Plan 'C'?

By: dgun
December 27th, 2012
8:40 pm

Plan 'C'?

Watching Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell exchange verbal jabs with one another on the floor of the Senate today just reaffirmed for me how petty and dysfunctional Congress has become. In a few days, thanks to an absurd artificial deadline born of the above mentioned dysfunction, American citizens face tax increases and austerity.

Any bill put up for a vote in the House offering approximately what President Obama is asking for will pass, as most of the Democrats and enough Republicans will support it to overcome the no votes of most Republicans. However, the consequences of doing so could be that Boehner loses the speakership. Last week's embarrassing failure of Speaker Boehner's plan 'B' was a clear signal that a substantial number of Republicans are not going to vote yes on any 'balanced' approach.

Since appropriation bills must start in the House, I'm not exactly sure what the Senate can accomplish over the next few days. Both Speaker Boehner and President Obama have called on the Senate to take action, so apparently there must be some useful action they can take. The House itself is set to reconvene on Sunday evening.

With the Presidential election behind us, I was hoping we could move beyond such reckless and childish politics.

Join the Discussion!

10 comments on "Plan 'C'?"

  • potter
    December 28, 2012 at 6:38 am

    The inability of Republicans to compromise may be their falling....I hope anyway

  • Tom Joad
    December 28, 2012 at 6:50 am

    I've figured that worst case scenario, it will cost be about a grand a year in income taxes.

    As a patriotic American, I'm willing to sacrifice that for my country.

    So as far as going over the cliff goes, I say:

    Let's Roll!

  • potter
    December 28, 2012 at 7:03 am

    Originally Posted by Tom Joad
    I've figured that worst case scenario, it will cost be about a grand a year in income taxes.

    As a patriotic American, I'm willing to sacrifice that for my country.

    So as far as going over the cliff goes, I say:

    Let's Roll!

    Yea. We the people keep voting these clowns into office. The clowns that got us into this mess, and now it's time to pay the piper. I don't have any deductions to lose, but it'll probably cost me a couple grand as my share. I'll pay it cause I'm not a greedy selfish bastard. I pay my share cause it's my patriotic duty.

    Meanwhile, the clowns get off scott free with a nice pension and medical plan. It's kinda like capturing a burgler who just robbed you blind, then setting him up for life on a lush carabbean island as punishment. What a silly stupid society we are.

  • Tom Joad
    December 28, 2012 at 7:17 am

    Originally Posted by potter
    Meanwhile, the clowns get off scott free with a nice pension and medical plan. It's kinda like capturing a burgler who just robbed you blind, then setting him up for life on a lush carabbean island as punishment. What a silly stupid society we are.
    The salary and benefits of a member of congress may look pretty good to schmucks like us, but that's just chump change for these crooks. They get their real reward when they go out through the revolving door into a high paid lobbying position with the industries that they have done favors for while they were in office.

  • bishop
    December 28, 2012 at 8:26 am

    i still haven't filed my 2011 returns and am owed several thousand... (been way too lazy in getting an accountant.)

    i wouldn't even notice the bump in taxes should we go over the cliff, aside from losses on my stocks, option income and 401k... more than a slightly higher tax bill, the real impact for me would be lost income (combined with the higher tax bill).

  • Tom Joad
    December 28, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Originally Posted by potter
    I'll pay it cause I'm not a greedy selfish bastard. I pay my share cause it's my patriotic duty.
    That's right Potter, it's always Real Americans like you and I, that are willing to step up and do our Patriotic duty of paying for the privilege of living in this country.

    And it's always these right wingers that squeal like stuck pigs at the thought of paying an extra dime in taxes, even though they are always at the head of the line when it comes to making use of the infrastructure and services that our government provides.

    I'm sick and tired of these whining pigs that don't want to carry their weight.

    We should kick their dead weight asses out of the country.

  • dgun
    December 28, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Procedural games have taken the place of legislating.

  • potter
    December 28, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    And political party platforms have taken the place of doing what's best for the country.

  • dgun
    December 28, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Originally Posted by potter
    And political party platforms have taken the place of doing what's best for the country.
    Yes.

    We need some serious changes in our politics. This is the second time in a about 18 months that we have faced some ridiculous crap like this. The last time the markets sold off and US debt was downgraded. Yet here we are again.

    It's just unbelievable.

  • penmyst
    December 29, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Originally Posted by dgun

    It's just unbelievable.

    Really? Unbelievable?

    From a government that has brought us 16 tril in debt? 60+ tril more in unfunded liabilities?

    You find it unbelievable that the status quo from D.C. would involve more can-kicking down the road?

    Let's be honest here: The Republicans are only one half of this dance card. There is a fellow in the WH who is quite uninterested in compromising as well.

    And furthermore, let's not get all worked up over it. "Austerity" is hardly the word to describe the pathetic cuts that will be enacted.

    It's gotten hysterical. I mean, just the other day I heard some "conservative" lady caller on a conservative talk show say that these military cuts will practically gut the military. Maybe she's thinking 700 bil per year budget is akin to being gutted? Oy vey.



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