Live Video: President Obama Speaks on the Fiscal Cliff
[Live event concluded…]
Bottom line: there’s still no deal.
[Live event concluded…]
Bottom line: there’s still no deal.
1 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:33:57am |
CNN has a Fiscal Cliff correspondent on the floor of the stock exchange, where the real people live.— Matt Bors (@MattBors) December 31, 2012
3 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:35:32am |
I just hope we can keep all the Bush tax cuts that way we can get right to work on Fixing The Debt. /
4 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:36:55am |
re: #3 Bulworth
I just hope we can keep all the Bush tax cuts that way we can get right to work on Fixing The Debt. /
Ooh! Ooh! I've got an idea. Let's cut Social Security for some reason!
posted from iTank
5 | watching you tiny alien kittens are Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:39:18am |
re: #4 erik_t
Ooh! Ooh! I've got an idea. Let's cut Social Security for some reason!
posted from iTank
But it has a projected deficit of 11 trillion between now and forever...we simply have to abolish it!
/
6 | Gus Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:41:15am |
Why won't the Republicans compromise? The president has compromised. Why did Obama compromise?!?!? //
8 | I Am Kreniigh! Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:43:39am |
Looks like it might turn into a musical.
9 | Political Atheist Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:43:42am |
Big crowd for bad news. Maybe a deal is done.
10 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:43:50am |
11 | Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:44:04am |
Former President Bush: Our policies probably created a depression greater than the great depression
but thanks for blaming it on the black guy...
12 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:45:07am |
Looks like there's a show planned.
I really hope Obama didn't give away too much to the right wing lunatics.
13 | Interesting Times Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:46:20am |
Barack Obama & The Middle Class taking the stage. They will be opening for "The Alan Simpson Project".— Invisible Obama (@InvisibleObama) December 31, 2012
14 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:46:32am |
We're abt 2 see if #GOP leaders channelled Winston Churchill, or Neville Chamberlain. #fiscalcliff #tcot— Eric Dixon (@dixonstrategy) December 31, 2012
15 | The Mountain That Blogs Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:47:39am |
h/t to @LOLGOP, this is Cantor spokesman Rory Cooper:
RT @ohschnitt: Thank goodness the president is about to speak. His speeches have been enormously helpful throughout #fiscalcliff process.— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) December 31, 2012
1st Q to Pres Obama should be: Are these theatrics helping? (j/k he won't take questions)— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) December 31, 2012
So, you get it now? RT @ezraklein: In chilling fiscal cliff metaphor, my wallet was stolen this morning then returned w/out any money in it.— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) December 31, 2012
17 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:47:59am |
What a joke, these so called "ordinary Americans" are wearing pumps, nylons, & suits. Really? #tcot— LuckyOne (@EducatorsGoal) December 31, 2012
Because pumps, nylons and suits only exist for rich people.
18 | bratwurst Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:48:15am |
re: #14 Lidane
Because negotiating with Obama is like negotiating with Hitler!
19 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:49:30am |
re: #5 watching you tiny alien kittens are
The Social Security debt is actually triple gazillion mega dollars from infinity to infinity. /
20 | Mattand Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:50:00am |
@mattbors Right, because nothing say "average American" like a bunch of stock brokers making huge financial decisions based on flimsy rumors— mattand (@mattand) December 31, 2012
21 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:50:20am |
re: #15 The Mountain That Blogs
Thanks goodness RWNJ are still snarking. It's been so terrible helpful during this period.
22 | Kronocide Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:50:55am |
“It’s frustrating, because we think the institution has been hijacked by a small minority who just don’t want to solve problems and want to see us in chaos,” Farr said, referring to the conservative Tea Party faction in the House.
23 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:52:12am |
President Obama gets a laugh line by knocking "this Congress." How's that going to go over on the Hill?— Rick Klein (@rickklein) December 31, 2012
Good grief. This is why the news media are so useless these days.
GOP spokesmen have been all over the news saying Obama has failed, he's lazy, he doesn't want a deal, etc., but Obama makes the mildest of jabs at the GOP and media tools start acting concerned. Facepalm.
25 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:52:57am |
re: #23 Charles Johnson
This is why we can't have nice things.
26 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:52:58am |
Obama is clearly refreshed from not having to oversee the War on Christmas anymore.— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) December 31, 2012
27 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:53:40am |
So what's the deal? (can't watch at work, etc).
28 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:53:57am |
re: #22 Kronocide
Sorry, Sam. The House has been hijacked by the majority of the voters of the Republican Party. The Tea Party House faction is merely a symptom.
29 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:54:22am |
#tcotObama blowing smoke out his rear end again. Can we impeach him on Benghazi and Fast & Furious?#tcot @seanhannity #lnyhbt— T. Price (@doctormud1) December 31, 2012
30 | I Am Kreniigh! Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:54:31am |
Only 46 people watching this YouTube channel?
31 | Vicious Babushka Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:54:48am |
And here's the dumbest dumbass on Teh Interwebz!
Stunner. @barackobama mocks Congress during his last minute speech to muck up fiscal cliff talks.— Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) December 31, 2012
32 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:55:39am |
re: #11 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance
Former President Bush: Our policies probably created a depression greater than the great depression
but thanks for blaming it on the black guy...
BUSH SHOULD STOP BLAMING BUSH!
33 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:56:10am |
'Mocking' is the fucking least this utter joke of a Congress deserves. I wish Obama had roasted them for three hours on live television.
34 | Interesting Times Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:56:16am |
I bet the GOP's "We went over the cliff because we didn't like the president's speech!" excuse will convince everyone.— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 31, 2012
35 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:56:20am |
re: #29 Lidane
[Embedded content]
Depends. Can we deport Sean Hannity for being a goat fucker? Because that makes as much sense as impeaching Obama for Benghazi.
36 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:56:31am |
Just gave the TPGOP a whiff of the shitstorm he's going to call in if they screw this up.
37 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:56:42am |
: Thank goodness the president is about to speak. His speeches have been enormously helpful throughout
#fiscalcliff
process.
— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper)
December 31, 2012
I know I'm being petty, but I wish PBO would hold up a copy of this tweet to the assembled press hordes and then drop the mike before walking out.
38 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:58:06am |
Oh noes he mocked the Congress. God imagine the fit the media would throw if Truman was around. He called his first Congress, a do nothing one and probably would have said a lot more today. Congress deserves all the criticism it can get. And the voters frankly are part of the problem when they give their own Congressperson a second chance. There is no good reason why the GOP should still have the majority in the House when Congress is at record low popularity.
39 | Interesting Times Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:58:12am |
BREAKING: Ryan Seacrest to announce completion of #fiscalcliff negotiations at Time Square immediately before ball drops. #p2 #tfy— Imani ABL (@AngryBlackLady) December 31, 2012
40 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 10:59:49am |
The RWNJ's are being reasonable again:
Who's this dictator on TV telling nothing but lies. Note the women behind him being used a pawns as if #Obama was #Saddam. #tcot #obama— Freedomlives88 (@Freedomlives88) December 31, 2012
If you're wealthy you pretty much just need to get out of here now. It's all downhill from here. #tcot— Sean Kilroy (@seankilroy) December 31, 2012
O's afternoon speech: OMG... what a crock... He's so sanctimonious... I was going to eat lunch. Lost my appetite. #tcot— Richard Sutterfield (@Dataguy99) December 31, 2012
Obama's speech was just a dog & pony show. All he does is whine. He sure has that 'damsel in distress' thing down pat. #tcot— Peyton James (@peytonjames) December 31, 2012
41 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:00:07am |
In other news, I think every NFL team has just fired their head coach.
42 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:00:54am |
re: #41 Bulworth
In other news, I think every NFL team has just fired their head coach.
However, world-class punter John Boehner remains employed.
43 | Interesting Times Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:01:24am |
Please proceed, Congress.— David Waldman (@KagroX) December 31, 2012
44 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:03:11am |
45 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:04:16am |
re: #40 Lidane
Obama's speech was just a dog & pony show. All he does is whine. He sure has that 'damsel in distress' thing down pat. #tcot
— Peyton James (@peytonjames) December 31, 2012
Peyton has no mirror in his apartment.
46 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:04:30am |
re: #40 Lidane
The RWNJ's are being reasonable again:
[Embedded content]
So much for American exceptionalism. Oh wait, that's only when America is doing what they want. Deal with it idiots, you lost, and the president is able to get his way on many issues. And comparing him to Saddam is pathetic.
47 | Kdizzle Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:05:17am |
I guess this means that revenues will stay nearly non-existent until at least 2022 when redistricting of congressional boundaries will take full effect after the 2020 census.
Gotta love those "centrist compromises" from those very very serious people.
48 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:05:18am |
re: #45 jaunte
[Embedded content]
Peyton has no mirror in his apartment.
Yeah, it's rich. They always accuse him of doing what they do. Whether it's whining, narcissism, big government, whatever.
49 | Gus Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:07:29am |
A lot of sobbing and hurt feelings about Obama's speech among supposedly tough minded and rock ribbed conservatives— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) December 31, 2012
50 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:07:42am |
I wonder how many of the conservatives complaining actually make $250k and up a year.
51 | Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:08:44am |
re: #50 jaunte
I wonder how many of the conservatives complaining actually make$250 and up a year.
the public ones? All of em.
52 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:09:35am |
re: #51 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance
I'm thinking more of the supporters and commenters at conservative sites.
53 | makeitstop Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:10:46am |
re: #36 Decatur Deb
Just gave the TPGOP a whiff of the shitstorm he's going to call in if they screw this up.
Details! I need details, dammit!!!
54 | Mattand Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:10:59am |
@rickklein Do me a favor, Rick. When you get the chance, look up the phrase "concern troll" and then re-read your post.— mattand (@mattand) December 31, 2012
55 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:11:56am |
so if Obama says nothing, GOP hits him for not leading. if Obama says anything, GOP whines that he's being so mean. #children— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) December 31, 2012
56 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:11:59am |
re: #52 jaunte
I'm thinking more of the supporters and commenters at conservative sites.
Very little of them I imagine. But then again, that kind of mentality goes back to the idiocy that gave us Joe the Plumber as a serious political commentator and this past year as Congressional candidate. Christ though, the way they talk about Obama's tax plans, you'd think he was Hollande in France.
57 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:12:45am |
re: #55 Lidane
[Embedded content]
Eric gets it. This POTUS more than any has suffered from damned if you do, damned if you don't.
58 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:12:59am |
re: #55 Lidane
That said, would Rs really go over the cliff because POTUS hurt their fee-fees?
— Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) December 31, 2012
59 | Kdizzle Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:14:36am |
I wonder what a "centrist compromise" would have looked like in 1932?
Would we have any type of public pension programs like Social Security?
I suppose you have to define centrism itself to answer that question. Today we look at the New Deal as the American Left in the first time in its history up until that point flexing real electoral muscle to affect social change and better the lives of lower class Americans.
Of course at that time the center was probably much farther to the left than it is now. So who knows.
Centrism now is just a continuous repackaging of Reagan Era ideas, because our economic and intellectual elites are simply too lazy or too greedy to come up with anything else.
60 | Dr Lizardo Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:17:45am |
The butthurt of the RWNJ's is sweet, sweet music. My goodness, their incessant carping about the slightest of things is beyond parody.
61 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:17:51am |
Jesus, some woman on #MSNBC going on about how the President did not seem "serious" in his press conference. These people suck.— just julie (@vintagegoddess) December 31, 2012
62 | Feline Fearless Leader Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:18:19am |
re: #13 Interesting Times
[Embedded content]
Featuring the hits "Games Congress Critters Play", "In the Real World", "Let's Talk About Me", and "Breakdown".
63 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:20:34am |
There was a time when politics was so grim only the Onion could adequately cover it. Now it's so stupid that I think it's up to GIFs.— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) December 31, 2012
64 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:21:15am |
The right wing hates Obama so much they'll actively try to harm the US just to get at him. This isn't politics, it's a vendetta.— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) December 31, 2012
65 | Henchman 25 Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:21:55am |
re: #64 Charles Johnson
They hate him a hell of a lot more than they love this country.
66 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:22:51am |
re: #64 Charles Johnson
@Green_Footballs The right wing hates Obama so much they'll actively try to harm the US just to get at him. This isn't politics, it's a vendetta.
But they will regularly, without a trace of irony, declare him guilty of treason.
67 | allegro Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:23:18am |
re: #64 Charles Johnson
Completely agree with the sentiment but I think "whiny tantrum" would be a more appropriate description than vendetta.
68 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:23:59am |
John McCain's ranting away on C-SPAN2 right now.
69 | Kdizzle Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:24:04am |
re: #64 Charles Johnson
Can you really call it a vendetta when there was no event other than his twice being elected to the presidency, that would initiate a vendetta?
I thought vendettas are supposed to about taking revenge on someone who actually wronged you somehow?
This is just spite isn't it?
70 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:24:32am |
re: #64 Charles Johnson
[Embedded content]
It's like they think, who is this guy to have the audacity to get the majority of the votes from the American people? Assholes. Pathetic thing is they'd get worse if Boehner got booted since Cantor is an even bigger tool.
71 | Awea Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:24:52am |
Even if Senate gets a deal done. I find it hard to believe House will agree to it no matter what.
73 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:25:05am |
re: #68 Charles Johnson
John McCain's ranting away on C-SPAN2 right now.
Let me guess, the "elder statesman" is bitching about tone.
74 | wrenchwench Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:26:00am |
re: #68 Charles Johnson
John McCain's ranting away on C-SPAN2 right now.
No video needed. I can just look at erik_t's avatar.
76 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:27:03am |
re: #68 Charles Johnson
John McCain's ranting away on C-SPAN2 right now.
I refuse to use any verb other than 'rambling' in a discussion about John McCain.
77 | Kragar Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:28:23am |
re: #76 erik_t
I refuse to use any verb other than 'rambling' in a discussion about John McCain.
Along with the noun coot.
78 | Feline Fearless Leader Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:28:39am |
re: #73 HappyWarrior
Let me guess, the "elder statesman" is bitching about tone.
I think McCain turns up just over a minute in...
79 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:28:59am |
Started listening to Francis Fukuyama, The Origins of Political Order last night.
So far, I think he is spot on. And, that means we are officially fucked.
82 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:31:44am |
The inability of the extreme factions in American politics has forgotten the 1st rule of Natural Selection: the adaptable survive.
Of course, they make faux-science up as they go . . .
83 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:32:03am |
re: #80 Kronocide
Remember, compromise is for pussies.
Or if you're Dick Mourdock, compromise is doing what the Republicans want.
84 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:32:42am |
Dems charged that tea party was unsuccessful yet wants to use them as weapon to divorce the base from the party.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) December 31, 2012
That's right, Obama is also responsible for the GOP civil war.
85 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:33:26am |
re: #84 jaunte
That's right, Obama is also responsible for the GOP civil war.
Party of personal responsibility.
86 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:33:46am |
The GOP has whined and complained and wheedled huge concessions from Obama - setting the tax hike limit at $400,000 means throwing away more than a quarter of the revenue increase.
And still the right wingers are screaming and whining about it. This debate is incredibly revealing: the GOP truly is the party of the 1%, and they'll fight like cornered rats to defend their masters.
87 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:34:51am |
re: #84 jaunte
No Dana, they're unsuccessful at GOVERNING. As for the current cat fight in the GOP, no one can make you fight with your friends unless you were spoiling for one in the first place.
Jesus I am SICK of these freaking hateful shits.
88 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:36:11am |
Lindsey Graham just issued an explicit threat to hold the country hostage *again* over the debt ceiling.— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) December 31, 2012
89 | Political Atheist Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:36:52am |
One detail, I think the current rates for the middle class become permanent? No more temporary status?
90 | Feline Fearless Leader Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:37:06am |
re: #87 A Mom Anon
No Dana, they're unsuccessful at GOVERNING. As for the current cat fight in the GOP, no one can make you fight with your friends unless you were spoiling for one in the first place.
Jesus I am SICK of these freaking hateful shits.
Hey, it's a group that thinks all opponents will just roll over and welcome them. Invade Iraq - expecting flowers and wine in the streets. Social legislation to roll back changes over the last fifty years - expect other party to just give them what they want. Tax cuts expiring - expect other party to just extend them all while gutting all the social programs and spend more on military contracts. Nothing has changed in the mind set, just the issue being targeted.
91 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:38:20am |
re: #88 Charles Johnson
There goes another $90 billion or so in unnecessary interest payments.
92 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:38:46am |
re: #89 Political Atheist
One detail, I think the current rates for the middle class become permanent? No more temporary status?
More like "No more automatic sunset". Nothing is permanent in Congress except the derp.
93 | Bulworth Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:38:49am |
re: #89 Political Atheist
That would make the projections CBO does about the deficit look considerably worse. But I realize our media villagers don't actually care about the deficit.
94 | Interesting Times Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:40:07am |
Always nice to be reminded what a whiny sore loser John McCain is because of that whole 2008 ass-kicking thing.— Kaili Joy Gray (@KailiJoy) December 31, 2012
95 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:44:18am |
One Republican after another takes the podium in the House to whine bitterly about being "insulted."— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) December 31, 2012
96 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:44:32am |
The people and states must end-run the fed gov't., brandishing the Constitution to save us or all is lost.@speakerboehner #tcot
— Liberty Bell (@libertybell1776) December 31, 2012
Teahad!
97 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:45:04am |
99 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:46:06am |
re: #95 Charles Johnson
Next thing you know Obama is going to make them sit in the back of the plane.
Twelventy!
100 | Kronocide Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:47:51am |
Weird. An ideological base that has complained about government being too large, out of control, and needing major reform has succeeded in mucking up the works.
They should be rejoicing at their success in what has been their goal.
101 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:48:27am |
So, has any wingnut ever bothered to explain what the hell the country would look like with a federal government concerned only with defense? I mean that is what they're after pretty much, right? So how is that supposed to work out? What about the Constitution that they claim to love so much? What the hell happens to all of us, including them if they overthrow the government with their guns and Jesus?
Thinking ahead isn't strength of theirs, I know, but WTF do they think would happen if they managed a coup? Then what?
103 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:49:18am |
re: #101 A Mom Anon
So, has any wingnut ever bothered to explain what the hell the country would look like with a federal government concerned only with defense? I mean that is what they're after pretty much, right? So how is that supposed to work out? What about the Constitution that they claim to love so much? What the hell happens to all of us, including them if they overthrow the government with their guns and Jesus?
Thinking ahead isn't strength of theirs, I know, but WTF do they think would happen if they managed a coup? Then what?
They have no imagination. Don't read fiction. Have no basis for reference except the myths of the past.
104 | Kragar Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:50:40am |
What GOP ought to be saying: OBAMA "has put a gun to the head of middle class" by being so stubborn. realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/12/...— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) December 31, 2012
105 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:50:45am |
re: #101 A Mom Anon
So, has any wingnut ever bothered to explain what the hell the country would look like with a federal government concerned only with defense? I mean that is what they're after pretty much, right? So how is that supposed to work out? What about the Constitution that they claim to love so much? What the hell happens to all of us, including them if they overthrow the government with their guns and Jesus?
Thinking ahead isn't strength of theirs, I know, but WTF do they think would happen if they managed a coup? Then what?
Word is it would look like Georgia.
[Link: wonkette.com...]
106 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:51:26am |
Pass the tax-relief section now.
could it be --actual common-sense action?
107 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:51:50am |
re: #105 Decatur Deb
Word is it would look like Georgia.
[Link: wonkette.com...]
The devil went down to Georgia. . .
:0
108 | jaunte Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:52:03am |
"The top 300,000 Americans now collectively enjoy almost as much income as the bottom 150 million."
www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/apr/14/ax-facts-hardly-anyone-knows/
110 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:53:24am |
re: #107 Holidays are Family Fun Time
The devil went down to Georgia. . .
:0
They would have said "Alabama", but you know--We're Number One.
111 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:54:00am |
112 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:55:31am |
Someone get congressional Republicans a juice box and a nap mat.— Chris Bowers (@ThisBowers) December 31, 2012
113 | Feline Fearless Leader Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:56:37am |
re: #101 A Mom Anon
So, has any wingnut ever bothered to explain what the hell the country would look like with a federal government concerned only with defense? I mean that is what they're after pretty much, right? So how is that supposed to work out? What about the Constitution that they claim to love so much? What the hell happens to all of us, including them if they overthrow the government with their guns and Jesus?
Thinking ahead isn't strength of theirs, I know, but WTF do they think would happen if they managed a coup? Then what?
The masses would go into the street with flowers and wine to celebrate their newly regranted freedom.
Reality is that we'd be living in a police state with checkpoints and automatic weapons all over. Warrant-less searches and probably a continuous "state of emergency" with the protections of the Constitution temporarily suspended.
114 | Kdizzle Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:58:44am |
re: #113 Feline Fearless Leader
I'd also imagine that large segments of "political undesirables" would be lined up against the old wall and shot over a certain period of time, or however long said "state of emergency" would last.
115 | Decatur Deb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 11:59:04am |
re: #113 Feline Fearless Leader
The masses would go into the street with flowers and wine to celebrate their newly regranted freedom.
Reality is that we'd be living in a police state with checkpoints and automatic weapons all over. Warrant-less searches and probably a continuous "state of emergency" with the protections of the Constitution temporarily suspended.
And Texans sneaking across the Rio Grande.
116 | makeitstop Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:00:36pm |
What in the hell did Obama actually say that caused such a mass pants-pissing?
Big conservative tough guys, crying about the mean community organizer.
117 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:00:55pm |
One of my Senators, y'all:
So what was the purpose of POTUS's speech this afternoon?— JohnCornyn (@JohnCornyn) December 31, 2012
God damn these people are stupid.
118 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:01:59pm |
re: #117 Lidane
One of my Senators, y'all:
[Embedded content]
God damn these people are stupid.
JOHN FUCKING CORNYN, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR ELECTION IN 2008?
119 | aagcobb Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:02:13pm |
re: #88 Charles Johnson
[Embedded content]
I think the President shouldn't give an inch on the tax rates until he has a deal on the debt limit.
120 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:02:15pm |
I wish they could settle on one term that means less tax and another that means more tax.
121 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:02:19pm |
re: #116 makeitstop
What in the hell did Obama actually say that caused such a mass pants-pissing?
Big conservative tough guys, crying about the mean community organizer.
He didn't give the GOP what it wanted.
122 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:03:06pm |
re: #116 makeitstop
What in the hell did Obama actually say that caused such a mass pants-pissing?
Big conservative tough guys, crying about the mean community organizer.
He didn't tell them they were right and bend over.
That is the only thing that would satiate them.
123 | austin_blue Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:04:28pm |
re: #117 Lidane
One of my Senators, y'all:
[Embedded content]
God damn these people are stupid.
Yes, yes they are.
Oh, and in other news, it a pears that Commandante Chavez is soon to be Pinin' for the Fjords:
[Link: www.cnn.com...]
125 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:05:40pm |
re: #103 Holidays are Family Fun Time
I'd really like to hear a tea party member or a follower of Crazy Uncle Liberty answer my question though. With all their whining and bitching, you'd think they'd at least have come up with something, even a fever dream.
126 | Charles Johnson Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:06:19pm |
It's clear from that circus in the Senate that the GOP is planning to throw the mother of all tantrums over the debt ceiling. Oh joy.— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) December 31, 2012
127 | erik_t Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:06:34pm |
re: #123 austin_blue
[Link: www.cnn.com...]
"Everyone should pray, sending strength to our Commander to overcome this difficult moment," Jacqueline Faria, a Chavez appointee and top official in Caracas, said in a Twitter post announcing the concert's cancellation.
God, it's so weird and creepy to refer to your notionally democratically elected leader of civilian government as 'Commander'.
....
er.
128 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:06:52pm |
Speaking of stupid people:
A Texas judge has ruled the state may cut off funding to Planned Parenthood's family planning programs for poor women. bit.ly/UhoOhR— Austin Statesman (@statesman) December 31, 2012
129 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:09:40pm |
re: #105 Decatur Deb
Oh yay. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, having lived here for so long, but damn.
130 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:10:08pm |
re: #125 A Mom Anon
I'd really like to hear a tea party member or a follower of Crazy Uncle Liberty answer my question though. With all their whining and bitching, you'd think they'd at least have come up with something, even a fever dream.
It would be interesting. I don't think they'd ever give a direct answer. You'd get fragments of ideas, but nothing cohesive.
131 | Awea Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:14:09pm |
Looks like new talking points are being issues out.
Obama grabs credit for potential ‘fiscal cliff’ deal in press conference dlvr.it/2kCrQB
— Conservative Is Cool (@wbconservative) December 31, 2012
132 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:14:49pm |
re: #130 Holidays are Family Fun Time
I doubt I'd get a coherent answer, but it would give me the chance to look at them and say"proceed little tea partier, proceed". And "Ok, so then what?"after they tell me how fun a coup would be, and libertyfreedomMOAR GUNZES!!!
133 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:16:13pm |
Here's the miracle: Republicans are actually voting to raise Mitt Romney's taxes. businessinsider.com/new-tax-rates-...— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 31, 2012
134 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:16:55pm |
re: #132 A Mom Anon
I doubt I'd get a coherent answer, but it would give me the chance to look at them and say"proceed little tea partier, proceed". And "Ok, so then what?"after they tell me how fun a coup would be, and libertyfreedomMOAR GUNZES!!!
I think that's it. The inability to think sequentially. First this, then this, then this . . ..
Add to that the lack of any understanding of human behavior . . .
135 | Lidane Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:17:59pm |
TAKE NOTE: Whatever happens, Republicans are about to vote for higher tax rates, which is like the Hamburglar buying a hamburger.— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 31, 2012
136 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:20:51pm |
I think it's been so long since we've had dirt-poor homeless, shoe-less, eating out of garbage cans people everywhere and visible in this country, that the average citizen (especially the tea partiers) think it can't happen.
It wasn't until we decided to create government programs to help people that this happened. Churches and charities were there trying to do their best, but it took a Federal effort to truly help masses of people.
137 | Kronocide Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:23:07pm |
It's getting pretty easy to predict GOP talking points. Take the most cynical perspective out of any comment or action from Obama then go with it. When it comes to a tie between which cynical perspective is worse, go with both.
Hell, go with all of them. Something will stick.
138 | lawhawk Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:26:15pm |
This isn't the fiscal cliff.
It's the dawn of austerity as imposed by this same US Congress and signed into law in successive deals with Presidents Bush and Obama.
The tax rates will revert to the pre-2001 rates. The economy did just fine without the lower rates during the 1990s, but the GOP will treat it as though the sky is falling. Capital gains rates will revert to the older, higher rates (when the stock markets did pretty well for themselves too).
The income tax hikes wont take effect until you start doing your tax year 2013 returns starting after January 1, 2014. Withholding will change, but Congress could adjust the rates and tax brackets, which will reduce take home pay until an agreement is reached.
But know this. Congress will have an easier time to reach an agreement to cut taxes than it will have to raise taxes. It's in both parties interests to see the rates rise, even if it's for a day or two into 2013 before cutting a deal on cutting them to the rate in 2012 (or creating new brackets).
The optics of this suck, but the politics works.
The budget cuts are a worse deal, since they'll actually do more to harm the economy than help, but the GOP wants to severely curtain SS and Medicare/Medicaid and they're using this crisis to push for cuts, even though those programs are paid for through dedicated taxes (and Obamacare increases the Medicare portion starting in 2013).
When the GOP says that 1 trillion in tax hikes, they want people to think that that's all happening in one shot. That's a lie. It's the culmulative hike over the projected period - 10 years.
There are also more immediate hits to the economy, including the hike on dairy prices and the lack of the AMT patch that will hit immediately, but those are not insurmountable.
It's going to get more bumpy than we've seen, and Wall Street will not take kindly to this in the short run, but the long term will not be greatly affected, even if the higher capital gains hits. This is still about posturing and trying to lay blame. The GOP thinks that going over inures benefits to them politically, but polling suggests otherwise. It will actually strengthen the hands of the Administration since they don't have to do anything and they've gotten the top tax rate to rise - going back to what I said above. It's easier to get tax cuts done than impose higher rates.
But now the politics favors the White House since they only have to watch the clock run out and they've got the rates reset to pre-2001.
139 | lawhawk Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:27:29pm |
And then there's the debt limit - they're going to use the SS/Medicare/Medicaid as hostage to that - forcing changes in exchange for increasing the limits, or alternatively, using it to force lower tax rates.
140 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:28:07pm |
According to the download CPH-L-163, the South has traditionally had the majority of people living in poverty.
Could it be that the tea-partiers and other whacko's from the South think the feudalistic disparities are normal? It seems to be normal for them. The North and the South have two different visions of acceptable socio-economic norms.
141 | Tigger2 Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:28:33pm |
re: #19 Bulworth
The Social Security debt is actually triple gazillion mega dollars from infinity to infinity. /
The need to keep their fucking hands off SS I paid into that for 45 years.
142 | dragonfire1981 Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:29:54pm |
It's days like these that make me seriously contemplate moving back to Canada.
143 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:29:57pm |
My Mom's SS check is going down $11 per month according to her 2013 annual letter.
144 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:31:36pm |
re: #139 lawhawk
And then there's the debt limit - they're going to use the SS/Medicare/Medicaid as hostage to that - forcing changes in exchange for increasing the limits, or alternatively, using it to force lower tax rates.
Why is it precisely the programs people have paid-into that they focus on? What about the programs that are truly entitlements?
I know, it's a political game. It's all about votes.
145 | dragonath Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:34:40pm |
re: #42 erik_t
However, world-class punter John Boehner remains employed.
Breaking:
Boehner has been announced as the Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns Oranges.
146 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:37:48pm |
re: #145 dragonath
Breaking:
Boehner has been announced as the Head Coach of the Cleveland
BrownsOranges.
Heh as a Steelers fan, I'd be happy if the Browns hired Boehner.
147 | Varek Raith Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:38:09pm |
re: #144 Holidays are Family Fun Time
Why is it precisely the programs people have paid-into that they focus on? What about the programs that are truly entitlements?
I know, it's a political game. It's all about votes.
Because they never liked SS and Medicare to start with.
148 | Targetpractice Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:38:32pm |
From where I'm sitting, it's looking more and more like '11 again: Boehner is reliant on the Senate to move things forward because he's only leading two things (jack and shit), and McConnell's trying to extract more blood from the turnip because his ass is on the line in '14. Meanwhile, Obama and Democrats are getting ready to bargain away virtually all their chips on a temporary deal that will please the market but leave us facing another stand-off in a month's time, where there will be no chips to bargain with in order to avoid steep cuts to the poor and middle class.
149 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:40:02pm |
re: #140 Holidays are Family Fun Time
According to the download CPH-L-163, the South has traditionally had the majority of people living in poverty.
Could it be that the tea-partiers and other whacko's from the South think the feudalistic disparities are normal? It seems to be normal for them. The North and the South have two different visions of acceptable socio-economic norms.
Hmmm it could be. What a lot of people don't know is during the Jim Crow period, Southern politics was often dominated by wealthy planters who did all they could to discourage the participation of the less well off- white and black alike. I attended a lecture by a professor from William and Mary who pointed out that due to the work of the Byrd Organization here in Virginia, fo the longest time Virginia consistently had one of the lowest vote turnouts in the nation.
150 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:41:17pm |
re: #149 HappyWarrior
Hmmm it could be. What a lot of people don't know is during the Jim Crow period, Southern politics was often dominated by wealthy planters who did all they could to discourage the participation of the less well off- white and black alike. I attended a lecture by a professor from William and Mary who pointed out that due to the work of the Byrd Organization here in Virginia, fo the longest time Virginia consistently had one of the lowest vote turnouts in the nation.
I was thinking along those lines as well. Feudalism, in many ways, has not left the South.
151 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:43:01pm |
I have to wonder if the whackos are looking at the world and seeing chaos. They may truly believe the only way to "handle" it is a return to feudalism. They seem to want a Sky God to make sense of it all for them.
Perhaps they truly want (opposite of their perceived Ayn Rand Individualistic Dogma) Monarchical order imposed on the world.
Lack of imagination, truly.
152 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:43:55pm |
re: #150 Holidays are Family Fun Time
I was thinking along those lines as well. Feudalism, in many ways, has not left the South.
Right. Makes sense really given the kind of people who dominated the Southern political landscape before and after the Civil War really. The South never really I'd say with the exception of New Orleans had the immigrant machines that the Northeast had in Boston, New York, etc.
153 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:44:48pm |
re: #152 HappyWarrior
Right. Makes sense really given the kind of people who dominated the Southern political landscape before and after the Civil War really. The South never really I'd say with the exception of New Orleans had the immigrant machines that the Northeast had in Boston, New York, etc.
New Orleans is it's own demographic entity, IMHO.
154 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:45:47pm |
re: #153 Holidays are Family Fun Time
New Orleans is it's own demographic entity, IMHO.
Yeah. Unique place in an unique place. Really need to read All The King's Men and a good Huey Long bio one of these days.
155 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:48:25pm |
re: #154 HappyWarrior
Yeah. Unique place in an unique place. Really need to read All The King's Men and a good Huey Long bio one of these days.
Another of the books in my eternal stack.
Another good one is Black Catholics In America by Cyprian Davis. It's more a history book than a "RC" book. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the US. It has some especially good points about New Orleans and the South.
Truly 1/2 of our history has not been presented in the History Books.
156 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:51:25pm |
re: #155 Holidays are Family Fun Time
Another of the books in my eternal stack.
Another good one is Black Catholics In America by Cyprian Davis. It's more a history book than a "RC" book. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the US. It has some especially good points about New Orleans and the South.
Truly 1/2 of our history has not been presented in the History Books.
It was always annoying in history class at school that we'd rush through post WWII because it was at the end of the year and we had to prep for the standardized test mandated by the state. If one wants to know why I dislike standardized tests, that's a big reason why.
157 | BongCrodny Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:51:59pm |
158 | A Mom Anon Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:53:04pm |
re: #155 Holidays are Family Fun Time
I have a book here about quilts and the Underground Railroad that is fascinating. Quilts were used as a secret language, kind of like street signs to guide people along the path to freedom. Hung on clotheslines or front porch railings to dry or air out, they were a secret language. I never read that in any school history book, and I was a nerd who took every high school history class offered.
159 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:53:26pm |
re: #156 HappyWarrior
It was always annoying in history class at school that we'd rush through post WWII because it was at the end of the year and we had to prep for the standardized test mandated by the state. If one wants to know why I dislike standardized tests, that's a big reason why.
I'm not a fan of them either, but how else can we evaluate large numbers of students and schools?
It seems the only tool we have currently.
160 | HappyWarrior Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:54:41pm |
re: #159 Holidays are Family Fun Time
I'm not a fan of them either, but how else can we evaluate large numbers of students and schools?
It seems the only tool we have currently.
True that. Just wish there was a better way. Most of my grade school teachers hated them.
161 | FemNaziBitch Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:58:14pm |
Could it be a cold weather/hot weather thing?
In cold weather, people must cooperate or die. In hot weather climates, it really doesn't matter if you have a roof over your head (cept during the rainy season) or food put away for the winter)
It's easier to be a lazy person in a hot weather climate. Maybe more predators --explaining the need to always have a weapon and fighting men?