Economic terrorism is no way to run a country.
By louisehartmann
Republicans are already plotting their next opportunity to take our nation hostage. At his weekly press conference, John Boehner said the GOP will refuse to raise the debt ceiling in May, if the president doesn't agree to more spending cuts. President Obama already agreed to cuts in the fiscal cliff deal totaling $1.5 trillion over the next decade. And the sequester will cut an additional $1.2 trillion over that same period. But, that's not enough for Republicans.
The last time the GOP played political games with the debt limit, economic growth slowed in our nation, and citizens and businesses alike faced increased borrowing costs, but that doesn't concern the Speaker of the House. According to Boehner, Republicans plan to wage economic terrorism again, unless the President agrees to cut spending dollar-for-dollar with the debt ceiling increase.
So, unless Obama is willing to further devastate our economy with Republican austerity, John Boehner and House Republicans won't let him pay the bills that they racked up. The debt ceiling does not authorize more spending. It only allows the President to pay for spending that the House has already approved.
This is simply economic terrorism... and it's no way to run a government. Call John Boehner's office and tell him to stop playing political games with our economy.
Comments
#2
Okay Thom, I will bite. The fiscal cliff deal did not have spending cuts. What kind of libtard math are you using to get 1.5 trillion dollars in agreed cuts plus sequestration?
#3
John Boehner has proclaimed he is using economic terrorism so wouldn't he be a terrorist? Shouldn’t Obama use a Drone bomb on John Boehner? Or, arrest him then whisk him away to jail never to be seen again! Let's use these terrorism powers evoked by Congress on them so they can physically realize what they have done to our Democracy.
#4
Economic Terrorism is a Thom thingy for sure… sounds good on media and shakes 'fox'holes
Sorry! On subject here
Are you just plain barking mad in the land of the free???
Last time I said that was about Muamar Gadafi... ref the barking
You are believers in democracy and the will of greatest numbers, right or wrong, good or bad
Yeah?
Americans appear to believe that government is a business (facistic)
Or, they believe business is government (facistic)
Alternately they believe government tells people what to do (communistic)
Or, they obey what they are told to do by government (communistic)
Or, they obey government rules wherever they come from regardless
Always obeying something!!!
Is that why government reflects the will of the people who elect it to do the will of the people?
The government you get is that which you deserve
REALLY?
Is this happening?
You all forgotten where you came from and why
It was all held from you intentionally
Is this so?
#5
Thom Calling Boehner does NO good He is run by far right T Bagger folks who only know they hate Obama .Thats been clear from day one . Mid term Lets vote the greedy lying Baggers out or we will never get much done.
#6
exactly right and ... Millions of voters are gullible and or ill informed
#7
President Obama should ignore the debt limit and continue to pay bills. If Congress doesn't like it they should sue him and let the Supreme Court decide the matter. This debt limit is an artificial method for the Congress to tie the hands of the President. It is a useless and harmful idea. That it has always been raised with only token resistance shows that it is unnecessary. The President, the executive branch is required to take action that means paying bills when they are due. The President needs to poke the Congress in the eye on this matter. I believe the Supreme Court will rule in the President's favor. The debt limit is a bad law just as the Jim Crow laws were bad laws, just as the Constitution permitting slavery was a bad law. It is time to wipe this sucker off the books forever.
#8
The Republicanazi response to truth is disbelief for profit; whatever they want to do is what "the people" want, their definition of people being the top 0.1% and corporations. Their agenda is to create confusion and dissention in Congress. Worldwide, they have a reputation for lying, corruption and war with anybody and everybody, and they prove this by their statements and investigative journalism. Their attitude toward the rest of America is that we are the shills in a Carny game, here to cough up the dough for their pet projects. Beyond that, we are to obey. They oppose education because they know the more ignorant people are, the easier they are to rule, and that's what the Republicanazis want. Like in the Third Reich. For the men, free choice of any woman he wants; for her, Kuchen, Kirchen und Kinder. They wish to control every vagina and penis in the country, because these organs, along with women's breasts, are their primary interests, not freedom, justice, liberty, community, the Flag, the Constitution, national and local disasters, family, religion, nothing. It's for power, sex and money, although not always in that order. Glenn Beck once spoke the conscience of all Republicanazis, when he said, "If you believe anything I say, your're a fool".
#9
So tax, spend and borrow is the way to run a government. 4 years and counting. Good thing the Govt dosen't count fuel and food in the inflation index. Otherwise we would be in a mess! The invisable hand has become an iron fist!
#10
Timothy Gilmore wrote: "They wish to control every vagina and penis in the country, because these organs, along with women's breasts, are their primary interests, not freedom, justice, liberty, community, the Flag, the Constitution, national and local disasters, family, religion, nothing."
Well why didn't they say so in the first place. If that's what they want they're more than welcome to my penis. All it's ever done is get me in trouble. Good riddance! Maybe they'll have better luck with it than I did. While they're at it, they can have my two testis as well. They haven't brought me much luck either an besides what am I gonna hang them on now anyway?
Oh yeah! Before I forget, Timothy, thanks for quoting Glenn Beck. Nothing makes me what to cut off my penis more than listening to that guy talk!
#11
PhilipHenderson ~ You are spot on! That is exactly what our President needs to do. Raise the limit himself with an Executive order. That's why we voted him President in the first place--to be an Executive and take care of our business. Let the Supreme Court dare to challenge that authority.
I'm quite willing to look the other way at The Presidents compromises on his first term; but now he has nothing to lose and I think we are all within our rights to expect decisive action on his part in this matter. Frankly, I'm sick of seeing what appears to be a staged dance of compromise between Boehner and The President. Any further compromise with this group of sociopaths is going to leave a lot of us who voted twice for The President very disappointed and unhappy!
#12
Anyone hear anything about a Fatwa hit the Pope put on Bill Maher for his commentary on the Catholic Church this evening? %-} Tune in now...don't miss it...his last remarks in the show.
Incidentally, the piece about Pres Obama's speech to the Israeli students where Obama (once again) said very resolutely that the people have to "force" their leaders to do what is best in their interest. Netanyahu probably doesn't like that remark! But what is good for Israel is good for the US too, right? ;-} So the one you have to really force is Obama, if you want change in the US, don't send messages to a lunatic alcoholic cry baby like Boehner the Bawl Baby. Obama has greatly let us all down. I wonder, to what extent does Obama insinuate that the people must "force" their leaders? It looks like we are going to have to "use force" doesn't it? And that means a lot more than just sending emails, writing letters, or phoning the White House.
#13
Palindromedary ~ What a pleasant surprise! i was wondering what happened to you.
As far as your question--a "Fatwa hit" by Pope Francis? The first cool Pope I've ever scene in my lifetime; who, named himself after my favorite Saint? Palindromedary? Are you feeling OK? Remember, Bill Maher is a comedian. Maybe it was just a joke?
As far as "pressuring" The President goes, I'm sure emails, letters, and phoning the White House is force enough. If not, we can protest! He'll hear us! As far as any physical force is concerned... Palindromedary, are you feeling OK? That is you right?
#14
Palindromedary ~ I was hoping you would have responded to my response by now. It is quite disconcerting that you disappear for a while and return suddenly sounding a bit disheveled. Quite frankly, you worry me. I wish I could talk to you privately. Perhaps you should spend some quality time with family or friends, take a walk by a beach or a stroll though a local park. Definitely, spending more time on this forum, venting your frustrations in a cathartic manner, would do you a world of good as well. I know it has helped me, buddy. Helping each other is a far greater good than trying to desperately change things that are far out of your control. If there is anything I can do don't hesitate to ask.
#15
Boehner wants cuts? How about the entire F-35 program? How about what remains of SDI? How about closing down the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives altogether? How about an end to outsourcing what used to be inherently governmental functions? There's a start for you!
#16
DeAnneMarc - I have a serious question for you. Are you really a male, after hearing you state they can have your penis and "balls", they have not done you much good?! If you really think that all we have to do is send in e-mails, letters and phone calls to King Obama, I have to wonder if you have any testosterone in you. King Obama was the sponsor of the Great Sequestration Bill and handed it over to Reid in the Senate to hand out to the crowd in Washington. In California (L.A. County) tens of thousands of poor people, children, elderly and disabled are about to become homeless because of Obama. There will be an estimated 750,000 more people out of work because of the Austerity Program or Obama's Sequestration. Not to mention food stamps and countless other social programs that will disappear starting this year. There will be demonstrations once this Sequestration takes full shape over the coming months and hopefully this will be the catalyst for more than just your peaceful demo's! I have seen this coming and I have mentioned just weeks ago that violence will be the last rider on the road to disruption and destruction of our present society. No it will not be over in a week, try years of violence brought on because of the callousness of people like King Obama, Reid, Boehner, McConnell, Pelosi and others in Washington. H.U.D. estimated that 150,000 to 175,000 families and individuals will lose their homes and apartments because of Sequestration by October and then it starts over again! Do some math and figure out how many angry people who will have relatives and friends thrown into the streets because of Obama's bill and add up the unemployed at an additional 750,000 this year and do your really think there will be only peaceful demonstrations against this government. If you do not see the writing on the wall then not only will you be without a penis or testicles that you stated you do not need your also brainless. This is not something I hope for, but it is something that is coming head on and most likely unavoidable. I would not shed a tear if the aforementioned politicians disappeared by an act of God and we had to start over. You said you lived in Oakland; this area will be hit as bad as Los Angeles that lies about 25 miles north of here when the brunt of the Sequestration cuts hit the poor of our country. Is anyone surprised that the poor and the middleclass will pay for these cuts while the wealthy only got a minimum tax increase of 5% on Capital Gains? Another sad comment on Obama's Sequestration is that the blood that will be spilled will be that of the poor as they try to regain some small resemblance of equity in our Society. And all you will miss is your penis and balls, sounds like a small price to pay for something you have such little regard for! Obama thought his Sequestration idea was a great way to get the Republinuts in Washington to bend his way and it has backfired as usual. So King Obama is responsible for this who frigging Sequestration bill that he said was so bad the Republicans could not swallow it, as usual he is wrong again. I am not a conservative Republinut nor am I gutless Democrat like your BOY in the Whitehouse. Change is coming and that will be a bitter pill to swallow, but never the less it will come to our cities, towns and streets as this poison bill takes hold and tries to destroy those who have the least to lose and have the least to lose when it comes to a violent movement...
#17
DeAnneMarc - You are so self-important when making your statements of kindness and conscious it is difficult to understand you. Your attitude makes me see you as a person with very little, how shall I say this, Hell, if I say how I react to your statements all I will hear are complaints that I am too aggressive and pushy with too much testosterone based bias. Are you really a male or is this some kind of sick joke or prank you are trying to pull off? I do not mean to be offensive, but I feel like I am reading something an older women would write or respond to when you’re writing your comments. I know if good ole' Alice was to read this all hell would break loose! It is funny she reacts like an angry guy and your respond like a nice lady. Stroll through the parks, I guess I need to take sensitivity classes to understand your meanings. Alice would state it a little different, like I am an ass for asking these questions, that I can understand. Your responses throw me off and I am not sure who I am responding to. I am gender biased and I speak to women differently than I do men, just my poor upbringing I guess! That is one trick this old dog will never learn to do…Actually I have not been commenting on this blog because in general I am bored with Hartmann. It states this blog is submitted by Louise Hartmann, does that mean she is writing this blog for Thom or herself? Either way I guess it does not matter. Last night’s show with Candida was refreshing; she was hot to watch on his show. Blond, English and Educated, not to mention she is a knock out in the looks department, a very beautiful women for a refreshment and a change while watching the News Talk Shows! OOP's there goes the testosterone problem again. Yes, Alice, if you’re reading this I am a chauvinist, but not a pig...
#18
Ken Ware ~ Thanks for the response. Ironically, I am so relieved you are all right--after the way you disappeared the other day. (IE ranting and raving about the government and then claiming to be sick.) I actually lost sleep.
As far as my testosterone levels and genitalia are concerned--it genuinely makes me blush that you are concerned. To answer your question, yes I am a male; and, no, I wouldn't allow anyone to change that fact. The whole rant was a big joke! Couldn't you tell? Especially with the part about listening to Glenn Beck? Maybe I should keep my day job.
As far as your concerns, I couldn't agree more. In fact, if you really want to hear a well written and sober account of sequester and Obama care and its impact on the disabled and elderly I would suggest the web site of "Outside Agitator" Loren Bliss:
http://lorenbliss.typepad.com/
You, I, and he would concur 100% about the measures in store for us all. I would also refer you to his sober conclusion if I might paraphrase: 'The best we can hope to achieve is helping each other on the local level. Anything beyond that will be crushed by the state.'
With that I concur. It is not that I don't want to face reality Ken, it is just that I want to be practical and not waste my resources. I consider you one of my resources. A big one at that. Please heed my advice. There is more than one way to skin a chicken. The opposition is ready for any physical assault. To be successful you have to out smart them. That isn't really too difficult because they aren't that smart.
Do you realize that by taking advantage of the law the way it is any industrious entrepreneur could compete with not only the government, but big medical insurance companies as well. There is such a thing as non-profit business status. There are co-ops that can be taken advantage of for the good cause. A well meaning entrepreneur could solve these problems legally, force insurance companies out of business, force the governmentnt to do its job, and make a profit at the same time. Thousands of lives could be saved and millions could be provided with shelter. All you need to do is rid yourself temporarily of that testosterone burden, think clearly, and take advantage of the vast business experience that is available for free from the Small Business Administration and the contributors on this blog.
If there is any contributors that are reading this Ken and I would appreciate if you would share your Two Cents NOW!
In any event, thanks Ken for letting me know you are OK and still cranky as ever. Wouldn't want you any other way.
#19
This American believes our government should be democratic, a form of government where we all are allowed to participate and one in which we all do. In ancient Athens you were asked to leave town if you were to lazy to paticipate in democracy. That said, if we all actually participated in a knowledgeable way, then in my opinion an economic component known as socialism would naturally rise to the surface and dovetail with this democracy. Reservation of wealth for the very few would fade into a sharing of the wealth by the very many.
#20
Ken : Regarding questions about DAnneMarc's sexuality, a few weeks back he had a video posting of himself whooping on guitar.
#21
DeAnneMarc: I guess Ken missed your going crazy on guitar video, one which led us into some musical taste dialogue. I know it was a few weeks back but don't recall which Thom blog?
#22
DAnneMarc: Palindromedary and I have been posting on Thom's blog for quite some time, Palindromedary maybe much longer than myself, but I have noticed that Palin talks about going on trips....travels, so this may account for absence. However only Palin can comment on this private matter.
#23
Back to Thom's blog: I've long believed Boehner really doesn't care one way or the other about our fine country. He's simply a government employee for total self gain. He's the kind Thom Paine warned us about.
In a way I think Boehner is just a willing bystander in this treasonous game of economic terrorism. Cantor/Ryan and their Tea Party are the actual forces fomenting this hatred for democracy. In all fairness though I think many of the Tea Party Reps. fall into Boehner's category....maybe too wasted, maybe too stupid, maybe too selfish, just there for self gain. They don't care about our country or representing the best intrerests of the vast majority. The billionaires simply own and manipulate these clowns for their own feudal best interests.
#24
Palindromedary welcome back. Do you remember way back when a guy named Gerald used to post all the time? He disappeared at a time when he was complaining of health issues. I always worried about him.
#25
2950-10K and Ken Ware ~ Last night I had a bit of an Epiphany. I woke up suddenly around 5:00 am and realized that the statements I posted in my previous post would not work. They might work in theory and they look good on paper; but, the fact of the matter is both of you are right about one major fact--we are dealing with a bunch of sociopaths.
Not so much externally influenced selfish, alcoholic, or even drug addicts; but rather, internally and permanently defective sociopaths. As noble a notion that a non-profit, health insurance co-op would be the same government agencies that would make the endeavor possible would find a way to eliminate the competition for their owners.
Moreover, there is no reason why We the People should stand for cuts in spending of any of our social programs. That is our money! That is money that We the People paid into to be used for just this reason. It is in fact, one of the few expenditures that occur with my tax dollars that I approve of. Cuts in spending is no more than theft of money. If you allow sociopaths to rob you once they will be back for everything else in time. They simply don't care about anyone other than themselves. This has to stop now!
Ken Ware ~ Please disregard everything I said in my previous post. You are right! Do what you must do and do it with my blessing.
2950-10K ~ Thanks for helping sway my worries about our interpret fellow bloggers. It was great to hear back from Palindromedary and Ken Ware.
#26
From my view we are in Europe’s old economic culture and pulling away from it through different mechanisms such as fear coupled with praxis.
Praxis: Theoretically Reflective Action
Reality which becomes oppressive results in the contradistinction of men as oppressors and oppressed. The latter, whose task it is to struggle for their liberation together with those who show true solidarity, must acquire a critical awareness of oppression through the praxis of this struggle. One of the gravest obstacles to the achievement of liberation is that oppressive reality absorbs those within it and thereby acts to submerge human beings' consciousness. Functionally, oppression is domesticating. To no longer be prey to its force, one must emerge from it and turn upon it. This can be done only by means of the praxis: reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.
The link http://www.markfoster.net/struc/praxis.html might be interesting for some here including Thom. There is abundance in plurality here which needs time to untangle and many other articles.
Just as Nature does not like a vacuum, few educators speak of praxis. And an interesting comment one author said of particular interest to the “derivative”. For those who follow my rants know my interest in this derivative thing. Now this derivate, the basic tool of the rich being revealed very slowly cautiously because of its volatility, and used as in theory too big to fail. This from my view is the most pompous old world cultural bottled snake oil carnied in cotton candy flavor passed out in the media in carnival sensational analysis totally intended to sell stress relieve pills endorsed by AARP. Yes it rigged!
For Aristotle, praxis is guided by a moral disposition to act truly and rightly; a concern to further human wellbeing and the good life.
This is what the Greeks called prognosis and requires an understanding of other people. Therefore agree with one of the other bloggers, Thom let the persons release all of their notions, theories, or creditability. There are plenty of times where I listen to very, very credentialed persons only to draw a conclusion, but, now after understanding your rant about America’s treasonous Republican presidents we have legions of appointed persons that have created government corruption from the time if Nixon. All that is exasperating and difficult to control. I find myself always trying make a long story short so to speak. That always cannot be done with this new knowledge about treason rampant in Congress, Senate, Supreme Court, and every elected Republican president after Eisenhower. For I am a Eisenhower Republican, I love the man and miss him and wish for his sense to return.
Praxis, in its simplest construal, means “theory plus action.” It indicates life practice formed from both reflection and action. The self, striving to transform the world creatively according to an emerging vision based on its own values, actualizes itself as it actualizes its vision. Because individuals' actions always affect other people, praxis is inherently political.
From my view Thom is on target about this fear stuff in economics. Consider, however, praxis is distinct in that its explicit goal is to empower marginalized peoples and help them challenge their oppression. Very decent definition as to where the poor and middle class are today.
Imagine centuries ago education in Europe was esoteric to the few which created the elite that simply knew better than that early poor middle class. So the poor middle class of long ago needed direction. But today as young men and women have the potential to be very refined in education as in high school, to have the likely hood of a technical degree out of high school is very different in this age.
Reminds me of the commercial “those who know, know BDO” well here the same is reflected in modern economic culture. Those who know are messaging each other through the same media you and I use, only the elite must use it too risking exposure in corruption and swindling for power. This is entirely different from early tranny, the only way to avoid being caught is to throw as much noise of fear and economic terror into the soup of communications spicing the media to swamp the truth.
#27
Megalomaniac ~ What a beautiful and thoughtful observation. Praxis is indeed the key. Fear is the shield blocking the key hole. It is quite easy to generate fear in the elderly that makes them not think clearly.
The media does a fine job generating fear in us all. For example, every time it saber rattles about attacking Iran--a country that both Russia and China have publicly announced is not a military option for the US. Yet the US media constantly eludes that such an attack is inevitable. No Praxis there, just fear.
It would be wise advice for those older contributors on this blog to remember they are not the isolated and helpless group that they may think they are. The media and its controllers would like nothing better than our intrepid seniors to self destruct in fear. However, the fact of the matter is seniors are not alone. Every young and able body person with a job and clout of any kind has one or more seniors in their life that they love and care about a great deal. They also don't want to be paying taxes for social programs for these seniors and be burdened with additional health care costs that the government wants to shift to them.
If Austerity comes to the US it stands that with Praxis, everyone will hit the streets in outrage. After all, that's the very reaction Austerity caused everywhere else it was imposed. Cause and effect. It would benefit the senior population on this blog and in this country to refrain from reaction until Austerity becomes a reality to also benefit from the shear numbers of other citizens that will want to express outrage. With a media as tightly controlled as ours, the only type of demonstration that hopes to get any media coverage and demand change will be one composed of such a large multitude of people that all city commerce is disrupted by the shear volume of humanity on the street. The only way to realize that definitive solution is by giving the law makers enough rope to hang themselves.
Timing is everything and is the essence of Praxis.The Ninja were extremely successful, not so much because of their fighting ability; but because of their ability to maneuver unseen, and perfectly time their actions. We the people must practice Praxis the same way. Like Megalomaniac says, we can't tell from the media what we are really up against because so much of it is smoke and mirrors. The primary reason for it all is to maintain a perpetual state of fear--thus paralyzing us all. Therefore, even though it is wise to be prepared for anything, it is equally wise to be calm, patient, and observant with everything. Thanks for the comment Megalomaniac. Well said!
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
Mueller's favorite place to pray (written about in "Prophet's Way"), and the roof of the room where the Last Supper is reputed to have happened.
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann is a creative thinker and committed small-d democrat. He has dealt with a wide range of topics throughout his life, and this book provides an excellent cross section. The Thom Hartmann Reader will make people both angry and motivated to act."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Hartmann combines a remarkable piece of historical research with a brilliant literary style to tell the grand story of corporate corruption and its consequences for society with the force and readability of a great novel."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Beneath the success and rise of American enterprise is an untold history that is antithetical to every value Americans hold dear. This is a seminal work, a godsend really, a clear message to every citizen about the need to reform our country, laws, and companies."
Thom, although I love learning from your rants, sometimes you should let your callers express their view without talking over them. Joe from Viena VA was trying to state his Ivey league education but couldn't get it out. Let him talk then stomp him.