President Obama had the opportunity to be one of the greatest presidents in history our our great country. Instead however, he has turned out to be the worst. He has reneged on virtually every campaign promise from the public option, Guantanamo, the two wars and now this fiasco give away to the wealthy. Please Obama, run as the GOP cadidate in 2012, you deserve each other..

marlengPlease Obama, run as the GOP cadidate in 2012, you deserve each other..

No thanks...

Why not Holy Cow? He fights more for the GOP than he does for his own base and supporters..

Marleng...I'm sorry you thought that when obama became president that everything was just going to be handed to you in life.

marleng

Why not Holy Cow? He fights more for the GOP than he does for his own base and supporters..

I just don't trust him, lol

I agree, how do you trust a liar.. No Mark, but I do expect someone who makes a campaign promise to at least fight for what he says he believes in (which this President has not).

marleng

I agree, how do you trust a liar..

Same way I used to handle it, you fire them.

This isn't a "compromise" it's a sellout, pure and simple. He caved in. One writersaid he was finally acting "Presidential". If he thinks Obama's being Presidential he should give up his writing career.

It gives me a spastic colon to type this but I hope Nancy Pelosi has more spine than Barrack Obama.

If I was Obama I'd be keeping a close eye On Hillary Clinton. She probably could unseat him in 2012.

You are delusional and you pulled these numbers out of you butt. Go away.

No, jrae, sorry but Kumar's numbers come from a CBO analysis. The FACT of the matter is, the wealthy already pay the lions share of taxes both income and overall, and the bottom of the income scale pay little to nothing and in fact get money refunded in excess of what they may have paid in via withholding. In other words, tax day for the "poor" is actually a pay day.

AND, if you follow the chronology, the percentage of the tax burden carried by the wealthy has increased steadily.

http://www.cbo.gov/publications/collections/tax/2010/tax_liability_shares.pdf

http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/30/pf/taxes/who_pays_taxes/index.htm

The ONLY area in which this is remotely not true is FICA taxation, and I firmly believe POTUS will take this 2% holiday for one year as an opportunity to exempt low income, lower the withholding rate across the board, and uncap the level of contribution.

Right now, only income under about $107k is taxed for FICA - paid by both the employee and the employer. Turn those into the true government tit's that they are, let the very poor out from under contributing to something they'll already take massive advantage of by paying in significantly less than they'll draw in benefits, and let the wealthy carry that as well. IN RETURN, keep cap gains and income taxes low.

Better yet, let's go to a graduated flat tax, and get EVERYONE above the poverty level into the game - even if they only pay $10. When half the country has no skin in the tax game, they're a little to quick to think the government should raise taxes - since they DON'T PAY ANY.

Marleng and Holy_Cow:

You realize of course, if the whole world thought as you do that we'd still be living in caves, starving seasonally and wielding stone axes. Obama was billed as a man to bring the parties together, this is what he is attempting; give a little take a little.

Compromise is not the ideal way of making decisions but it is preferable to inaction which is what we would have ended up with if he had depended on the support of his fellow Democrats in Congress. To have ALL sit down, discuss and come to a CONSENSUS would be the ideal... good luck with that one though.

I AM SICK AND TIRED of the anger driven and ignorant battle cry "Tax the Rich!"

Anyone who yells this has worked for someone else their entire lives and never struggled with a small business to pay their own way, employ and insure themselves and others and play for their own retirement, all not relying on government handouts. Quite the opposite, try doing all this while under a huge tax yoke to pull on you constantly, every step of the way. Looking back, when I worked for someone else to rely on my future and got laid off, I realize it was some of the best living and easiest work I did, because at night, regardless of my position I did not have the out of pocket responsibility and decision making to effect everything in my future, deal with the daily government BS that eats into you struggle to get ahead. Working for someone else I had the leisure of knowing I was just an employee at will and did not see how things really work here in the US.

I hate the Paris Hiltons of the world, and I am not a rich GOP or a DEM, but next time you go to work (if you have not been outsourced due to the overseas loopholes WHICH ARE the real problem) look around you at the millions of dollars if infrastructure it takes to setup a business so you and others can derive a living. It might take a family/small businessman decades to build this, and the inheritance tax will wipe it out overnight after you'ver already paid taxes on all of it 3 or 4X!!! and force them to lay off 15 or 20 loyal employees. If you DON'T CARE about what I just said, and yell the stupid battle cry "Tax the rich!" then you will kill small businesses and only the large multi-national corps which are outsourcing our businesses and jobs will remain, and out debt will continue to grow and be financed by foreign countries (the ultimate special interests!!!!) and we'll all collect social welfare benefits for the rest of our lives (believe me, some want that, because I have met folks who mocked me saying that I work for them since they collect and I do not)

Sorry, jrae, the figures presented by Kumar are accurate, and readily available on several federal government sites......just google income tax rates. Furthermore, those of us who actually contribute to the country with our tax dollars would really appreciate it if some of the big mouthed whiners who spend a lot of time hating the "rich" would start paying their share too.

Nice try, but most people know that the wealthiest have tons of tax shelters/loopholes, making their actual tax burden significantly less than any of the numbers posted.

So, you're going to dispute the CBO report then, DM?

Is that the depths to which your jealousy over someone else's succes have driven you? Maybe you should have finished college.

Loopholes or not, the top 1% pay 40% of the taxes. Deal with it.

So who is paying all the tax then? Even with the loopholes,shelters, etc Kumar's facts are correct. That is what I don't understand about some of you. Look up the info if you don't believe it! How can you NOT research for yourself and just believe a bunch of BS you read on a post or what somebody at your breakfast table tells you? Do you believe rumors and read the Star and believe it? I guess Elvis IS still alive LOL

Very nice of you to point out the percentage of taxes paid by the rich, Kumar. Now how 'bout you include some information on the percentages of our GDP earned by the rich? How 'bout you include information on the ratio of taxes to income we all pay. Without that information, your statistics are irrelevant.

The richest in our country have earned 80% of all new income over the past decade or so. The top 1% earns 23% of all income each year. That is one skewed bell curve if you ask me. Yes, how dare anyone suggest that tax cuts only be extended to those of us earning under $250,000? Those poor, poor wealthy people. They must be crying into their silk handkerchiefs at the injustice of it all.

Wrong again, greedy liberal who want the government to confiscate other people's money and give it to them.

http://www.cbo.gov/publications/collections/taxdistribution.cfm

The highest earning quintile earned about 60% of the money, but paid over 70% of the taxes.

Your figures of income are from 2006 and before, Pragmatic. "...while the bottom 99 percent of incomes grew at a solid pace of 2.7 percent per year from 1993-2000, these incomes grew only 1.3 percent per year from 2002-2007. As a result, in the economic expansion of 2002-2007, the top 1 percent captured two thirds of income growth." It has since expanded to 80% by 2010.

And then there's always this problem with factoring in the true income of the wealthy:

"Census money income is defined as income received on a regular basis (exclusive of certain money receipts such as capital gains) before payments for personal income taxes, social security, union dues, medicare deductions, etc."

Oh, and then there's always this illustrative study, updated in 2010, that can help clarify: http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html

So if the average income of CEOs went up 300%, but the average income of his/her workers went up only 4.3%, by the logic of some conservatives, we shouldn't even be in a recession. Wasn't trickle down economics supposed to solve all our problems? Were we just a bunch of fools to think that CEOs would reinvest in America, reinvest in the country that makes their wealth possible? I'm sure they're laughing all the way to the bank.

StanleyG...what needs to stop is Republican bullying. They are not the adminstration in power. Yet, they act like Bush and Cheney (mostly Cheney) never left office. If this administration is going to constantly be hamstrung by a 2% margin of power by Republicans, maybe it's time to consider impeaching the obstructionists so we can get this country back on track.

Nothing the Democrats do will be accepted by Republicans who are only looking for the route to 2012 bought by their foreign Big Business cronies. Isn't One Party Rule exactly what Rove said this country should have?

Obama has never embraced Bush policies, such as the invasion of Iraq, or supply-side voodoo economics. He has been against trickle-down tax cuts for the rich and big businesses, and against deregulation (per the finance reform).

Those who are calling Obama "Bush 41" just want Bush's acceleration of free market theory to be vindicated. But this is chicken crap. Let me guess, these same conservatives are still calling Obama a socialist communist Muslim? How can he be both?

To be fair, where were the angry liberals in the recent mid-term elections? And where are the Democrat votes in congress? When the Blue Dogs are gone next session, there will probably be more unity, but also less seats. But it's not Obama's fault that the Dems are not united, or that their base fails to show up at the polls.

Also, Obama can never been seen as the "uppity" or "angry black man." The Republicans bait him time and again, hoping to seize upon this very thing. The Republicans are baiting the country now with cuts in Social Security contributions. Let me guess, it will make the program even more bankrupt giving Republicans an excuse to further blame entitlement programs for all our woes.

Beware the immoral right-wing who profit from war, from people's poor health and sickness, from the least among us who are old and unemployed. Conservatives want a one-party plutocracy in order to hold power, with no thought of democracy or the suffering masses they have been busy creating in recent decades. Those who voted for Republicans deserve what they'll get, but unfortunately we are all in the same lifeboat.

True Patriot....See...the thing about the jackass right wing Republicans is that they seriously believe only they are ever right. They had 8 years of "right" ...you see where that got us. They had 6 years of total Congressional control and all they did was spend on the rich. No Trickle Down...unless their rich ass debts is what they really meant. No Kinder Gentler...that was only for Corporate America. So they elected a two timer loser before he even made it to the White House and installed a puppet regime they knew would do their bidding. According to GAO figures by 2005, 1% of the population with 2 unfunded tax credits were already 11% richer....This is the truth you can't get them to admit. They got theirs and to hell with the damage that caused.

Gee, the dems are getting a sweetheart deal, if it goes through, and the libs here are too dumb to recognize it. The repubs, on the other hand, appear too stupid to be in politics. They won the elections by a landslide and they still are thankful for any scraps thrown their way. All they had to do was propose permanent continuation of the present tax rates and stand firm. Sure, the house wouldn't go along with it initially, but the Senate would. It's so easy that a child could do it. By standing firm, the dems would then have to choose whether they want to raise everyone's taxes or keep everyone's taxes the same. Think the "middle-class" that voted for Obama would be thrilled to see their taxes go up? Of course not.

True Patriot - The angry liberals were busy sitting on their hands in the last election. They wanted to send Obama a message. They succeeded. He's going even more to the center. Hope they like their results.

What's wrong with letting Lotto winners pass up to $5 million onto their families? By in large most of the people winning the lotto are of modest or low income means, and for those who hit it, and their families, it's a dream come true…….until they face the death tax!

The number of Lotto winners coming from modest backgrounds and winning at least a million dollars, since the first U.S. Lotto began in 1985, is somewhere in the tens of thousands of people. Consider the following;

According to the TLC television show, "The Lottery Changed My Life," more than 1600 new lottery millionaires are created each year. (Lottery Millionaires - How Many People Win at Least a Million Dollars Every Year? By Tino Sundlin)….only 7 states do not have access to a Lotto.

Studies show that the heaviest lottery players -- the 20% of players who contribute 82% of lottery revenue -- disproportionately are low-income, minority men who have less than a college education. (Why poor people win the lottery, By Christopher Solomon)

While it is true that many winners squander their winnings, it’s not true of all of them, many want to pass their good fortune on to their children and grandchildren….make a real difference in their lives….give them opportunities for a home or an education that may not otherwise be possible.

This tax, tax, tax mantra of the “Progressives” sounds more and more like, “From each according to his abilities (or in this case Lotto Winnings), to each according to his needs. “ Karl Marx”……. Well Karl some of the American proletariat want to decide just who is needy, as opposed to letting people like you decide!

I think the idea that 50 percent of the population does not pay income taxes is not exactly true. I am sure some fancy accounting comes up with that number but nonetheless, why would that be wrong? They are the ones who are doing to hard, physical labor that our society needs to remain a power. They are not escounced into cushy offices, nor do they wear nice suits and ties to work. If the top one percent pays 38 percent of the taxes, I would say fine. They benefit the most from our society and from our labor that it is well and good that they should pay for it. There are other statistics that have been repeatedly published or publicized: The top one percent owns 50 percent of the wealth and that managers take home 500 percent more pay that the man or woman, still on the assembly line floor, that is the ones who are left after outsourcing. One formula for the destruction of a society, a true prescription for a revolution is that the wealthiest become even wealthier at the expense of everyone else.

As for the above post: I believe quoting Karl Marx, while fun, is quite irrelevant at this point. No society ever attempted seriously to implement his ideas. What is mistaken for Marxist states are those rigid police states that popped up around the world in the early and mid-20th century, that ruled in his name much in the same way that numerous 'churches' claim that somehow they are preaching the words of Jesus. It's just not relevant.

This deal just shows that nothing is more important to the leaders of the GOP than tax breaks for the wealthiest 1%.

wag: "No society has ever attempted to implement Marx's ideas"? What do you call the October 1917 Revolution in Russia? Mao's Cultural Revolution in China ect. ect.. Brush up on your history.

wag: Most of the managers came from the assembly line floor, and I'm not so sure that Fidel Castro.....or Michael Moore for that matter....agree with you that no society serously attempted to implement Marxist ideas. Certainly Moore is doing all he can to implement them here!

I can't understand what you people expect him to do. I do not believe that the wealthiest should be spared increased taxes, but I do believe that unemployment should be extended. What choice did he have. The GOP had him by the throat - either extend tax cuts to the wealthy, or we'll deny an extension of unemployment to millions of Americans who are still out of work. Can you imagine what a fiasco that would have been?

If you're going to point the finger of blame at anyone, blame Republicans for continuing to support the notion that the wealthiest in this country create jobs - bull crap - even if they do, it's not for Americans.

Not defending any, but wouldn't that be assuming there are no millionaire Dems in office?

I'm fairly certain that it's a level playing field, blue and red, pertaining to amounts of money had and invested. Also, fairly certain that it's a level playing field pertaining to the amount of representation given to the betterment of Americans, blue and red. And that,...... that is both the problem and depressing.

to jhicks: I expected him to at least put up a fight and make the Republicans justify to the outraged American people their own hypocrisy. I'm not against compromise - but "it ain't over until the fat lady sings" - and Obama doesn't even wait until she gets to the stage. If that means the Democrats compromise on December 31 - so be it. But at least ACT like you care about your base.

Please explaing something, jrae.

Everyone agrees that taxes should NOT be raised on the middle class. No need for compromise there, and neither party seems worried about how to pay for that - even though that's the lions share of the cost of this bill.

The Republicans don't want to raise taxes on ANYONE while the economy is sucking wind. The "cost" (it's not a cost, spending is a cost, but I'm not going to argue that now) of extending the tax rates to people making above $250k (HARDLY millionaires, get a friggen grip) is about $90 billion over two years. The Democrats are VERY worried about how to pay for that, even though it's a fraction of the "cost" for the middle class tax cuts - that they don't care if those get paid for or not.

The Democrats want another 13 months of unemployment benefits, and the Republicans are demanding THAT be paid for while not worrying about "paying" for the tax cuts.

No one's paying for ANYTHING - the Dems are getting their government tit, and the Reps are getting their way, let Americans KEEP THEIR OWN MONEY.

Aside from the $55 billion in pork the Dems added, that could kill the whole thing (and should, IMO) what the hell's the problem?

THAT'S what compromise is - YOU Democrats don't get your own way all the time like you're used to for the past two years - and neither do the Republicans get THEIR own way.

What's the prob?

"I expected him to at least put up a fight and make the Republicans justify to the outraged American people their own hypocrisy"

jrea, The republicans ran on extending all the tax cuts and won the biggest victory in 70 years. The American people were outraged alright, outraged by the radical leftist agenda. They voted accordingly.

To quote Charles Krauthammer, "This wasn't so much an election as it was a restraining order".

Notice the silence from the guilty Republicans? They bashed healthcare reform, campaign reform, finance reform and even consumer protection reforms. Now, they bashed the Zadroga bill. If ever I respected John McCain, I never will again. This is the best example of what Republican rot lies in their marrow. They won't help first responders until WY, AZ, TX or NM get hit like the northeast did on 9/11. These are supposed to be the Rough Riders of the Republican party? I hope every EMT in this country remembers their attitude far into the future.

Republicans hold no compunctions about dumping the bills of the rich on the working poor and middle class. Just don't dare expect to get the Social Security you paid into for 4 or 5 decades. Meanwhile, Republican McConnell helped himself to the best cardiac surgery the country has to offer on the backs of taxpayers. Send that old fool the bill for the costs. He's a good ole boy...he has plenty of his own money to pay for it.

I don't mind compromise but I do mind the earmarks being used again to buy votes.

Some people just can't deal with the fact that it takes a 2/3 majority to any thing that matters. Liberals should have sent more Democrats to D.C. instead of staying home. I guess they couldn't find any that would pass their ideological litmus test. In that respect they're as bad as the Tea Party.

x

Can't stand people keeping more of their own money they worked for huh? Man you're pathetic. You are just bitter about your own meager existence and want to try punishing those more successful and I find it sickening.

the gop seem to in the majority these days.....and you blame them ?

what!? youre upset the liberal elites are not calling the shots anymore ?

obama has to get re-elected.....and the economy needs to improve for him to do so.

Mark D-1621162- I find your comments sickening.

Can't stand people keeping more of their own money they worked for huh?

No - what we can't stand is giving them special "perks" when they so easily send our jobs overseas. The Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy have done nothing but create an elite class that has decimated the middle class. Weather you want to believe it or not, this country needs the middle class - we're the economic engine of this country. Why do you think we're in this current depression? It's because the middle class has been shut out and the economic engine is now out of gas. We can't all be millionaires - but we work just as hard, often harder, for a fraction of what the "elite" work for.

GOP this or that; fact is, NONE have done anything to legislate towards job or economy; nothing providing Americans with jobs, nothing punishing for American businesses going overseas vs. existing and hiring Here.

Almost a year on healthscare, not one day on Glass Steagall, punishing tariffs for Nike, GM building plants and hiring in Mexico, India, and of course all the work shipped to China.

Dem or Repub, really...... what's been the difference to our economy, the American workforce, staving off unemployment, underemployment....

The government continues to grow, dependency (due to our 535's inaction and non-representation, save for themselves and whom they're beholden to) on the ever growing government is promoted, while jobs ARE NOT.

Work on the road crack sealing and bollux up traffic, or have a career job with benefits?

To Mark D: you think we're talking about people who "earned" their wealth?? If you think uber salaries and bonuses to financial, insurance, pharma, etc honchos is earned??? How much is enough? A salary of 60+ million per is not rich - it's stupid obscene rich. And it was made off of the backs of people like you and me and all our fellow tax payers.

jrae - guess what?

YOU do not get to decide, fortunately, what is "too" rich and what isn't.

What the hell does "made of the backs of taxpayers" even mean? Did multi-billionaire George Soros come steal from you?

Oh, do you mean the Wall Street guy's POTUS has been cuddled up to for almost four years now, making sure they have bojillions in taxpayer money to parley? Those guys?

You guys are such raging hypocrites. Until the system - as the one where the government and Wall Street enjoy a symbiotic, parasitic relationship that screws this country that is FULLY SUPPORTED, AIDED AND ABETTED BY POTUS - is changed, the rich will continue to get rich NO MATTER WHAT THE TAX RATES ARE.

You're fighting the fly, while a swarm of hornets is biting your arse.

LOOK! Shiny tax rates!!!!! While PS, the Fed is handing out money to the banks to buy government bonds, that they charge a fee for every single time, making billions at taxpayer expense - and POTUS is fully aware of this and DOESN'T CARE - and you think the 3.5% tax increase is somehow going to balance things out. Because he's got you tricked into thinking that $45 billion a year is going to fill a $1.4 TRILLION hole. Dude, we don't have a revenue problem, we have a SPENDING problem.

LOL @ you.

Read "Bought and Paid For" by Charles Gasparino and wake up.

Stanley Garland

Your rants sound like those of a troll. You add no facts no sites nothing. Your opinion is just that and laughable at best. Do you think raising the taxes of anyone will change the deficit? That question goes out to all of those tax the rich advocates. Do any of you truly believe that raising the taxes of the rich will change the deficit?????? If you do then you are as ignorant as Stanley above. You have no concept of the problem and in fact you are just showing how easily you are manipulated.

The problem with most of the Bills in Washington are that they want revenue but they don't say what the revenue will pay for. Do any of you "raise the taxes" advocates realize that the government brought in well over $2 trillion dollars in revenues last year. $2 trillion dollars but that wasn't enough and they overspent by over a trillion more.

Did you payout over $7,000 in taxes just to the Fed? Did you pay that much more for each member of your immediate family to keep the government fueled up with revenue? Well if you didn't then you need to stop and think that somebody did. Somebody is paying that much and more to keep this government running! Someone is paying that much so that the unemployed that can't find a job can get up to 99 weeks of UI. Someone is paying that much so that others can draw welfare, WIC, SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare.

Someone is paying so that we can educate the kids of illegals and to make sure they get health care. Someone is paying that amount for the highways that everyone else uses.

Most familes of four are not paying $28k in federal income taxes at the end of each year. In fact most families of four are not paying a dime and getting money back in EIC and other credits. If you are in that majority on the receiving end of the Fed. I could see where you would be worried. You have had your hands out for so long thinking that others should be supporting you that you know no better. You are worried as well as you should be that if those people don't pay more to support you then something will have to give somewhere. You just don't want any of your support cut.

Bottom line is that before the government should be imposing any tax rate hikes there should be cuts in government spending. The government should be held to a balanced budget every year. In other words they can't spend more than the money they bring in.

Once that is established the tax system should be changed to a fair or flat tax. This would make sure that those that use more pay more and would also allow the Federal Government to shed thousands of IRS workers who do nothing but get paid by the tax payers while demanding more money from those same tax payers.

Hmmm, We complain that the "rich" need to pay more taxes (as if the 33% rate they already pay is not enough). We complain that the rich take their companies overseas because of cheaper labor and lower taxes.

I can't imagine why they would do that though...I mean heck, I'd rather keep my business right here in the good old US of A and pay higher taxes, pay mandated "minimum wage" that I may not be able to afford,give my employees government mandated insurance that I may not be able to afford,Jump through all of the Government hoops , filling out endless piles paperwork...examining the new "laws" daily.. to make sure that I am not violating the latest new tax or paperwork requirement from good old Uncle Sam ....really, what's wrong with these business owners thinking that they have the right to operate their businesses as they see fit...to be able to pay what they can afford to pay and actually keep the money that they worked for? .....Reality check folks...The government is not the solution....government is the problem....as in....Too much government interference.....

If I were a business owner being placed under the rules now in place and the uncertainty of what will come tomorrow....I would probably take my business elsewhere too. Guess what?...that would be even less jobs in this country. Want more businesses here?.....get the frigging monkey off the business owners back (you know those monkeys in Washington?). Allow the business owners to keep their monies , so they can expand their businesses and hire new employees. Allow the business owners to offer any wage they want...it is up to you, whether or not you will work for that wage....take it or don't, your choice....if you won't, someone else....will. Get rid of all "income taxes" and "Business taxes" ....go to a national sales tax of say 10%...everyone pays the same right?...sorta...while everyone pays the same rate on purchases...the "rich" as you like to call them tend to make bigger purchases...you know ...like those million dollar boats....large homes...expensive jewelry etc....therefore, they will still be putting more back into the economy and more in taxes back into the government coffers.

For those of you that advocate the "class warfare" system...the more you continue your misguided war on the rich...the longer this nation will remain stagnate...because the jobs Will continue to go elsewhere in the world. Want jobs and a booming economy?...start your warfare against the proper targets.....government and government bureaucracy....and not the people who actually "CREATE JOBS".....Remember....the government does not create anything (other than bureaucracy and mountains of BS paperwork)...the government has nothing...that it doesn't take....from someone else.

Wise up folks...before the nation goes completely....belly up....once that happens....the game is over and WE LOSE.

Let's all cry croc tears for people who live on $600 a day and then whine about higher taxes. Boooo hooooo .....my tears are falling. How about these jackasses of great wealth learn to live on what they earn like they tell us to do? I'm sick and tired of watching them spend everyone else's money but their own. Then, when theirs runs out, they send their bills to us to pay. BS.

As for Republicans, their name is mud. Their conservatism has brought this country as low as it can get. They take away jobs. Then, they increase prices on necessities. They send jobs offshore and then when the imports are unsafe, they look the other way. Any more skankery we need from Republican so-called conservatives?

With every one of the 3 tax credits they've gotten in 2001, 2003 and now in 2010, they grew 11% richer. 33% in less than a decade....Nice thievery off the backs of the working poor they made that way.

J Hicks - ever think that it was the american consumer that drove american jobs overseas? The american consumer wants to buy cheap and buy often and could care less where the product was made, njust make it cheap and with more bells and whistles than last years model.

I don't blame companies for outsourcing when they can't find consumers willing to pay for "made in the USA".

Americans cry about the environment but refuse to pay for it because businesses pass on the cost of regulations in the form of higher product cost.

Liberals whine about "fair wages" and the desire to create higher pay via unions or that business is raping the consumer. Again, they cry "fair wages" whilr they go out and buy the latest electronic toys and other non-american made products because of cost.

I hear very little about Americans changing the way that they think about growing the size of the global economic pie by creating more products in the US that can be exported overseas at a price foreign and domestic buyers will pay.

What about Facebook, Google and other tech companies who only hire the best and brightest tech savvy people. Think that they should employ personel from across the entire social-economic spectrum? Or are you happy that they are billionaires and have only injcreased the division between the rich and the poor.

Most big money is made on capital gains and that tax is only 15%. This country is being run by banks, wall street and big corporations. They are destroying us and they own this government. Billions in 0% loams to big banks when they already have over 7 trillion in assets. Insane, unless you are a big banker.

Obama finally stood up for something and it turned out to be the republican party and the rich. maybe we can get a strong third party, but I doubt it. Ten million in the streets with specific demands may be our only hope. Otherwise, it's depression and chaos.

The american consumer wants to buy cheap and buy often and could care less where the product was made, njust make it cheap and with more bells and whistles than last years model.

I'm not all that old, only 47, but I'm old enough to remember shopping as a child and my parents ALWAYS checking where a product was made. If it said anything other than "Made in America" or "Made in USA", my parents would refuse to purchase the item. There used to be plenty of products to choose from made in this country.

I completely disagree that it was the American consumer that forced companies to go off shore - that's BS. And if there's any doubt as to why companies did start going off shore for cheap labor, just look at how much more top level executives earn today compared to their employees versus 20 years ago. This has everything to do with lining the pockets of top level executives - that's where the savings goes - right into their pockets.

Watching those two together I gained a whole new respect for Clinton.

He was never capable of assuming the responsbilities of the office in the first place. He is a hyperpartisan, smart but incompetent and inexperienced commander in chief and if you're just getting that, you haven't been paying attention.

He basically lied his face off with the assistance of media to get elected in the first place. No red and blue states? Bull. Transparency? Only into what his real goal is, a socialist democracy ala Europe. Post-partisanship? He is THE single most devisive figure in the country with his rhetorical little broken records, "no keys for you", "drove it into a ditch", "hostage taking", blah blah blah blah.

I don't support this compromise, because of the ridiculous unempolyment extension and the $55 billion in pork the Dems have added. But if this is the BEST that can be done, given the greedy Dems and their lust for OTHER people's money to fund their ongoing wasting of taxpayer funds by giving it to the lowest common denominator voting blocks? So be it.

January will come, and so will Nov. 2012.

While disagreeing with much of what Owebama does, don't forget the forest for the trees; we have 535 that could do much, but haven't for decades.....

They've only allowed business to be driven overseas, and attempt class warfare amongst fellow Americans while, this entire time, neither Donkephant has done squat to force American business to remain in America.

They 'spin' tax break discussion; the rich vs. the working class. Guess whom employs the working class? When tax breaks are discussed, but nothing is done about keeping American businesses in America, then what does it really matter?

Congress is responsible for much, much more than the figurehead president is.

Yes, congress runs the show, the president can only sign or veto. The problem is, while Bush pushed the brake on the democrat congress, Obama pushed the accelerator.

Bush used his veto powers seven times and threatened them even more. That kept them somewhat in check. After Obama got elected there was nothing stopping them from spending through the roof and they were encouraged to do even more.

wavychips....I'm sure you cannot possibly compare the Bush/Cheney love affair to what the country saw with President Obama and Clinton. I thought it was precious. And, I'm certain the right wing is eating their hearts out. President Obama is an intelligent man and he respects Clinton as the Rhodes Scholar and successful president he was.

Can you say the same of that failure you people put in the White House for 8 years? History shows that Republicans are now and always will take the blame for the loss of American financial stability. No other party ruled with an iron hand...and too bad the Republicans think we'll let them rake this president and his administration over the coals like they did to Clinton.

It is time to impeach the Republican Axis of Evil.

Phil - Bush put on the breaks? Maybe in a parallel universe but certainly not here. The Republicans admitted after Obamas election that they had gone hog wild with spending and needed to go back to being the fiscally responsible party to get the independant voters and even some Republican voters back. Haven't done it yet though.

Obama left the more competent person in charge because he had to go to the party...you have to realize that he has different priorities than the resy of us.

hahaha I love how people claim that people getting more of their own money is greed. Earth to liberals, you are defining hypocrisy when wanting to increase taxes on the rich to give to yourselves because you claim they are greedy.

If 700 Billion is greed, then 3.3 Trillion to the middle class is greed on steriods! That's your logic Jan followed to it's logical conclusion! It continues to amaze me how progressives can't follow their own logic to it's rightful conclusions

ted, they're still believing the lies they've been telling for nearly a decade:

That the Bush tax cuts were ONLY for the wealthy. If that's true, then there can't be any cost to middle class tax cuts - BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXIST!!!

amIrite?

Mark D...You want to see how fast we prove that money isn't "their own"? That's as easy as cutting off the source. Then, we'll see how that money will be "their own" or it will be something that they got by increasing unemployment? Exploiting workers? Cheapassing their employees paychecks to fatten "their own"?

Americans may be down right now...but we are not out. Not by a long shot. And, the ones who'll be jumping out of the skyscrapers will be the ones with "Their OWN" money gone, goner, gonest....Money always runs out pallie.....and "Their Own" will too.

PragmaticToAFault...Check the GAO records. It's time you faced up to the truth. GAO doesn't lie. And, every expert economist in the country by 2006 predicted financial meltdown as a result of the unstable policies of unfunded tax credits. How about the rich start paying out their own pockets for what they want instead of always trying to get something for nothing....Gimme Gimme Gimme....

(Pragmatic.. I notice you seem to be the only one here that quotes from the CBO and the IRS.)

The BIG misunderstanding on these blogs -- Not increasing the taxes doe NOT increase the debt. The debt is increased by expenditures. I only saw the facts in a few stories - that the current Democratic expenditures passed these past two years, mainly the Health Care bill, is increasing level of debt. Thus, the Democrats had to increase the taxes on those who help this economy. Without the needed tax increases, the debt would grow. The answer is simple - stop adding expenditure bills without removing other expenditures. Or, simply stop the new expenditures.

why would you need to pay for tax cuts?

The money that is lost by reducing the amount of tax that is collected leaves less money.

You have a savings account and put in $100 a month so you have tuition money to send you kid to college. One day you decide to keep an extra $50 in your checking account so you have more to spend. The savings account will be reduced by $50 a month. You will need to come up with some way to make up that $50 loss to savings so you are able to still have the money needed for tuition.

Republicans use some other formula to try and explain why their tax cuts don't add to the deficit. For the life of me, I can't figure it out.

Well sounds simple, if you can't afford tuition, then go to a community college or cut some of your social costs. THe government is getting plenty of money but are just wasting it and it isn't my responsible to fund the governments ridiculous spending. No matter how much you liberals think it is, it isn't and I certainly won't.

JBurns...since you couldn't figure it out I'm sure that it is no good and doesn't work right?

What do you think of this statement jburns? "A tax cut means higher family incomes and higher business profits and a balanced Federal budget... As the National income grows, the Federal Government will ultimately end up with more revenues. Prosperity is the real way to balance our budget! By lowering taxes, by increasing our jobs and incomes, we can expand tax revenues and finally bring our budget into balance" John Kennedy September 18, 1963!!!

Yes, that's the logic that liberals just don't get. Clinton said it all, "It's the economy stupid!" Tax cuts unleash the economy and people start earning a paycheck instead of collecting unemployment. They move from liability to asset.

Since they only believe in spending, Keynes is their hero even though his economic model has never worked. in contrast, tax cuts have always worked.

Bush got unemployment down to 4.6% while Obama has gotten it up to 9.8% as far as they eye can see, yet they call Bush's policies "failed" and say Obama is saving us. If 9.8% unemployment and $1.3 trillion deficits is the liberal definition of "saved", I'll pass.

@Ted Crawford: Yeah, but that was when American companies actually provided jobs for the American people instead of sending them to other countries to ensure the highest profits for their stockholders. It is impossible to make a good comparison to the economy of 50 years ago and the economy of today; to do so would be to ignore the era of deregulation and "free trade" agreements that started in the 80's.

James...The greed of the richest 1% won't stop until they do what they did in 1929 when their stock market investments tumbled into eternity. These are the most cowardly people walking the planet. They loll about whining about having to pay their share of the taxes. They use more of the infrastructure, more of the natural resources and then, they decimate the economy because they are "entitled" to their wealth....BS...not when the only way they get wealthy is by exploiting their employees and price gouging on every conceivable necessity.

Their greatest stupidity is that they have now decimated the working poor and middle class. Who do they think will pay for that if not them? Once unemployment runs out, the 9 million unemployed that made a 10% increase in US billionaires will end up on welfare...then listen to the rich asses howl and whine.

President Palin will be sure to straighten all this out in 2013. Just be patient.

Edward 1075991, Palin can't control her two loose daughters, how can she control anything else. She is the idiot of quit. A corrupt imp.

I hope Palin doesn't run but when you get right down to it, she couldn't do worse than Obama. She has actual business experience. Obama never wrote a paycheck, poor thing. He only coached people on how to get other people to support them.

MM....

Republicans want it all for the people who line their pockets and the will pay the price in 2012.

Can you name one Democrat who's not in the pocket lining business? Integrity, Honesty and Morals have apparently left both parties in Washington.

What do you think, time stops if this bill passes?

Wake up. The newly elected Republicans haven't even been sworn in yet, the Democrats still control both houses of Congress. Exactly how much success would Republicans have NOW trying to pass spending cuts through a Congress that is wedded to BIG HUGE SPENDING?

IF the Republicans that get sworn in on 1/5 fail to reign in spending, then some of your pie in the sky predictions might come true. They better come through.

You're also operating on a "static" basis, while Zandi and other economists are predicting that this package - even before being porked up by the Democrats - could raise GDP by 1% and double employment projections for next year. If that happens, the "spending" is negated.

Finally, stop drooling over other people's money, get off your computer chair and go earn your own.

What the hell happened to the "liberal" belief in personal property rights, that you people think that ALL money inherently belongs to the government, who gets to decide how much to let us keep?

The latest Rasmussen shows 58% want all tax cuts extended, that is what it was before the election.

The poll also shows spending is even more important than the deficit. That reinforces what I've advocated, extend all the tax cuts and decimate government.

Bush was operating with the same tax laws yet his deficits were on fifth what Obama's are. Clearly we don't have a taxing problem, we have a spending problem.

Pragmatic...Who benefitted most from TARP and ARRA? Who benefitted most from the 3 unfunded tax credits? I've watched post after post from you all with the "Save Rich Ass" routine and its sickening.

The dumbasses of the 1% actually believe that they can continue to dump their debts on the other 99% to pay? With what? Marrow? When you cause unemployment, no one buys. When no one buys because they have no jobs...guess what? The rich don't get so haughty and high assed.

stripertime, well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stripertime: pure moronic far right BS

For YEARS now I've been posting about how B.S. the global warming farce is;

Global warming; yeah, in the name of selling out American jobs to lowest 3rd world bidder SOMEHOW makes it better.

Pollute in India, China..... somehow, that's not contributing to the 'global warming pollution' problem. From my stand point, that's still global warming contribution (for those that believe in it) and I'M WITHOUT A JOB, WITHOUT WORK, and many of us that once were 'middle class' are becoming 3rd world.

Pathetic.

Moderationin... I'm with you, The other day I was at a construction site when the framing lumber was being delivered and couldn't help notice the plastic wrapping was market "Product of Sweden" Euro Studs...

I just wish one of these SmartA$$ lib's could explain how falling a tree in Sweden, dragging it down their mountain side, transporting to a Swedish mill, transporting it again to the seaport and shipping it across the Atlantic Ocean to end up on a ocean front lot in Corolla, North Carolina is helping the CO2 or Climate Change..This is the type on nonsense that has to be stopped...

Striper;

No doubt; and pertaining to Sweden? Last report I read on oil import and exports.....

America sold X millions of gallons to them, and then bought 1/2X million gallons back. This can be tracked with any country, any product, and it's naught but back and forth for false increases in profits..... then, we're told that we're getting the lowest prices, and again, no real legislation towards American jobs for Americans getting paid American wages to purchase American goods. The biggest lie of all; ----'global economy'.

Somehow, people can't see past their own noses; buy into global warming being a human caused problem, but it's O.K. if those humans are on the other side of the globe.

Moderation...

President Obama, the liberal left can reject or blame others all he wants. The citizens know he along with the far left know what their policies have done to this country and it's economy. And we know Obama and the far left are happy of what they have achieved thus far. Obama and company might want people to think there not happy about the direction the country is going, but if they were really unhappy about it they would do something to stop it. Instead, they're doubling down on more dept, more job killing policies, more control and more spending. Obama and the democrats reject the idea their policies have taken the country in reverse. Where the he!! have the these far-left socialist social reform and environmental wacko policies taken this country, except to it's knees? Obama and the left happily preside over a nation in which they define in decline. Obama has told the world no longer will the US population lead the world economy. The majority of Americans do not agree with this or the ideology and are know longer willing to continue to loss our country our freedoms or allow America to become some european type socialist government, we see the riots in England, France and Greece the union control and destruction of these economies and I want no part of it...

stripertime,

don't know where you live but in my home town there was once a river where nothing lived or could live, it could and did catch on fire several times and industry just kept dumping more and more poisons and heavy metals into it, it now has fish in it again but they won't ever be editable in my or my great grandchildrens lives the bottom is so contaminated with zink,mecury and other heavy metals and sewage it will take nature centuries to clean it out so go on in your narrow minded right wing ways and maybe some great corporation will bring your town a river like mine.

Striper;

You got it.... if some of us can see it, why can't others?

The pendulum swings far right, then far left, and is propelled to do so. If it ever settled towards the middle, well, we just can't have that, can we?

Smaller government, less need for government, debt, and assistance programs.... out of the question. Many support the Owebama policies and the 535 behind them because they lend themselves towards less; less work, less responsibilities, more nannying. Sound conservative thinking? That labels you as Limbaugh, Hannity, etc.... because so many buy into the 'reality show' type policies our 535 offer us, instead of representing us.

1913 was a terrible mark for us historically; the Fed Reserve was created. Follow what transpired since, and we can all see where it's landed us. We are headed towards what you've mentioned in the EU, but some just won't believe 'it can happen to us'. They think, like the Fed wants them to, that more money can just be printed, all can be postponed, deflationary crash will be taken care, just like they want to be taken care of.

Instead of taking back government, their lives, their careers and economy they simply expect that giving in, being nannied, and shopping at Wal-mart will solve their problems.

Though not part of this thread, if I see one more piece of shyt article about 'consumer sentiment', ............

Take care, Striper.... sounds like you've also had enough, and may be facing hard times such as myself. It can't last forever, or can it?

boba... America has the most advanced tech in the world and should be held to the highest standards and accountablility. It also has the means and ability to produce without polluting, instead of moving the smoke stack to China or India why don't we just clean what is going up-it? Instead we seem to just want to TAX IT and send the money to China or India, which has not worked.

boba;

Two wrongs will never make a right. Our standards in America HAVE BEEN improved greatly; now, in the name of 3rd world wages and the destruction of the middle class (which will, by the way, also happen to them once they reach a degree of lifestyle) it's fine to globally warm and pollute the other side of the Earth.

If there were truth to man made contributions to global warming, there is no common sense to this, and to our detrement at that. If you have concerns about pollution, then America has the higher standards for EPA, etc.... than any nation we've sold out our economy to; again, no common sense to that and to our detrement.

Slice it any way you want, on all 3 axis, and still we lose, nothing changes. Citing examples of 'what once happened' is no excuse for what's going on now, for selling out America to 3rd wold wages and polluters, and for fantasy land 'going green' first with no work or money to do so.

Work on better technology and cleaner ways of manufacturing? Certainly.

Wanting to kill manufacturing until the no money cleaner ways are created and instituted? Insanity.

Pollution and global warming are not the same thing. The IPCC co chair has publicly said the goal of climate change is wealth transfer. They aren't even lying about it anymore.

Sending billions to third world nations will do nothing for global warming, they will squander it instead. If you are really concerned, spend that money funding low interest solar conversion loans for homeowners. Solar is already cheaper than nuclear, the up front cost is the only thing holding us back.

That will lower pollution by lessening the need for coal and will also provide extra capacity for the inevitable electrified auto industry. It would also increase our security since power plants would be a less valuable target by terrorists.

You will get zero blowback for lowering pollution, you will talk to the hand when you try to sell the IPCC version of climate change.

Striper

You hit the nail on the head.

Unfortunately the libs don't know that pointy side goes into the wall/

STriper.....Policies are pushing the cost of gasoline up? Or are gasoline companies making out like bandits? You want to explain why in January 2009 Exxon earned in one fiscal quarter ten times the profits it had in 10 years? Was that also government policies and if it was, I'm guess we all have that Crawford right wing lunatic to thank, right? After all, Obama was not in office until 2009 and those profits were for the last quarter of 2008...2008....Financial Meltdown for every one but Bush's Big Oil cronies...I don't know who right wingers think they are fooling but it isn't me that's for sure.

Stripertime

Smart Grid Projects The Department of Energy awarded $620 million in smart grid projects, the second major wave of government-led funding to modernize the electricity grid. The money will come from the stimulus package and be matched by commercial companies, making the total spending $1.6 billion spread across 32 demonstration projects in 21 states. A total of $8.1 billion in smart-grid spending from public and private sources was announced November 2009. A list of projects by category can be found here and by state here. A map of the awarded projects can be found here.

ExxonMobil and startup Synthetic Genomics announced one of the biggest deals yet: more than $600 million for a 5-6- year algae biofuels development program, including more than $300 million to be invested into the startup. Synthetic Genomics is already backed by high-profile venture capital as well as oil giant BP In February 2010, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced that the U.S. military was about to begin large-scale production oil from algal ponds into jet fuel. After extraction at a cost of $2 per gallon, the oil will be refined at less than $3 a gallon. A larger-scale refining operation, producing 50 million gallons a year, is expected to go into production in 2013, with the possibility of lower per gallon costs so that algae-based fuel would be competitive with fossil fuels. The projects, run by the companies SAIC and General Atomics, are expected to produce 1,000 gallons of oil per acre per year from algal ponds.^[26]. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the recipients of more than $80 million in government funding for bio-fuels research and development. The bulk of the funding, coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, went to algae research and development, while the rest went toward improving the country's ethanol infrastructure.

sharky.
"Stripertime: pure moronic far right BS"

Name calling is the best a leftist can do for a comeback to the truth.

A great example of the environmentalist destruction of an economy is in Oregon. The only jobs they push are green jobs, and screw anything else. Oregon used to be the largest producer of timber products in the nation. Timber provided good jobs and support for the mostly rural communites they are in. It is a renewable resource, more so than anything the left has come up with.

Unfortunately, leftist judges have said that a bird few have ever seen is more important than an economy of an entire state. Timber production was the largest part of Oregon's economy and today it is only about 1/10 of what it once was. Many of the forests are now off limits to pretty much any activity that isn't done on foot. Millions of acres of land are untouchable. And what has it gained us? The largest forest fire in history. That bird is now smoked tweety. Unemployment is over 10% in the state and as high as 30% in areas that have a renewable resource that can't be touched. Let it burn is the lefts answer.

Stripertime, 50 years of climate change lies? So that would put us back in the time when we were being warned of global cooling. I'm confused now about which set of lies you're talking about. Maybe you need to get your facts straight.

Face it, you need to get off the drugs. Try rehab. A little anger management wouldn't hurt either. One more thing, that black sedan following you around? It really is the FBI. And for good reason.

Jack-2510943...Jack You May Enjoy This...1975 Newsweek. Wrong then Wrong Now...

The Cooling World
Newsweek, April 28, 1975

There are ominous signs that the Earth's weather patterns have begun to change dramatically and that these changes may portend a drastic decline in food production - with serious political implications for just about every nation on Earth. The drop in food output could begin quite soon, perhaps only 10 years from now. The regions destined to feel its impact are the great wheat-producing lands of Canada and the U.S.S.R. in the North, along with a number of marginally self-sufficient tropical areas - parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indochina and Indonesia - where the growing season is dependent upon the rains brought by the monsoon.

The evidence in support of these predictions has now begun to accumulate so massively that meteorologists are hard-pressed to keep up with it. In England, farmers have seen their growing season decline by about two weeks since 1950, with a resultant overall loss in grain production estimated at up to 100,000 tons annually. During the same time, the average temperature around the equator has risen by a fraction of a degree - a fraction that in some areas can mean drought and desolation. Last April, in the most devastating outbreak of tornadoes ever recorded, 148 twisters killed more than 300 people and caused half a billion dollars' worth of damage in 13 U.S. states.

To scientists, these seemingly disparate incidents represent the advance signs of fundamental changes in the world's weather. The central fact is that after three quarters of a century of extraordinarily mild conditions, the earth's climate seems to be cooling down. Meteorologists disagree about the cause and extent of the cooling trend, as well as over its specific impact on local weather conditions. But they are almost unanimous in the view that the trend will reduce agricultural productivity for the rest of the century. If the climatic change is as profound as some of the pessimists fear, the resulting famines could be catastrophic. "A major climatic change would force economic and social adjustments on a worldwide scale," warns a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences, "because the global patterns of food production and population that have evolved are implicitly dependent on the climate of the present century."

A survey completed last year by Dr. Murray Mitchell of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals a drop of half a degree in average ground temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere between 1945 and 1968. According to George Kukla of Columbia University, satellite photos indicated a sudden, large increase in Northern Hemisphere snow cover in the winter of 1971-72. And a study released last month by two NOAA scientists notes that the amount of sunshine reaching the ground in the continental U.S. diminished by 1.3% between 1964 and 1972.

To the layman, the relatively small changes in temperature and sunshine can be highly misleading. Reid Bryson of the University of Wisconsin points out that the Earth's average temperature during the great Ice Ages was only about seven degrees lower than during its warmest eras - and that the present decline has taken the planet about a sixth of the way toward the Ice Age average. Others regard the cooling as a reversion to the "little ice age" conditions that brought bitter winters to much of Europe and northern America between 1600 and 1900 - years when the Thames used to freeze so solidly that Londoners roasted oxen on the ice and when iceboats sailed the Hudson River almost as far south as New York City.

Just what causes the onset of major and minor ice ages remains a mystery. "Our knowledge of the mechanisms of climatic change is at least as fragmentary as our data," concedes the National Academy of Sciences report. "Not only are the basic scientific questions largely unanswered, but in many cases we do not yet know enough to pose the key questions."

Meteorologists think that they can forecast the short-term results of the return to the norm of the last century. They begin by noting the slight drop in overall temperature that produces large numbers of pressure centers in the upper atmosphere. These break up the smooth flow of westerly winds over temperate areas. The stagnant air produced in this way causes an increase in extremes of local weather such as droughts, floods, extended dry spells, long freezes, delayed monsoons and even local temperature increases - all of which have a direct impact on food supplies.

"The world's food-producing system," warns Dr. James D. McQuigg of NOAA's Center for Climatic and Environmental Assessment, "is much more sensitive to the weather variable than it was even five years ago." Furthermore, the growth of world population and creation of new national boundaries make it impossible for starving peoples to migrate from their devastated fields, as they did during past famines.

Climatologists are pessimistic that political leaders will take any positive action to compensate for the climatic change, or even to allay its effects. They concede that some of the more spectacular solutions proposed, such as melting the Arctic ice cap by covering it with black soot or diverting arctic rivers, might create problems far greater than those they solve. But the scientists see few signs that government leaders anywhere are even prepared to take the simple measures of stockpiling food or of introducing the variables of climatic uncertainty into economic projections of future food supplies. The longer the planners delay, the more difficult will they find it to cope with climatic change once the results become grim reality.

-PETER GWYNNE with bureau reports

From the point of view of this environmentalist, yes, the economy is of secondary importance when the well-being of our environment is at risk. We do not need to be filthy rich at the expense of turning the beautiful planet we live on into a dirty dustball. It's becoming clear even, that we will not be prosperous in any sustainable way if we continue to abuse the earth's ability to produce. Even dogs don't leave their waste in their own home. The 'greatness' that you are talking about is a short term result of overtaxing the planet. That being said, we can have both. Look at Germany. They have much stricter environmental regulations and a booming economy. The third world countries that have born the brunt of the environmental hypocrisy that you mention will not let it happen for ever, either.

tim-580939Why in the fuk should the gov't get any of your'e money when you die.

Maybe someone needs a new TV in Detroit, and doesn't have any money, what are they going to do...

@tim;

Not only are you right on, but had no need to be party biased, seeing as both Donkephants have screwed us into where we are at.

A few million more like you, and we may have something left of America for my children.....being 42 myself, I'm not holding out hope for my age group.

As my father said; take everyone other one of 'em in Congress and ship 'em off somewhere (he said it slightly differently about the shipping off part, but I don't want to get banned). Then, tell the remainder they have 6 months to get their shyt in order, or we'll do it again.

Likely, things would suddenly start being accomplished, lo and behold...

Tim don't forget about that illegal in L.A. who needs a new cell phone. If you weren't such a money hungry far right greedy sob maybe you would realize that new phone technology comes out all the time and if you the government doesn't double tax your money when you die a lot of people will go with outdated phones.

It's all the governments money they get to decide how much we keep. :<)

NOT!

Mark D...Maybe that rich man in the Ivory Castle on Wall Street doesn't need my insurance premiums to use for his slush fund either. Maybe he doesn't need a new Porsche or BMW or Mercedes every year. Maybe wifie most indulged doesn't need three vacations a year and an McMansion to live in. Maybe you don't need an SUV gas guzzler that costs $100 a pop to fill the tank. Maybe wifie most trendy doesn't need a $1000 washer and a $1000 dryer and a maid who uses it. Maybe kiddies most McBratty don't each need their own cell phone, their own computers, their own TVs, and you don't need all those private jet trips. Take a bus like the working class does..or is that too humbling for the high and mighty rich asses these days?

Social security tax is a Ponzi scam. Portion of your income should be deposited in personal investment account.

Gee, stanley, pardon me if I don't much care what YOU think is in America' best interest.

Anytime a liberal says, "it's not in your best interest", I pretty much decide it's probably the best possible thing I could do.

YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE, thank god.

stanley...I'm not intending to imply insult or judgment here but I am curious to know in order to be able to respond to your posts in an appropriate manner, so please forgive what appears to be, but in fact is not intended as, an insulting question: Are you undergoing mental treatment, just how many anti-depressants are you taking, Obama was elected, his policies have been rejected get off the Kool-aid the thrill is gone and America does not want his cradle to grave Socialist mentality... So provide some fact on at least one issue...Please try hard. If you are not capable of such response maybe your Mommy should restrict your computer use...

Stanley is proof yet again that liberals are closet fascists. They want the power to control what you watch, what you eat, what you drive, where you live, etc. all for your own good of course!

Pragmatic...You had 8 years of "doing what's best for the country". Who are you kidding? It wasn't what was best for the "country". It was what was best for 1% of the country. If you can possibly find a sane rational reason why this country didn't get into the mess it did in the 8 years you had to be "doing what's best for this country" please do try and explain it. The Serfdom rich asses created would love to hear that explantion.

stripertime - your name calling is sad, now I know you have no class.

sharky.

Most economist predict a 4% growth in the US economy because of the deal. Without it many feel the US could have a double dip recession and even higher unemployment.

Exactly, what a great campaign issue it will be in 2012, use the presidents own news conferences as TV adds for republicans. Down with the bill!

wow, i actually agree with you on this one sharky.

Traditional economist have a terrible track record. Did they predict the great depression, the housing bubble, the boom of the 1990's ect. ect? NO. This bill add $900 billion to the national debt within two years. By the way, we have not paid 1 cent on these two wars yet which is estimated to be over $1 trillion at the end of this year.

the funding for the military is there every single day.....from clintons wars, to bush, to obama....yes our tax dollars are making it possible.

i dont know what you are saying marleng.

Damn marleng, so if these tax cuts were in place for like 10 years, then they cost us a grand total of 4.5 trillion right and that is just for the rich? Don't think so. You may wanna put that kool aid in a sippy cup when you are blogging by your computer.

sharky...

It's amazing how most economist have for the past years, "Month after Month" been "Unexpectedly Surprised", "Underestimated" in their Predictions especially in Growth, Jobs, GDP, stimulus, healthcare cost, etc. and everything else. The liberals haven't got a Damn thing right in the last 50 years...

Your brainwashing is complete Even when a Marxist liberal sticks it to you, you call him a republican!

Progressive democrats have owned congress for four years and the white house for two. Who has prospered? Unions, government workers, banks, and wall street. Who has suffered? The lower and middle class.

By your logic wouldnt that say that congressional democrats are also republicans? I think Boehner, Palin, Rush, and Beck would disagree.

Valhalla Phil....Maybe you need to set President in situ Palin straight....North Korea isn't "our ally".

The parasites will be in the majority after the first of the year. It's now or never.

The parasites have run congress for four years. Jan will put an end to that.

triman33...How about we tax the hell out of the parasites like Madoff, Kozlowski, Ebbers, Skilling and the CEO of Healthcare South....after all ...these parasites skimmed money from their employees and their corporations in the trillions...Nice that you like to play the refocus game and blame everyone but the truly guilty.

Yet another deluded liberal that completely ignores the reality of Nov 2.

duggjr...If I wanted Republican One Party Rule...I'd have voted for Republicans. Step aside. We have a Democratic Administration and I dare you and any of your right wing minions to try and overthrow majority rule. Go ahead....try and see how fast the right wing Republicans have NO party.

Jburns - the democrats still control the house and senate until the new congressional reps are sworn in in january 2011.

A $5 million dollar exemption isn't much when you stop to consider what an acre of farmland (a recent land auction brought in $9000/acre) is going for or the capital investments made by many small businesses. If further compromise needs to be done to stroke the outgoing liberals. I would keep the exemption amount and increase the % to say 45%.

stephan - mmmmmm... NO! Let the banks take the financial hit, they have re-insurance. All the government has is a printing press.

Liberals believe it's not our money. They are too cowardly to steal it themselves so the have the government do it for them.

Ask George Bush and Dick Cheney that question. They started 2 pointless and unfunded wars - those wars have been going on for 10 years. In the meantime this country is going in to the financial toilet. Sure, pay the rich more and cut education, infrastructure, and untold domestic programs for the country at large - all in the interest of halting government spending.

I'll vote for a halt in government spending when the government stops the ridiculous wars that are bleeding us dry.

Yea, those wars that POTUS just keeps on fighting, while flirting with a couple of brand new ones in Iran and SoKo. WHILE keeping Gitmo open, while maintaining and actually strengthening the Patriot Act, while sending his guard dog Holder after the 9th District Supreme Court to STOP them from overturning DADT as unconsitutional and NOW ........ (drum roll please)

He's become a supply sider and recognized that cutting taxes IS the way to stimulate economic growth. Too bad he spent so much damn money (JUST like GWB) while still in denial, we could have been farther out of the mess by now, isn't it?

We should just call him George the Third!!!

Just grinds your gears, doesn't it, jrae. LOL @ you, again.

Obama's deficits are 5x what Bush's were. Bush's entire eight year war effort was less than Obama's deficit for one year. A little perspective please.

The race card is a very, very dead issue william! You need to read comrade alinskys' book again and pick a different chapter!

"While the majority here oppose the continuation of the tax breaks"

That is a lie. The latest polling data shows 58% favor extending all tax cuts. Since liberals have totally ignored Nov 2, I guess they would ignore the polls also. At least Obama was smart enough to see the light.

agreed Ted, i think that for the most part this blog has been very interesting and pretty balanced from both sides as far as comments... then u always get a "progressive" that can't resist pulling the "race" card.......

jr-240...Who give Barack Obama and the elitist on the left the power to be able to say that any citizen in this country has to pay more to support the mistakes of our governments mismanagement and stupidity over the years including that of both parties because of what they earn, and why do so many of us fall into the trap of thinking, yeah, that's fair? Now, who made Barack Obama or Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid or any Democrat, I don't care, any Democrat, who made them the decider on what anybody should make and then what level of taxation they should pay? Who made them the deciders on what we should eat or if your kid is allowed a Happy Meal? Who made them the decider of what kind of light bulbs we have in our homes? Who made them the deciders on the kind of car we should drive? Who made them the deciders on what kind of house we live in? Who made them the deciders of when and where we can and can't turn our lights on? Who made them the deciders of who loses how much of their freedom? Who gave them that power? It doesn't come from the Constitution. The Constitution does not say the Democrat Party gets to decide which car people drive, which light bulb they have, what foods they can and can't eat, and what lights they can't turn off or on at what time of year. The Constitution does not say that the Democrat Party gets to decide any of this. The Constitution does not envision this kind of usurpation of freedom. The Constitution does not envision nor allow for this kind of invasion of private property rights or overall liberty or freedom. It has to have been a political party looking at the Constitution and being unhappy with what it says, ignoring it in order to implement their policy. How did I end up as an American with a guy who doesn't even like my country telling me how I have to live? How did that happen? How did I end up with a guy who does not even respect the founding documents of this country, how did I end up -- how did we all end up -- with a President telling us and the world how immoral and unjust this Great Country and it's citizens are? This is total garbage, this president along with of you liberals hasn't a clue or even care where this world would be if not for the greatness and the sacrifices this Nation our fathers, grandfather and founders made protecting and coming to the aid of other nations in keeping their own freedoms and democracies. I can tell you he doesn't, this President, the liberal global world looms don't they are steal apologizing for our evil ways. BS

Good post Stripertime!

Stripertime or Strippertime,

You don't understand the divisions of responsibility and you mix up constitution from legislative powers. The president can't do hardly anything if the House of Representatives or the Senate doesn't bring something forth. You talk of the elitist attempting to alter your way of life? By the elitist I guess you mean those that can read and write. Once again so many need to go back to school and this time pass government/civics/economics to be able to grasp the complexity of this topic.

William is your check weekly or monthly from the government it's apparent you know nothing of job creations or the Private sector and who are the producers that built and continue to provide jobs in spite of your government/civics/economics and who are the takers. So may I suggest You Sir return to school and obtain a degree in something other than political Bull@!$%# and how to be a left-wing pun- dent.

Cutting taxes doesn't add to the deficit unless you've already budgeted with the assumption that taxes would increase. For the Democrats to say the tax cuts add to the deficit shows that they never had any intentions of extending the cuts to anybody in the first place. And JR, why is this deal not a fair compromise? Republicans pushed to keep everyone's taxes at the current rate and the Democrats pushed to extend unemployment beyond the 99 weeks.

If you keep the tax rate the same, IT IS NOT A FRIGGEN TAX CUT.

Absolutely! If I pay more next year that is an INCREASE!

Pat-151....WHO HAS TAKEN US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW?

Who really created this problems and where is it written that the people who create the problem get to demand that people who had nothing to do with creating the problem solve it, but first get blamed for it, because that's really what's happening here. People who are making $250,000 or $500,000 or a million, according to people like Barack Obama, and in fact most people in Washington, are somehow to blame for our deficit, somehow to blame for this out-of-control spending, somehow to blame for this generational theft. What did the people earning $250,000 do to create this problem? What did the people who earn a million dollars do to create the problem? What did the people who earn $500,000 a year do?

What have they done that resulted in this irresponsibility in Washington? Nothing! The people who earn $250 or 500,000 or a million are in fact the people who are investing in this country and the private sector hiring other people, producing products and services that allow for the country's economy to grow and for people to have jobs and to earn higher wages. The federal government, the state government cannot and does not create wealth. All it can do is destroy it. All it can do is confiscate it. And what we're doing is discussing the proper level of servitude. What is your price? What are you going to have to pay for the irresponsibility and for the misnamed, the maligned, the stupid, and the incorrect policies of liberals like Barack Obama? What level of servitude will you have to bear the responsibility for something you had nothing to do with? At what level are we going to proclaim you are more guilty than another citizen based on how much you earn? Where in our founding documents, where in natural law, where in the Constitution are these principles written? Washington Takes Enough, They Spend and Waste is Totally out of Control and has to be Stopped....

It's very clear who's responsible for the debt and deficit when we read Artical 1, Section 7 of The Constitution.

even if you consider this a tax cut how can you say it increases the deficit when pelosi didn't even work out a budget?

The simplistic one speaks from his Mommies' basement!!!