Mandate, Shmandate. Hello There Cliff, I’m Ready To Go
It seems the Republicans in Congress, that are still there, believe they're wearing a "We held the House this past election, and all we got was this lousy T-Shirt!" T-shirt. And the wily Dems have no problem sidling up to the newly T-shirted and complementing them on its fit and trendiness, "you look fantastic!"
Who cares if the Dems claim they have a mandate, that's what they're supposed to do. You win, claim a mandate, and walk away. Let the losers stomp their feet, hold their breath until purple and then scream, "No mandate! Whaaa!!!". Meanwhile the winner goes on to plan what to do with the newly found illusory political capital. Remember when W. was re-elected? He claimed the same thing, and it drove the donkeys bonkers. So, buck up Republicans and don't play into it, ignore it. Now, I'm just a lowly software pleb that annoys his neighbors occasionally with an acerbic blog or two and I know this. So, why don't the paid politicians know this?
Look, it's not the end of the world. Kaptain O' didn't win by a landslide, he won by less than the last time. The House is still under control of the R's. So, you R's in Congress, reach into your pants and make sure you still have a set (you too ladies, it's metaphorical) and don't get rolled on this "fiscal cliff" issue, stand by your principles (assuming, of course, you have principles of smaller government and less taxes). So, my message to those R's in the House is: "Go home" (and I'm not alone in thinking this way, as this blog was in a holding pattern before being published, several pieces have come out saying just this thing). Walking away is the only way you'll get spending cuts. There's really nothing else you can do. Don't worry about getting the blame. You'll probably get the blame regardless of what you do. If you do sign on to tax hikes, the economy will tank, you'll get the blame, jettison your principles, and be a sellout. If you don't sign, taxes will go up anyway, economy will tank, you'll get the blame, but at least you'll have your principles and have a chance to help the beleaguered Republican brand by not selling out.
I'm fine with racing over the "fiscal cliff" that faces us in the next 30 days. So, taxes shoot beyond orbit, it's going to be the only way to get cuts. Sure, they're Draconian cuts, but cuts are cuts. And if we don't reduce spending somehow, it's not going to be cliff we tumble into next time, it'll be a vortex out of which there is no escape. Kaptain O' is not going to cut anything and, by yesterday's math, he wants another non-stimulating stimulus of a gazillion dollars we don't have. Tell him to go screw! This is the way he operates, and we know this.
A few years back, the R's made a good faith effort when in similar circumstances, and they put forth a budget proposal. Obama then gathered for a...wait for it... speech. And in it he chided the proposal as un-American (as if he would know...doh!) with its author sitting in the first few rows. Why try this again? Nothing has changed. This is what the American people have elected.
As a Russian newspaper, Pravda, just said a few days ago, "The Communists have won in America with Obama..." (and of all the news outlets on the planet, Pravda would know). It goes on to say, "Obama has been re-elected for a 2nd term by an illiterate society and he is ready to continue his lies of less taxes while he raises them...". It went to quote Putin of all people, "During the time of the Soviet Union the role of the state in economy was made absolute, which eventually lead to the total non-competitiveness of the economy. That lesson cost us very dearly...". Pravda then stated, "... Obama has bailed out those businesses that voted for him and increased the debt to over 16 trillion with an ever increasing unemployment rate especially among blacks and other minorities. All the while promoting his agenda."
This is what America elected; we might as well fight back while we can before being marched off to the gulag (hmmm... I wonder if I'll meet a Denisovich). Otherwise, get in position, heads down, bottoms up and join the rest of the American people in placidly accepting a colonoscopy the 20th century way.
One more thing, we shouldn't be surprised by O's continuous campaigning because that's what he knows how to do. There's not much he does well, but campaigning falls into the "does well" category. The American people elected a campaigner, not a leader. We know it, he knows it, and they know it. So, let him campaign. The math will take care of the leadership, right comrade?
Harry Obnrian
11:09 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
While I applaud the writer's sense of reality concerning communism in this country I believe he missed the mark with respect to the fiscal cliff. The fiscal cliff 'negotiations' between the communists and the repibs is all show, nothing more and Wall Street is obliging them by providing more phony drama. If they both do nothing but bicker until Jan 1 they both/all get what they want. Tax hikes and spending cuts. The only reason 0bamma is out there saying he doesn't want tax hikes for the middle class is just pandering so he can later say it's not his fault. The reality being that it is his fault. His fault for being a communist, for doubling the debt in four years, for doing nothing but being a slave to the unions, it is all his fault.
No Longer interested
11:31 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
I read in the news that Rush Limbaugh is giving the Republicans the exact same advice. He is urging them to walk away from any negotiation with President Obama regarding the budget and the so-called "fiscal cliff".
We have all seen how extremely well Limbaugh's advice has worked out in the past for Republicans. So I say, sure, go ahead, walk away.
Another great, fantastic idea from El Rushbo and the "I-haven't-a-clue-on-what-the-heck-is-going-on-or-what-the-real-consequences-will-be" neoconservative, liberty caucus, tea party, ditto world.
Dan
11:57 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Well Ray, considering the fact that fissures in the Republican Party are getting widening, not narrowing, I wouldn't believe what you've been told. The Tea Party will be thorn in the sides of all things GOP for a long time, and you're Party can only embrace it and lose, or purge them, and lose.
That happened with Stalin and Marx too. They were the real Commies. Your idea on Obama being a communist, is out of line it is unreal. Just a hint though: It was that kind of talk, that lost your side an election. Either embrace it, or lose even worse than you did this year, in 2014!
No Longer interested
12:43 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Dan,
whatever the consequences of the "fiscal cliff", if things go terribly wrong, which many are predicting, the American people will blame Congress, which is right now being led by Republican control and Boehner. Even if people blame Obama, it's of much lower consequence to him, he's not facing the electorate in 2016, but Boehner, and the rest of the GOP are facing the electorate, and possibly an irate electorate, in 2014.
Rush Limbaugh and his ditto people, who are urging the US over the cliff are lining up the GOP Congressmen for a circular firing squad.
No Longer interested
12:49 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Hi Dan,
Just to let you know,
"Limbaugh's extremely good advice working out for Republicans," equals sarcasm.
And Dan, please remind me where and when I called President Obama a communist, I don't think I ever did that. You might possibly be confusing what Scott wrote with my response?
skram bled
8:55 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012
Well, if Pravda said it then it must be true! Funny how if you google "Pravda" right now all you get are right wing political sites coming up with the same article you link to. It's almost as if the right wing in America lives in a bubble where everyone gets the same talking points to run with, irrespective of complete lack of credibility of the source. Oh wait...that's exactly how it is!
Mike Healey
2:01 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Scott's Blog page "Granite Grok" would be more aptly named:
"Stuff Scott Read on Crazy Right Wing Websites Yesterday"
Watts
3:01 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Even funnier is how none of these conservatives took the time to research what the Pravda actually is, but instead just keep puppetting the same vague "Russian newspaper" qualification. It has been a communist propaganda newspaper in Russia for about 100 years. So right now you have intellectually lazy people like Scott Morales, regurgitating a communist propaganda source in Russia, to support their own opinions. And I can guarantee that none of them are understanding the irony of this.
So rock on with your bad self, Scott, while the rest of us laugh at your idiocy.
Scott Morales
9:36 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Wow, "lazy", "idiocy". Man, I must've really hit a nerve with this one. Such bitterness in the comments, nothing of substance mind you, and considering most of the commenters, that's to be expected. It's the Pravda thing isn't it? Ouch! Yeah, well I never voted for a commi that's been recognized as such by Lenin's rag. I understand why that could sting. You guys were probably shocked when the issue arrived on your doorsteps and as you cracked it open, out popped your previously closeted 1600 Penn. Ave commi that had just been outed. Burn. Of course, it's much easier to dismiss your prez being called a commi when it comes from a mag like, say, Southern Living, but it's quite a different matter when it comes from a source with deep knowledge of what communism is and can recognize communism when they see it. Heh. No wonder you feel the pang. Well, you elected him, comrade, nice goin'. If you don't like it, cancel your subscriptions.
ForThePeople
9:57 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Why are we pulling out Russian rags, again? Did Fox news run out of fake stories and now we need to reach for international propaganda outlets?
Watts
1:07 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It is so boring dults like Morales have something to write about.
Mike Healey
10:21 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012
"So, taxes shoot beyond orbit" or raise 3%, whichever is smaller.....
Scott Morales
12:33 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012
Mike, I'm including the increases throughout the code. Here's a list of some, there are probably more (expiration of certain deductions etc.)
http://business.time.com/2012/11/15/the-many-ways-your-taxes-could-go-up-in-2013-even-if-youre-not-rich/
Mike Healey
7:49 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Still not "beyond orbit"
Mike Healey
7:54 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
The Fiscal Cliff Could Cost the Middle Class $775 a Year......
Read more at http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/11/12/The-Fiscal-Cliff-Could-Cost-Middle-Class-775-a-Year.aspx#vXqvqYpuMImX6QB2.99
Richard C Barnes
4:07 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Mike, I've seen predictions much higher. In fact $775 is be far the lowest I've seen.
CNN predicts over $3500.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/01/pf/taxes/fiscal-cliff-tax/index.html
A radio discussion I heard this morning was predicting around $2000 to $2500 per middle class family.
Since the average income in NH is higher then the national average most of us here will be hit much harder.
Charles Hatch
8:03 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
There is NO fiscal cliff ... None.
Sequestration is the term.
January 1st 2013.
Either way Republicans will be blamed.
With 100% justification.
Proud Conservative
1:39 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Blame whoever you want. But it is the President who has changed the platform he campaigned on. It is he who is demanding more money, more stimulus spending and no entitlement reform. It is he who is pushing this nation to self-destruct. And it purely ignorant people who support this man.
essay
1:51 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
@ProudConservative: here is a link of Obama campaigning on raising taxes on earned income above $250,000/year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E53rAHFEikA
He did not change the platform: you just don't like that the majority of Americans voted for that platform.
Watts
5:14 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Proud Conservative is Dumpy (aka Dump Obama) from before the election and if you remember any of those posts you should know already never to expect facts or reality from this person.
I can tell you what is going to happen if the GOP don't accept the reality that the people voted for the Democrat's agenda and Obama's proposal for avoiding the fiscal cliff. Jan. 1 will come and all the tax cuts will end and teh Republicans will be to blame. But for the White House, it is just a temporary set back. Because instead of parsing this all out in a proposal before 1/1/13, we will be in a position where new proposals for exactly what Obama wants will be put forth, like a tax break on income under $250k and there isn't a Republican in congress that is going to then vote against any type of tax cut. So we will end up with the exact same thing that Obama is promising now, only it will put is into about a year of sacrifice for which the Republicans will be to blame. Also, if the GOP doesn't suck it up now, the cuts will most severely affect defense, so they will also be to blame for the drastic defunding of defense. Right when we have Israel flaring it's quills. It is going to be a lot harder for the Republicans to get their agenda funded in 2013 versus Obama getting tax breaks for income under $250k.
essay
1:29 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I find it amusing and telling that the writer does not attempt to argue the point with "skram bled" about being a dittohead follower of Matt Drudge and the republican schemers.
Scott Morales polemics are the literary equivalent of Glen Beck's radio show. Pathetic and revealing to all people that are not in Glen and Scott's bubble as to the extent of their raving lunacy. This is precisely why only 47% of Americans voted for your party's presidential candidate. And please, don't try to lay claim to the idea that Willard Mitt Romney was not representing "your" party. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, the existence of the two party system makes extreme left- and right-wingers fairly irrelevant, a feeling I am sure Mr. Morales has felt often in his sad, lonely basement.
skram bled
3:20 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Well said! I think most Americans have had enough of the extremes on either side of the aisle (particularly the far right wing that helped Obama win the election).
And on a side note, unlike the dittoheads, I checked their source. I spent about an hour reading the blog of this "relatively unknown" writer for Pravda, Xavier Lerma. He is, plain and simple, a propagandist for Vladimir Putin. He throws in some American right wing talking points every now and then too, but mostly he just writes positive things about Putin.
It is unbelievably ironic that the wingnuts are quoting this guy -- those same wingnuts would be thrown in a Siberian gulag for criticizing Putin if they lived in Russia and were writing negative things about the president. (Google "Putin Crackdown" if you don't know what I'm talking about)
And if we were to emulate Xavier's (and Putin's) vision of democracy in America, all the dittoheads would be rounded up and sent to work camps for all the hateful things they spew about our president. Too funny!
No Longer interested
9:43 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
When someone says "smaller government, less taxes" it has the same effect as watching a beer commercial and hearing the actors say, "tastes great, less filling".
It's meaningless sloganeering.
Richard C Barnes
4:17 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
If we had a media in this country that did it's job we'd be having a far different discussion right now.
Obama has put forward a plan calling for MORE spending and increased tax rates on the rich, because as Democrats all chant time and time again, they need to pay their fair share.
Republicans put forward a plan with spending cuts that do keep the tax rates the same however they have given in by closing several tax loop holes. The closing of the loop holes accomplish exactly what Democrats claim they want, taxing the rich and producing more tax revenue but because it doesn't hit the tax rate they can turn around and act like Republicans aren't willing to cave on taxes.
The difference with the two plans is that the limousine liberals like Soros, Kerry etc can get out of the higher rates as long as the loopholes remain. But if you close the loopholes ALL the millionaires would end up paying their "fair share".
No Longer interested
6:37 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Richard,
what loop holes do the Republicans want to close?
Oh, that's right, they won't say will they? They are setting the middle class up for bait and switch. Hold on to your home mortgage deduction, now you see it, now you don't.
I heard on the news that Boehner purged a couple of the right wing hard liners from committees. Is Boehner preparing to capitulate to Obama? There is, afterall, no "Fiscal Cliff", but there is sequestration. I'm willing to pay an extra 2 to 3K per year to see the tax cuts for the rich go away.
Dick Armey quit the astroturf "Freedom Works". There seems to be pandamonium going on in right wing world?
No Longer interested
6:40 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
P.S.
if by the term "media" you mean journalists, they actually do bring us the news, they just don't bring us the conservative entertainment complex's slant that you happen to think is "news".
Richard C Barnes
3:07 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ray, you are proving my point. Most media sources are claiming what you state, that republicans are "short on specifics" however that is NOT the truth. They have given specifics but since the left can't continue to claim superiority the media choose not to report them.
For instance they stated they would cap the maximum amount you can deduct. This would still allow middle class families to take advantage of mortgage deductions, children deductions etc but would prevent millionaires with 20 homes from getting all their money back.
Also in an interview I was listening to with a couple republican congressmen, they also pointed out that they would be closing the loopholes that allow for the rich to shelter income in overseas accounts.
In the interview they sited a couple others but I honestly don't recall off the top of my head what they were.
Richard C Barnes
3:21 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"I'm willing to pay an extra 2 to 3K per year to see the tax cuts for the rich go away."
Problem is as long as the rich can shelter their money and deduct everything under the sun the tax rate wont amount to squat and you and most other middle class Americans will pay for for nothing.
You see no problem telling a family already falling behind on their mortgage payments and trying to figure out where they'll get the money for their heating oil and to put gas in their cars that they should be paying more because of some misguided liberal idea that the tax rate on the rich amounts to fairness?
No Longer interested
3:29 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Richard,
what is Boehner's contention on which loopholes he would plug?
Your point is worn out.
Neoconservatives will never stop complaining about the "liberal media" because real news people ignore the skewed blather from Fox.
A couple of Republicans claiming they would close loopholes for overseas investments? Is that for real or just two jumping on the bandwagon that the president started long ago?
"They" stated they would cap deductions. Who are you referring to, Boehner?
What did Boehner's proposal include, he is the Speaker. That's the one that counts.
No Longer interested
3:40 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill. "There are ways to limit deductions, close loopholes and have the same people pay more of their money to the federal government without raising tax rates, which we believe will harm our economy."
From NBC News.
Does Boehner get more specific than that?
David H. Mirsky
8:24 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Going off the fiscal cliff means a tax hike for everyone and automatic cuts to the defense budget. Not something to hope for.
Reality Geezer
8:52 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Bring on the cliff---tax cuts did not work during the 00's and they wont work now. Just cut down on spending in the future--maybe give congress a 5 year vacation-- and let taxes cover the cost of running the government.....................