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WATCH: Obama Refuses To Negotiate ‘With A Gun At The Head Of The American People’

January 14th, 2013 2:05 pm Jason Sattler


In the last press conference of his first term, President Obama set the stage for the battle over the debt limit by stating in stark terms that he believes it is Congress’ responsibility to pay for the spending they have already approved.

After noting that the economy is growing and would keep growing “as long as Washington politics don’t get in the way of America’s progress,” his tone was stern and confrontational as he declared his intention to use the beginning of his second term to stop the trend of America moving from “crisis to crisis to crisis.”

“The issue here is whether or not America pays its bills,” Obama said. “We are not a deadbeat nation.”

“These are bills that have already been racked up, and we need to pay them,” he insisted, speaking to reporters in the East Room at the White House. “So, while I’m willing to compromise and find common ground over how to reduce our deficits, America cannot afford another debate with this Congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they’ve already racked up.”

Republicans used the debt limit in the summer of 2011 to demand spending cuts that included the so-called sequestration, which is still scheduled to go into effect in the early part of this year.

Though some Republicans have argued that hitting the debt limit wouldn’t necessarily trigger a default, the president was definite that refusal to raise the limit would have catastrophic effects.

“If congressional Republicans refuse to pay America’s bills on time, Social Security checks, and veterans benefits will be delayed,” he said.

“We might not be able to pay our troops, or honor our contracts with small-business owners. Food inspectors, air-traffic controllers, specialists who track down loose nuclear materials, wouldn’t get their paychecks. Investors around the world will ask if the United States of America is in fact a safe bet. Markets could go haywire, interest rates would spike for anybody who borrows money. Every homeowner with a mortgage, every student with a college loan, every small-business owner who wants to grow and hire.”

To even suggest such a scenario, the president argued, hurts the economy. So while he will work to build on the $2.5 trillion in cuts to the deficit he has already signed, he vowed not to negotiate when it comes to raising the debt limit.

“What I will not do is to have that negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people — the threat that unless we get our way, unless you gut Medicare or Medicaid, or, you know, otherwise slash things that the American people don’t believe should be slashed, that we’re going to threaten to wreck the entire economy. That is not how historically this has been done. That’s not how we’re going to do it this time.”

The president did vote against raising the debt limit once when he was in the Senate, though it still passed easily.

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  • TonyinMO

    0bama is nothing more than your typical politician listen to him backing the hearse up to the door of seniors and the military. NO SS checks NO military pay.

    I say screw him, remember back when 0bama was a US Senator? He sang a completely different tune then. His words when GW Bush wanted to raise the debt ceiling in 2006:

    “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”

    I do agree with 0bama “Americans deserve better” too bad he’s worse than the rest.

    • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

      Tony; your problem is that you operate on a “belief” system. you believe that Obama is a Socialist, you believe that Obama is a Muslim, you believe that Obama is a Kenyan and you believe what Fox News tells you to believe; the big problem is that FACTS escape you.

      Belief is no substitute for actual, factual knowledge. The other problem with belief, is that you cannot argue against belief, since belief is absent all fact and logic to the contrary.

      Continue to believe what you wish; the rest of us will stick to facts, knowledge and reality. The facts are in evidence, you just refuse to look at, or understand them.

      Please continue with your fallacious, illogical beliefs; it’s people like you that us Democrats NEED; we need you, because it’s people like you that drive the Republican party further to the lunatic fringe, it’s people like you that continue to spout your insanity.

      Here’s a hint: A recent study shows that of all the Scientists at the American Academy of Science, only 6% were Republicans. That HAS to tell you something when the smartest people on the Planet reject your ant-science, anti-logic, anti-Women and anti-fact Republican party so completely.

      Please enjoy the rest of your ignorance-filled week.

      • TonyinMO

        Mort you are a dunce, all you are capable is hurling fabricated nonsense. Where did I say any such thing. You’ve made everything up.

        I won’t even waste my time replying to such nonsense much less waste my time reading past your first paragraph.

        • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

          So I was spot-on with my comments then; always nice to know when I’ve hit a nerve with some under-educated Right-wing troll.

          • TonyinMO

            Mort I could eat a bowl of alphabet soup and spit out a smarter statement than that.

            If you’re gonna be a smart@ss, first you have to be smart. Otherwise you’re just an @ss.

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            I don’t know; maybe the fact that I have multiple US Patents for wireless encryption might be a pointer to my level of intelligence and education?

            I think it’s YOUR education that’s in question here; your endless grammatical errors, lack of adequate punctuation, inability to complete even the simplest sentence without a spelling error, or forgetting to capitalize correctly…. Now THOSE would speak volumes as to YOUR education, or complete lack thereof.

            But, as I said, your “beliefs” are evident for all to see; continue to spout unfounded, unverifiable and untrue beliefs and we will stick to the facts.

          • TonyinMO

            Looks like you lost that one Mort, when all you can do is pick out grammatical errors and you lack anything factual outside of patting yourself on the back.

            You’re a LOSER!

          • InsideEye

            He is dictating into his Wireless Encryptor because he can not write without making errors.

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Agreed.

            It’s just fun poking someone who’s posts are all emotion and belief based and who seems incapable of completing a written sentence, without 5th grade errors in it.

          • TonyinMO

            That shows how uneducated you are Mort. InsideEye was talking to me about you. Learn to follow a thread and be a good little boy and speak when you’re spoken too.

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            And I was agreeing with his characterization of you; it’s the Internet, we ALL get to play.. especially fun taunting know-nothings like you with your faith based lack of education and your sad little comments that are so uniformed and lacking in anything resembling a fact.

          • TonyinMO

            Nice try Mort but you have failed again Mr. “I have multiple US Patents for wireless encryption” Why don’t you just quit while you’re behind Mort. I enjoy watching you make a fool of yourself as much as the next guy but this is becoming ridiculous.

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            I think YOU actually lost that one, since you had zero factual or logical replies to any of my points. The fact that you are a regular troll on these posts reveals you to be a sad and pathetic person and illiterate as well.

            Sad and pathetic is one thing, but at your substantially deficient educational level, you are but to be pitied.

          • TonyinMO

            When you can’t support your position with facts blame it on Fox News and 0bama is a socialist. Sorry but those straw man fabrications don’t work on educated people.

            In regards to the “illiterate” comment only those persons who are not educated enough to express themselves intelligently indulge in name calling.

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Tony, you continue to prove me right; I am beginning to take a shine to you.

            It’s possible that I might hold you up to the rest of the World as an example of what happens when one under-educated Man continues to argue his beliefs, with zero supporting evidence, fact or logic; you can serve as a cautionary tale of exactly how NOT to comport yourself during a discussion.

            Your continued presence in this discussion thread is proving highly amusing for those of us with actual intelligence, the ability to process logic and form a conclusion based on the fact and evidence. YOU are still left with your “beliefs” which I think has been pointed out have no validity, factual basis, or support in reality.

            Your “Tourettes’s” type outbursts are approximately equivalent to a 5 years old’s tantrums….. and about as logical and educated.

            Please continue to amuse us all with your right-wing Pavlovian responses to dog whistles that only you seem to hear.

            I’ll help you get started:

            Muslim, Kenyan, Socialist, taking our guns, destroying “white” America.. That should keep you raving for a while, as you expound your various crackpot theories on why Obama is going to destroy the USA.

          • TonyinMO

            Thanks for proving my point Mort.

            Liberals, always wrong but darn proud of themselves!

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Actually, we’re mostly right, but Republicans are usually wrong. Wasn’t Mitt supposed to run away with this election like all the Republican pundits said? He didn’t WIN!!!! Oh, NOOOOOO… Maybe Republicans need to look at reality instead of their little make-believe World of self-created fairy tales and Unicorns.

          • TonyinMO

            The fact that you believe there is a difference between R’s & D’s shows you’re lack of intelligence.

            I agree with you Mort on the Mitt Romney thing. The difference is that you’re a fool and have bet on 0bama and there is NO difference between him and Romney. Both will take us too the same place.

            You are still living in your make believe world of the false left/right paradigm. As long as we fight among each other they win.

            I take it you didn’t notice the smooth transition between 0bama and Bush? Same wars only more people killed under 0bama, more spending, more debt???

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Hey, look… Something we agree on; both parties suck goat balls, but Republicans are traitorous, uneducated, science denying, lackeys and fall in lock goose-step behind Rush, Coulter and that insane windbag Glenn Beck.

            At least Democrats have SOME level of education and some ideas on how to move forward. Republicans just keep repeating the same tired old cr@p over and over and over again; meanwhile they become less and less educated as the results I quoted in a previous post show: only 6% of the members of the American Academy of Science are Republicans. When the smartest people on the planet, soundly reject a particular party, you know something’s DEEPLY wrong with that party.

            When the Catholic Church makes more sense on evolution, reproduction and science than the Republican party, you realize it’s all over for the Republicans. We need a third party.

          • TonyinMO

            Mort you say ” Something we agree on; both parties suck goat balls” But you continue to defend Democrats what’s that say for you Mort?

            As if you couldn’t change Repubs to Dems in what you said about Republicans and there wouldn’t be any difference.

            So how do those goat balls taste Mort???

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Hey, when you have a choice between two evils, you tend to choose the lesser of those two evils; in this case the Democrats. At least the Democrats actually encourage education and learning; Republicans think that education is the Devil’s way of turning you away from God (according to some insane Republicans)… They think that going to College is BAD for people!!!

            I can’t taste the goat balls, over the wretched smell of Republican hypocrisy and their traitorous behavior over the debt ceiling; face it, if Obama is for something, Republicans are against it on principle, even if they INVENTED whatever Obama is for. Obama could nominate Romney for a position in his cabinet and Republicans would find a way to make that a bone of contention.

          • TonyinMO

            When you choose between the lesser of two evils you are still left with evil. Sorry I don’t participate in that type of behavior.

            I see you are still defending the Dems even though by your own admission they are evil. sadly you are the problem with the electorate in this country. You aren’t smart enough to have the strength of your own convictions.

            Save the crazy talk about Republicans and how they hate education, apparently you’ve been dumbed down by a public school education to the degree you don’t realize the Dems gave you the Dept. of education.

            I think you might not be able to taste the goat balls over the taste of planting your foot in your mouth over and over.

            Look if 0bama is the genius you leftards claim he is why can’t he figure out how to get Congress on his side instead of blaming them for his inability to lead?

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            Sorry; wrong. I went to one of the best Private Schools available, no public school for me or my kids.

            The lesser of two evils is the only choice we have, other than just refusing to participate and I feel it’s my civic duty to participate. Frankly, you have to agree that Romney would have been a massive disaster for this country; maybe even worse than G.W. Bush.

            Changing the system is a slow process and just as a reference, I voted for Reagan ! Yes, I was a Republican in a former life. As soon as the religious wingnuts infiltrated the party, as soon as the trickle-down absurdity was embraced, I had no choice but to choose another way. Libertarian is how I would LIKE to vote, but Ron Paul has many, many good ideas that are FAR outweighed by his insane ideas.

            The Republican party has to regain it’s mind; it has to cleave itself to logic, science, truth and fact and reject people like Limbaugh, Coulter and Beck. Until they DO, Republicans might never win another election in my lifetime.

            Democrats have substantial problems, but those issue PALE into insignificance when compared to the insanity that has infested the Republicans.

          • TonyinMO

            You mean to tell me your parents paid to have you screwed up the way you are? That’s very sad.

            What part of evil don’t you quite understand? It’s not the only choice you had, if I have to tell you there were other choices you need to stay home from now on and leave the decisions to the adults in this country.

            When are you going to realize that there is no difference between the two big box parties? Please quit wasting my time with your inane comments about the Republicans. Are you completely stooopid?

          • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

            I suspect YOU were the one that went to a public school, given the tinge of jealousy I detect in your postings. Did daddy not make enough money to send you to a proper school?

          • TonyinMO

            As usual you’re wrong again. You really should stick to things of a factual nature even though I’m sure that is against your liberal religion.

            It’s amazing that the uninformed make such baseless accusations.

          • neeceoooo

            You were spot on, Mort. Congratulations

          • TonyinMO

            An id10t is a genius to another id10t.

          • http://www.facebook.com/bob.brindell.7 Bob Brindell

            Give it up Tony you are lowering yourself to their level.

          • truthhunter13

            You almost fooled me, Tony. I was beginning to believe that you were actually an intelligent and civilized Republican. But….your true colors shone through.
            Name calling is a Republican way of defending themselves when caught lying.

          • TonyinMO

            Anybody with a name like truthhunter is probably the biggest liar on this thread. Excuse me if I have a hard time taking you seriously!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1511916455 David T. Kurtz

      tonyin,, you are full of SH&t,,,, try blaming bush and gang for two war, not paid for,, medicare part D, not paid for,, Two major tax cuts,,
      Now because of the repukes,, and tea scum in congress, nothing will get done,,, boy what a bunch of losers!!!!

      • TonyinMO

        All voted for by a democratically controlled congress.

        Better luck next time genius.

        • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

          The GOP controlled the House during the first six years of President George W. Bush’s presidency, and the Senate during the first four years. Who actually controlled the Senate during the last four years of W’s presidency is debatable. There were 49 Republicans and 49 Democrats, The reason control of the Senate appears as Democrat is because the two Independents caucased with Democrats. Considering that Liebermann sided with Republicans on several occasions, the deciding vote was cast by VP Cheney. Again, control of the House was in Republican hands during the first six years of the Bush administration, when tax breaks were put in place in 2001 and 2003.

          • TonyinMO

            Up until 2007 the debt was being reduced until the Dems went on a spending spree.

            Clinton ran deficits all through his eight year term. One can go to the US Treasury Department and look through the history of the total outstanding debt through Clinton’s term.

            Do you recall the dot-com bubble? This served as a powerful influence during Clinton years that led to huge gains in the stock markets and helped create a booming economy. The dot-com bubble brought in hundreds of millions in unanticipated tax revenue from taxes on capital gains and rising salaries. President Bush inherited this bubble and a bear market. The bubble burst between 2000-2001. Despite this major collapse of the Internet bubble, Bush still managed to recover. In the midst of the stock market collapse, 9/11 happened, which further decimated the economy. Bush not only made it work nonetheless, but went on to set historical record highs for stock market gains.

            Every year Clinton was in office, the total national debt continued to climb.

            How did Clinton manage to claim a surplus? Well, while the general operating budgets ran deficits, Clinton borrowed from numerous off budget funds to make the on budget fund a surplus.

            For example, in 2000, Clinton claimed a $230B surplus, but Clinton borrowed
            $152.3B from Social Security
            $30.9B from Civil Service Retirement Fund
            $18.5B from Federal Supplementary Medical insurance Trust Fund
            $15.0B from Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
            $9.0B from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund
            $8.2B from Military Retirement Fund
            $3.8B from Transportation Trust Funds
            $1.8B from Employee Life Insurance & Retirement fund
            $7.0B from others

            Total borrowed from off budget funds $246.5B, meaning that his $230B surplus was actually a $16.5B deficit.
            ($246.5B borrowed – $230B claimed surplus = $16.5B actual deficit).

            If there is ever a true surplus, then the national debt would go down.

            The national debt did not go down one year during the Clinton administration.

            The next time you hear liberals attacking Bush about inheriting a surplus from Clinton, give them the facts about the voodoo Clinton used to claim a surplus. Also, let those liberals know that Obama inherited a $375 million deficit, and he quadrupled it by turning it into an unbelievable $1.3 Trillion.

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/IQNV5NV2RS7A7XMJKYHLRBZZ5A Betta

            “Clinton ran deficits all through his eight year term.” That is a lie. Clinton left a surplus then bushboy got in there and spent it all up within 1-2 years.

          • TonyinMO

            You couldn’t be anymore mistaken. If there is ever a true surplus, then the national debt would go down.

            The national debt did not go down one year during the Clinton administration.

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            Not true!! The national debt would only go down if Congress chose to use the surplus to pay down the debt..and Congress didn’t do that. A surplus does not automatically reduce the debt. Just like the debt ceiling doesn’t go up unless congress choses to do so!! Your full of Crap!! Bush negotiated TARP and the Auto Bailout before leaving office. His last budget for 10/1 to 9/30/09 included 1.4 trillion in deficit spending THAT HE HAD NEGOTIATED.

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            And let’s get into the deficits: America’s debt to the majority of industrialized countries in the world similar to America run debt to GDP ratios onf 80% or greater. Even Canada has a ratio greater than 85%, And none of these is crying about being Broke like the nitwit GOP is! And you know why!! Because they don’t give a rats behind about the deficits when THEY’RE IN OFFICE, it’s only when they can use that nonsense to try and gut Social Security and Medicare. What a bunch of unmitigated phonies!! Just like you!!!

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            Some text got deleted from my last comment; It should start out: America’s debt to GDP ratio is about 67%, whereas the debt to GDP ratio of most industrialized countries in the world…

          • DukeDacat

            “Bush…………………….but went on to set historical record highs for stock market gains.”

            What the Hell you talking about???
            The stock market I was in (14 tech and fin stocks) DROPED 31% 2002 to 2009 and GAINED 28% 2009 to 2012 (same stocks)

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/X2KKGDYW2F5T5XUT6233KBNWSI robert

            TonyinMo, when people read, they should be able to comprehend what they read. I don’t know what source you are getting your information from, but source or imagined source, you’re old enough to have been around to see that President Clinton left a huge surplus at the end of his term. That surplus was passed to BushII when he and Cheney took office. It is the same surplus that Bush/Cheney re-distributed to their billionaire friends in 2001 as tax breaks just before 9/11. If you don’t personally remember that, you’re clueless, as clueless as your post sounds. Incredible!

          • TonyinMO

            Robert do you understand the very least about accounting principles? Obviously NOT. The country went farther in debt, Approx. $18 Billion, you can’t borrow money and leave a surplus, unless you’re CLUELESS.

            It’s almost laughable that you can look at the paltry sum and claim “Bush/Cheney re-distributed to their billionaire friends” but yet I’m sure you are just fine with what 0bama is doing lets see:

            Just what is it that you think Obama is doing well?

            Average household income is down $4K under Obama
            He has added $6 Trillion to the debt
            The dollar has lost 30% of it’s value
            America had it’s 1st ever credit down grade
            Unemployment should be around 5% not 8%
            Obamacare will be run like the post office
            He lied about the 9/11 “youtube video” attack
            The stimulus was a bust
            Solyndria and others were crony capitalism
            The number of Americans on food stamps has doubled under Obama
            The housing market is still in the crapper
            He is covering up Fast and Furious

            This guy is a liar and a failure and you’re whining about Bush, get over it and extract your cranium from your rectum Son!

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

          Are you really as clueless as you spout?? Democrats did not have control of both houses of congress between 1995 and 2009. They had a majority in the House starting in 2007 but no majority in the Senate. So obviously they could not have passed any spending legislation that the Republicans and Bush didn’t want to see. And even when they had a super majority in both houses starting in 2009, it was only for about 8 months until Ted Kennedy died and he was replaced by Republican Scott Brown. The Dems used that 8 months to follow through on TARP and the Auto Bailout which in doing so saved about 1.5 million jobs and created more; and also kept America from the GOP’s second created world-wide depression.; they also got Obamacare passed which will save the country and people with health insurance millions/billions starting when the legislation fully becomes in effect starting next year. You’re constant claims that the Dems had something to do with Bush running up 7.4 trillion in deficit spending during his disasterous 8 years in obvious is ludicrous and a blatant lie!!!! But that’s par for GOP lovers who are all pathological liars!!!

          • TonyinMO

            Look at you all you have is name calling, looks like you’re at a loss of anything factual based on the blame Bush comment you just made! I can totally see how a foul mouthed candidate that lacks a moral compass like 0bama would appeal to a person like YOU.

            What Obama inherited from Bush:

            AAA credit rating
            7.1 % official unemployment rate
            $1.85 gas prices
            10 trillion dollar debt
            2 wars
            26 week unemployment benefits
            a budget
            304,761,895 population
            13,524,982 actual unemployed people
            People on food stamps —————-31.79 million
            Debt per CITIZEN $33,600
            Debt per TAXPAYER $94,360

            Numbers Don’t Lie.
            .
            ———————————————————Jan 2009——-Sept 2011
            .
            Price/gallon gas————————————–$1.83 ————$3.69
            Crude oil (barrel)————————————-$38.74———–$115.34
            Corn, No.2 yellow————————————$3.56————-$14.33
            Soybeans———————————————-$9.66————-$13.58
            Raw Sugar cane,lb———————————-$13.37———–$35.39
            .
            Unemployment rate, non-farm——————–7.6%————–9.1%
            Unemployment rate, blacks———————–12.6%————16.7%
            Number of unemployed—————————-10,616,000——14,500,000
            .
            Number of fed. Employees————————2,779,000——–2,840,000
            Real median household income—————–$50,112———–$49,777
            Number of food stamp recipients —————31,983,716——-43,300,878
            .
            Unemployment benefit recipients—————-7,526,598——–9,393,838
            Number of long-term unemployed—————2,600,000——–6,900,000
            .
            Poverty rate, individuals—————————-13.2%————15.1%
            People in poverty in U.S.—————————39,800,000——46,200,000
            .
            Economic Freedom World Ranking——————5——————9
            Failed banks——————————————-140—————–170
            Dollar vs Jap yen exchange rate—————–89.76—————76.15
            National debt, in trillions—————————$10.627————$15.052
            .
            In Obama’s first 2.5 years, we accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation’s history. Over 27 times as fast! Metaphorically, speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane 27 times faster . . . it would be doing 1,755 MPH! This is a disaster!
            .
            Sources:
            (1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. of Labor; (7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC; (13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury

            AND NOW WE HAVE SOLYNDRA, LIGHT SQUARE, THE FAST AND FURIOUS FIASCO, BENGHAZI, GUN GRABS, TAX HIKES…….

            Just what is it that you think Obama is doing well?

            Average household income is down $4K under Obama
            He has added $6 Trillion to the debt
            The dollar has lost 30% of it’s value
            America had it’s 1st ever credit down grade
            Unemployment should be around 5% not 8%
            Obamacare will be run like the post office
            He lied about the 9/11 “youtube video” attack
            The stimulus was a bust
            Solyndria and others were croney capitalism
            The number of Americans on food stamps has doubled under Obama
            The housing market is still in the crapper
            He is covering up Fast and Furious

            This guy is a liar and a failure!

          • WhutHeSaid

            If lying was proof of intelligence I have no doubt you would be the envy of your local MENSA chapter. But lying is NOT proof of intelligence, I’m afraid, it’s just proof that you don’t have a real point.

            98% of the things that you listed are either a) inherited results of fiscal irresponsibility, or b) flat-out lies.

            Obama hasn’t ‘grabbed’ any guns — he hasn’t even announced the results of VP Biden’s task force. But that didn’t stop you from lying about it. When he does announce any policy changes it will be a measured response to a recurring tragedy in this country. I support the 2nd Amendment and have all my life, but there is no reason for assault weapons with large-capacity magazines to be so readily available. These types of restrictions I (and any responsible person who recoils at the thought of bullet-ridden 7-year old children) can live with.

            Next, Obama didn’t just inherit the ‘snapshot in time’ that you cite from 2009. He inherited an economy in free-fall that was hemorrhaging 800,000 jobs per month. Without doing anything at all, we would be in FAR worse shape with a FAR GREATER deficit. Instead of admitting that Obama turned this around, you (and other lying bigots like you) come up with as many ridiculous whoppers as you can in an effort to discredit what he did do to clean up the mess that morons just like you created.

            Once again, President Obama has the LOWEST rate in the growth of federal spending of any President in the last 30 years. Your ‘drunken sailor’ list should start with Ronald Reagan, the all time king of runaway federal spending growth. Next is GW Bush — the lowest growth was under Obama with Clinton second lowest.

            You are the liar and the failure. Your exaggerated attempts to appear intelligent are humorous. But at least one thing is clear: You have a character defect that causes you to hate a black President with no credible reason — just lies. What does that make you? We know what that makes you, but let’s hear you try to deny it.

          • TonyinMO

            You like to call me a liar but so far you have yet to prove that anything I’ve said is a lie. That makes you the LIAR.

            Oh look the racecard I would of never expected you to go there…NOT… YOU LOSE!!!

            The last refuge When you can’t support your position with facts, when all the logic runs out, is the smear campaign. Smear away.

          • WhutHeSaid

            I did, in fact, prove you a liar. Obama has done *absolutely nothing* with respect to guns in this country — at least not yet. That makes your ‘gun grabbing’ claims FALSE. Just for your benefit, FALSE = LIE.

            If you can’t come up with anything but lies (see above) to justify your obvious personal hate for a man, then that makes it the result of a character defect. Feel free to tell us what that character defect is that causes you to hold personal hatred for a man you do not know personally. I already know the answer, but you may try to explain it if you’d like.

          • TonyinMO

            You just keep telling yourself that and for clarification I talking about a group of people when I said gun grabbers. Way to take it out of context. I expect that from a liberal.

            So once again you are making baseless accusations with NO basis in fact and playing the racecard. You know what they say about people who accuse others of being a racist when in fact no mention of race has been made?

            A LYING RACIST!

          • WhutHeSaid

            Hahaha! You put ‘gun grabbing’ under the title of things Obama is responsible for and now you want me to believe that you’re talking about a ‘group of people’? That’s even better: You claiming Obama is responsible for a ‘gun grabbing’ group of people! Did he create this group of people in his evil White House laboratory? Bwaaaa-hahaha!

            Say, you are so good at back-peddling that I’ll bet you could win a bicycle race against Lance Armstrong (even with the doping) — IF you were racing backwards!

          • TonyinMO

            You really are a LYING RACIST. It’s amazing that the uninformed make such baseless accusations.

            I have to admit kooks are entertaining….with all the insults and no logic or facts to back it up. Makes me laugh every time one of you clueless status quo puppets go off the deep end, foaming at the mouth spewing their hate for Bush and repeating the media nonsense. All the while not having a clue what the constitution is about.

            Maybe it’s not your fault, persons who are not educated enough to express themselves intelligently generally live in a 15 second sound bite world.

            No one is laughing with you, we’re just laughing at you while you have another one of your uniformed meltdowns.

            As soon as people like YOU figure out who or what they support they become an embarrassment to them too. In your case I’ve never been happier for someone to support Obama, keep up the good work.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Hee-hee! It’s amusing to see your reaction to getting ‘spanked’ in a debate! It’s little wonder that you are so angry over getting you ass whupped by a black man. I *almost* feel sorry for you.

            Obama will be your leader for 4 more years — and guess what else?

            He’ll be black the WHOLE TIME!!

            Hee-hee!

            Do try to have a nice day.

          • TonyinMO

            LMAO you get whipped like a government mule then claim the opposite. Enjoy your delusion.

            Sadly even you see yourself as a second class citizen: “It’s little wonder that you are so angry over getting you ass whupped by a black man. I *almost* feel sorry for you.”

            What you fail to realize is that Obama, just like yourself, is delusional and denies he is half white.

            It’s almost as if you watch to much of the Rev rant Al Sharpton.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Hee-hee!

            Excuse me but it’s just plain funny to see you scramble to understand what I actually said. Oh yes, the correct phrase would be ‘too much’ — not ‘to much’.

            You really don’t like being caught dead to rights in a whopper much, yes? Sorry ’bout your luck.

          • TonyinMO

            Don’t flatter yourself, if the best you can come up with is spelling errors you have lost the argument. Wadda D Bag you are. Suck on that.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Don’t go away a sore loser. When you actually want to win an argument there’s always your Rush doll. At least I THINK you could win an argument with a blow-up doll — please tell me I’m right.

          • TonyinMO

            Still humping your doll, isn’t that special.

          • WhutHeSaid

            So you even lose arguments to your Rush doll? That’s curious, since both of you seem to be full of the same hot air.

          • TonyinMO

            Mark Twain said it best, “It’s easier to fool someone than to convince them they’ve been fooled”.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

      Obama made that speech when Bush had run up 350-500 billion dollar deficits for 6 straight years and knew full well what Bush was doing – pushing everything he could to allow his rich cronies to stuff billions and possibly trillions of dollars into their pockets by starting unnecessay wars, passing unwarranted/unwise tax cuts, drug benefit giveaways to the drug industry, unfunded mandates to unwise legislation – Bush was spending trillions on total nonsense – accomplishing absolutely nothing for America. Obama was trying somehow to put a hold to Bush’s outright stealing from the American taxpayers – that’s why back then he was pushing against raising the debt ceiling – he didn’t want to come right out and call Bush the crook he is. And your last comment is such total unmitigated carbage I wouldn’t waste my time responding to except to say that Barak Obama has done more for America than any president since FDR and I could spend quite a bit of time here listing 35 very positive accomplishments from the past 4 years that are multiple times more than anything you could come up for from certainly any totally failed GOP president in the past 100 years.

      • TonyinMO

        When America reelected Barack Obama they voted for higher unemployment, lower incomes, record government spending, and a stagnant under-performing economy. Barack Obama promises to bring even more pain his second term.

        In the US today:
        12 million Americans remain unemployed.
        In December 22.6 million Americans were unemployed or underemployed.
        The average unemployed American is out of work for nearly 40 weeks.

        To understand just how bad things are, and just what a failure Obama’s first term has been, you have to see it graphically.
        This chart was released by the St. Louis Federal Reserve.

        It’s the worst unemployment record since World War II.

        But thanks to the liberal media most Americans are unaware of Barack Obama’s record-setting first term.

        And so we can all expect even more pain this second term.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

      And just to clarify, Eisenhower was not a Republican president, he was an independent so his accomplishments are outside my comments about the rest of the totally worthless GOP presidents America has had over the past 100 years.

      • TonyinMO

        Nice to see that you are so upset by my comments, was I supposed to read the nonsense you posted?

  • InsideEye

    Here We Go AGAIN..>>>>>>>> Some TRUTH recognition, all are hypocrites

    It was All of Congress and the president that went along to have this phony Fiscal Cliff/Sequestration scenario. If the Cliff was reached they knew that some taxes would go up and Some heavy cuts would go into affect. as per Simpson / Bowles They all proposed and sign-on to this scenario…now they fight against it ??!!! Why is this fact not in the NEWS

    It actually is the correct solution. since none of Congress wanted to raise taxes or cut funds anyway, a cowardly dereliction of duty.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

      Sorry, the only hypocrites I see here are Republicans – Most Democrats and many of us Independents really wanted the Fiscal Cliff to happen. It’s the Republicans who have been fighting it because they haven’t wanted taxes to go up by $1 on their rich donors.

      • InsideEye

        You are right everyone wanted the Fiscal Cliff to arrive for their own reasons / weaknesses…not being able to make a decision. This was the Grand Bargain that WAS a genuine compromise…no testosterone required by anyone involved ( Congress or Obama.) Just let it happen. It is a combination of Simpson Bowles / Sequestration aka castration in this case. Let us go on with life, now. This is all so contrived.
        Time to pay up for everyone…it will all even out.

  • TonyinMO

    All 0bama has done is to quadruple the debt in this country, the man is a major failure.

    • WhutHeSaid

      Stop lying and go play with your Rush Limbaugh blow-up doll.

      • TonyinMO

        It’s apparent that you are a 0bama supporter and not smart enough to see that he is screwing ALL of us. Try to remove your mouth from his crotch.

        • WhutHeSaid

          Just because you do all that nasty stuff with your Rush doll doesn’t mean the rest of us are like that. Please confine your vile antics to your trailer park.

        • InsideEye

          as Mort Said “there is a “belief” system. that believes that Obama is a Socialist, you believe that Obama is a Muslim, you believe that Obama is a Kenyan and you believe what Fox News tells you to believe; the big problem is that FACTS escape you. but Morts words are correct charcaterizing Obomba

    • http://www.facebook.com/bob.brindell.7 Bob Brindell

      Some of us have paid into Social Security for 50 years. If congress wants to cut spending cut Retirement pay for excongressional members and their pay. Not those who paid into our retirement fund (Social Security).

      • TonyinMO

        Show me where Congress has passed a bill that has been voted on by the Senate and passed then sent to 0bama’s desk for a signature. It hasn’t happened, quit believing all the BS the media is feeding you.

        I agree with you they shouldn’t be raising the retirement age for SS it is not an entitlement.

        • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

          What they should raise is the SS contribution cap, from $106K to $250K. That would keep SS solvent for many years to come. Let’s not forget that SS is currently fully funded via FICA contributions and does not use general funds. Unfortunately, the same is not true for MEDICARE.

          • TonyinMO

            Raising the cap is a bad idea, the average person could take what they put into SS over a lifetime and have a small fortune had they invested it in the private market. Instead they are forced into contributing, then are ripped off by the politicians who keep borrowing from it and giving it away.

          • ococoob

            @TonyinMO
            ”
            …small fortune had they invested it in the private market.”

            Are you advocating privatizing SS?! Do YOU really want to revisit that issue like GW Bush did BEFORE Wall St. imploded in 2007!???

          • TonyinMO

            Seriously? The government has @ssed up SS. If there were any justice in this world they’d all be doing life with Bernie Madoff. They may have been one of Bush’s only honest moments.

            What brought WS down had little to do with anything Bush did.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/WZG5Z5FXVXAA5PRY2USFW3Q76Y Witnes This!

      Apparently you have never used a credit card or been charged interest for your spending. Lucky you! Wars are very expensive and the money had to be borrowed to pay for it. Now the congress who unanimously drank theCheney coolaid does not want to pay for it. Reagan raised the debt limit EIGHT times during his presidency-so have other presidents and it never became an extotion plot until the current president. I say we get rid of the klu klux klan members of congress and get on with our nation buildingt!

      • TonyinMO

        The only problem with your screed is that that “congress who unanimously drank theCheney coolaid” and spent the money were the democrats.

        When you use the racecard you lose all credibility.

        • WhutHeSaid

          Bullshit. GW Bush had a Republican majority in the House until 2007. Did you think you could lie without getting caught? I hope you aren’t any older than 8, because that would make you an idiot.

          • TonyinMO

            and 2007 is when the debt started to climb. Are you completely inept?

          • WhutHeSaid

            Are you one of them thar ‘special’ fellers — you know, the ones who dance around in dog-shit wearing foil hats? Only that could explain why you are too stupid to understand where debt comes from. I won’t try to teach it to you — as far as you know it was the ‘debt fairy’. Now go back in your trailer and tend to Rush — he’s getting lonely and I think he may have sprung a leak. Hurry!

          • InsideEye

            I never saw such stuff, where do you go that you see these things.

          • WhutHeSaid

            You don’t have to be embarrassed. LOTS of people cuddle up with their Rush Limbaugh blow up dolls. You can come out of the closet and be proud of yourself.

          • TonyinMO

            I’m certain he is deflecting. Maybe he has a used blow up 0bama doll that he stole from Chris Matthews.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Actually, that would be ‘projecting’. I’ll forgive your mistake since the mere mention of Rush apparently spikes your blood pressure.

          • TonyinMO

            No actually it wouldn’t. People who blame others tend to overemphasize themselves while at the same time underemphasizing the negative effects of their actions. Deflecting is a common behavior among those who have narcissistic personality disorder.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Now THAT comment would be an example of both projection AND deflection. Apparently being unable to tell the difference is due to the fact that to you they are interchangeable.

          • TonyinMO

            Bound and determined to make sure everyone on the internet sees what an id10t you are aren’t you genius?

    • mikeopks

      you mean congress as the president does not have the authority to spend a dime.

      • TonyinMO

        Yes a congress controlled by democrats at the time.

        • WhutHeSaid

          Stop lying. Bush had a Republican majority in the House for 3/4 of his term.

          • TonyinMO

            When did the debt go up? At the end of his second term. Try studying up on the facts and quit acting like a petulant child.

          • WhutHeSaid

            You’re pretty new at this debate thing, now aren’t you? If you think anyone is going to believe that Bush (read: Republican) wasn’t responsible for wiping out the Clinton surplus and starting runaway spending worse than anyone except Reagan, then you will have no trouble believing that pink unicorns will fly out of your ass and Rush Limbaugh will win the next NY City Marathon. Dolt.

          • TonyinMO

            You are inept if you believe that Clinton left a surplus. You can’t leave a surplus when you borrow money to do it.

            id10t

          • WhutHeSaid

            If you aren’t too busy giving birth to pink unicorns or spending ‘quality time’ with your Rush doll, mosey on over to Forbes and find out which Presidents were the champions of runaway federal spending in the last 30 years. Hint: Obama increased federal spending at a lower rate than ALL of them, and ALL of the Republicans increased spending faster than ALL of the Democrats.

            Now then — don’t you feel stupid? No charge for the history lesson.

          • TonyinMO

            Nice try but spending follows the party that has control of Congress not the president.

            Now don’t you feel stupid? You should, you are!

          • WhutHeSaid

            So when did Bush veto said spending, where Congress had to override the veto?

            You may hang your head in shame now — you’ve earned it.

          • TonyinMO

            Who ever said Bush was a genius, you ASSume an awful lot for an id10t. He was just as much at fault for going along with it.

            The point is that spending follows congress, if I’m wrong prove me wrong. or STFU

          • WhutHeSaid

            Compared to a numbskull like you Bush would seem like a genius. Every year there is a thing called the ‘President’s Budget’. It’s normally a rather big deal in Washington. If the current Congress wasn’t chock full of bigoted obstructionists it would continue to be that way, and we wouldn’t be limping along on continued resolutions.

            Spending ALWAYS follows the President — not Congress. Congress is only a counter-balance to executive power in this respect. This is why the President has the power of a veto.

            I don’t have to prove you wrong — you are wrong all by yourself without any help from me. Better stick to something you actually know about, like pink ass-unicorns or Rush Limbaugh blow-up dolls. This ‘history’ thing is too much of a challenge for you.

          • TonyinMO

            Liberals, always wrong and darn proud of themselves.

            He cannot spend money without the approval of the Congress.

            You do seem to be really obsessed by blow up dolls and Rush Limbaugh. Have you considered seeking professional help for that?

          • WhutHeSaid

            Are you ashamed of yourself? Nobody cares what you do in the privacy of your own trailer — as long as they don’t have to see it.

          • TonyinMO

            Still humping your blow up doll?

          • WhutHeSaid

            Are you still heartbroken over your Rush doll springing a leak?

          • WhutHeSaid

            The debt predictably went up as the costs of unfunded wars, tax cuts, and other irresponsible policies accumulated cost. Is this too difficult for you to follow?

          • TonyinMO

            BS are you trying to claim that debt goes up if you cut spending? There is your problem 0bama and the Dems spent like drunken sailors.

            Analysis of all spending and receipts for the wars, shows these conflicts are responsible for, at most, 15% of the national debt. So you can stuff your silly “unfunded wars” comment and the tax cut nonsense that 0bama has extended. If it was such a burden on the economy why is 0bama continuing down the same path???

            More Bush policy from the new guy…

          • WhutHeSaid

            Tax cuts are not cuts to ‘spending’ — they are cuts to revenue. And yes, your debt will absolutely go up if you cut your income without accounting for your expenses.

            Obama, unlike Bush, faces the prospect of an economy that is slowly recovering from the cataclysmic results of irresponsible fiscal policy. Despite the fact that he has already ended some of the irresponsible tax cuts, he knows that now is not the time to take that money out of the hands of the middle class. But he HAS ended the unfunded ‘hot war’ in Iraq, and is ending the other soon. Are you claiming that unfunded wars totaling over $1.3 trillion did not add to the debt?

            As a learning exercise for you and humor for the rest of us (since we already know the answer), which Bush policies had costs that DID NOT add to the national debt?

            Obama holds the record for the LOWEST rate of increase in federal spending among all Presidents over the last 30 years. That’s a fact. ALL Republicans increased spending faster than ALL Democrats — with Ronald Reagan the biggest ‘drunken sailor’ of them all, followed closely by GW Bush.

          • TonyinMO

            Try learning how to read before you reply.

            Just what is it that you think Obama is doing well?

            Average household income is down $4K under Obama
            He has added $6 Trillion to the debt
            The dollar has lost 30% of it’s value
            America had it’s 1st ever credit down grade
            Unemployment should be around 5% not 8%
            Obamacare will be run like the post office
            He lied about the 9/11 “youtube video” attack
            The stimulus was a bust
            Solyndria and others were croney capitalism
            The number of Americans on food stamps has doubled under Obama
            The housing market is still in the crapper
            He is covering up Fast and Furious

            This guy is a liar and a failure!

            Taxes, and high taxes coming down the pike this year. Unemployment still at record high levels. (despite current reports). An unpopular and extremely expensive health care law, that was rammed down Americans throats. Corruption and wastes of tax dollars on bankrupt solar companies. Cronyism up the whazoo. Failing to defend our citizens abroad. Failure to defend our citizens at home. F&F…..

          • WhutHeSaid

            Despite your glaring character defects — you do try so very hard!

            President Obama has snatched away what was once a Republican claim to fame – foreign policy — and made it his own. All that Republicans can do now is squeal ineffectually over cabinet appointments — even Republican ones.

            Allow me to clue you in to a little fact: Obama won the tax debate and the election. Taxes are the lowest in 60 years, but now they are going up a bit on higher incomes — exactly what American voters wanted. What part of this do you not understand?

          • TonyinMO

            0bama has picked up right where Bush left off when it comes to foreign policy and nation building, both are failures and for you to claim he is some sort of foreign policy genius is really no surprise at all.

            I have to admit kooks are entertaining….with all the insults and no logic or facts to back it up. Makes me laugh every time one of you clueless status quo puppets go off the deep end, foaming at the mouth spewing their hate for Republicans and repeating the media nonsense. All the while not having a clue what the constitution is about.

            Maybe it’s not your fault, persons who are not educated enough to express themselves intelligently generally live in a 15 second sound bite world.

            No one is laughing with you, we’re just laughing at you while you have another one of your uniformed meltdowns.

            As soon as people like this figure out who or what they support they become an embarrassment to them too. In your case I’ve never been happier for someone to support 0bama.

            Wasn’t that you that claimed that the unfunded wars and the Bush tax breaks were what caused the economic problems we face today, now 0bama is your savior for taxes being the lowest they have been in 60 years? You can’t have it both way numbnuts either it was what caused the economic problems or it’s what is fixing it. I guess either way you’ll have to blame the man you hate ol G W Bush right. Once again 0bama hasn’t had an original idea.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Well, I never claimed that Obama was responsible for taxes being historically low, but I’m certain that if you believed it was a bad thing YOU would make such a claim. Why? Because you hate Obama, obviously. Why do you hate Obama? I know the answer, but once again feel free to explain it yourself.

            Yes, in some respects Obama has retained *some* Bush foreign policy. But he banned torture immediately, ended Bush’s war in Iraq, and gave the order that killed the most wanted terrorist in history. None of these things were accomplished by Bush policies. Mitt Romney had a very difficult time trying to explain how he would implement a foreign policy that was stronger than Obama’s — and for good reason: Anything stronger would be irresponsible and/or reckless.

            You can attempt to attack my education as much as you’d like, but I’m afraid that it just underscores your failure to make valid arguments.

            Yes indeed ending unfunded wars is going a long way toward ‘fixing’ our national economy — do you dispute it? Please feel free to explain how spending $1.3 trillion on Iraq and Afghanistan has helped to reduce the deficit or national debt — I’m all ears.

          • TonyinMO

            First off I don’t hate 0bama I don’t know him. Please put the stupid racecard away, it makes you look even more foolish if that is possible.

            Obama didn’t ban torture he just subcontracts it out to other countries and now instead of water boarding he KILLS people with drones. What kind of a moron are you? Try to catch up. Obama did not do anything to end the war in Iraq that wasn’t already put in place by Bush, he just picked up where Bush left off. Big deal he gave the order to kill Bin Laden, again Bush laid the ground work that got him to where he was, he just picked up the baton. Obama’s foreign policy is nothing more than a continuation of Bush’s which is a continuation of the 40 years of blowback that preceded him.

            We continually meddle in the affairs of the world then are surprised when they attack us. The CIA calls it BLOWBACK. It has happened continuously over the last 40 years as a result of our foreign policy. It happened in Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Iran.

            The CIA and the independent 9/11 Commission report confirmed that one of the primary reasons these Islamic extremists attacked us was because of our foreign policy. They weren’t attacking us because of our freedom, it is the BLOWBACK that the CIA warned would happen. In fact Osama Bin Laden even said it himself! This whole “good” against “evil” deflection is the tactic the Government uses to evade responsibility for the consequences that America’s imperial projects have generated.

            You Sir are the one that has failed to make a valid argument. I must have hit a nerve about your lack of education, if the truth hurts too bad.

            Obama spent more money his first 90 days in office on the failed stimulus than the wars. However I have always been an opponent of the Iraq war and think as a country we have wasted too much time and treasure in Afghanistan. Wait as long as you like I won’t defend this country’s wars and loss of my brothers and sisters.

            President Obama Signed the NDAA Indefinite Detention Bill Into Law. The statute contains a sweeping worldwide indefinite detention provision. President Obama’s action is a blight on his legacy because he will forever be known as the president who signed indefinite detention without charge or trial into law. In addition he has assisted in dismantling our 4th amendment rights by strengthening The Patriot Act. Sorry but 0bama is a bigger threat to our freedom than even George Bush was and the facts bare that out.

          • WhutHeSaid

            For what it’s worth, I don’t disagree that the US ‘meddles’ too much in the world’s business. That’s one reason why I believe it ridiculous to spend almost half of the world’s total defense expenditures for one country. I’ve said as much many times. If we spend so much on defense there are always war-mongering assholes that want to pick a fight somewhere.

            Obama did not spend more in his first 90 days on ‘failed stimulus’ — so just stop lying. Bush started the stimulus because he knew what an economic disaster he created, and the stimulus worked insofar as it stopped the economic free-fall. In any case it came nowhere near the cost of the wars and related defense spending. If Obama did not follow through on it, however, it would have cost FAR more than both wars and the Bush tax cuts to boot — we were headed for a true economic disaster.

            If my education is lacking in any way it certainly won’t be proven by the likes of you. You aren’t even a challenge as far as I’m concerned. I find you rather amusing; I hope you don’t mind.

            I have serious concerns over the NDAA and the Patriot Act as well, but don’t think that my agreeing with you on 2 things will cause me to overlook your lies and exaggerations — it won’t.

          • TonyinMO

            LMAO now you want to re-write history? Bush started the stimulus? Please now that is a lie. Bush started TARP and TARP was a loan that was repaid. TARP is what stopped the free fall of the economy not the stimulus.

            It’s obvious you have not a clue what it is you are talking about so I’m done with you.

            Here go educate yourself.

            American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009– better known as the Stimulus– gave state governments extra funding to help deal with the giant holes in their budgets caused by the financial crisis. With the economy still in rough shape, President Obama has urged Congress to pass additional funding to help states. Politicians and media types have referred to this as a “bail out” for state governments. That might be a fair description, but the words “bail out” have left a lot of people thinking that the Stimulus is connected to TARP and the bank bailouts.

            It actually is not. To help clear things up, here’s a short description of each program.
            TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) – the bank bailout

            This was the bank bailout (or part of it anyways). TARP allowed the Treasury to buy or insure up to $700 billion in “troubled assets” from banks and other financial institutions. Technically it involved the Treasury buying subprime mortgages, mortgage backed securities, and derivatives, but in a lot of ways it worked more like an enormous loan to banks. In exchange for buying the junk nobody wanted, the Treasury got shares in the companies – once the crisis had passed the companies could buy back these shares, thereby paying off their TARP obligations.

            The program seems to have worked. TARP was originally expected to cost the government $356 billion, now the Treasury expects it will only cost around $89 billion.

            The Stimulus

            In April 2009, Congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package. I The idea was that the government would cut taxes and create jobs to help people cope with the massive recession caused by the financial meltdown. It was a complete failure. Remember the promise was unemployment wouldn’t go over 8% and it didn’t go under 8% until the election.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Ha! You are even more clueless than I originally thought!

            For your information, H.R. 5140, ‘Economic Stimulus Act of 2008″ was introduced on January 28, 2008. It was passed by the House on January 29, 2008. It was passed by the Senate on February 7, 2008. It was signed into law by none other than GW Bush on February 13, 2008. It’s purpose was to avert a recession. It failed, with a cost of $152 billion.

            None of this occurred during President Obama’s term. This was President Bush desperately trying to head off the inevitable results of his irresponsible fiscal policies. Despite these efforts, the national economy went into a free-fall the likes of which this country has never seen — not even at the start of the Great Depression. It took Obama’s forceful (some say not forceful enough) action to stop the financial apocalypse. You should be grateful that he did what he did, but of course your personal hate for the man makes this impossible.

            No charge for the history lesson. You really do need to try harder.

          • TonyinMO

            You are such a moron now you are bringing up unrelated nonsense HR 5140 was for the Internal Revenue Code to grant tax rebates of the lesser of net income tax liability or $600 to individual taxpayers ($1,200 for married taxpayers filing joint returns). Allows additional rebates of $300 for each child of an eligible taxpayer.

            How did giving taxpayers their money back fail? I’d rather have my taxes back than have it blown bailing out GM or Chrysler, so the unions can suckle off the governments nipple.

            Better luck next time, it’s no wonder people like you are discriminated against. You’re too stupid to vote, do America a favor stay home.

          • WhutHeSaid

            Ha! You really need practice on losing gracefully!

            The economic crisis started in late 2007/early 2008. The theory of the 2008 stimulus was to stimulate the economy that was growing worse by the day by giving the middle class more cash to spend. This law was called the “Economic Stimulus Act of 2008″ for a reason: It was supposed to stimulate the economy. TARP was another Bush response to the worsening economy — specifically the failures in the banking industry.

            Despite Bush’s efforts, the damage had already been done. It took much bolder expansionary monetary policies to correct the disaster before it turned into a full-fledged depression.

            Nobody really cares what you’d ‘rather have’. It was greedy, lying, bigoted morons who got us into this mess, so their advice was the last thing needed to get us out. Luckily Obama formulated a bold enough policy response to turn the economy around, and save a major American industry to boot. Expansionary policies are what is needed in a recession, and both Bush and Obama reacted accordingly. The difference is that one of them was successful in turning the economy back in the right direction. For 10 points can you answer which President that was?

            The net result is that Obama did what was necessary. He won reelection, and will be your leader for 4 more years. He passed historic health reform — it’s the law. You can spew lies day and night and it won’t change a thing. He’s black — you’re angry. Sorry.

            Please stick to something you actually know: ass-unicorns and Rush dolls. This political stuff is for grownups.

          • WhutHeSaid

            .

    • awakenaustin

      You have no evidence to support your statement the President quadrupled the debt. That statement is factually untrue. When you start out with a lie, you can’t expect others to believe anything else you might say. Maybe you don’t understand what the word quadrupled means? I noticed you capitalize GWBush and fail to capitalize the President’s name. Those little petty slurs don’t help your argument either. But you don’t care, you are just here to vent and call people names.

  • daniel bostdorf

    I had posted a comment here, but it was deleted by moderators?

    I will try one more time:

    Obama stated it best:

    “They will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the economy….The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip. And they better decide quickly because time is running short.”

    Isn’t ransom the same thing as extortion?

    • http://www.facebook.com/crzydancer Richard Holmes

      bambot is extorting the Americans out of their freedoms bit by bit with every unconstitutional thing he has done.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

        Would you care to spew just one of those ‘unconstitutional things he has done’?? You’re nothing more than another fake GOP lover that doesn’t have a clue as to what he’s talking about.

    • ococoob

      Nope.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

    President Obama is correct in reminding everyone that, ultimately, the government institution responsible for appropriations, and the one that authorizes expenditures, is Congress, not the White House.
    As he pointed out, raising the debt ceiling is not needed to increase spending, if nothing else because Congress will not authorize additional spending. It is required to meet our obligations, that is, to pay for debt that has already been incurred because of our refusal to pay for what we need and benefit from.
    Republicans talk a good game when they insist on spending reductions, the problem is that the appropriation process starts in the House, which is controlled by Republicans and their rhetoric is never backed up with proposals on how to achieve their worthy goal.
    Suggesting that if the debt ceiling does not go up, critical services ranging from funding the military, to Social Security and MEDICARE, are not a threat or a bargaining chip. The government can not provide services and pay its bills without Congress appropriating the necessary funding.
    I support both, revenue increases and spending reductions, but the latter must be implemented in a way that does not impact the economy and our standard of living. There are many ways to achieve that, and I have mentioned some in earlier posts, what is needed is political courage and commitment by Congress. Something that is in short supply.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1511916455 David T. Kurtz

    I hope and pray he sticks to his guns,, sick and fed up with the right wing nut jobs, who because of their hate for the first black president, will stop at nothing to make his life a living hell.
    And to all of you on the right that say the debt is to high,, well I did not hear one of you crying when dumb dumb AKA, bush wrecked the economy.

    • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

      What most right wing posters either don’t know, or choose to ignore, is that appropriations and spending authorization is a Congressional function. The President proposes and disposes of the monies authorized by Congress, he does not have the authority to spend a dime except in cases of national emergency, and even then it is temporary authority.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/IQNV5NV2RS7A7XMJKYHLRBZZ5A Betta

        “What most right wing posters either don’t know, or choose to ignore, is that appropriations and spending authorization is a Congressional function.”

        Are your eyes even OPEN? What you left wing posters either don’t know or choose to ignore is that you have been betrayed by your “messiah”. Your paychecks have shrunk because of higher taxes all must pay to fund obamacare. And your health insurance premiums will double!

        But on the other hand, if you get a free check, free phone and free food stamps, you won’t be affected…yet. Just wait until your free checks are CUT OFF. Then we’ll see how much you love this illegal alien you call your president.

        I will be so glad when the wool is pulled from your eyes so you can see reality. We are in for a bumpy ride.

        • gahoof

          ?????
          I hope you still keep in touch with the people from your own planet.

        • http://www.kidsbeddingstoreonline.com/ Melvin Miller

          Wow! How disrespectful of the President of the United States. He is an illegal alien…why????? Your taxes went up because Congress failed to act to extend the payroll tax cuts that this President implemented. Get the facts straight. Unless you are earning well above $400K a year, this President is fighting as hard as he can to help improve your fiscal condition. If you do not think that he is your President as well, then you have a lot of serious issues.

          • http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

            You Just Can’t Break Thru That Tea Bagging Home Schooling These Broke Ass Trolls Are Just Who Colin Powell Was Talking About!! Just A Bunch Of Racist Assholes!!! They Know The Bushwacker And That Thug Cheney Got This Country Is The Mess It Is In!!! Our President Trying To Put It On The Right Track And These American Taliban Members Are Hell Bend On Screwing It Up!!!

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

          You are aware are you that more than 70% of food stamps go to red state republicans? And why? Because nitwit GOP legislators have cut budgets and state services so fast they’ve thrown millions of Republicans in red states on welfare – six red states lead the nation in sucking welfare dollars from washington for the taxes they pay. And just how has our ‘messia’ miss led us? Are you aware that the increase in healthcare costs over the past 2 years have increased at the slowest rate in 14 years? Why, because healthcare providers are starting to realize that next year they’re not going to have the millions of deadbeats that won’t be paying for the healthcare they get – so they don’t need to pad their charges by 4-10 times what the service actually costs. And whatever tax people pay to fund Obamacare (aside from those who could afford insurance and choose not to) will be childs play compared to the healthcare and insurance charge reductions once the ‘everyone has to have insurance’ portion of Obamacare kicks in next year. Obama hasn’t hoodwinked anyone – it’s you that’s being hoodwinked by the right-wing wackos you obviously watch or listen to that are feeding you nonsense as usual.

        • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

          Betta, religious epithets such as Messiah may have an effect on Republican religious zealots, it doesn’t do much for agnostics like myself.

          The Affordable Care Act will not be implemented until 2014. It has n o impact whatsoever on current taxes, the deficit or the debt. Insurance premiums, after its implementation, are bound to go down as a result of that segment of our economy having a larger pool of clients, not up.

          Most of us worked for what we have, pay taxes, and unlike people like yourself, we don’t get the Emergency Room freebies Republicans are determined to keep. The Republican approach to healthcare – ER freebies – is much closer to socialism than Obamacare, which uses for-profit insurance companies to administer the system.

          I suspect you flunked history and geography. The last time I checked Hawaii was still part of the Union.

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/X2KKGDYW2F5T5XUT6233KBNWSI robert

          Ya Betta redneckonize! Don’t be so proud, Betta. You are eligible for food stamps, a free check, and a free phone, too. Just because you live in a purty double-wide, if you make 0.00 to 12k per year, our illegal alien president loves you that much to see that you’re taken care of. He could even have a hot meal delivered to you for three square a day. Don’t be so proud, okay.

    • http://www.facebook.com/crzydancer Richard Holmes

      This snak isn’t black. He is a half breed. Two halves of what is questionable. Yust because you scream racist does not make Anyone a racist except you for screaming racist first thing when you have nothing else worth saying. Make his life a living hell? Stupid people like you are part of the problem that this scum has done to make our lives a living hell. Your life will be one of them. A trillion dollar increase in the debt each year by bammyboy is wrecking the economy. Stop letting obooboy set on your face and feed you anal soup.

      • latebloomingrandma

        You are so vile, i hope no one responds to you.

      • WhutHeSaid

        Nobody needs to make your life a living hell — just being the worthless piece of shit that you are is sufficient. People like you only exist to give the rest of us somebody to slap around.

        • wesley rasmussen

          Damned if I couldn’t have said that better myself!! Great set of words, pointing out the “unnecessary kernel of truth” that everyone with a name for the POTUS seems not to wish to be confused with.

          I am sure if their families were run into as heavy a debt, and another person in the family was chosen to straighten out the finances, that it would NOT occur in the course of one or two paychecks. After all, how long was the Great Depression in the making, and how long for the unmaking? THAT should be the yardstick, not who is the one in the big office.

          Add that to a bunch of whining children ( a HOUSE ful of them, if you pardon the pun ), and you get one unmovable mess, with the removal of intransigence the only first step available.

          Everyone who feels the US government is giving them a raw deal, just ask yourself who voted for the policies that put us here. Who wasted precious time repealing Obamacare 33 times in one session and reduced our credit score? THOSE are the ones who should be, on a national scale, voted out. Our economy can only improve if people at all levels of income have the income to spend on goods. That can only come with more jobs, and that means bringing back our manufacturing base from overseas.

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            Wesley, great point about how long it took FDR get America back to sort of ‘normal’ after the Big Depression. The latest estimate I’ve red is it took 13 years – and that was hastened by the economic stimulus of the second world war; without that stimulus it could have taken years longer. And what’s even more interesting, is that the economic downturn that resulted in the big depression was no where near the economic disaster that Obama inherited. Back in the late 1920s/early 30s, America was no where near the industrialized nation it was in 2008; nor were there the hundreds of companies, many that had been in business since the 1920s to go belly up; and there also weren’t the millions of homeowners to lose their homes to bankruptcy; nor all the financial institutions to go belly up. And at the time, the stock market was a fledgling operation compared to today, so even though it crashed, the economic lost was miniscule compared to what it was in 2008 when trillions of dollars were lost by millions of investors.

            So here they were in late 1928 in a downturn that probably would be considered no more than a bump in the road, and a new GOP president allowed the economy to flounder such that it spooked the market and caused it to crash, then he continued the same failed cut spending and tax policies which over the next 3 years resulted in the big depression. And in constrast, here were are,just 4 years after a downturn far worse than Hoover could have ever imagined, with our economy is on the mendwe still have silly people who are expecting that Obama could have created miracles and everything would be just like 2008 never happened. Pure dreamers they are!!!!

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            Sorry about all the typos in my previous comment.

      • DurdyDawg

        And you think your corporate whore would have done better? NOW who’s head is in the sand.. When one president closes shop, another takes his place and inherits the problems that he and those before him created.. Obama inherited a genuine mess from Dubya (one never before as bad).. it wouldn’t have mattered if Obama, Clinton or your white faced idiot would have won the big top, each of them would have had to face decisions that Obama is facing now.. On a small scale, when you go into credit debt it takes months to eventually balance out again because the bills that you owe every month will not stop simply because your now in debt over your ears, so you take away those Friday night family dinners at golden corral in order to pay off that debt, you do this because all other bills have taken away those week-end camping trips that you once enjoyed so you must cut where you can but never do you cut what protects your family (like med insurance and allowances for jobs well done).. Now think in trillions.. You can not repay trillions AND balance the life style of the American people until every politician helps out. And your looking at Obama in such a way that goes beyond biasness.. You say he’s not black AND he’s not white so with pin heads like you, your trying to catalog him (and others like him) into a new and hated color scheme. I say he’s neither black or white.. I say he’s a human being. Only haters look at others in color. Now..

      • Countrybumpkin

        These accumulated 4 trillion dollars need to come out bushies and cheney’s Cayman accounts as payback for the damage they coursed to this country.
        President Obama’s only fault was to win 2 elections and may the fact that his administration didn’t prosecute them for crimes committed against humanity.

        • JAYROSE

          I total agree with Countrybumpkin. and old BUsh and chaney should go to prison for murdering our men ans women in to crazy wars that we did not need to get into .

      • highpckts

        I see you have a firm control of the English language hence all the name calling but isn’t that typical for all the wingnuts and sore losers!!!

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

        And just how has he made your life a living hell? by reducing deficit spending faster over the past 4 years than any president since WWII? Or by cutting deficit spending by more than 250 billion each of the past 2 years?? Or by cutting spending for 3 straight years for the first time since Truman did that after world war two?? Or by putting policies in place that have allowed the stock market to double in the past 4 years – putting thousands and millions back in the retirement accounts of folks like me after Bush had trashed our accounts? Or by deporting more illegal aliens (over 400,000) than Bush and pevious 2 presidents combined? or by recovering billions of dollars that were fraudulently charged the government via the defense and healthcare contracting sectors? More than the previous 3 presidents combined? Or by decimating al Qaeda and actually getting Bin Laden when Bush couldn’t have cared less? or by following through on the auto bailout, saving 1.5 million job which probably kept America from the GOP’s second created world-wide depression and brought in at least 120 billion in tax revenues from the auto industry that would have been lost?? And which has established GM as the maker of the most autos in the world again?? Just what is it he’s done that’s made your live a living hell?? Nothing!!! You’re just one more phony totally clueless GOP lover who loves to parrot everything he heres on his right-wing wacko radio and TV shows!!

      • daniel bostdorf

        You are certainly a blatant sociopath and don’t know what you are talking about.
        Those of us regulars at The National Memo know you are nothing more than a Teaparty GOP propagandist for the extreme right .

        Post at Fox News OK?

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/IQNV5NV2RS7A7XMJKYHLRBZZ5A Betta

        These guys don’t realize what he has done to them, Richard. I guess those free phones mean a lot to them. And you are right. He is more white and Arab than he is black. Saw the numbers but can’t remember where. Something like 50% white 40-something% Arab and 6% black. The last two figures might not be correct, but I know the percentage of black in him was quite low. Very surprising. I believe if he were 100% black, he would not be president.

        To the Koolaid Drinkers: In order for you folks to continue getting a free check, the US has to BORROW the money to do it. THAT’S why they need to raise the debt ceiling and keep raising it. Too many of you getting freebies and not enough people working. This is not sustainable.

        Increasing the debt limit is the same as getting a limit increase on credit cards. It does nothing but increase the debt you already can’t pay. Sane people cut back their spending, but not this POTUS. He wants MORE tax dollars to continue the carnage and refuses to cut spending.

        I would like to see all Americans STOP funding the government.

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

          Sorry Betta but you’re wrong!! Increasing the debt limit only authorizes our government to pay the bills FOR WHAT CONGRESS HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED!!! It does not authorize any further spending – that has to be done by CONGRESS!!! And I’m sure you’re aware that the biggest takers of freebies in Ameria are Republicans!! Yes, Republicans that have been thrown on welfare by their nitwit state legislators that have cut budgets and services during a downturn – just plain stupid!!! (More than 70% of food stamps go to Republicans and the six states that suck the most welfare (freebies) from Washington are all RED STATES. While the 8 states that pay the most taxes to fund the RED STATE FREEBIES are all BLUE STATES that also get the least freebies for the taxes they pay.

        • Countrybumpkin

          “I would like to see all Americans STOP funding the government”
          Be careful what you wish for. If you prefer a lawless society, which is what you are wishing for, Mali comes to mind. But please, take your guns and Fox and Limbaugh with you.

          • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

            Betta, like most Tea Party advocates, is so consumed by hatred and intolerance that he/she cannot even conceive the consequences of what he/she is proposing: anarchy. Bear in mind that these are the same people that criticize the government they hate when something goes wrong. They don’t hesitate to blame government when there is a terrorist attack, when CDC scientists do not identify a new virus and develop a new vaccine, when a bridge collapses, when an air traffic controller makes a mistake, or when they want government to establish new laws conducive to achieving their narrow goals. In reality, they are not against government, they are against this government for one simple reason, the current President is an African American man.

        • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

          Arab? In addition to the hatred that is evident in your discourse, your knowledge of ethnicity is only comparable to your civility, sense of decorum and intolerance.

          FYI – The Executive Branch does not have the authority to appropriate funds or authorize spending. The legislative branch (Congress) is responsible for those functions. If you are concerned about our of control spending, deficit spending, borrowing and accumulation of debt, write a letter to your congressman or senator.

        • jerry6665

          ah, betta… free check? you know the biggest recipients of ‘welfare’? GE, the oil companies, the big corporations, etc. they pay little if any, taxes and ge still has a multi-billion dollar tax credit carried over to this year.

          as for your FOX news version of the debt limit, it is incorrect. period. the money has been spent as authorized by your buddies during the bush years. we’re just paying our bills, not incurring new ones by raising the debt ceiling.

          obama has trimmed and trimmed expenditures and has saved us billions on interest payments due to his work but that doesn’t play well on FOX “news”. why? because it’s not inflammatory so people who don’t do their own homework wouldn’t watch the faux news on FOX… YOU’RE putting the $ into the bloated yakkers on that channel. talk about collecting checks for doing nothing!

      • http://twitter.com/Jardona57 Jardona

        RICHARD YOU’RE A IDIOT!!!! YOU DAMN REPUBS HAVE MADE THE DEFICIT HIGHER BECAUSE YOU DON’T COMPROMISE ON ANYTHING. YOU’RE ALL A BUNCH OF DAMN STUPID SELFISH ASS HOLES.

      • http://www.kidsbeddingstoreonline.com/ Melvin Miller

        Educate yourself. The President cannot spend one red cent without Congressional approval. Why would they approve spending then cry foul? Do your homework to see where the spending has come from historically.

      • truthhunter13

        TYPICAL REPUBLICAN!!

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/YBYYIQHBLD7BZAU6L3DC7MS4YM Rodney

        did you take put in early childhood education if not my hope is that you do so now.just saying

    • montanabill

      — Sen. Barack Obama’s Floor Speech, March 20, 2006 — “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”

      That was about $6 trillion ago.

      • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

        Most of us learn from our mistakes and/or experiences, it is clear that President Obama has. Unfortunately, some persist in their determination to advance policies that have not worked – such as trickle down economics and unfunded wars – and remain determined to discredit and ensure President Obama fails, even if doing so required destroying our economy, lowering our standard of living, and affecting our credit rating and ability to borrow.
        As you know, appropriation responsibilities and spending authorities is the function and responsibility of the legislative branch, not the Executive branch. The only new expenditure that can be attributed to President Obama is the stimulus package, which cost us less than $1T. The rest was the direct result of moving the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from unfunded liabilities to general funds, where it should have been all along. The impact the 2001 and 2003 tax breaks had on the ability of the Federal government to collect enough revenues to cover outlays. The impact of the Great Recession that began during the last quarter in 2007 on government revenues. Unemployment payment increases caused by the Great Recession. Increases in interest payments. There are a few other reasons, but they were not major contributors to the recent increases in the national debt.

        • neeceoooo

          Thank you dominick, very well said

        • montanabill

          Dominick, using the ‘learn from our mistakes’ excuse for the President is to totally ignore his history. Look at his language carefully from his speeches in the past six years. He is a very careful orator. He always takes the position of the left and uses his words to demonize or marginalize any who might disagree with his pronouncements. His speeches from one year to the next, frequently contradict. Even today’s speech was filled with high sounding words, but filled with qualifiers and language that, proven or not, made his positions the majority and ‘reasonable’ position while demonizing any that might have a different position. It is his mode. He created that persona in college and it has served to get him awards and high position, all without so much as any true accomplishment.

          You are worried about ‘unfunded wars’, but neglect to consider an illegal raid into to Pakistan (to get bin Laden) that well could have started another war. He got involved, however from the back, in Libya. Now he is involved in Mali, all without any Congressional approval. The ‘unfunded wars’ cost a little more than $2 trillion. He is $6 trillion over where he took office. The ‘tax breaks’ when implemented, immediately increased revenue. Ignoring how we got into the ‘Great Depression’, social and welfare spending, and what I would call the silly efforts to get the economy moving just cannot be ignored or blamed on Bush or ‘tax cuts’.

          • http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

            President Obama’s proposals and actions since his inauguration have been focused on the well being of ALL Americans and the security of our country. In fact, he has been criticized many times by Democrats, and African Americans and Latinos in particular, for not doing more to help minority groups improve their standard of living and achieve their dreams.
            Yes, he is a Democrat, and his views are consistent with the values and philosophies of his party, but most of his policy proposals, those that managed to overcome congressinal barriers are designed to help everyone, not just the majority or the minority.
            Regarding the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, did you forget what that thug did to us? President Obama did not inform the Pakistani government before the raid took place because he knew that doing so would have guaranteed failure and, very likely, the death of some or all the Seals involved in that operation. Pakistan, under Musharraff, played cat and mouse with President Bush for years, hiding OBL and giving shelter to Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives while getting foreign aid from the USA. I support what President Obama did, and I am delighted by its outcome. Most importantly, that operation did not result in U.S. casualties and we didn’t waste $1.5T doing it.

          • montanabill

            I’m afraid, Dominick, that about 50% or more of us don’t agree that Obama has been focused on the well being of ALL Americans. You believe that, for whatever reason, but everything he has done has been detrimental to the America in my view and experience.

            I didn’t say anything negative about the bin Laden raid, but just provided a reminder to those who are all too happy to condemn George Bush, that Obama is perfectly capable of acting outside of law. The results and rational don’t change that fact. We didn’t waste $1.5T doing it because Pakistan chose not to consider it an act of war, which they were within their rights to do. Had they done so, $1.5T would probably have looked cheap.

          • Countrybumpkin

            Have you been hiding in the Forest for the past 12 years or is it your I.Q.? You have a lot to catch up on.

          • montanabill

            I’m afraid I’m all too familiar with gas bags like the President. He just happens to be unusually accomplished at it so that people like you listen and think he is saying something. As an exercise, go back and read the text of his speeches from 2006 on. I know that’s a big challenge since all he has done for 6 years is talk, but it could be enlightening to you, if you read for comprehension.

      • daniel bostdorf

        You are certainly no economist…and don’t know what you are talking about.
        Those of us regulars at The National Memo know you are nothing more than a Teaparty GOP propagandist for the extreme right .

        Gp post at Fox News OK?

        • montanabill

          Just in case you want to return to the real world, that was an exact, direct quote from your fearless leader. Wise up.

          • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

            Yes, an appropriate quote given the times – when Bush had run up spending on worthless efforts for six straight years!! Spending money on nothing really worthwhile to the country – at that point well over 3 trillion dollars of garbage spending. And even with all that spending – the economy for those six years, including jobs growth, had been the most abysmal since since FDR straightened out the GOP created Big Depression. In Contrast, the spending Obama is doing today is in working to rebuild America from the devistation that Bush allowed to happen. So DIFFERENT comments TODAY for a TOTALLY DIFFERENT TIME!!!

          • montanabill

            Bosh!

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

        And here we go again Montananitwit takes Obama’s 2006 speech about the debt ceiling out of context again. What’s not said here is that when Obama made this speech as Bush had run up 350-500 billion in deficit spending for 6 straight years; and for the most part ‘on not-necessary spending’. Had Bush and Chaney not constantly put off the CIA’s 7 requests for funding so they could more actively try and stop what they said was an imminent al Qaeda attack – they just may have stopped it and not only would 3,000 Americans still be alive, but the Afghan war which has cost over a trillion dollars would not have been necessary. And few people in America believe the war on Iraq was ever necessary based on lies and distortions. And certainly, two tax cuts for the rich were also NOT NECESSARY, and neither was a failed unfunded state mandate to the states called the No Child Left Behind Law (which has also added billions to our debt); and although beneficial to me and other elderly, the unfunded drug benefit giveaway to the drug industry added to Medicare was really not justified at the time when the country was running up except it was just one more of Bush’s legislative actions to funnel morel monies into the pockets of the rich/corporations. So when Obama made that speech, it was based on a history of six years of irresponsible spending by Bush and the irresponsible GOP congress.

        In contrast, the ONE TRILLION or so of spending that can actually be charged to Obama, has been in an effort to prevent the GOP from recreating what they did during Hoover’s administration back in the 1930s when he and the irresponsible GOP floundered America into the Big Depression. There’s a BIG DIFFERENCE in running up 8-10 trillion in defict spending on mostly unnecessary agenda and running up defict spending in an effort to save the country from the disasterous economic debacle that Bush allowed to happen. And just for your edification: Bush inherited a 4.9 trillion deficit (plus a 3-400 billion surplus budget) and turned that into a 10.6 trillion deficit with a 1.4 trillion deficit budget that he passed to Obama. Adding that up gives Bush at least 7.3 trillion in deficit spending in his disasterous 8 years and brings the deficit to 12 trillion that Obama started with. So even if all the deficits are charged to him, which is nonsense because to the debacle he inheited- at most – he’s run up 4.4 trillion in a worthwhile endevour to keep America from sinking into another depression – not 7.4 trillion for VERY LITTLE THAT WAS WORTHWHILE!!!

        • Countrybumpkin

          Exactly! Then Senator Obama’s comments were spot on, as they are today, with different cicumstances as the only change.

        • montanabill

          Bush’s spending was ‘unpatriotic’ and not ‘worthwhile’. Obama’s spending was necessary and responsible. Get serious.

        • Inthenameofliberty

          I am not sure that your logic is sound on this one. Nor can I get behind C.Bump. response.
          It seems pretty hypocritocal to me to condemn Bush for doing something, then miraculously reason out why his [Obama's] situation is just that drastically different. So suddenly, that it makes it all ok.
          Truly?

    • highpckts

      Amen!!!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=536170668 Charles Williams

      Seriously, David, are you on drugs? Bush wrecked the country and Obama continued all those policies and never gave americans the HOPE AND CHANGE he repeatedly promised. BOTH Presidents failed. Stop making this about race or party.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

        I guess you can believe that nonsense if you’ve been living on another planet. Obama has done more for America over the past 4 years than any president since FDR – and I could list you more than 35 major accomplishments of his administration to prove that ; far more than you could ever come up for any other previous president.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/WZG5Z5FXVXAA5PRY2USFW3Q76Y Witnes This!

    TonyinMO – Ever heard of the Shadow? Where is yours my friend? Sounds a little pedophilic to me!

  • Pamby50

    I just wish the President would just use the 14th amendment to pay the bills & keep moving. The sequestration proposals should be the next thing that we work on. The only reason that the fiscal cliff & sequestation were never worked on, is that the republicans believed that they would win the white house. They lost so now after not doing anything for 1 1/2 yrs they actually have to do something.

  • http://www.facebook.com/erdmanwest Erdman West III

    He has already changed world history for the better. Protect him and his family and Democracy!!!

  • montanabill

    Clown extraordinaire!

    — Sen. Barack Obama’s Floor Speech, March 20, 2006 — “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”

    Most of you, like Biden, Reid and the other Democrats absolutely agreed with him then. That was $6 trillion ago.

    • daniel bostdorf

      You are certainly no economist…and don’t know what you are talking about.
      Those of us regulars at The National Memo know you are nothing more than a Teaparty GOP propagandist for the extreme right .

      Gp post at Fox News OK?

  • wesley rasmussen

    One point. IF assault weapons are banned, that will do nothing about the ones that are already in circulation.

    To help curb the use of those already in the hands of the public, I think that a law should be passed making the use of any assault weapon ( and they would have to be listed in the law, to include variations and knock off models as well) during the commission of a crime, whether or not injuries or fatalities occur, shall automatically be a FEDERAL offense, and the trial would be in a Federal court. Conviction would bring an automatic death penalty, with only one appeal, to be filed within ninety days of the conviction ( extension of the time limit would be on a case by case basis, with reasons given to the judge, and the decision itself may have only one appeal, filed within thirty days). Then, the law should mandate execution of the sentence within ninety days of conviction or the outcome of the appeal.

  • http://www.kidsbeddingstoreonline.com/ Melvin Miller

    I don’t know why certain members of the Legislative Branch are against paying the bills they have already approved. They are so quick to speak for the “American people” without having a clue who they are. The people have spoken. This President ran on his agenda and the real “American people” gave him resounding approval. Those certain members of the legislature need to understand that not paying the Nation’s bills have not only National consequences but global ones as well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=536170668 Charles Williams

    I voted for Obama the first time so i cant be racist. Stop saying dislike for Obama is based on race. He got my vote and i gave him a fair chance. My dislike is based on his record, his lies, endless executive orders, the bailout, healthcare, taking orders from the proven snake, George Soros, endless betrayals (like the current gun grab he swore he would never do), blatant disregard for his oath of office and the push to communism. Im a liberal who despises Obama, a Obama voter who doesnt blindly follow party lines. I judge people on their worth, their record, their actions, it doesnt matter who or what they are. He failed very badly and im not the only one who thinks that. FIRST THING a President must do is uphold the laws and the Constitution. He failed, and you call me a racist? How dare you.

    • charleo1

      You say Obama got your vote, in 2008? I say you’re either lying, or you didn’t listen to a
      damn thing he campaigned on. You didn’t hear Obama say anything about healthcare?
      Really? You don’t sound racist as much as you sound like you’ve got a case of attention
      deficit disorder. You knew Obama was a Democrat, I presume. And you knew Soros
      is evil incarnate to the Right Wing, and you think he’s a snake. So, were you drunk
      when you went to vote? Okay, it’s his record you are so disappointed in. The record
      that includes turning around an economy in free fall. Ending the war in Iraq, killing
      Bin Laden, and repairing America’s reputation, and standing in the world community
      that Bush had left in tatters. He ended DADT, so no soldier needs to lie about their
      life, or hide their life partners, to honorably serve their Country in uniform. So, these
      are just a few things President Obama has accomplished that I believe have made our
      Country a stronger, and a better place in which to live. Unlike you, I listened to
      this exceptional man. This doting parent, and loving husband. And I have watched
      how as President, he has tried mightily aganist a wall of obstruction, to fulfill each
      of the goals he clearly set out, and repeated so often on the campaign trail, even the most challenged among us, could not say, with any honesty,they didn’t understand what Barack Obama was all about before they stepped in the voting booth and gave him their vote.

      • Inthenameofliberty

        And I would like him a little better if I couldn’t be detained for the rest of my life because he said so.
        Actually, I would like him a whole lot better.

        Care to tell me why any one man should give himself that authority?

        • charleo1

          Actually, you’re spot on. If I’m not mistaken, this unConstitutional little
          jewel was enacted as part of the Patriot Act, post 9/11. I do not know if
          the purpose it serves toward National security is vital in some way. Or,
          if any American has been, or is being held now under this provision.
          My opinion, for all that’s worth, is the U.S. over reacted to 9/11.
          Here at home, and militarily. But, I say that with the advantage of
          hindsight. The people responsible for U.S. security at the time, had no such luxury. But, you’re right. It’s a bad law, and we should get rid of it.

  • onedonewong

    same guy who voted against any increase to the debt ceiling during W’s presidency calling him irresponsible, now has a whole different point of view. major Garret today make him look like an idiot when he brought this up today. He wasn’t expecting an honest question questioning his time in the Senate.
    Barak never brought up the fact that he will miss the deadline for submitting his budget making it 4 years in a row. Strange how laws just don’t apply to barak

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGC4BGWVYXV76PHZBPSPOOU5GA Independent1

      Yeah! And guess why he has a different point of view! Different time; different Point of View. Back in 2006 when Obama was against raising the debt ceiling, it was because Bush had just run up 6 straight years of 300-500 billion dollar deficits each year on worthless spending (a war that should not have been necessary, a totally unwarranted war, two tax cuts that were not justified, an unfunded giveaway to the drug industry, several unfunded mandates to the states like the disasterous No Child Left Behind law that ended up helping drive many states to the verge of Bankruptcy); it was clear to any common sense person what Bush was doing – everything he could to shovel money into the pockets of his rich buddies and corporations. That was the scene in 2006 when Obama made the appropriate comments to try and rein in totally worthless spending. Today is a totally different scenario, spending over the past 4 years has been for a worthwhile purpose – bring America back from the cusp of another GOP created world-wide depression; from the biggest economic disaster that has befallen the country. The bump in the road recession that Hoover turned into the GOP’s 1st created world-wide depression was child’s play compared to what faced Obama. And Hoover proved that GOP misguided logic couldn’t even handle that without creating hardship and misery for America and the world.

      • onedonewong

        AS opposed to barak running up Trillion deficits every year he’s been in office?? A president who took stimulus money approved by congress and spent in as walking around money to guarantee contributions to his reelection.
        Spending in the past 4 years has been nothing more than flushing it down the crapper it hasn’t generate 1 single incremental job in over 4 years

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Jones/827014412 Daniel Jones

    Let me be blunt.

    The Republican party has, for a couple of decades, run up the buills and made Democratic administrations take the bullet and pay the bills.

    We Can’t Afford That Anymore.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/YBYYIQHBLD7BZAU6L3DC7MS4YM Rodney

    betta whats the matter ./guess what the pres. of the united state is an american of mixed race not that it matter to those of that love this country you and people of your value system seem very put out that america lived up to it creed were the U.S. consitution state that anyone that is born an american can become the president but i guess too you that means any one anyone who is by def. awhite man hay guess what the rest of us don,t see it that way. Oh for your peace of mind that if you have one he,s not what did you say 40% arab he,s not .his mother was white and his father was black that means thathis mom and dad did the nasty hey maybe you should try it

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/YBYYIQHBLD7BZAU6L3DC7MS4YM Rodney

    and your point is

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/YBYYIQHBLD7BZAU6L3DC7MS4YM Rodney

    tell me richard which americans are you talking about in your post because i can,t get a clear picture of it maybe you mean the south american hell i cant tell .richard make a note to yourself stop sniffing the glue step away from the glue it may save some of you brain cells ( those few that youhave left)

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/YBYYIQHBLD7BZAU6L3DC7MS4YM Rodney

    I THOUGHT YOU WASN,T GOING TO REPLY DAMN YOUDID

  • grosie2

    Time to stand up to the extreme” Herber Hoover” right wing republicans. All they want to do is get rid of the Roosevelt “New Deal” and go back to the ” Great Depression” times with 25% unemployment and millions Americans thrown back into foodlines without a safety net. That is what smaller goverment brought then and will be brought now if republican ideas are allowed. They still live in the rich all white world where they think they have the power.They need to move into the 21st century.

  • Inthenameofliberty

    I can not agree with your logic. Obama can not condemn Bush for his spending, then do the same and say it’s ok.
    No matter what the circumstances. He needs to be honest and say why he’s doing it. And stop blaming the next 4 years on Bush. I have had enough of the blame game.
    Someone on The National Memo once said that it is time for Obama to put on his big boy pants and take responsibility.
    I want a positive president who will lead from the middle. Is that really too much to ask?

  • Inthenameofliberty

    They will not see that. As much as you try, the followers will not see the flaws in the President. There was that Time article that ran during the elections: the higher the intellect of the individual, the more forgiving of their candidate’s flaws, because they rationalize them away.

  • tobewan

    A tribute to the man, our President: In an early page of “President Obama, Election 2008″ it says: “To all who create change in the face of challenge…” and it’s evident that Barack Obama undertook to change things that needed changing and has been faced bravely, courageously, and smartly every oppositional challenge since day-one, and continues to do so, because it’s the “Right thing to do.”
    The other party is not use to one with such firm vision and back-bone – they’ll learn!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/X2KKGDYW2F5T5XUT6233KBNWSI robert

    TonyinMo, let’s consider what Bush/Cheney did. Don’t try to redirect your nonsense on;y toward President Obama. If Clinton/Gore left a deficit, how was it possible for Bush/Cheney to re-distribute wealth to the 1% as tax breaks in 2001, then take advantage of the sentiment of 9/11 to falsely go after Osma binLaden. If that is so, your argument supports the charge that Bush/Cheney entered into war on a “credit card”. Not only that, Bush/Cheney dragged America into Iraq under the false assumption of WMDs, with Cheney as CEO of Haliburton and Blackwater, the two larges contractors of the military industrial complex, and racked up billions for Bush/Cheney and all of their billionaire friends who were also contractors at the expense of American tax payers (even you). Bush/Cheney had us all fooled, every last one of us. Not only that, all of the deregulations of the banking and mortgage institutions created the scenario to the likes of Barbey Madoff, AIG, outsourcing, and all of the rest of the corporate schemes that was passed on to Obama/Biden and that we are all suffering from today. I don’t need to go into any books or archives to remember that because as an American citizen i was very much in touch to what was happening to our country. We weren’t only attacked by foreign terrorists, we were attacked economically by two of America’s worse homegrown domestic terrorists: Bush/Cheney. And before you bring up the deficit, calling President Obama a socialist muslim (whatever that means) don’t fortget it was Bush/Cheney who first borrowed trillions from a communist goverment and passed it on to us, our children, and our grand children. I thank God for the Obama/Biden administration, because if Romney/Ryan would have gotten into office, they would have finished the terrorism started by Bush/Cheney. america should never, ever forget what Bush/Cheney/Republican/Tea Bags has done to this country. Our enemy is right among us.