bush-era tax cuts which were only partly undone in fiscal-cliff deal earlier this year. Those that benefited most from the Bush-era tax breaks continue to pay low taxes because even with the increases the new top rate of 39.% is HISTORICALLY LOW with investment income still taxed at special low rates and with heirs of multi-million dollar estates facing lower taxes then at almost any time in modern memory.
Cutting the fraud and waste in our Defense Budget shouldn't be confused with cutting real defense needs which the sequester willy-nilly does. Also, not dealing with fraud and waste in our Defense Budget the Republicans still continue to target education and social services that benefit the majority of our citizens. No one is saying those don't need to be reformed BUT let me tell ya, the public will know where to look when those are targeted unfairly while the richest Americans who have benefitted the most continue to benefit the most. All of us know that we still face major hurdles.
You are right to say we need to reform our tax codes. The sooner the better. And , we also need to stop the hostage taking crap that goes on in D.C.. It isn't neccessary to crash the car when all you have to do is be a responsible driver. (another area I agree with you on, so to speak).
Cynthia, I have mixed feelings concerning the estate tax. Granted, some people receive an estate built by the hard work of their parents. Yet, it is the parents wish to leave something for their children. Imagine 2 people who work hard, save, pay taxes and eventually buy a home and property often worth over a million. This estate has already been taxed. Then it is left to a child who is left with an estate tax. Where does the money for the tax come from? It may come from selling the home and property.
There is fraud and waste in places besides defense. There is considerable fraud and waste in academia or education. It happened at my old high school and the college where I used to work. I have no problem supporting education. I do have a problem supporting grants used to furnish a person's home. And yes, it did happen. Most often the person does not get caught.
I do not believe we should cut necessary social services. However, the public and budget would best be served when many taking unemployment and food stamps go back to work. Then, instead of receiving money from the government, they are contributing. I think this is something we all agree on. The path to getting there is where many of us disagree.
I agree with revising the tax codes. I would think this should have been the first step to increasing revenue. I also do not believe it will happen as long as we continue to increase taxes first. It would appear no one wants to mess with it. At the moment, it is up to the Republicans in the House to initiate revision. So, what cuts do the Democrats in Congress propose?
Just to start, Caramon, the Pentagon itself identified programs that were not neccessary for the overall effective running of our military. But, when submitting the budget Republicans insisted that they be funded 200 billion over what they asked for. How does that make sense?
I hear you somewhat on the estate tax Caramon, but, the folks who left their children property below what is valued as a million dollar estate have to pay higher taxes on those properties than those at the higher end of the property value scale. How about it being the same tax for everyone? Don't the people who worked hard their whole lives and want to leave their children something have the same thing in common, no matter what they were able to earn in their lives? And why, for instance, do the managers of hedge funds, who direct the earnings of others that made that money themselve in the first place, need to be sheltered as if their contribution to being alive is any more valuable than a regular working person in any other capacity? That is frauding the rest us, including the people they invest for.
As far as education, I am not for programs like housing and administration costs that work against the affordability of overall education and concerned with teachers being cut from schools that need them.
"the folks who left their children property below what is valued as a million dollar estate have to pay higher taxes on those properties than those at the higher end of the property value scale"
Cynthia, are you certain about this? I thought there was a tax exemption for estates valued under 1 million.
Loopholes for higher valued properties, and there are plenty-mucho, are not availible to properties valued lower.
Thanks Cynthia, I will need to look more into this.
What burns me is companies that come in and get a sweetheart deal of no taxes for 20 years, have the existing property owners picking up their tab for maintaining streets their trucks run over and their other needs, and the minute that property tax rate is going to kick in they move their operation.
I guess if you repeat the lie that the sequester wasn't Obamas idea some libs will think it is true – just like every other lie from Obama.
The government can live with 2% less if every working American can. I am sick and tired of the phoney arguments from Obama and his blind followers.
John, you continue to spout off without adding to the overall conversation WHICH IS Americans want a balanced approach. I don't care if they are Republican (which god-forbid they reach across the aisle for ANY REASON) or, Democrat (which god-forbid they grow a spine). Please enlighten us with anything resembling a comment that addresses the overall picture – but, I don't think you can. You just do your DUH THANG over,...and over,...and, sigh, over again. Do you think you are helping? Or, did you fall off of your skateboard early on in life and now just lobby against helmets for dumb people??
Cynthia L. – They kicked the can down the road again and again and again – then again after they had the sequester in place. In January they took 2% out of the paychecks of ALL WORKING AMERICANS WITH NO REAL CUTS. Several reports are out today telling us about the negative impact the "Obama taxes" are having already and will have down the road. Obama got his 2% which equated to billions of dollars. Therefore, a balanced approach at this point means billions of dollars in cuts.
Boehnor's – Sequester PowerPoint presentation to the House Republicans on July 31, 2011. Ah yah it was Boehnor's...has GOP wriitten all over it. Boys was that PowerPoint a sales job1
GOOGLE – WHITE HOUSE SEQUESTER PLAN
There are 1.8 Trillion Dollars in cuts – In fact the cuts are 2 to 1 against revenue increases.
But, I know you won't John cause you just probably figured out how to get on here. Ho-hum.
1.8 trillion in cuts? You libs can't even tell the same lie. Obama claimes he cut the deficit by 2.5 Trillion. This despite the fact that the national debt has increased to 5.19 trillion. Obama said "More than two thirds of the cut was through some pretty tough spending cuts. The rest of it was through raising taxes, tax rates, on the wealthiest one percent of Americans. And together, when you take the spending cuts and the increased tax rates on the top 1%, it puts us more than half way to the goal of $4 trillion.
Jean, this is BS math that only blind followers think is true.
When Obama was inaugurated on Jan, 10, 2009, the Fed Debt was $10,626,877,048,913.08. At the cloes of business on Feb 14, 2013 it was 16,540,800,290.147.49. Even a lib has to agree since Obama took office the Fed Debt is up $5,913,923,241.38. Obama raised the debt more than the accumlated amount by ALL PRESIDENTS FROM G. WASHINGTON to Clinton.
Jean, during Obama's time in office the Natl debt went up over 5 trillion. That is a cut?
Jean, according to "The Price Of Politics – the first mention of the sequester occured on July 12th in a meeting that included Boener and Obama. Dir. of Natl Eco Council talked about a "trigger" if they didn't reduce the long term debt. Boener is quoted as saying "this could be worth discussing". But, as a budget tool it's too complicated. I'm very nervous about this". Obama said "this would be the enforcement mechanism". Also, Carney recently conceeded the fact that it was a WH idea.
So here it is Jean, you are caught once again spouting off more BS to protect Obama and the lies you both are telling.
The amount of lost government revenue has widened greatly since 2000 as a result of the growth of NON-TRADITIONAL FINANCE through favoritism in the form of "Carried Interest" to Hedge Fund Managers, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Private Equity groups, Limited partnershiips and Venture Capitalists who have benefited from "Carried Interest" rates that are taxed at only 20%.
No other affluent Americans enjoy these benefits.
The difference is lost revenue by our tax-handouts to companies that don't even have their own money in the game. Costing the U.S. Gov't about $13 Billion in this area of loopholes annually. No, it's not going to solve all of our money problems BUT IT ALL ADDS UP!
There are only 18% of the Bush-era tax-cuts that have taken place. Why are any of the Republicans or Democrats not acting immediately to stop this grossly unfair practice??!!
YOU ARE IN NEED OF AN IDENTITY CHECK-OB HAS ONE FOR YOU–CASH IT AT A BANK OF YOUR CHOICE,DON'T
FORGET TO CLAIM IT AS INCOME–JUST A WORD FOR YOU.
These "cuts" are in the rate of projected growth only, they don't actually cut any meat off the bone. They can easily do them with creative accounting, for example: move some clerical folks from one account that needs trimming to another department account that isn't on the chopping block and presto! you just "reduced" said account. They do this sort of thing all the time and can easily do it without breaking a sweat.
Why don't they just go to flat rate income tax for everyone? That seems like the fairest thing to me, they've talked about it forever yet it still only remains a pipe dream. Trim down the deductions for "the evil rich" and be done with it.
I agree that the flat rate income tax be the same for everyone. The tax code is 78,000 pages and you can bet there is a serious amount of "Ya Buts" in there. We have to scream it to the rafters for the change.
Ya Buts! Now that is funny. Wouldn't it be interesting if the tax code really did say Ya But.
They're in there – just in more creative/deceptive language! HA!.....but, it's not really funny.
If we go to a flat rate, tax lawyers are going to have to find real jobs! Not to mention the IRS!
Lol, Steveo. I'd be jumping up and down with you at that news!!
THAT'S A BULLS EYE--–RIGHT ON.
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT OB WOULD HAVE TO LOOK FOR A JOB AS WELL–HE FAILED BASIC ACCOUNTING
FROM GRADE 9. YOU MUST REMEMBER –WHERE YOU LEARNED HOW TO WRITE A CHECK AND BALANCE YOUR
LEDGER----
I agree
YOU WERE A GOOD ACTOR WHEN YOU WERE ALIVE-YOUR RESERECTION WAS NEVER NOTED ON CNN. DID YOU VOTE AS WELL-----
how could we expect obummer to do something about inflation when he is still printing money like a mad man? Also, the Doctor in Pakistan who helped get Osama is still locked up...obummer took the bows and turned his back on this hero...so again, how can you expect obummer to all of a sudden do something that shows character...when he has demonstrated lack of character? This is what we get for electing an activist for president...a leftist and a narcissist.
WE EXPECT IT BECAUSE IT'S HIS JOB AND HE HAS BEEN AWOL THERE AS WELL----
Nan Vet, jerry and MOOOse are always looking for ways to GIVE THEMSELVES WEDGIES. Please explain how it makes yer day guys. You can BEE-ACH all you want – you convince NO ONE to do the same. We do however, like thinking about how you negotiate stairs with your fashion choice.