Obama's frustation mounts over possible government shutdown

About Us

Tour

FAQ

Signup

Login

Welcome to our New Political Community - Take a Quick Tour of our Features including our Discussion Forums custom designed for U.S. politics. SIGN UP today to join in the discussion.

Forums > All Posts > Obama's frustation mounts over possible government shutdown

Displaying all 7 Forum Posts

You must be logged in to reply to a post.

2011-04-07 12:52 AM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

President Obama, regarding his feelings about the politics behind the budget cut debate and possible government shutdown on Friday 4/8/11:

"We've agreed to a compromise but somehow we don't have a deal, because some folks are trying to inject politics in what should be a simple debate about how to pay our bills," the president said. "They're stuffing all kinds of issues in there: abortion and the environment, health care. You know, there's time to have those discussions but that time is not now."

That's one of the more level headed quotes I've heard from anyone regarding this fight. This is ridiculous.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-showdown-obama-meets-republican-democratic-congressional/story?id=13314777&page=3

Government Shutdown Showdown: Obama, Republican and Democratic Congressional Leaders 'Narrow the Issues'

2011-05-26 03:11 AM

John Mario
Not Selected
Posts: 20

Senator Mitch McConnell stated on PBS Newshour that the budget was more important than a default on the national debt interest payment. That was a very lame statement, and if Senator McConnell doesn't understand the consequences of defaulting on our debt interest payment, then he is an incompetent Senator who should not have any role in the Government.

Here is an article I published on the topic of the national debt:

www.associatedcontent.com/article/8061887/raising_the_national_debt_ceiling.html

2011-05-26 07:47 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

John you make some good points. The Republicans, unable to get their agenda passed through traditional Congressional means, are dealing with fire by threatening to not raise the debt ceiling unless their proposed draconian spending cuts are agreed. Yes Geitner can use some creative accounting to defer the date on the debt ceiling, but he's already done that. It's why he was able to defer the magic date, first from early April to mid May...then June and now August 2nd. I like that August 2nd day because it puts pressure on Congress to act before they go on summer recess.

Ezra Klein in his Washington Post article attaches a short, easy to understand one minute YouTube clip by Doug Holtz-Eakin, a former John McCain’s economic adviser, but now president of the right-wing American Action Forum. So what happens if we don't agree by August 2nd to raise the debt ceiling? According to Doug Holtz-Eakin, if we use existing revenue and pay our debt obligations first, then that doesn't leave much money for all the rest of our spending programs:

“You couldn’t pay all the mandatory spending, which comes to about $2.1 trillion. So not all the Medicaid, not all the Medicare, not all the Social Security, not all the farm programs. Those kinds of things. And annual discretionary spending? Zero. That means no money for the troops, no money for procurement or transportation of materials, no education, no highways, no infrastructure, no basic research. And even more striking, the decision of what gets money and what doesn’t gets made by the executive branch, no input from Congress. That’s unlikely to happen. We’re going to raise the debt ceiling.”

This is the view of a Republican that understands the issues. Too bad our Tea Party anointed members of Congress don't see it the same way.

Yes, I believe we will raise the debt ceiling by August 2nd. Congress doesn't want to go on vacation and leave those decisions to Obama. The question is, what programs will be further cut before August 2nd to appease the right wing Republicans?

Watch the video at the above link...

PS - John, thanks for sharing your thoughts and your link to your Yahoo articles. We hope you will find some interest in the Democratic Hub discussions as well.

2011-06-08 12:39 AM

sowerby
Rochester, NY
Posts: 3

americans are living a fantasy thinking our govt. can continue to provide us servises and meet the security needs of our country without raising taxes...........think about this....go to your boss and tell him how the cost of living continues to go up, then tell him you will need a lowering of your pay to accomodate this...........it's a perfect analogy.........this is precisely how republicans think.........remedy the economy and create jobs by giving huge tax breaks to the rich and corp. america........it's absurd!.................

2011-07-01 11:57 AM

kate/kody
Deerfield, IL
Posts: 1

unfortunately the president is the one who is screwing this up. The dems made this mess in the first place (remember they have controlled the house and sen) remember Freddie Mac and Fannie May? get it yet? .... now "we the people" are screwed. The only athing the president has done is to continue his "NOT MY FAULT" BS. He stands by his scare tactics and then jets off for a vacation, golf, White House parties, and on and on. He has yet to do his job.

I am totally discusted with this shell of a president.

2011-07-01 03:51 PM

CARLITOS BAM-BAM
Dallas, TX
Posts: 897

Real objective observation there. It's all Obama's fault, and has nothing to do with the Senate filibuster, or current GOP control of the House, or the long-term effects of supply side economics. It's just Obama's fault. And if he wasn't president, everything would be better. And there's no reason to explain one's self. It's Obama's fault that others don't already understand this.

2011-07-01 10:14 PM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

While this website largely caters to liberal and independent thought, I still like to engage open minded conservatives on the finer points of issues because it helps to see where they fit in the full range of the political spectrum. Sometimes those discussions, both inside and outside of this website, are good for broadening the thinkng; however, at other times those discussions can be rather futile as my conservative friends become even more entrenched in their views and they go so far as to claim I am "elitist" because I bring up a facts that disprove their case. Nothing that they hate more is to be presented contrary facts by a liberal. I plead incompetence in being able to budge them one inch. It's one of my greatest frustrations in life. I resort instead to trying to understand the way their minds' work.

David McRaney's article of June 10, 2011, The Backfire Effect, published in the "You Are Not So Smart" blog addresses my experiences over many years in arguing with former colleagues, friends, and family members. Some of them would perhaps attrribute many of Raney's observations to me. But I do take pride in genuinely trying to understand both sides of an issue, which are often not so black and white, but rather a shade of gray. It does irritate me when they only regurgitate the Fox News talking points, but are unable to articulate a greater depth of understanding...they are essentially captives of the collective that encourages obedience over critical thinking.

Quoting Raney: "Once something is added to your collection of beliefs, you protect it from harm. You do it instinctively and unconsciously when confronted with attitude-inconsistent information. Just as confirmation bias shields you when you actively seek information, the backfire effect defends you when the information seeks you, when it blindsides you. Coming or going, you stick to your beliefs instead of questioning them. When someone tries to correct you, tries to dilute your misconceptions, it backfires and strengthens them instead."

For those that want to write in opposing views on this website, I would hope that you can articluate some factual, intellectual thinking behind your claims. I won't engage in answering Frank Luntz talking points...they are meant for the ignorant.

I highly recommend reading David McRaney's article at the above link. My apologies if I have offended anyone.

You must be logged in to reply to a post.

About Us

FAQ

Advertise

Links

Login

Sign Up

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

OBAMA ACCOMPLISHMENTS - REPUBLICAN DIVORCES - REPUBLICAN INFIDELITY & AFFAIRS - REPUBLICAN SCANDALS & CONTROVERSIES