Patterico's Pontifications

7/22/2011

No Big Deal? Debt Ceiling Talks Break Down (Again)

Filed under: General — Karl @ 5:47 pm



[Posted by Karl]

Talks between House Speaker John Boehner and Pres. Obama to raise the debt ceiling have broken down again.  Given that I mocked the media’s coverage of this topic to date, let me point out some who are getting the story straight.

Jonathan Karl at ABC News notes Pres. Obama was “visibly angry” at today’s presser (which Jay Cost calls Obama’s “malaise moment“; it won’t be because it wasn’t a primetime speech and enough of the media will filter it for Obama’s benefit).  More important — albeit stuck in mid-story:

Boehner held his own press conference after 7 p.m. Friday night and said the talks broke down because “The White House moved the goal posts.”

Specifically, he said the two sides had agreed on an unspecified amount of revenue to be included in deficit reduction, achieved by broadening the number of Americans who pay taxes and lowering general tax rates. But he said President Obama on Thursday demanded another $400 billion in revenue, which Boehner said “was going to be nothing more than a tax hike on the American people.”

It is clear, however, that Boehner and Cantor were ready to accept up to $800 billion in revenue measures as part of a grand bargain. But when that number jumped, in part because of pressure from Democrats, the talks broke down. (Emphasis added.)

CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller confirms this (twice).  Indeed, Obama implied it at his presser:

“This was an extraordinarily fair deal,” Obama said. “If it was unbalanced, it was unbalanced in the direction of not enough revenue.”

ABC’s Rick Klein hypothesizes that the Gang of Six proposal (which included $2 trillion or more in taxes) triggered Obama’s demand for 50% more in “revenues.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says Dems may reluctantly accept a last-minute compromise to avoid a default that involves up to $2.5 trillion in spending cuts — without new taxes — if entitlements are protected.  That may not suffice to avoid a downgrade of our AAA debt rating, and it doesn’t address the driver of the debt bomb… but it’s something.

It is getting increasingly difficult for anyone to miss that the GOP was ready to deal, while Obama is ready to campaign.

Update: DCCC already fundraising!

Update 2: Obama may have figured out his overweening desire for higher taxes is not playing well.

Update 3: Boehner claims that after the Gang of Six proposal and pressure from Dems, Obama started pushing for $1.2 trillion in revenue as a floor (with plenty more on Medicaid, Medicare, SocSec…).

–Karl

111 Responses to “No Big Deal? Debt Ceiling Talks Break Down (Again)”

  1. he’s a whiny whiny dildo is a big part of the problem, our president is

    a whiny whiny tax-raising dildo

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  2. feets,

    You keep that up and people will think you don’t like him.

    Karl (1c1b70)

  3. President Obama never misses an opportunity to campaign as the victim and the MSM is more than willing to push his spin on the breakdown of talks,

    “Can they [Republicans] say yes to anything?” Obama said. “… I have been left at the altar a couple of times now.”

    Dana (4eca6e)

  4. that was just an objective observation Mr. Karl from watching his press conference

    I am a keen political observer.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  5. Those who try to renegotiate the prenup at the altar may get left there, champ.

    Karl (1c1b70)

  6. “…Obama was “visibly angry” at today’s presser…”

    Poor baby.

    I’m getting all choked up just thinking about it.

    Dave Surls (28f866)

  7. It’s all theater. McConnell’s plan is where we will end up. We just have to go through some drama first to give the Republicans hacks the excuse that they tried, but in the end they had to prevent a default.

    Anon Y. Mous (cb1134)

  8. Obama upped his demands for more taxes and sabotaged the debt deal. He’s not only manufactured this crisis, he also plans to use it to his advantage. It’s his SOP, and that petulant act on TV was so good even he believed it.

    Look out kids, you’re gonna get hit.

    ropelight (1def19)

  9. Per your update: DCCC already fundraising,

    DCCC already fundraising off Boehner walking away – “This is inexcusable,” Robby Mook says, asking for $3 donations

    Except according to Boehner, it was the President who walked away,

    “It’s the President who walked away from his agreement and demanded more money. At the last minute. And the only way to get that extra revenue was to raise taxes.”

    But does being accurate and truthful even matter anymore? Taxes? Revenue? It’s all the same, eh?

    Dana (4eca6e)

  10. Dildos are more useful than Obama.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  11. Barry’s in over his head. Not only does he continue to dis Team R at every turn, but by excluding both the senate and house Dem leadership from talks he is offending them, too.

    Surprisingly, on PBS tonight both Shields and Brooks agreed that Barry did not do well at all in his emergency presser and did not look presidential in the least. Being visibly angry, stomping his feet, and preaching to others who have far more experience than he does, is not setting a tone for deal making. Treating the house and senate leadership of both parties as kindergardeners and ordering them all to the WH for a meeting on Saturday does not set the proper tone for the sort of conciliation and statesmanship needed for deal making. Obama needs someone on his staff who can say to him, “You know what Barry? You seem a little emotional to give a press conference right now. How ’bout you chill a bit before talking to the media?

    If you’ve lost Shields and Brooks….

    elissa (21ece0)

  12. just walk away Big
    Zero you won’t hear the press
    ask for reasons why

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  13. the empty suited
    Zero just ain’t the same he
    need someone to blame

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  14. Shields and Brooks!?!? Big
    Zero has lost face, nation
    and Shields and Yarnell

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  15. elissa she so
    eloquent make colonel feel
    need to steal from her!

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  16. BHO wins either way. If the GOP caves, there goes the tea party and here comes the 3rd prez candidate splitting the GOP votes. If they don’t he gets to rail on the lack of civility and compromise.

    He needs the issue more than he needs any solution. It is that simple.

    Ed from SFV (7d7851)

  17. Comment by elissa — 7/22/2011 @ 7:00 pm

    Isn’t that what his vaunted Chief of Staff is for?

    AD-RtR/OS! (7b7c30)

  18. King Barry the First
    couldn’t win his way out of
    a wet paper bag

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  19. Will Barry yell at
    wife and kick the dog because
    he mad at Boehner?

    elissa (21ece0)

  20. ==Isn’t that what his vaunted Chief of Staff is for?==

    You know, AD, I sort of think Bumble’s unusually high staff turnover rate is because he does not listen to any of them or take their advice. Narcissists know they are right about everything and believe they are smarter than anybody else. Narcissists are not fun to work for.

    elissa (21ece0)

  21. The White House seems to want a default for campaign purposes. Congressional Democrats seem less enthused by the White House position, I think ( but could be wrong ).

    No adults on the Democratic side of the aisle.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  22. According to Joe Biden there is no big effing deal.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  23. I think Barcky should be forced to put, in writing, a complete list of all of the cuts that he has agreed to, and all of the tax hikes he wants. Very specific.

    JD (318f81)

  24. You know what I’d enjoy seeing? Boehner walking from the Capitol to the White House meeting tomorrow morning holding that great big gavel he inherited from Granny Mcbotox.

    elissa (21ece0)

  25. Know what I would love to see, Elissa? Boehner go golfing and blow of the imperious nozzle.

    JD (318f81)

  26. Until Obama’s recent pressers on the debt ceiling increase, I was unaware he fancied himself such an expert on Republican voter sentiment and thinking. He’s just like some of the trolls who come here and tell us what we think. Uncanny!

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  27. “Know what I would love to see, Elissa? Boehner go golfing and blow of the imperious nozzle.”

    JD – He can’t do that, but he can always leave early for a tee time.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  28. All they know is the Accepted Wisdom, for – except for Joe the Plumber – I doubt that Obama and his minions have ever met, let alone discussed anything with, a “real” person who lives in “fly-over country” and works with their hands.

    AD-RtR/OS! (7b7c30)

  29. “…moved the goal posts…”

    Isn’t that what ProgLibs always do?

    AD-RtR/OS! (7b7c30)

  30. Why not, Daley? Is Barcky now in charge of the Legislature? I would flip him the bird, after how disingenuous and deceitful he has been in this process.

    JD (318f81)

  31. ==I would flip him the bird, after how disingenuous and deceitful he has been in this process==

    He’s set a whole new standard for transparency, too, JD.

    elissa (21ece0)

  32. “He’s set a whole new standard for transparency, too, JD.”

    elissa – I bet he uses a teleprompter in the negotiations, you know, to keep himself on point, because he’s just so brilliant he’s got a million different ideas floating around in his head at any given moment. Why if he wanted to, he could solve this debt ceiling crisis just by snapping his fingers. He.Is.Just.That.Smart. He just wants to give the little people some credit, or so I heard.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  33. I can not imagine that POTUS will benefit at all from the chaos of default or, worse yet, having to choose who to pay and not.

    Barack deciding how to spend $200Bn in Revenue when obligations are $300MM?

    He will fold if they simply say “Look, we passed a bill Mr President. I am sure we can find 5 Democrats to go along with you if you promise to sign it.”

    Better yet for POTUS he can claim for re-election that he got a Balanced Budget Amendment on the radar and proved he was an adult who compromised.

    So, he would be dumb not accept the current Bill — trick is finding 5 Senators.

    Sponge Bob (786e37)

  34. Dem senators do as they’re told. I’m with sponge bob on this, by accident or design, we have Obama boxed in. The media is in a blind panic, pulling out every trick in the book to save Teh One, hence all these stories about how the republicans are about to cave. Stories which, unfortunately enough, are easy to believe.

    quiznilo (6151d2)

  35. Well Barky ain’t ready for prime time as a negotiatior. And today was a particularly bad time to stamp his feet and appear angry–because tomorrow Peggy Noonan’s column in the WSJ will cut him a new one in that regard. She suggests that the country is starting to simply tune him out.

    Peggy’s a slow learner; I tuned the dude out several months ago.

    Comanche Voter (0e06a9)

  36. Barcky, how’s that only adult in the room thing working out for you?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  37. CV, Peggy’s column was in today’s (Friday) WSJ.
    He probably choked on his waffle when he read it.

    AD-RtR/OS! (7b7c30)

  38. The President is in over his head and this mess has wounded his Presidency no matter how he spins the impotent Republican Party. The country already knows they are douche bags. As for the Tea Party— it is a grassroots movement that will vote again and again and toss the tossers out. The TP legislators who stuck to their guns will be rewarded.

    The Soetoro Presidency and the Big Butt Wookie are tostitos. Enjoy your last ride on Air Force One…wont be nearly as fun as the NYC Dick Sniffing Date Night Run. Poor little Barry

    bear1909 (c6caf5)

  39. Why all the hassle? Just do what we’ve done 80+ times before. Even better would be to just give treasury the authority to issue the debt necessary to carry out the laws that congress passes.

    nada (48dff4)

  40. The comment that stunned me was his threat to raise the debt by executive order. He needs to reread Article I, Sections 7 & 8.

    Arch (0baa7b)

  41. There’s a great book written by three Harvard profs entitled “Getting to Yes.” It outlines four steps to negotiating anything from raising your daughter’s allowance to achieving peace in the middle East.

    Step one is preparation: define acceptable limits. What do you expect to get and where will you walk away?

    Step two is establishing a personal relationship with the other side. If the teams have a personality conflict, replace your player.

    Step three is to accept all the provisions where agreement has been reached. This step usually eliminates 90% of the proposal from discussion.

    Step four is to drill down into areas of disagreement asking “why?” then seeking another solution.

    It works quite well, but obviously Obama hasn’t read the book.

    Arch (0baa7b)

  42. 41. Sounds like a win-win for McConnell if Feckless does it his own self.

    Morris says House should offer a $400 Billion raise for Debt Payements Only. Bar the Treasury from paying wages with the money or any other non-essential purpose.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  43. __________________________________________

    The country already knows they are douche bags.

    It’s funny because when I first saw your comment, I immediately interpreted it incorrectly. IOW, I thought the predicate of “douche bags” described this society looking at itself in the mirror…

    The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.”

    “The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.

    ^ The above applies a thousand times over to the very blue parts of this country, particularly states like California, New York and Massachusetts.

    Mark (411533)

  44. Mark’s comment is on target and I have a modest proposal:

    If every US citizen or resident paid federal income taxes we’d be in much better financial condition. Estimates are that about 40% pay no taxes and many actually receive so-called “refunds” under wealth redistribution schemes. Everyone should pay federal taxes, no exceptions. Institute a Universal Minimum Income Tax (UMIT) based on some reasonably fair formula, sort of like the Alternative Minimum Tax concept.

    Means test Social Security and Medicare. Drug test all recipients of welfare, food stamps, housing assistance and every other social welfare program. No money for drunks, tobacco users, or dope heads. 5 year cumulative limit on eligibility, and all funds to be considered a loan to be repaid with interest.

    Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment and send it to the States for ratification. Federal revenue to be capped at no more that 18% of GDP.

    Outlaw public sector labor unions.

    Reduce the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy to at least half its present size. Cap compensation to 75% of comparable private sector jobs.

    Elect me POTUS and I’ll fix the economy, shoot every last terrorist at GITMO, toss Casey Anthony in jail along with Eric Holder and most of the crooks at DOJ, drill baby drill, restart the space program, eliminate Iran’s WMDs, defund the climate change hoax, and hold MSM accountable.

    Campaign contributions accepted.

    ropelight (2e7c50)

  45. PS: I’ll agree up-front to serve only one term and then be judged by a jury of my peers.

    ropelight (2e7c50)

  46. “What does the president propose to cut and by how much? What taxes does he propose to raise or deductions curtail or end, and what revenues does he predict will materialize as a result?

    What are the $800 billion in new revenues the Speaker offered up? (This is a shocking number and unwise concession by the Speaker, and it may represent an enormous breach with the Pledge to America. The Speaker would be greatly served by putting these details out asap before anger on the right grows.)

    “I’m not going to negotiate in public” has been the president’s mantra, and it is simple code for “the public won’t support what I am proposing.” The president has bluffed, cajoled and filibustered his way through a month of closed door theatrics with the assistance of a compliant MSM, and the public is weary to the bone with the Community Organizer in Chief. His petulance, self-regard and overbearing ego combines into an unprecedented persona that is both ludicrous and also alarming in that he may truly be as clueless about the economy as he often sounds.

    The president’s willingness to directly threaten seniors with a cut-off of Social Security and to abet a market panic Monday are also unprecedented, as well as irresponsible and wildly reckless acts of a blinkered pol, involved in negotiations way over his head on matters he quite obviously does not understand. His bluster, like the bluster of most amateurs, is an attempt to disguise a deep insecurity and his retreat last night to the the most bankrupt of poses –“I am for the little guy”– was unintentionally candid in that it revealed his complete contempt for promises made to voters while asking people to trust him.

    Whatever John Boehner was thinking when he engaged in this doomed charade should be well and truly smashed up by now, and the Speaker should insist on everything in writing or there is nothing to talk about. “Fool me once” etc. The GOP Caucus as well must stand up and demand the details. They were not sent to D.C. to attend and applaud at the usual Beltway operas.

    Put out all the details of any proposed deal and let the public see and let the public “score” the consequences. We are headed over the falls on August 2, and the public needs to know it was the president who decided on this course, who has been making empty gestures for weeks.”

    http://www.hughhewitt.com/blog/g/d59cd0df-0a5a-4e4e-b164-38060104fda9

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  47. “We are headed over the falls on August 2”

    Actually, Geithner had $400-odd Billion in Pension funding to pilfer when ceiling abutted. Still has about $300 left so we’re ‘good’ into October.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  48. Instead of going over the falls how about we prioritize spending cuts? You know, cut the fat out of the federal budget, eliminate duplicate programs, stop giving our money to China for idiot climate change projects, cut off any kind of social welfare spending to illegal aliens, make Obama Administration appointees pay their income taxes, tell Moochelle she can’t use the private jet, stuff like that, for starters.

    ropelight (2e7c50)

  49. colonel say before
    Tim a Keebler make tasty
    crackers what he know

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  50. “abet a panic”
    sound “presidential” to you?
    oh, the petulance

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  51. he not president
    he Petulant Obama!
    that’s right I said it!

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  52. peeps trying to hold
    breakfast down but colonel on
    a manic roll now

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  53. you eat Captain Crunch
    colonel eat his Wheaties® but
    both lead to same place

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  54. you got a line and
    colonel got pole and he lead
    you to fishin’ hole

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  55. something colonel say
    offend the peeps? or eggs and
    bacon calling them?

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  56. the incredible
    lightness of being colonel
    must be acquired taste

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  57. colonel so lonely
    he open heart and speak his mind
    and chase peeps away

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  58. ColonelHaiku, breakfast of champions!

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  59. daley colonel got
    news he get busy with wife
    and both reach sarcasm!

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  60. bada BOOM!

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  61. “Morris says House should offer a $400 Billion raise for Debt Payements Only. Bar the Treasury from paying wages with the money or any other non-essential purpose.”

    What about contractors or medicare providers with payments due? Are they just out of luck? Farmers.. Congressional salaries? Courts? Payments to states?

    The problem with these sorts of clever shenanigans is they don’t have time to figure out what to do without causing a mess. But I think that’s not going to stop them from trying.

    nada (eef00e)

  62. POTUS was on record yesterday saying he did not move the goal posts on Boehner and, shocka, the WH confirmed he did.

    Looks like the Gang of Six undermined a deal that both POTUS and Boehner could present to both parties but the ego maniac rush in Senate gave POTUS an opening to propose another $400MM in tax increase.

    Sponge Bob (786e37)

  63. We’re all in a world of hurt when the Dems can’t even work in a good faith effort to cut the rate of growth in government spending, much less cut spending.

    and Petulant Obama needs to start showing some leadership, instead of his usual preening, whiny shenanigans.

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  64. In a weird way, I hope Medicare doesn’t pay — I will immediately require Seniors pay cash for services.

    It would be the most profitable thing that has happened for my businesses in its history.

    Sponge Bob (786e37)

  65. If all patients paid upfront I can guarantee I could cut expenses by 50% even if patients “shopped less” as a result.

    Sponge Bob (786e37)

  66. The Petulant should provide the minutes of these negotiations… e.g., written proof of these straight-forward proposals he preaches about. After all, he did say that he would. Pony up… MAN UP, Mr. Petulant.

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  67. first Hendrix Joplin
    Jim M gone at twenty seven
    now amy whinehouse?

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  68. didn’t see that one comin’…

    ColonelHaiku (4de8c2)

  69. Greetings:

    I wonder if First Mother-in-Law is worried about her Social Security checks or are the taxpayers supporting her sufficiently without them.

    11B40 (768818)

  70. I wish Congress would pass Sunset Review legislation that applied to all federally-funded programs and agencies. Not only would it force the programs/agencies to justify to Congress what they spend and what they do, it would also force Congress to vote up or down on each. Plus it would keep Congress busy reviewing everything — so it wouldn’t have as much time to pass new laws.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  71. I’m sorry if this is a “radical” idea, but nothing seems more sensible and fair than to allow only people who own property to vote. I know that the Tea Party guy who said that was savaged but the arguments against the idea are only tautological.

    quiznilo (6151d2)

  72. Comment by 11B40 — 7/23/2011 @ 9:50 am

    Not only that, but Barry might have to spend his own “dime” to support that illegal alien aunt living in public housing and on-the-dole in Boston.

    AD-RtR/OS! (c887fc)

  73. Colonel waste haiku
    early Sat. morning when his
    peeps catch up on sleep

    elissa (28d62e)

  74. #72, quiznilo @ 10:59 am, we already tried a variation on the property theme. How about votes based on tax payments?

    One dollar in taxes paid equals one vote, pay $2500 in taxes get 2500 votes, which could all go to one candidate or be distributed among candidates regardless of party affiliation.

    ropelight (2e7c50)

  75. Perhaps somebody will get over the delusions of economic schizophrenia that keep the Democrats believing that they can continue to spend at current levels merely by taxing the rich. First, the rich aren’t that rich and second, the federal government spending currently is that out of control. There isn’t an endless supply of money out there, even if they tax everybody.
    The federal government has achieved the economic “Bridge Too Far” and will eminently lose all those programs that they complain about having to “give up” if they don’t come to grips with reality.

    A. Weiner (d1c681)

  76. oshortbus has his Potemkin Budget Proposal™ with plenty of meaty platitudes and rhetoric. He’ll unveil it in December of 2012—honest!

    ∅ (e7577d)

  77. The President said he did not move the revenue goal posts during his peevish news conference and declare he would release info to prove it. The Speaker said he did. OK, where’s the documents Obama promised!

    Al Reasin (996c34)

  78. note to Barry O
    thanks for foot stomp memories
    Mister Petulant

    ColonelHaiku (8a1a1f)

  79. In 2004, spending per capita was less than $8000.

    Merely recycling this would lead to an expected budget surplus.

    Michael Ejercito (64388b)

  80. Colonel Haiku say
    Van Hagar lyric
    times guy bow down low

    Timesdisliker (af5a31)

  81. Big O 2012
    Mike Anthony and Cherone
    got room on the bench

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  82. Dems paid for every
    dance debt talk sound like humma
    lay zeebuhla bop

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  83. debt talk photo op
    O look lighter than Boehner
    that’s right I said it

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  84. Boehner say he will
    act alone times guy think this
    regular habit

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  85. Dude these idiots are playing with fire.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  86. With all due respect
    tipping point ain’t in China
    might as well haiku

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  87. Arthur Brown say
    you fought hard you saved and learned
    all of it will burn

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  88. crazy world times guy
    but this Mister Petulant
    he the wackiest

    Colonelhaiku (8a1a1f)

  89. times guy crazy from
    heat! must turn fire hose on him
    he haiku to death!

    Colonelhaiku (8a1a1f)

  90. Obama the hypocrite accused Bush of overspending.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  91. Harry Reid few fries
    short of Happy Meal™ just like
    Granny McBotox

    ColonelHaiku (8a1a1f)

  92. I swear the Botox caused Brain death in nanny Pelositard.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  93. Keebler Tim Geithner
    pay back taxes and return
    to Elf Cracker fold

    ColonelHaiku (8a1a1f)

  94. People’s Republic
    Nanski with the Laughing Eyes
    match made in Heaven

    ColonelHaiku (8a1a1f)

  95. hold please, China on line
    say “Nanski, dial it back, dear!”
    give Commies a bad name

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  96. Dems should not be too
    concerned with the back taxes
    tax the full frontal

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  97. oh $@#! market speaks
    ‘oriental’ now ‘asian’
    still inscrutable

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  98. times guy surrender
    Dem Repub think money time
    go on forever

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  99. Cue the DSM blaming the repubs if things go south.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  100. “The President is in over his head…”

    He’d be in over his head if he was running a lemonade stand.

    Dave Surls (28f866)

  101. Doh you say “if” but
    fifty percent of households
    have good thing going

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  102. unlike some massage
    parlors in Garden Grove there
    no happy ending

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  103. sad so f#@$!%g sad
    times guy smile thru the tears
    but D.C. content

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  104. no loss is a win
    when decision is delayed
    O golf Boehner tan

    Timesdislaiku (af5a31)

  105. nothing seems more sensible and fair than to allow only people who own property to vote.

    WTH? What’s magic about real estate, that qualifies its owner to vote? Are you just trying to drive property prices up again by making ownership a condition of the franchise?! Or are you the same lefty troll under yet another name?

    That said, the franchise should be restricted to those who are net tax payers, rather than tax receivers. If a person receives more from the public fisc than he pays in, then his interests are opposed to those of the taxpayers, and he should not have the right to vote.

    Milhouse (8f4156)

  106. Hyprocrisy exposed:

    June 2002: Congress raises the debt limit to $6.4 trillion. McConnell, Boehner, and Cantor vote “yea”, Kyl votes “nay.”

    May 2003: debt limit upped to $7.384 trillion. All four approve.

    November 2004: debt limit upped to $8.1 trillion. All four approve.

    March 2006: debt limit to $8.965 trillion. All four approve.

    September 2007: debt limit to $9.815 trillion. All four approve.

    Anita Busch (a025dd)

  107. “Hyprocrisy exposed: [etc.]”

    LOL.

    How unusual. An alleged journalist who doesn’t know what words mean.

    That’s something you don’t see…more than a few thousand times a day.

    Dave Surls (28f866)

  108. Hyprocrisy exposed:

    All you show is that the Republicans increased the debt ceiling to a level 50% lower than demanded to today, and before Pelosi and Obama increased the deficit tenfold.

    It’s like calling me a hypocrite because I can eat a double cheeseburger, but I can’t eat five of them.

    True hypocrisy is how the democrats swore they would reduce the deficit by half, and now plan never to return to the $150 billion pre-Pelosi era deficits. And how Obama himself refused to raise a debt ceiling to 9.whatever trillion, calling it a leadership failure, and today demands a raise to 60-70% more than what he used to claim was too far.

    Yes, the GOP raised the debt ceiling in the past, but with much lower deficits. They were on an unsustainable path, but it’s difficult to compare it to the Pelosi/Obama/Reid era deficits of well over a trillion per year. They won’t even let a budget pass now that the GOP has one house of congress.

    Things are much different now than they were then. At $150 billion deficit per year, the problem was long term. today, the problem is short term.

    The rating of our nation’s t-bills is in question because we have no plan to pay this debt down. Can’t you agree something is fundamentally different now? There is much more reason to reject a debt ceiling increase today than ever before.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  109. They won’t even let a budget pass now that the GOP has one house of congress.

    Dustin – their fear of actual budgets happened long before they lost the House.

    JD (17575c)


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