Obama Warns Republicans: Accept My Tax Proposal or You Will Ruin Christmas
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama (Credit: Getty Images)
President Obama on Monday warned Republicans against rejecting his offer for a limited extension of tax breaks, saying it would likely ruin Christmas for retailers and consumers.
In an open letter to Republicans, Obama told his opponents to “stop holding the middle class and our economy hostage over a disagreement on tax cuts,” Fox News reports. The warning came on “Cyber Monday,” one of the busiest online shopping days of the year.
Fox News has more details:
The president has promised he will immediately sign an extension of the lower Bush-era tax rates, but only for American families bringing in less than $250,000 annually. Republicans want to preserve the lower rates for all Americans, including the 2 percent of households that earn more than $250,000.
Obama starts the two-page letter by appealing to all of Congress to accept his offer, but he notes near the end that “congressional Democrats†already are on board with the deal.
“Stop holding the middle class and our economy hostage over a disagreement on tax cuts,†the letter states, as Congress returns to Washington this week to try to reach a deal that would avert the $500 billion mix of tax increases and budget cuts set to take effect in early January.
But some Republicans are sick and tired of Obama’s campaign-style rhetoric.
“The election is over,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “It’s time for the president to present a plan that…goes beyond the talking points of the campaign trail.”
The National Retail Federation also voiced its concerns with Obama’s letter on Monday.
“It is encouraging to see the administration’s acknowledgment that retailers and their customers will be among the hardest hit if our elected officials fail to address ongoing economic uncertainty,†spokesman Stephen Schatz said. “However…cherry-picking reforms only serves to reinforce the well-placed fears of American consumers and retailers that the status quo will once again rule the day.”
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney says Obama talked with House Majority Leader John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid about tax negotiations.
Fox News reports that Republican leaders will meet with corporate leaders for insight on Wednesday.
Additionally, White House economists also warned Monday that the uncertainty of a potential hike in taxes next year for middle class taxpayers under the looming fiscal cliff could hurt consumer confidence during the crucial holiday shopping season.
In a new report that coincides with Congress’ return after the Thanksgiving holiday, the White House says that if lawmakers don’t halt the automatic increase in taxes for households earning less than $250,000, consumers might even curtail their shopping during the current holiday season.
“As we approach the holiday season, which accounts for close to one-fifth of industry sales, retailers can’t afford the threat of tax increases on middle-class families,” the report by President Barack Obama’s National Economic Council and his Council of Economic Advisers says.
The report comes as official Washington dives back into negotiations on how to avoid tax hikes and deep spending cuts scheduled to begin taking effect Jan.
Exit question: Should the GOP compromise and accept the limited extension of tax breaks or is this a scare tactic from the White House?
Featured image via Getty
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (171)
nonofmybiznez
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:51pmI’m ready to go along with their game. Go ahead and hike the tax rates and show these guys it doesn’t work. These folks voted for him, so let them have a little medicine. The rich and the poor will be okay, so don’t worry about them. The poor will be taken care of by the government. Its the middle class that will pay.
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Ray2447
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:57pmHey Oblama:
“Stop holding the middle class and our economy hostage over a disagreement on tax cuts” – or you’ll finish your ruining of America. :-/
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DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:59pmProblem is…they NEVER learn those lessons. You can’t assume they, like yourself, think rationally, because they don’t.
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Bigmac1947
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:20pmObama can now blame this crappy economy on the President of the last four years.
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RightUnite
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:26pmAmen! I couldn’t agree more!!
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Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:31pmObama is the biggest liar that has ever be a leader of any nation. He is the father of lies and he has no intention of working with Republicans on the fiscal cliff, none:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFLvSLx0dg4
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NHwinter
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:36pmHe still blames the Republicans for everything, even possibly ruining Christmas. Obama has ruined America. Will he ever take responsibility for that!!!!
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cosette
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:48pmMessage to ObaMao and the host of Obots who reelected him….. Jamie Foxx proclaimed yesterday that Obama is the lord and savior. As we all know Christmas is the celebration of his birth. He has power over heaven and earth and all that is in it. Therefore Christmas will only be ruined if he allows it to happen. The ball is in his court. So in honor of your birth oh high and exalted one Lord God Obama,why don’t you snap your most powerful fingers and make all our problems go away. And I’d like an AK47 and a flame thrower for Christmas.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:10pmGo ahead, ruin Christmas, Obama has already ruined Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. 4 more years of this crap from Owebama and his lapdog media.
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Neno
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:30pmHey I thought Demorats didn’t believe in Christmas and that thing call religion.
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4truth2all
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:33pmI respect the office of president, even pray for this guy … none the less, he’s a jerk _ _ _ .
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The-Monk
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:44pmDon’t get me wrong but…..
Is that 2 black people standing next to a white guy hanging from a tree?
If it was the other way around MSNBC would be throwing a hissy fit screaming racism!!!!
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idarusskie
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:58pmwhat else would you expect Obama-clause to say.
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NancyBee
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:09pmRepublicans…….DON”T GIVE IN>>>>THAT”S WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO….THEY WANT US TO GO AWAY……
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1947
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 10:55pmThat woman is FAT
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fixer
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 12:24amIt’s time to call obama’s bluff.let the Dems take us over the cliff.when the smoke clears,we’ll pick up the pieces and start over without them.
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SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 2:42amGive Obama everything he wants let the masses feel the pain and say “don’t blame me you voted for it.”
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naughtycal
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 9:05amObama is an idiot Christmas isn’t about presents,it’s not about the revenue businesses,it’s not about anything material……Christmas is about the celebration of the BIRTH OF CHRIST,it about family and friends coming together and spreading love and joy AND NOTHING HE DOES CAN TAKE THAT AWAY……Someone tell him to watch How the grinch stole Christmas…….even an idiot as dumb as him can get the message.
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bonesiii
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 9:25amHas anyone else noticed that when Obama grins, the wrinkles around his mouth look just like the Grinch’s?
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Secret Squirrel
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 12:20pm.
So, if I have less money to spend, that will help small businesses?
What a bunch of idiots.
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drenfroe
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:50pmThye really need someone who knows how to decorate a Christmas tree too.
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Lee_in_PA
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:17pmI think they have it right.. Mickey Mouse on the tree for a Mickey Mouse administration.
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Stoic one
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:10pmHey now…
Leave Mickey out of this. He filed for divorce once he realized Minney was Fu##ing Goofy!
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drenfroe
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:48pmHe really needs to quit using our religious holidays to try to get his parties way. If they weren’t letting atheists try to remove our religions it wouldn’t be quiet the insult it is but…Since he has a hatred of all white and european people this is just insult to injury.
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DadRocked
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:19pmWhat I found interesting is if you read the article again or bing.com the ‘Obama open letter to Republicans’… He never says CHRISTmass – Mentioned holidays, but not CHRISTmas. Never has…
When someone can not say Merry Christmas to me but say Happy Holidays…
My response back is always…”Happy Holy Days to you too!”
Watch their response… Isn’t that where the word holiday originated anyway?
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:47pm.
Moochelle is the worst dressed first lady in history.
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NothingisFree
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:56pmTo think she has the largest staff in the history of the 1st Lady…what happened to all the campaign glitz? Oh, that’s right, the campaign is over…back to real life…real clothes!
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spfoam1
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:02pmYou could leave out the word dressed.
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What the Heck
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:24pmI agree, she is first lady of tacky.
An embarrassment to the nation.
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NancyBee
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:58pmHey Michelle…….You really know how to put an outfit together!!! It’s time for glasses., don’t you think?………………………………
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:47pmObama the god-king speaks again to the world; he still sees things as “my way and nothing else.” He is incapable of compromise in any shape, form or style and is once again using fear, race, class, wealth and now ‘ruining Christmas’ to get his way.
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:46pm.
It’s anti-American, anti-Christian, Barack Hussein Obama, who is ruining Christmas.
He hates everyone and everything associated with Christianity or The Constitution.
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WSI2
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:59pmI am sick of listening to the Bastard in the White House. He has already destroyed a large chunk of the middle class to help his Give Me More, Lazy, Want everything for free constituency. He is trying his best to convert all of America to Ghettos found in New York, Philly, Washington DC, Detroit, LA, San Fran, etc…. If I ever run into this idiot, instead of greeting him with a hello Mr President, it would be more like Hello Mr Bastard.
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Questionman
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:35pm@Klansman led not follow and racist Wsi2
Republicans have lost the PR war on this issue. That’s why Republicans are running, as fast as they can, from Grover Norquist.
insulting the President also speaks volumes about you, imbecile. It shows what racists you are!
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Fubared
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:36pmQman
I am pretty sure you being a worthless toad of a lefty is all the reason most need for the acute level of dislike. You could be green, and the disdain would be there. Peddle your racist crap elsewhere. Policy moron, policy.
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culpeperminuteman
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:46pmI say give the Dems and Obama everything they ask for, just make sure their name is on every piece of legislation they bring forth. That way when their policies don’t work and people start complaining, the Republicans can say “I told you so.” The American people wanted this loser, give these fools want they want.
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Gregb
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:52pmwon’t do any good. they will just continue to buy votes and blame the conservatives for everything.
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SecondBane
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:58pmI agree with you. The Republicans should vote “present” for the next two years and allow the left full ownership of all their twisted ideas. Already people on the left are blaming the right for now working with the President, saying he hasn’t been given a fair chance (they forget the two years he had house and senate but nothing went through because Dems didn’t want to be left holding the bag).
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pissantno.10
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:09pmthat does not work they blame every thing on us any way . and the gimmy folks go ya and gimmy some more
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pissantno.10
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:11pmbesides that half the country is to stupied understand any of this any way . they voted him back in.
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The-Monk
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:45pmWhy worry about ruining one day in December when you can ruin 8 complete years?
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Zipit
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:08pmBAH-FREAKIN-HUMBUG! Bring on the cliff…… And, seasons greetings Monk!
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The-Monk
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:04pmHowdy Zipit,
Season’s Greeting to you also. : )
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Gregb
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:43pmthe jerk can’t make up his mind whether he is Jesus, God, or Santa Claus
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listeninginVT
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:17pmHe is the joker. A lying, scheming piece of refuse, and his supporters and those who voted for him should go somewhere else, we can time how fast they die off, the leaches.
To all in gov’t people, STOP LYING, STOP Partial TRUTH’s. CAN the rhetoric.
Our taxes ARE ALREADY INCREASING, not our income. Hidden taxes on everything we buy, before we get our paycheck, this is all micro, won’t change anything that they are talking about.
Here is a hint, If I go to the doctor for a compound fracture (bone through the skin), I can assure you I will not be pulled into a discussion about a barney band aide -vs- superman one, I don’t need either, you idiot, Set my Leg and stabilize it!
All their ‘tax talk’ makes me sick.
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rickc34
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:42pmObama and the dems own this all the way. No budget since Obama has been President. Obama,Ried and Pelosi.
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Zipit
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:25pmRick! Did you mean, Satan, Beelzebub, and the Devil herself!!! The true antichrist triumvirate!
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kvan
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:39pmIt is a scare tactic and NO the GOP should not give in to this marxist.
The GOP should stand firm on the only logical method to cut the deficit, CUT SPENDING and allow the economy to grow the only way it will grow; via Business Growth. This will benefit everyone who wants to work, won’t do a thing for the 30 percent or so who have no interest in working.
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Gregb
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:49pmtotal agreement… and now is the time to try to pass a flat tax… everyone who earns over $20k a year pays 10% tax… no deductions. no other taxes.
and we need to slim down government. the green stuff did not work, so eliminate the EPA. No carbon tax because it does not make sense other than to raise more money for the government to spend on needless cr-p.
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Trail_Jumper
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:39pmMaybe he should put some effort into going through the budget line by line like he said he would. Of course we’d have to have a budget for him to do that, and considering the last few years they’ve broken the law and not passed a budget, I guess…….yup. Status quo.
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thibx
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:38pmgo ahead ruin his, he ruins ours.
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chips1
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:38pmI would gladly give up shopping for one year if it would send Obama a message. Don’t negotiate with muslims. Let them threaten us all they want. I’ll still celebrate Christmas. He should keep his nose out of America’s business. The Constitution was written to protect us form evil like him.
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truthsurfer
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:38pmScrew that kenyan muslim POS and his class warfare. Stop the socialist at all cost. Make him own his reckless spending for the past 4 years.
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Questionman
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:48pm@Klansman liesurfer, shut the heck up, you Klansman turd.
Anyone who calls Obama a POS, Muslim is a R-tarded racist a-hole. that’s you and your party of hate all over!
You racists and dumb repukes never worked with black people and make it their fault..why stop now!
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Fubared
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:57pmCut and paste Qturd? When do the real questions begin? Policy man, peddle the race crap somewhere else.
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Proud Stray Dog
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 8:49am@Questionman
I work with many black Americans on a daily basis. Difference is, they chose to leave the Democrat Plantation and were ostracized by their own people.
Obama sucks, you are a buffoon, and the race card is worn out. NEXT!!!
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4truth2all
Posted on November 27, 2012 at 10:17amYo Questionman:
I question you man … lovely post. My, you seem like such non-hater.
May God bless your goodness … suggestion – don’t go buy a barn to store them in …have a good day
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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:38pmScrew him and the horse he rode in on (michelle).
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historyguy48
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:17pmYou know, she does look an awful lot like that ugly mare my daughter bought last year. In fact that stupid horse actually is prettier than her.
I wonder if he rides her hard and puts her away wet.
Then again, I hear he isn’t much of a rider. He prefers smacking balls around.
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strawberry411a
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:38pmRee-spec mah uh-thor-i-tie!!!
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kickagrandma
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:48pmI like your accent! Nicely done.
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Chromo200
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:37pmVote present … let the Dems take charge and fall for the economy.
The republicans are going to give in anyway, do it now so they can’t be blamed for ruining Christmas.
I wonder if the Atheists will be filing a law suit for the president not to use the word Christmas.
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soybomb315_II
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:37pmrepublicans are in a tight spot. I say they exact something out of the deal and call it a day. Make the democrats cave on something important, like cutting spending…Its not like tax rates cant be fixed in the future
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pissantno.10
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:15pmwhat do you care you votd for the guy
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soybomb315_II
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:58pmfor what guy?
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Distress
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:29pmI would agree except, that every time Republicans give in and Democrats stand firm. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happened.
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Fubared
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:32pmPaul’s obama’s johnson. Tofu being all cute. I see the indy’s in a crack; all smoked up, no medical smokey smoke in all states yet and same crappy sitrep with mo taxes coming. Can all the indy’s fit in Cali with all the illegals, ebt-ers, and the hollyweird schmucks? Who cares.
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Exidor
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:37pmMy Christmas got ruined on November 6th.
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chips1
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:45pmObama is the coal in our stockings because of the lack of morals the hyphens brought with them.
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neverending
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 7:44pmOur country got TOTALLY ruined on November 4th!
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roostercogburn
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:36pmThis is just Obama blowing smoke, let him take us off a cliff, that is what he wanted to do the entire time anyway, you watch the unemployment numbers go through the roof in the next month or so, the Democrats OWN this now, they have had no plans for the last 4 years, the plan for the next 4 years was just more of what all ready failed, if the country survives this will bring about the end of the Democratic party, when people can’t get a job, and can’t eat they will finally vote with their stomach, guess they didn’t vote with their emply wallets this time.
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Jenny Lind
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:36pmI seriously hope that they have courage enough to tell him to stuff it and not give into emotional black mail. What are the odds? Pray that some grow a spine. “Bonnie” sure doesn’t have one, hope the rest tell him to stuff it too.
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HKS
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:36pmAnd why do Muslims care about Christmas?
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geminicontender
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:33pmScrew Obama and his threats. He is an empty suit in my world.
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Gregb
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 6:06pmseems the low lifes voted for their peer
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Questionman
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 8:38pmIn your world, ALL black people are empty suits, you racists!
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Advection
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 9:17pm@Questionman, Calling ONE black man an empty suite is equal to calling ALL black men an empty suit? The answer is obviously “no”. Therefore, you owe the author an apology for falsely accusing them of racism.
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Bitter_Klinger
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:32pmmessage to the campaigner in chief:
dont worry aboutthe GOP ruinin Christmas, u have done it in so many ways, as u destroy Amerika. besides, u dont believe in Christmas, do u dhimmy? u LOSER
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roostercogburn
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:39pmI think a few of the dumb people I know finally believe me when I tell them that this was all part of Obama’s plan, he really does want to destroy this country, he wants to take us off the cliff, hold on for the ride, and keep your powder dry.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 5:49pm@Rooster:
I had a band of Obama-voters do the same today, I used their own logic and words back on them and that of videos of the Socialist union leaders, Obama’s own words and those of Reid that the MSM never played (for obvious reasons).
They had to admit at long last, they voted for the devil.
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