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GOP can’t grasp own failures, need to change
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
I just do not understand the GOP and its proud display of unified opposition to any measure the president has requested of Congress to address this economic crisis.
For example, President Barack Obama’s administration, which inherited this mess, has initiated a plan that addresses home foreclosures. Is it perfect? No. Is it all-encompassing? No. However, it seems to be the best or at least a decent set of compromises that will alleviate the suffering of millions of homeowners. We await the remainder of the plan to help stabilize and loosen the credit market to get the banks to start making loans.
It seems the Republicans can’t grasp the fact that Reaganomics (trickle-down economics) is evidently no longer working as the panacea they continue to embrace.
The spigot has been greatly damaged and the “trickle” has dried up. They also seem to ignore their sound defeat in the past two elections and that the people want change, intelligent leadership and accountability.
With respect to the GOP’s condemning the stimulus bill as a Democratic boondoggle, I recall the president reaching out to Republicans for their input on more than one occasion and, indeed, some fat was trimmed.
It seems the only tune the Republicans can sing is: We should reduce taxes to stimulate the economy; nothing else. Would AIG have been saved if its taxes had been lowered?
As an independent who has often voted Republican, I implore the Grand Old Party to stop listening to the ultra-right wing that adheres to “my way or no way” and “if you’re not with me, you’re either unpatriotic or ignorant” and worst yet, “I hope Obama fails so that standing on our principles would be justified.”
I fear for the two-party system if this type of thinking continues.
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"As an independent who has often voted Republican,...."
If anybody believes this, then I have a sub-prime mortgage to sell to you.
There is very much to dislike in the Obama budget. Numerous signals for an America propelled by disincentives to achieve. The definition of "wealthy" for family incomes above $250,000, and the array of higher business taxes, and phasing out of the home interest deduction are particularly troublesome.
What ever happened to the America where ambition to get ahead and hard work with the prospect for greater rewards were values to be esteemed rather than penalized. America is now on the wrong track. This is not a good sign.
The Obama administration and the Democrat controlled Congress may have their day, but this nation will very soon tire of the plan to punish successful behavior, and cap unpunished incomes at a paltry $250,000.
The measure of the man in the White House will ultimately be based on the degree to which he scales down the bar for individual achievement, and the degree to which he taxes the initiative and incentives out of the heart of this nation.
The Obama 2009 budget increase is nearly 3.8 times bigger than 2008. Obama's budget overview will call for nearly $4 trillion in spending in fiscal year 2010.
Obama projected that he will have a $1.75 trillion deficit in 2009 as compared to the Bush deficit of $455 billion in 2008.
Obama has forecasted a $533 billion deficit in 2012 continuing on to $712 billion in 2019 - well after the recession is over, the Iraq war is over, the stimulus II is spent out, the TARP money is paid back, $2.0 trillion in military program cut are made, and a massive tax increase is put in place for the rich.
This is change you can believe in and China is LOL
Why look! It's the three mouseketeers working hard to be wrong again. Invincible ignorance all lined up and ready to misinform again. For readers looking for credible information ignore the these three idiots and stick to factual information with real analysis.
No mschaffer, they just want Obama to fail so that.. well if the bottom completely falls out, I have no idea what will happen. I would just say stock up on guns, ammo, and non perishables.
Hi redferret,
guns, ammo, and non perishables work for about 5 minutes. Somalia is a good example of the no government and everyone out for number one anarchy, where I believe the quote ran something like 'everything that can be done with guns has been'.
The liberal termites are out in their glory this morning. Trying to figure out ways to demolish the greatness of the American spirit. At the rate this nutcase administration is going it will be headed out the door overnight. Along with
those creeps Pelosi, Reid and Frank. Even you guys have got admit that this proposed Obama budget will cripple American spirit and incentives to achieve. You cannot saddle ordinary people who are ambitious, innovative and hard charging with this kind of rediculous
tax burden, and survive politically. You cannot burden thousands of small business and expect them to exist and create jobs for other Americans. Anyone who punishes those families who make only 250K with higher taxes just is out of touch. We should be incentivizing the creation of greater incomes, not punishing the ones who are trying to earn and make a future for them and their families. You guys need to take your heads out of your armpits and start smelling the roses.
Really, families making "only" a quarter of a million. Houston, it is you who is out of touch. The vast majority of Americans don't make that much. In fact, most Americans never will. That is why the GOP is out of power. You guys are still scrapping for the rich folks out there. These people have had it easy. And yes they have made money by the sweat of their brow, but these same people are propped up by God only knows how many people making only 30-50k/year.
As a person making about that much hearing someone cry foul for someone making more than the average American, it is a little incredulous. What is the extra 5% or whatever going to make them mortgage their second home? Will they have to put off buying that houseboat? Oh I'm sorry that the trip out to Europe will only be 3 weeks instead of 2 months. Seriously this is ridiculous.
From the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) (http://www.cbo.gov/budget/historical.sht......) you will find that during the 8 years (FY-2001-2008) of Bush
- the Revenue went up from $1,991.4 to $2,523.6 billion or 27% (3.4% per year) while
- the Outlays went from $1,863.2 to $2,978.5 billion or 60% (7.5% per year).
- Debt held by the public at the end of FY-2008 was $5,802.9 billion resulting from an 8 year $2,001.9 billion deficit increase.
We absolutely agree with Democrats that spend was out of control for the last 8 years and voted the Republicans out of office for that reason.
So why would Democrats be surprised that a fiscal conservative would not support the trillion dollar Obama borrow and spend plans.
Houstonjac: "A paltry $250,000"!
No more needs to be said about the disconnect between the "haves" & the "have nots". Call me a commie as you squeeze by on your quarter million a year.
Good one Phil. I mean what percent of the country are we talking about here? The top 5%, top 10%. In any case it is nothing like the vast majority getting by under 100k and more realistically only 50k.
PhilVentura--call you a commie?
OK if that's what you want!
Seems that you want everybody to wallow in poverty, and that makes them better?
BS! And right--250K for two working folks, or even one is a Good Thing--we should promote that this is what we want for every family rather than brand these people as "bad guys" who are rich and burden them with more taxes. That's insane. "OMG not 250K, that's just terrible."What we should be aiming for is a society which rewards those who work hard, who have motivation to achieve--they should be the standard bearers, and the ones we reward with incentives. Try it long enough and it might catch on.
$250,000? Are you kidding me?
Do me a favor, hop on over to http://www.globalrichlist.com and insert $250,000 as your annual income, read the resulting page and then tell me that you're strapped for cash.
Your family makes 250,000 a year? Congratulations, you're richer than 99.999% of all people on Earth. You're in the top .001 percentile of earners.
$250k is not middle class. Nowhere near it.
Cry me a river.
And houston they've already been rewarded. That's the problem with your thinking. They have a quarter of a million dollars per year already. The incentive is there for them to make that money. Should the government tax them LESS than the person making a tenth their income? And what the hell do you consider poverty? Last I checked poverty was considered around 18k/year. And for the numbers inclined, that's about 1/14th of a 250k earner. I think they are safe and can handle it. Like I said you are pretty severely disconnected from the real Americans who go to work 9-5 and HAVE to support themselves. They just can't let their investments support them. Besides, Bush already cut their taxes ridiculously and look where that got us. Any rejoinders to that one Houston?
Houstonjac:
I'm trying to get by on $250K?????!!!!, but have you seen the cost of a loaf of bread or the base price of a Ferrari? To get by I may have to lay off a nanny or at least stop paying taxes on her income!
Redferret--I want the society that I live in to promote higher incomes and wealth. I am opposed to poverty. That's why I support the ones who have the drive, energy, and motivation to succeed and create opportunity and wealth. The argument that some family with a 250K income has already been rewarded because they have eaned that much is undermined by the punitive attitudes, and tax burdens that you liberals heap on their backs. Stand up for the sucessful person who creates, takes risks, and reward them more. They ultimately set the standard for what the less advantaged can aim for in a land filled with opportunity and rewards. By the way, I am totally disgusted with the fat cats who rob people by receiving undeserved huge bonus checks when their company is a loser. These are not the types of people that I am attempting to protect.
Houstonjac:
What's your solution for lack of healthcare for the poor, and now the middle-class who cannot afford quality care?
Keeping in mind that over 50% of bankruptcies now are caused by health problems and the failures of our health care insurance system, and the fact that many of these bankruptcies are filed by people who earned over $250K per year before they got sick, don't you think there are serious economic issues facing all americans?
A severe quality of life problem exists in our country not just for the people having to squeeze by on a mere $250K.
its true..the reality is the republicans as a party will die out..in my life time a new party will emerge...they need to stop playing to the mindless knee jerk reactionites... filling you with fear of a black planet... playing to your base hartred and fear.. If you want morality and family values then teach them to your family.. if you are against gay marrige the dont marry the same sex..if we govern morality we might as well be the Taliban they govern morality....
Alan Wollman: "It seems the Republicans can't grasp the fact that Reaganomics (trickle-down economics) is evidently no longer working as the panacea they continue to embrace."
It continues to work for those making more than $250,000, but no one else. Is it any wonder that the republicans want to continue this disastrous economic system?
The republicans have become the obstructionists because they truly have no ideas to rectify the current economic crisis. So, they play the blame it on the 5 week old Obama administration.
Oh yeah, remind me again about the republicans who had control of both the Executive and Legislative branches for most of the last eight years and "republican control" created the financial crisis, the housing crisis, and two un-winnable wars that have drained our military.
BTW, long ago I stopped reading inane comments from the republican / Bush apologists.
Philventura:
There is no panacea for healthcare and poverty.
Many of the tent cities in urban areas are filled with the mentally ill. What are we to do about these problems?.Tax everyone else into oblivian. Eliminate the tax base that supports the welfare programs we now have? No liberal or conservative has solved these problems entirely. No one ever will. Canada's healthcare system is socialized. The prime minister's brother spent the entire night on a hallway gurney several years ago after he had suffered a heart attack. His comment the next day to his brother, the Prime Minister,was "we have to do something about the healthcare in this country". I don't think we want to move in that direction.
What is your answer for the millions who have no motivation to achieve more from their lives and never will--should they live off the ones who are highly motivated, who work hard, who create opportunities for millions of others. My position is that we must reward those who do take risks, who are ambitious, who do create opportunity and wealth for others, these people should be incentivized, not punished for their efforts.
What you are advocating is a "Robin Hood" approach to all of society's ills--steal from those who create the wealth, and give it to the ones who do not have the ambition,drive and clarity of purpose to generate or obtain wealth on their own. This type of society turns into chaos. The noncreators receive benefits at the expense of the creators. Soon there is no one willing to create wealth,no one is vested with the authority to protect the creators of material wealth, and they either stop creating or move on. This is the day that the music stops. The day Atlas Shrugged.
First, saying it is a Robin Hood approach is a really dumb GOP talking point. I know let's compare the Dems to an unpopular villain right? Right? Oh no, he's seen as a popular hero who helped the downtrodden who were unfairly repressed. Ooooops.
Second, Europe's socialism hasn't killed incentive or industry over there. So quit all the Ayn Rand BS. I've read all of her works. I appreciate the idea she attempts to bring, but at the same time there are massive holes in her ideology. First you have to assume in the Rand world that there can be NO religion. According to her religion is just as bad as the noncreators. So bub-bye Baby Jesus in the manger listening to his Baby Einstein developmental tapes. Second, Ms Rand conveniently lionizes industry, but she fails to understand that industry can be as bad as if not worse than noncreators. Enron made a lot of jobs, and then took a lot of them away. Union Carbide made a lot of jobs, and then killed hundred in the community when their plant exploded and released toxic fumes into the area. Additionally, the reward for making money is the money, and the other sundry items that the wealth brings. Why on earth should government give more to people with so much? Really, they are the deserving ones? For every one shmoe making 250k there's probably 20 who make less than a quarter of that.
Additionally Rand makes the cardinal error of stating that it's OK for millionaires to break the laws of the land to fight for their precious money. Sweet! Versus I guess it's not OK for the starving to find a way to feed themselves. Houston get over the end of the world motif. It won't happen, and I really do think that before the rich go and hide in a cave, the poor will storm the Bastille for their bread. In any case there's more of us, so I would worry more about a revolution from below.
Obama announced today his plan to end combat operations in Iraq by the end of August 2010, saying the goal of a "sovereign, stable and self-reliant" Iraq is achievable.
After rebuffing funding, calling the war lost, repudiating Gen. David Petraeus and denying the surge, Obama used the "we" word today.
Obama said "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime -- and you got the job done. We kept our troops in Iraq to help establish a sovereign government -- and you got the job done. And we will leave the Iraqi people with a hard-earned opportunity to live a better life -- that is your achievement."
We agree with Obama change of strategy
Obama said he immediately start remove troops when he got in office -- now he is waiting until after the 2009 fall Iraq elections to significantly drawdown.
He said he would take the troop level down to 30,000 in 16 month -- now he is still going have 50,000 after 19 month.
He is very close to the Bush/ Petraeus exit plan.
Great critical thinking by Obama and we support him.
Obama said he intends to abide by the Bush -- Iraq Status of Forces Agreement requiring the removal of all U.S. troops by the end of 2011, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he envisions keeping a small contingent of U.S. troops in Iraq even after the 2011 deadline.
Of course Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are upset with these reasonable decisions.
Society can be sumed up in three groups
1. The haves
2. The have nots
3. And the haves that have not paid for which they do haves.
redferret--
My gosh you avoided the crux of the points I made. Rather than repeat them, you can reread them.
Robin Hood is ON POINT. That's what the liberal agenda is all about.Since Ayn Rand was an atheist, she makes outstanding reading for liberals. Believe me the real revolt in this nation will be at the next ballot box time. In less than two months, this Congress and administration have revealed themselves to be every nightmare that most us believed they would be. Root for a median income of 250K!!That is if you are not afraid of success. That would destroy the liberal agenda, and the need for the Robin Hood, Obama.
Ann Coulter says you all are stooopid!!!!
And you avoided my points houston. You have the childishly naive idea that everyone will be 250k, or that these people are the average American. They are not. Hate to break it to you, but unless our currency is extremely devalued, we shall not make the average income 250k. Sorry but that's basic economics. It's like in the classroom I used to say, "I would love to give everyone A's, but...".
And I'm not afraid of success. The unfortunate thing is that the only venture I can think of that would get me to 250k and the American dream is to sell drugs or worse. The average person will not make that money. Championing these 250kers as normal and average and what we should all aspire to is disingenuous at best. Otherwise it's just sad propaganda.
First I did not say AVERAGE. I said MEDIAN. But AVERAGE would even be better. Imagine making 125K, and your other half making 125K. You have three children to support, plus a 3500 a month house payment. You have retirement and college educations to plan for. You have elderly parents that need help.You live in NY. I doubt that your house payment would be that low in NY. You have local,state and federal taxes to pay. Two cars to support, plus gas, maintenance and insurance. This list is just beginning, and ends with medical insurance costs. How are we doing so far?
Do you think those folks are rich?? Yet under Obama's idiotic tax schedule these people would be whacked because they make 250/year. Great American dream--dream on!!
Could be worse; anyone remember a 90% tax bracket. Problem was that to pay someone 250K NET (after tax) a company had to pay a GROSS (before tax) figure a lot larger. This made no sense to company CEO, CFO, and board of director members when they could get the top tax brackets lowered by congress.
Houston, that couple has a gross monthly income surpassing $20,000.
$20,000 a month is very wealthy, for anyone. With a basic budget and a sane investment strategy, a $3500/mo house payment and 3 kids, they should be skating by with room to spare.
Your sympathy angle for a couple earning a quarter of a million dollars a year isn't doing you any good.
Houston you got a problem,Your party is collapsing in on its self,They have become bankrupt of ideas and leadership and are on the verge of total collapse.Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks!If Barry Goldwater saw the republican party of today he would turn over in his grave! The conserative agenda in America has has been a dismal failure at best.
Thebs--The only people who really know what it means to not be rich at 250K a year are the ones who are living the actual life in the situation that I have defined,and believe me when two kids hit college at the same time, you are planning for a third, and at the same time covering the expenses of basic living and setting something aside for retirement that's not alot of money.
We have to set a higher bar for the standard of living that we want to achieve in this country, and not reduce everyone who trys to achieve that standard to a "tax source".
BTP--The party who will collapse under the rot of their own selves is the Democratic party.The liberals.
The weight of the waste and tax burden now being
formulated by the Obama administration, and liberals like yourself will self destruct the Democrats, and put the Republicans back in power. You have not begin to see the real backlash from what is now happening to this country. But it will be swift and convincing.
Republicans and the kid fetish....USE A CONDOM and $250K can go somewhere.
I really don't see why the 'haves' should cry over a few percentage points higher in taxes - These same people will pay a thousand dollars for a pair of Jimmy Cho shoes but then what, worry about paying a little more income tax? Money means NOTHING to these people as long as they can spend/waste it on extravagances for themselves - money only becomes an issue when they're asked to pay their fair share rather than lop it off the bottom line with some bogus tax loophole. If I had the money to buy a $10,000 dress I wouldn't cry a bit about paying my share of taxes at the end of the year - and with that kind of money I certainly wouldn't be looking to write off my kids airplane tickets every time we took a 'business' trip either. So shame on the politicians (and there's more than one) who have been recently caught trying to scam the system with that nonsense