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quote:
WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government, vastly complicating Democratic attempts to leave their own stamp on the final days of the post-election Congress.

"While there are other items that might ultimately be worthy of the Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any matters above the critical issues of funding the government and preventing a job-killing tax hike," all 42 GOP senators wrote in a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The 42 signatures are more than enough to block action on almost any item he wishes to advance....



Well that's a relief. I was beginning to think their priorities weren't in order or something. I mean, tax cuts for the rich are so much more important than figuring out what to do about 2 million Americans losing unemployment benefits.

Way to go, boys! A bottle of Dom Perignon Rose for you all! Oh wait. That might be in bad "taste" (get it?) since so many Americans are losing their unemployment benefits and don't know how they're going to pay their bills this month. Perhaps a bottle of Salon 1995 would be more appropriate.
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I think you purposely left out half the story. The GOP Senators are also pushing the Dems to pass appropriations to keep the government functioning.

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"While there are other items that might ultimately be worthy of the Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any matters above the critical issues of funding the government and preventing a job-killing tax hike," they wrote. "Given our struggling economy, preventing the tax increase and providing economic certainty should be our top priority." http://www.foxnews.com/politic...ax-cuts-budget-pass/

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politic...-pass/#ixzz16u5jZlos
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Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government


This is just political negotiation. The republicans want this, the democrats want that, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours.

Dont take it personal, if the roles were reversed the Democrats would be doing the same exact thing......

Captain
Actual, they did when they took over in 2006.

It's just a game to them. When 2012 rolls around and all the incumbents die a slow death, maybe the next group will get the idea.

They have to pass funding to keep the government running. They have to pass extensions of benefits if they plan to. The tax rates can wait until January.
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Originally posted by Capt James T:
quote:
Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government


This is just political negotiation. The republicans want this, the democrats want that, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours.

Dont take it personal, if the roles were reversed the Democrats would be doing the same exact thing......

Captain


Do I think the Democrats are motivated by altruism in their pursuit to extend the unemployment benefits? For the most part, no; they're only interested in doing what it takes to keep their seats, just like the Republicans.

But at least the Democrats are making the unemployed a priority, as they should. The only source of income just got cut off for people who don't know how they're going to pay their bills this month, much less buy Christmas presents for their kids. Tax cuts can wait.
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Originally posted by b50m:

It's just a game to them. When 2012 rolls around and all the incumbents die a slow death, maybe the next group will get the idea.



All this past election did was rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic; the next election will be more of the same. If ALL the incumbents get the boot in 2012, I'll be very surprised.
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:

Do I think the Democrats are motivated by altruism in their pursuit to extend the unemployment benefits? For the most part, no; they're only interested in doing what it takes to keep their seats, just like the Republicans.

But at least the Democrats are making the unemployed a priority, as they should. The only source of income just got cut off for people who don't know how they're going to pay their bills this month, much less buy Christmas presents for their kids. Tax cuts can wait.


Why should the tax cut EXTENSIONS wait? The republicans have the leverage now, if they dont use it, they may not get it passed. This game is played everyday, with high stakes that affect you and I much more than it affects them. The republicans believe that extending the tax cuts is the right thing to do. Not just for the rich, for everyone. I, for one, don't approve of raising ANYONES taxes until Washington gets its act together and cuts spending.....

The truth of the matter is this is a game to both parties. The only thing at stake for them is their seats.
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_...s_lame_duck_politics

quote:
WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government, vastly complicating Democratic attempts to leave their own stamp on the final days of the post-election Congress.

"While there are other items that might ultimately be worthy of the Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any matters above the critical issues of funding the government and preventing a job-killing tax hike," all 42 GOP senators wrote in a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The 42 signatures are more than enough to block action on almost any item he wishes to advance....



Well that's a relief. I was beginning to think their priorities weren't in order or something. I mean, tax cuts for the rich are so much more important than figuring out what to do about 2 million Americans losing unemployment benefits.

Way to go, boys! A bottle of Dom Perignon Rose for you all! Oh wait. That might be in bad "taste" (get it?) since so many Americans are losing their unemployment benefits and don't know how they're going to pay their bills this month. Perhaps a bottle of Salon 1995 would be more appropriate.


I'd rather see them ALL enjoy a glass of Arsenic 2010. Just my thoughts.
Once again, the rethugliteacons are not showing their true hand. The following is an excerpt from The Economist:

If republicans are so worried about the "a job-killing tax hike" discussed in their letter (a distinctly Keynesian perspective by the way), then use the money gained from allowing the tax cuts to expire for the wealthy to fund an extension of the Making Work Pay tax cuts in the stimulus package that went to middle and lower class households. The GOP is refusing to extend the Making Work Pay tax cuts, apparently the jobs lost when taxes go up for the non-wealthy don't count. Since these tax cuts are likely to result in more spending than tax cuts for the wealthy, this would increase rather than decrease jobs. If the GOP really cares about jobs, they'll get on board. If they block the legislation, as they most likely would, then we'll see who is reading the "verdict" from the election correctly.
taxed to death, i was out of line to say i wish your family had to do without. i apolize for that. i do not wish anyone bad luck, but i do feel there is way to much greed in this world. it does worry me that families have there on source of living cut out because there are not a lot of jobs out there. i hope and pray that there will be a way for these families during this hard time america is in.
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Originally posted by rocky:
Once again, the rethugliteacons are not showing their true hand. The following is an excerpt from The Economist:

If republicans are so worried about the "a job-killing tax hike" discussed in their letter (a distinctly Keynesian perspective by the way), then use the money gained from allowing the tax cuts to expire for the wealthy to fund an extension of the Making Work Pay tax cuts in the stimulus package that went to middle and lower class households. The GOP is refusing to extend the Making Work Pay tax cuts, apparently the jobs lost when taxes go up for the non-wealthy don't count. Since these tax cuts are likely to result in more spending than tax cuts for the wealthy, this would increase rather than decrease jobs. If the GOP really cares about jobs, they'll get on board. If they block the legislation, as they most likely would, then we'll see who is reading the "verdict" from the election correctly.


C'mon rocky. This is NOT from The Economist (a respectable British magazine; center-left on social issues; center-right on economics). This is from a lefty professor at the University of Oregon who has a blog: The Economist's View.

Maybe someone should start a "rocky's lie of the day" thread.
quote:
Originally posted by Capt James T:
quote:
Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government


This is just political negotiation. The republicans want this, the democrats want that, you scratch my back I'll scratch yours.

Dont take it personal, if the roles were reversed the Democrats would be doing the same exact thing......

Captain


WHAT??????????? Well this IS spin, considering the letter signed by ALL republican senators vows to block ALL legislation, even health relief benefits for 911 rescue workers, until the millionaires get to keep their tax cuts. Electraglide is a good example of a TRUE gentleperson and is reflecting the philosophy of Jesus Christ during this holiday season, unfortunately, there are a lot more of the rethug crowd on this forum and in the halls of congress who have the philosophy: I got mine, I want more and to hell with the rest of you. Really apropo during this Christmas season for republican hypocrites of all stripes.
Aww, Rocky, back to name calling again. Its ok, we forgive you. Did you complain when the Democrats shoved the healthcare bill down the throats of the republican masses? Have you complained, in the past, when democrats used this same tactic to try to get their legislation passed? The same tactic is used when they want to get their pet projects approved as well (which is part of the 'waste' folks keep talking about).

Admit it, your complaint is the fact that the republicans once again have the ability to prevent the democrats from shoving their legislation and projects down our throats without at least getting some agreement from your sworn enemy.
And, just for the record, I doubt there are many, if any, here that are affected if the tax cuts stay in place for the highest earners. Those of us that you are talking trash about just dont believe the government should keep putting their hands in our pockets (republican or democrat) without getting their spending under control.

Show me some true work on decreasing spending and actually budgeting and I may join you in the increase the taxes fight. Problem is, we increase the taxes now with the promise to work on spending. And we know what their promises are worth......
quote:
WHAT??????????? Well this IS spin, considering the letter signed by ALL republican senators vows to block ALL legislation, even health relief benefits for 911 rescue workers, until the millionaires get to keep their tax cuts. Electraglide is a good example of a TRUE gentleperson and is reflecting the philosophy of Jesus Christ during this holiday season, unfortunately, there are a lot more of the rethug crowd on this forum and in the halls of congress who have the philosophy: I got mine, I want more and to hell with the rest of you. Really apropo during this Christmas season for republican hypocrites of all stripes.


And what about Demonrat hypocrisy? Harry Reid doesn't seem to give a ratz arse about those poor 911 workers, those losing unemployment benefits, the middle class tax cuts, etc. He seems to only care about illegal aliens.

quote:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has pushed four different versions of the controversial immigration bill known as the DREAM Act without a hearing on any of them, drawing outrage from the top Republican on the committee that would have handled the package.

The Nevada senator, who narrowly escaped a defeat in the November election, has pursued an unusual approach to advancing the bill that gives young illegal immigrants who attend college or join the military a pathway to legal status.
http://www.foxnews.com/politic...s-dream-act-hearing/
quote:
Originally posted by Capt James T:
Aww, Rocky, back to name calling again. Its ok, we forgive you. Did you complain when the Democrats shoved the healthcare bill down the throats of the republican masses? Have you complained, in the past, when democrats used this same tactic to try to get their legislation passed? The same tactic is used when they want to get their pet projects approved as well (which is part of the 'waste' folks keep talking about).

Admit it, your complaint is the fact that the republicans once again have the ability to prevent the democrats from shoving their legislation and projects down our throats without at least getting some agreement from your sworn enemy.


ONCE AGAIN????????? What has gone on for the past two years from the party of NO or in Boehners world HELL NO! Just what all have you heard from Rush Limbaugh?????? The republicans are showing their true colors and you and the rest of the right wing radicals are still faking color blindness holding out for tax cuts for millionaires and denying benefits for the unemployed, the economy be ****ed!
Wow, Rocky, you'll ride it until its dead, wont you. The republicans are not asking for Tax cuts, they are asking that taxes not be INCREASED by extending the cuts that are ALREADY IN PLACE. Not really a hard concept to grasp.

Tax cuts mean revenue would decrease moving forward. Extending the tax cuts means we keep the 'status quo' on our income taxes. NO CHANGE. At the same time, the govt should be working on DECREASING SPENDING. What have your democrat friends proposed to do this?

I'm beginning to agree that someone should start the 'Rockys lie of the day' thread.

Here is a link to a great example of WASTE. Thanks Jennifer!

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11143386

http://forums.timesdaily.com/e...342000009#6342000009
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The republicans are not asking for Tax cuts, they are asking that taxes not be INCREASED by extending the cuts that are ALREADY IN PLACE. Not really a hard concept to grasp.

The dems have to have them expire. They based their fake numbers on this to make the health-care bill balance with the budget. Problem is, they based it on all cuts expiring, not just the upper range. Now they realize that would have the effect of raising taxes on the middle class, and that makes Obama's statement of 'not one dime' a lie.
The question was "has the fedgov ever created a job" and the answer is yes, hundreds of thousands of them, and many are vital and necessary to our modern standard of living. Some are even mandated by the Constitution. And 99% of them will still be there 10years from now. Agencies like DHS are growing daily...adding Amtrak stations and interstate highways to the venues they will secure with the use of checkpoints.
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The question was "has the fedgov ever created a job" and the answer is yes, hundreds of thousands of them


You won't find anywhere that I've denied that.

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many are vital and necessary to our modern standard of living


That's debatable. Some would certainly exist if the private sector had to provide those services, some would not. Many that did exist in the private sector would not command the wage that the government provides.

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Some are even mandated by the Constitution


Only a small percentage, like the post office. And, we could probably scrap that and be just fine. The American Letter Mail Company was outperforming the US postal service in the 1840's, until the government shut it down.

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And 99% of them will still be there 10years from now


I'm sure you're right. That doesn't mean they are necessary.
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That's debatable. Some would certainly exist if the private sector had to provide those services, some would not. Many that did exist in the private sector would not command the wage that the government provides.

And they would be run more efficently, and if left alone by government, make a profit instead of having to be bailed out by our tax dollars.
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Only a small percentage, like the post office. And, we could probably scrap that and be just fine. The American Letter Mail Company was outperforming the US postal service in the 1840's, until the government shut it down.

Now the PO is fast becoming obsolete. Already many workers have nothing to do, BUT they still get paid full salary. Makes you wonder what will happen the day the PO is gone, will they still pay those workers sitting at home?
NASA does alot of defense department work, most of it in HSV. Our military is totally dependent of the use of satellites.

Scraping the Post Office is not an option.

I think the National Parks are one of the real treasures of the nation, and that taking them out of federal control would probably not benefit the taxpayer in the slightest.

The private sector can do many of the fedgov operations but probably not cheaper, and without the benefit of the force of law.

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