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Post by jdd2 on Dec 21, 2012 1:04:07 GMT -5
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Post by dradtke on Dec 21, 2012 8:58:47 GMT -5
We'll see if Speaker Cantor can do any better.
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Post by Chesapeake on Dec 21, 2012 10:30:53 GMT -5
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Post by Marshall on Dec 21, 2012 10:37:14 GMT -5
I'll give Boehner credit. His plan B was a clever shot at shifting the blame for fiscal cliff on the Prez. Most polls show the American public will blame the republicans for the cliff. His was a creative way to try to dodge that bullet. But you can't herd cats or Republicans.
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Post by PaulKay on Dec 21, 2012 14:23:36 GMT -5
Still can't believe the sheer stupidity of the Republicans. Rates are going up no matter what. They get only one shot at reducing the level. I just wonder if they even realize their foot is bleeding.
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Post by mccoyblues on Dec 21, 2012 15:08:39 GMT -5
The whole "cliff" thing was created back when they were arguing and not solving the debt ceiling issue. They kicked the can down the road and made empty promises that never materialized and now here we are again, this time they are willing to kick the American people over the cliff.
Our government is broken. Congress is completely dysfunctional. The blame is squarely on ALL OF THEM because nobody is willing to look at this seriously and make a tough decision.
I was always told that even a wrong decision is better than no decision at all. At least you had the balls to do something instead of nothing. It's clear to me that nothing is exactly what Congress intends to do.
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Post by Ann T on Dec 21, 2012 15:14:34 GMT -5
I served on a Board of Directors that was a microcosm of Congress--absolutely nothing got done for about 2 years because of a refusal of half of the board to discuss anything, make a decision, vote, or even respond to e-mails. They were more interested in complaining to their buddies and sending out mass e-mailings to the general membership about how bad the other half of the BOD was.
The only thing that saved the organization from collapse was to get rid of these BOD members. That took quite a while.
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Post by Doug on Dec 21, 2012 15:15:01 GMT -5
Both sides are wrong.
It's either slash and burn now and be very uncomfortable or go under as a country. They all know it but they all want it to be on our kids and grandkids not on their watch. They just want to stay in power as long as possible.
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Post by Chesapeake on Dec 21, 2012 15:26:23 GMT -5
Still can't believe the sheer stupidity of the Republicans. Rates are going up no matter what. They get only one shot at reducing the level. I just wonder if they even realize their foot is bleeding. The reason you can't believe it is that they are not being stupid. Selfish and self-serving, maybe, but not stupid. The hard-core types were elected on strict pledges of not raising taxes. They know they would be challenged and probably defeated during the next primaries if they voted for Boehner's plan. This fact makes me wonder how this can possibly have an acceptable, much less good, end, since they are not likely to change their positions, not matter how many cliffs it might put us over. McCoy is right: the system is badly broken. |
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Post by PaulKay on Dec 21, 2012 16:59:01 GMT -5
Still can't believe the sheer stupidity of the Republicans. Rates are going up no matter what. They get only one shot at reducing the level. I just wonder if they even realize their foot is bleeding. The reason you can't believe it is that they are not being stupid. Selfish and self-serving, maybe, but not stupid. The hard-core types were elected on strict pledges of not raising taxes. They know they would be challenged and probably defeated during the next primaries if they voted for Boehner's plan. This fact makes me wonder how this can possibly have an acceptable, much less good, end, since they are not likely to change their positions, not matter how many cliffs it might put us over. McCoy is right: the system is badly broken. Well if this is true, than going over the cliff is actually the best outcome. Because to fix things after everything goes up for everyone, these yahoos only need to vote to lower taxes for those under $250K. That won't break their shortsighted pledge. |
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Post by Chesapeake on Dec 21, 2012 18:22:11 GMT -5
It may well come to that - although I heard Senate Majority Leader Reid say today he believes the Democratic plan that passed the Senate a while back would pass in the House right now, with the help of a few moderate Republicans, if Boehner would bring it to a vote. But Boehner could probably forget about being re-elected speaker next January if he did that. My guess is the whole thing will drag on until the last minute. Then, if we're lucky, Boehner would feel he had shown sufficient fighting spirit to satisfy expectations when faced by overwhelming odds, and surrender the castle. Otherwise it's over the cliff we go.
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Post by Supertramp78 on Dec 21, 2012 18:33:26 GMT -5
"But Boehner could probably forget about being re-elected speaker next January if he did that."
Considering how much support he got this week from his own party I would say he might not get re-elected to Speaker anyway.
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Post by Chesapeake on Dec 21, 2012 18:41:06 GMT -5
Btw, Majority Leader Reid said recently that even if the White House and Boehner reached a deal, there wouldn't be enough time to get it through Congress before the first of the year. Well, looking back in my archives, I'm reminded that Congress can act with breathtaking speed when really motivated.  |
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Dec 21, 2012 19:37:28 GMT -5
The cliff. The same tax rates we paid under Clinton, and thrived. Hey look! My knickers aren't in a bunch!
Mike
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Post by Doug on Dec 21, 2012 19:41:58 GMT -5
Voting the way that the people that elected you want you to isn't a broke system, that's the way the system is supposed to work. Run for congress and do what the people who elected you want.
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Post by Chesapeake on Dec 21, 2012 20:56:19 GMT -5
To me, the essence of politics is to be able to balance conflicting interests and come up with compromises with which all sides can live, if not celebrate. I know that both of these concepts are anathema to many on both ends of the spectrum, but it's what makes the system work.
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Post by Supertramp78 on Dec 21, 2012 22:22:57 GMT -5
Even if they can't get anything done by Jan 1, the work will continue until they pass some retroactive bill. This 'cliff' business is all hype.
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Post by Marshall on Dec 21, 2012 23:48:08 GMT -5
Stock market doesn't think so.
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Post by Supertramp78 on Dec 22, 2012 0:22:59 GMT -5
they'll get over it
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Dec 22, 2012 0:40:40 GMT -5
Gee, you don't think they would use this as an excuse to take some profits, do you? |
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