It’s up the Gang of 12 to NOT use the same misguided policies - Will they?
By louisehartmann
The Congressional Budget Office issued a warning to the Gang of 12 Super Committee yesterday – arguing that the nation is on the verge of another recession – and the Gang of 12’s actions could make it worse. “If policymakers wanted to achieve both a short-term economic boost and medium- and long-term fiscal sustainability,” CBO chief Doug Elmendorf told the committee, then they would have to put in place, “changes in taxes and spending that would widen the deficit now but narrow it later in the decade.” Elmendorf’s message is back-dropped by troubling Census data reports showing the income of a typical American family has dropped for the third year in a row – and inflation-adjusted earnings for men who work full-time jobs have dropped down to levels not seen since 1978. Not to mention that yesterday brought us news that the United States – the wealthiest nation on the planet – just got a heck of a lot poorer – with more than 15% of our people living in poverty.
That’s 46.2 million people in poverty – the most ever recorded in the history of this nation. So the point is – Bush and Reagan’s economics of tax cuts for the rich and screwing over working people got us into this mess – and it’s up the Gang of 12 to NOT use the same misguided policies to get us out of it. That means they need to tax the oligarchs – just like FDR did – just like Truman did – just like Eisenhower did – just like Kennedy and Johnson did – just like Nixon and Ford and Carter did – and just like Bill Clinton did.
Let’s hope they get the message.
Comments
#2
There is a man on death row in Texas for the kidnaping and murder of a young woman. The evidence? He was seen talking to her in a college library the day she disappeared.
He was arrested and charged. Her body was found several weeks later in an area that had already been searched, and forensics determined that she had been dead for less than a week when found.
What's wrong with this picture? The defendant was in jail when the murder occurred.
Texas doesn't want to review the forensics. They have a guy all lined up to satisfy Gov. Perry's death jones.
#3
Majority rejects Obama's jobs plan in Bloomberg poll
Rick Moran
September 14, 2011
// // By 51-40%, the American people don't think the president's "jobs plan" will bring down unemployment.
That's the result found in a Bloomberg poll that also showed significant erosion of the president's core support from 2008:
A majority of Americans don't believe President Barack Obama's $447 billion jobs plan will help lower the unemployment rate, skepticism he must overcome as he presses Congress for action and positions himself for re- election.
The downbeat assessment of the American Jobs Act reflects a growing and broad sense of dissatisfaction with the president. Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy by 62 percent to 33 percent, a Bloomberg National Poll conducted Sept. 9-12 shows. The disapproval number represents a nine point increase from six months ago.
The president's job approval rating also stands at the lowest of his presidency -- 45 percent. That rating is driven down in part by a majority of independents, 53 percent, who disapprove of his performance.
[...]
Of the respondents who said they've supported Obama at one point since he launched his presidential campaign in 2007, fewer than half say they still support him as fervently. Thirty- seven percent say their support has waned and 19 percent say he lost their backing because they've grown disappointed or angry with his leadership.
Almost a third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents say they'd like to see Obama face a primary challenge.
The job performance areas where Obama scores favorably are his handling of the situation in Libya and fighting terrorism. Another rare bright spot in the poll is his favorability rating, which stands at 50 percent and is better than all of his prospective Republican rivals. House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, has a favorability rating of 33 percent compared to 38 percent who view him unfavorably, a ten point jump from June before the debt ceiling standoff in August.
There's a downside to his favorability rating as well; 47% do not have a favorable opinion of the president. That is an extremely high unfavorability number and it shows just how polarizing this president has become.
#4
Sad In the GOP Tea party debate Wolf asked 'If a 30 yr old with no insurance was gravely ill , should we treat him or let him die Tea Bagger crowd cheered when asked- should we let him DIE ! They cheered at ' how many people TX Gov Perry put to death even some who may have been innocent ! Thats who the GOP Tea Baggers are ! Hard Cold Unashamedly greedy ! Some may say evil
#5
It's more than disheartening to read your closing sentance, Thom. Hope is no longer in the cards - we need to make them understand with our actions. We need to hit the streets in massive numbers!!
#6
What it REALLY shows is how great a scam GOP Baggers Fox Beck Hannity Bachman & 800 con radio shows have done with their daily lying,smearing, denying what Obama HAS acheived..GOP vowing to BREAK Obama Make him fail and deny him a 2nd term Thats the GOP # 1 goal Not jobs / not economy / not education / not clean air/ water / not the disabled / not the weak , old & sick Jesus said 'heal the sick / feed the hungry' GOP Tea Baggers are not real Christians They just use it to get what they want That is EVIL / devious / immoral ! Millions of the American people are 1. low info 2. gullible 3. watch Fox Hannity Beck 4. listen to Rush & 100's Rush wannabees folks Use logic & reason check facts educate yourselves
#7
well said Bravo
#8
GOD NO we tried that from 1980 Reaganomics Bush GOP deregulation, total amnesty , guns sold to Iran - huge unfunded debt - Bush Cheney 2008 global crash 700 billion TARP scam on taxpayers - 2 long failed wars based on lies- profits- greed- corp tax cuts- loopholes.
#9
The Gang of 12 is bound to fail. I am a magician, I can tell when I am about to be fooled. This Gang of 12 is a sharade that was intended to fail so that the automatic cuts would go into place. The problem with the automatic cuts is that they are arbitrary and will lead to further destruction of the economy. It does not matter where the cuts come from all of them will harm the economy. The Gang of 12 is a disaster waiting to occur. The only way out of this recession is to pay our way out of it. The Democrats and the Repubilcans know that is true. Only the Republicans lie and say that we cannot afford to spend. They fear that spending our way out of the recession will make Obama look good and help his re-election. They are willing to sacrifice the economy to hurt president Obama. The Republicans are not interested in good government, they are only interested in pleased the corporate leaders who fund their election campaigns.
Philip Henderson, Ethical Magician
#10
my 2cents worth yet again...the poor are poorer 'cuz the rich are richer! wgaes are flat, have been for ages. but meanwhile back at the ranch the wealthy business owner is taking 3-4 europian vacations a year, able to put max contributions into thier retirement plans, oh..look at that...buy another rental property and , huh...wha...pull up in a new Benz?Not to effin' mention not pay a dime on the corporate tax return!
The poor employee? when going to ask for a miniscule 15% increase in his $17 an hour stipend so he himself can start trying to catch up retirement after having his own 25 year old account hiested buy bankster, is looked as a laughable. "What?" exclaims his wealthy employer. "Do you think I 'm made of effin' money? Hell belz man, I can't even make payroll. Do you know exactly how much more it would cost me to pay you more? " "uh...well as a matter of fact sir, I do....uh...see ..uh'cuz thats what you pay me for, (you stupid ass)!"
The poor shlub has to grin and bare as he listens to the sheer level of bullshit his employer now wants to try to spoon feed him, the whole be thankful you got a job line of shit as 14 million would give anything to have such a great job and up in his head all he can think about is how when hes old and gray how he'll be eating spam, mac and cheese. washing it down with Pabst blue ribbon and pray his own kids are doing better then he is. All because his tight ass boss whom obviously could really give a shit about anybody is truly the new opitome of the new American business culture!
Hey kids! make sure you start learning to be an unethical douche bag that seems to be the new norm.
#11
Right on!----- in reply to dianhow
#12
...and another thing! I DO NOT WANT A PAYROLL REDUCTION TO MY SOCIAL SECURITY! I WANT A REDUCTION IN MY FEDERAL WITHHOLDING! JUST LIKE THE CORPORATIONS WHO WHINE AND SNIVEL ABOUT TO MUCH TAX!!!!! i WANT A CAP ON MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTIONS. A CAP ON CONTRIBUTIONS. I WANT CAP GAINS TAX AT THE SAM ELEVEL US SHLUBS HAVE TO PAY. BUT BEST OF ALL? HOLD ON TO YOUR YOU KNOW WHATS! i WANT THE WAGE BASE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE THE SAME AS MEDICARE!!!
and if they can't get it together? i want my cash now! you know the approx. social security i would get from say 65-88. buy what my little note told me the other day that would be about 500k. I'll bury it some where until i'm 65. at least i'll fell a little bit more secure then i do today. And then when 88 hits? I'll just go live in the street...
#13
The poverty benchmark in the US for a family of four is laughable: $22,000.
Tell me what family of four can live on $30,000 a year let alone $22,000. Calcularte the percentage of Americans who live under the more realistic benchmark and then you'll get a better picture of the hurt in our country.
#14
That does not include all the non-cash benefits available. This includes food stamps, WIC's, section 8 housing or low income housing, subsidies for utilities, and of course medicaid. Thus a small increase in these programs could be a large increase to the family. I know one, with a husband, wife, and three kids in a three bedroom house for $220/month.
#15
FIRST, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ACTUAL STUFF -- PLENTY OF FOOD, CARS, HOUSES, CLOTHING ---STORES ARE AWASH IN STUFF; ENOUGH FOR A GOOD LIFE FOR ALL.
SECOND, BIG TIME SHORTAGE OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION.---ALL BEING HOARDED BY A GREEDY FEW---PASS LAWS TO MAKE THEM SPEND IT
THIRD, SO-CALLED "NATIONAL DEBT" IS A FRAUD--- FORGET ABOUT IT ---IT IS JUST THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE PUBLIC ECONOMY -- CIRCULATING AND HOARDED.---EVERY DOLLAR OF INCREASE IN THE "NATIONAL DEBT" IS A DOLLAR IN YOUR POCKET; EVERY DOLLAR OF DEBT REDUCTION IS A DOLLAR OUT OF YOU POCKET. GOVERNMENT SPENDING PUTS MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY; TAXES TAKE MONEWY OUT OF THE ECONOMY. WANNA BE BROKE? - CUT GOVT SPENDING AND RAISE TAXES.
REMEMBER, LOSS IN THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR HURTS THOSE WHO HAVE LOTS OF DOLLARS AND HELPS THOSE WHO OWE LOTS OF DOLLARS.
#16
http://www.gallup.com/poll/149447/Americans-Favor-Obama-Jobs-Plan.aspx?u...
It just goes to show that inteligent voters actually do favor the jobs bill as well as most independents.
September 14, 2011Americans Favor Obama Jobs Plan by 45% to 32%Majority of those closely following news about it favor its passageby Frank Newport
PRINCETON, NJ -- By 45% to 32%, more Americans want their member of Congress to vote for rather than against a jobs bill similar to the one President Obama proposed last week, with the rest having no opinion.
Obama proposed the "American Jobs Act of 2011" in his speech to Congress on Sept. 8, and sent the bill to Congress on Sept. 12, saying the purpose of the bill is to "put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans."
Sen. Harry Reid has introduced the bill in the Senate, but so far it has not been introduced in the House. There is no indication yet as to when either body will take up the bill, or what the chances are that Congress will pass some or all of it. A number of Republican leaders have already gone on record as opposing the bill.
Attentive Americans Solidly Back Jobs Bill
While fewer than half of all Americans favor passage of a jobs bill similar to Obama's, a solid majority of Americans who are following news of the bill very closely, 57%, want to see it passed.
Those who are not following it too closely also tend to favor the bill's passage, 43% vs. 26%, with a fairly large percentage having no opinion. The majority of those who say they are not following news about the Obama jobs bill at all have no opinion on the issue, with the rest closely divided but tilting against the bill.
Fifty-six percent of Americans are following news about Obama's jobs bill either very or somewhat closely, while 22% are not following it closely and another 21% say they are not following it at all. There is little difference in the percentages of Democrats, independents, and Republicans who are following news of the bill closely.
Independents Tilt in Favor of Bill
The Gallup survey describes the bill as "similar to the one President Obama has proposed," making it not surprising that Democrats strongly support it, while Republicans oppose it. Still, Democrats' support is more widespread than Republicans' opposition. This -- combined with independents' greater likelihood to favor than to oppose the bill -- results in the overall 45% to 32% tilt in support among all Americans.
Implications
The jobs bill President Obama proposed has many parts to it, and most Americans at this point no doubt do not understand fully what would be involved if it were to be passed either in part or as a whole. Still, over half say they are paying very or somewhat close attention to news about the bill, and the initial reaction from this group is much more positive than negative, suggesting that the president has public opinion on his side on this issue at this initial juncture.
Republican leaders have already objected to many parts of the bill, and 6 in 10 rank-and-file Republicans across the country say they would want their member of Congress to vote against the bill. But 4 in 10 Republicans either don't have an opinion on the bill or say they favor it, and this, combined with the plurality support from independents and the strong support among Democrats, gives the bill its overall positive footing.
Discussion and debate of Obama's proposals will likely expand in the weeks to come and, as is usual with these types of policy issues, this discussion and spin will change the public's views. At this point, however, while the president cannot count on majority support for his bill, he can note that more Americans support his ideas than oppose them.
#17
the only way for to preserve the new deal is for President Obama to anounce that he is not running in 2012. The republicans have so toxified the governing process that it has tainted the President and he has lost the confidence of to many of the American people to govern. This has greatly hurt his chances for re-election. A republican win would put into peril all that progresive minded people have worked so hard for. If its Democratic values against republican values, democrates win. If its republican blowhards against an inefective incumbant president then they loose.
#18
ALSO, RE JOBS: SMALL BUSINESSES DON'T NEED MORE EMPLOYEES MORON, THEY NEED MORE CUSTOMERS - - THEN THEY WILL NEED MORE EMPLOYEES. GIVE BAIL-OUTS TO PEOPLE WHO WILL SPEND IT AS SOON AS THEY GET IT. WHIRLWIND OF NEW BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
#19
That is NOT how Blitzer formatted the question. It was a healthy, 30 year old that CHOSE not to buy health care insurance. There was no mention of poverty. Big difference. Responsible people make good choices. The rest expect the government to take care of them. God help us, as this entitlement mentality is quickly ruining our country.
#20
Bullseye!
#21
As we entered the Great Depression, the personal and business debt was out of control. The 20's was an age driven by the automobile, speculation, and consumer electronics (wash machines, vacumms, radio, etc.), and credit was readily availabel and cheap due to the movement of gold to the US. At one point, over 40% of the worlds gold was here. I think we have a similar situation now, where people and business are paying down their debt.
#22
I like the way you said that. The truth can often be said with just a few words. You'd better get a trademark or copyright on that. It's a good way to remember what is happening to our nation.
#23
Terrific job of putting your thoughts down. A lot can change between now and the primaries and the general election, but as of this time I do not support nor believe in Barack Obama. He fooled me and millions of others once, but that's once too often when the nation is in such turmoil and peril. I'm sorry to see that the only positive ratings for the President are because of Libya and terrorism. My country has been at war every day of my 63 years of life. Isn't it time that the American people reject warfare as the only approved course of action? No matter how hard Americans work at home, it is all undone by the relentless pursuit of war and economic domination abroad. Bringing our troops home will stop the bleeding here. You can't have both guns and butter as the old saying goes.
#24
I agree 100% and am trying to find ways to fight back against our government which is little more than a criminal enterprise at this time. I'm considering options, but would like to see enough citizens unite so that we could surround the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court, even if it were for just one day. For those who can't get to Washington, try your local representative's office. Call or write to them relentlessly. Nothing will change until the people stand up and fight this government that is waging a war of destruction on the American people. Thank you.
#25
Good thoughts. I'll add that this nation's leadership is hell bent on spending everything on phony defense schemes and overseas wars that make the country weaker, not safer or stronger. America is already a disaster. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and their allies have grown incredibly wealthy off their war profits. We ought to be outraged, and as a united nation, turn away from the politics of war and destruction. The real "magic" here is that Americans are still willing to sell this country and the future of our children down the drain for a few poisoned trinkets and beads from China. Ignorance is not bliss when the very existence of the nation is being threatened.
#26
Elmendorf's advice like Krugman's is based on sound economic reality with historic precedence. Spend your way out! The working class are the real job creators, when we spend, a cycle of demand, new jobs, and economic expansion follows. Of course the Republicans prefer continuation of Reaganomics hitting the fan, which appears to me to be unmedicated insanity meshed in with a Godly pursuit of stopping that socialist Muslim in the White House.
Let's see, throw in some black death and these science deniers have taken us full circle back to a time before the age of enlightenment.
OK Rand, let's try one more time, after all it's been a few hundred years..repeat after me..HUMANITARIANISM -the desire to better the lot of all mankind.
I agree with the posts above, we need massive protests with healthy civil disobedience asap.
#27
Will the Gang of Twelve get the message? I have two answers to that question:
1) Did the Gang of Four who ran China after Mao died, get the message that leaders are supposed to help their country? (Answer: no, they didn't.)
2) But there is a way to get them to listen, and it involves giving them more bribe money than the Koch brothers and G.E.. And as to the amount of the bribe they will require, all I can say is, show up at your senator's office and start dumping cash into their hands, and don't stop until your senator starts smiling, which typically is somewhere around the neighborhood of, say, $500,000. A year. Per person. So if there are four people in your family, (and yes, your senator will check), you're looking at giving your senator $2 million a year in cash. (And don't try pulling any of that passive-agressive stuff like giving them the $2 million in pennies, because then it will be seen as a protest rather than a donation.)
Now, another question that often comes up is, do democrats require different types or amounts of bribes than republicans? And the answer is no, democrats and republicans are exactly the same when it comes to what kind of bribes they require before they will look after your interests. So don't worry about that. Just worry about how you're going to collect enough beer and pop cans to recycle so you can afford to give your senator the required bribe each year.
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