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Obama’s Surprise Presser: Debt Limit Has Nothing to Do With New Spending, Won’t Negotiate ‘With a Gun at The Head of The American People’

Jan. 14, 2013 11:51am Becket Adams

Editor’s note: Besides addressing the debt limit, Obama also addressed gun legislation. You can see our separate story on that here.

–

President Barack Obama during a surprise press conference Monday explained that raising the debt ceiling “does not authorize Congress to spend more” but merely allows “America to pay its bills.”

“We’re not a deadbeat nation,” the president stressed. “Congress authorizes us to pay our bills.”

The president also said that if Congress wants to give him the power to raise debt ceiling, “I’m happy to take it.”

He said Congress has two choices: Either raise the debt ceiling or give him the authority to do so. Either way, the president seemed to say, the limit will be increased.

“I will not have that conversation with a gun at the head of the American people,” the president said, referring to his commitment to avoid another debt ceiling fight. “We have to break the habit of negotiating through crisis over and over again.”

“[Republican leaders] will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy,” he added. “The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip.”

However, it’s no secret that during his time as state senator, the president voted against similar increases to the debt limit. And much to the president’s apparent irritation, CBS News’ Major Garret noted this detail during the presser.

“As you well know, sir, finding votes for the debt ceiling can sometimes be complicated. You yourselves as a member of the Senate voted against a debt ceiling increase,” said Garrett. “You yourself four times have done that; three times those were related to deficit reduction or budget maneuvers.”

“I think many people are curious about is this new adamant desire on your part not to negotiate when that seems to conflict with the entire history in the modern era of American presidents in the debt ceiling and your own history on the debt ceiling,” he added.

The president responded:

Well, no, Major. I think if you look at the history, getting votes for the debt ceiling is always difficult and budgets in this town are always difficult. I went through this just last year. But what’s different is we never saw a situation as we saw last year in which certain groups in Congress took such an absolutist position that we came within a few days of defaulting.

And, you know, the fact of the matter is, is that we have never seen the debt ceiling used in this fashion, where the notion was, you know what, we might default unless we get 100 percent of what we want. That hasn’t happened.

[...]

This is the United States of America, Major. Why — what — we can’t manage our affairs in such a way that we pay our bills? And we provide some certainty in terms of how we pay our bills? Look I — I don’t — I don’t think anybody would consider my position unreasonable here. The — I have…

Watch the exchange here:

And Garrett is correct: Obama used to oppose increases to the nation’s debt limit. In fact, in 2006, then-Sen. Obama said this: “America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.”

However, by 2011, the president’s stance on the debt ceiling had “evolved.”

“You’ve got to extend the debt limit by May. And your job is a lot tougher because of your vote in the Senate against extending the debt limit. When did you realize that vote was a mistake?” ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos asked in an interview.

The president responded [emphasis added]:

I think that it’s important to understand the vantage point of a senator versus the vantage point of a president. When you’re a senator, traditionally what’s happened is, this is always a lousy vote. Nobody likes to be tagged as having increased the debt limit – for the United States by a trillion dollars.

As president, you start realizing, you know what, we, we can’t play around with this stuff. This is the full faith and credit of the United States. And so that was just an example of a new senator making what is a political vote as opposed to doing what was important for the country. And I’m the first one to acknowledge it.

The majority of Monday’s surprise presser focused on the president’s promise to avoid a default.

“It would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy,” said President Obama. “It would slow down our growth and tip us into recession. To even entertain the idea of this happening is irresponsible. It’s absurd.”

He added: “America cannot afford another debate with this Congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they’ve already racked up.”

Along with other bills he signed earlier in his first term, the president said he and Congress have “reduced deficits by about $2.5 trillion over a decade,” as the Associated Press notes, which, of course, is less than the $4 trillion he said is necessary to get them down to “a manageable size.”

The president also promised 2013 would be a good year for the U.S. economy:

Obama: ‘Our economy is growing…we are poised for a good year.’

— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 14, 2013

UPDATE: The Republican response to the final presser of the president’s first term was swift, definitive, and predictable.

From Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise:

President Obama seems to be the only person in Washington who threatens default on America’s debt obligations.

The President has an obligation to preserve the credit rating of the United States, and hitting the debt ceiling does not immediately trigger a default unless his administration fails to do its job and prioritize our debt payments. Default is not an option unless President Obama and his administration choose it to be.

The root of our economic problem is out of control spending. Until Washington stops spending money it doesn’t have, America will continue down the path towards insolvency paved by Greece. President Obama continues to run trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. We can’t continue borrowing money from China as we rack up more debt and send the bill to our children and grandchildren. The federal government has a spending problem and the only remedy is to control spending.

From House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio):

The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time. The consequences of failing to increase the debt ceiling are real, but so too are the consequences of allowing our spending problem to go unresolved.

Without meaningful action, the debt will continue to act as an anchor on our economy, costing American jobs and endangering our children’s future.

The House will do its job and pass responsible legislation that controls spending, meets our nation’s obligations and keeps the government running, and we will insist that the Democratic majority in Washington do the same.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Featured image courtesy @dorseyshaw.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (411)

Timmy_NorthWest
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:20pm
he is now very predictable and boring. just waiting for the time for action.

My Ancestor Said, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!”

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- RANGER1965
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:51pm
  “We’re not a deadbeat nation,” the president stressed. “Congress authorizes us to pay our bills”
  
  …But does congress have the authority to authorize suspension of reality?
  
  So, if I’m at the point where I’m borrowing money just to pay the interest on my debt, and there is no end in sight, is this responsible?
  
  So if we’re not a “deadbeat” nation what do you call it when you really want to pay your debtors back but….you’re not willing to change any of your spending habits, and don’t have the money to pay them back?
  
  Report this comment
- NHwinter
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:29pm
  The President is a brilliant Marxist promoter. Playing it perfectly to the useful idiots. Using all the Alynski rules for radicals. Blame, blame, blame. I pray to God that eyes will be opened.
  
  Report this comment
- Unix
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:10pm
  What’s this crap about guns to our heads, oh that’s right, he wants to take ours away, so he can lay down the law on us pitiful gun and bible clingers…what a complete moron!
  
  Report this comment
- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:13pm
  No it doesn’t authorize Congress to spend more, but you, Mr Obama, and they will do it anyway. Beside, you don’t even think we do have a spending problem:
  http://www.isthatbaloney.com/stunning-obama-statement-to-boehner-we-dont-have-a-spending-problem/
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:23pm
  Please People. Take the 30 minutes to watch this EXTREMELY entertaining Cartoon about WHAT is REALLY GOING ON with our Economy and to UNDERSTAND Our monetary System.
  
  Obama and his Puppet Masters – The Internation Bankster Cartel, DO NOT
  Want you to Watch this !!!!!!
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPWH5TlbloU
  
  Report this comment
- dianna9490
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:24pm
  All americans that rfed up with thus dictator ought to b calling all congressman and senators demanding that this dictatoral government B SHUT DOWN! Then he is the dictator president of NITHUNG! Then start over with a new government! I hav had enough- JUST WHI THE HECK DOES HE THINK HE IS? SINCE THEY WINT THROW HIM OUT WE WILL THROW ALL OF THEM OUT AND START OVER!
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:28pm
  I am not Obligated to PAY one DIME of a DEBT !!!!
  
  I will no longer pay an INCOME TAX !!!!!
  
  I will not be Mandated to purchase ANYTHING !!!!
  
  I WILL NOT GIVE UP MY GUNS !!!!!
  
  I have Armed myself with Knowledge and weapons.
  
  I have NOT signed an adhesion or legally-binding CONTRACT with ANYONE !!!!!
  
  DO NOT TREAD ON ME !!!!!
  
  iii
  
  Report this comment
- missdagnytaggart
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:30pm
  I’d rather die than live under the Amerika that “that guy” would create. Count me in.
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:38pm
  Tell ODUMBO (A TRUSTEE) that WE the PEOPLE (EXECUTORS) demand that our “Government”
  does NOTexchange ONE MORE treasury bond for an I.O.U. (Dollar) with the Federal Reserve PRIVATE BANK.
  
  Our “Government” (A Corporation) can operate on the Unlawful Income Tax for now, without Borrowing more.
  
  Our Government Borrows “money” (I.O.U.s) from the PRIVATE BANK with INTEREST.
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  “People who will not turn a shovel of dirt on the project, nor contribute a pound of material, will collect more money, from the United States, than will the people, who supply all the material and do all the work. This is the terrible thing about interest… But here is the point: If the nation can issue a dollar bond, it can also issue a dollar bill. The element that makes the bond good, makes the bill good, also. The difference, between the bond and the bill, is that the bond lets the money-broker collect twice the amount of the bond, and an additional 20%. Whereas the currency, the honest sort, provided by the Constitution, pays nobody, but those, who contribute in some useful way. It is absurd, to say that our country can issue bonds, and cannot issue currency. Both are promises to pay, but one fattens the usurer and the other helps the people.”
  – Thomas Edison
  
  Report this comment
- booger71
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:45pm
  Our debt as Barry-O calls it, is our interest on debt. We have plenty of money every month to pay this. By shutting down unneeded bureaucracies within the government is not “being deadbeat”, there is nothing in the Constitution or federal statutes that require there be funded past today.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:58pm
  When will our Congressman grow a pair and start the impeachment hearings? And if they won’t when will the tax payers revolt and flush this turd called WASHINGTON D.C. down the toilet
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:02pm
  You People No longer have a Representative Republic.
  
  You have an International Bankster Cartel running a Corporation, disguised to look like a Independent Nation thats is run by it’s People.
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  “When the Federal Reserve Act was passed, the people of these United States did not perceive that a world banking system was being set up here. A super-state controlled by international bankers and international industrialists acting together to enslave the world for their own pleasure. Every effort has been made by the Fed (Reserve) to conceal its powers but the truth is — the Fed has usurped the government!”
  – Congressman Louis McFadden, Chairman of House Comm. on Banking and Currency from 1920 to 1931. Eventually Poisoned to death after a few unsuccessful attempts.
  
  Report this comment
- snooop1e
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:02pm
  @RANGER1965 – Exactly, well put….
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:03pm
  He meant he wouldn’t unless he held the gun.
  
  “I” can add that the American people won’t negotiate with terrorist…which eliminates him!
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:06pm
  “The REAL TRUTH of the matter is that a FINANCIAL ELEMENT in the large centers has OWNED the GOVERNMENT since the days of Andrew Jackson.”
  
  - President F.D. Roosevelt
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:10pm
  JFK was going to put an end to borrowing from the PRIVATE BANK. That is why they killed him:
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVCIdrcS6k
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:13pm
  Why should he negotiate? Republicans bent over and grabbed their knees on the last negotiation on taxes. Why should Barry even consider it now. the republicans will cave in sighting concerns for 2014 elections. The only change we can make in the republican party is let there coffers go dry.
  
  Take the politics out of DC. Force congress to have three -2 week sessions. When congress is not in session. All members of congress will return to their home state and back to their constituents.
  
  Report this comment
- lillymckim
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:18pm
  I don’t think Obama “meant” to use “Gun To You Head” and then “Republican” in the same sentence do you? On purpose?
  Big eye roll.
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:20pm
  “Behind the ostensible (visible) government sits enthroned an INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of today.”
  
  – Theodore Roosevelt
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  “This [Federal Reserve Act] establishes the most gigantic TRUST on earth. When the President Wilson signs this bill, the INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT of the monetary power will be LEGALIZED….the worst legislative crime of the ages is perpetrated by this banking and currency bill. From now on, depressions will be scientifically created.”
  – Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr., 1913
  
  Report this comment
- zorro
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:28pm
  Why do we even bother with all of this? The GOP will cave just like they always do. Save yourselves another embarrassment from arguably the worst President we’ve ever had. Only this GOP can look so imbecilic by comparison.
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:32pm
  We’re looking at a “Black Hugo Chavez” we just call him president!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- pavepaws
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:35pm
  When did Garrett join CBS?
  
  Report this comment
- Joe_The_Patriot
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:52pm
  That Guy is an unbelievable pile of crap……. So sick of him… sick of his voice… sick of his face…. sick of moocheles arms…. sick of congress not impeaching his communist marxist @$$…..
  
  Report this comment
- 83plus
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:53pm
  He also believes the government doesn’t have a spending problem.
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:54pm
  The Allmighty has spoken.
  
  “Debt Has Nothing to Do With Spending”
  
  Then it must be.
  
  Report this comment
- Anamah
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:05pm
  1 Million seconds approx.: 11 days
  1 Billion seconds approx.: 3 years
  1 Trillion seconds approx.: 32,000 years Want to know 16 Trillion, or 20… ???
  Wake up Americans: the president is committed to sink the USA!
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:21pm
  Will some of EVER wake UP ??????
  
  This HAS NOTHING to do with OBAMA or the DEMOCRATS !!!!!
  
  Ths has Nothing to do with the two political parties that were designed to divide and distract you from the truth !!!!
  
  These quotes I posted are Not PARTISAN !!!!!
  
  I am not PARTISAN !!!!!!
  
  The PROBLEM is not PARTISAN !!!!
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  “Let me control a peoples currency and I care not who makes their laws.”
  
  – Meyer Nathaniel Rothschild in a speech to a gathering of world bankers February 12, 1912, a requote of his ancestor Mayer Amschel.
  
  The International Bankster Cartel Does prefer a communistic regime for their New World Order.
  
  BUSH and OBAMA are COUSINS !!!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ldZS9PL9KE
  
  You all are being played like fiddles !!!!
  
  The Bushs’ were Communistic Bankster factotums !!!!
  
  Report this comment
- michaelmoron
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:32pm
  Listen to this evil communist get a tingle up his leg when he speaks about his Masters and their Plans.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc7i0wCFf8g
  
  The “Founders” of the U.N. are the Banksters that OWN the IMF and World Bank.
  
  The IMF and World Bank created the U.N. in 1945.
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:33pm
  First of all. No one is buying our debt anymore. The federal reserve is just printing money to pay the interest. Printing money to spend. Printing money to keep the stock market and banks up, for looks.
  It is time for our debt holders to say “we aren’t taking any more of your crap money” We want something real” when that happens & it will soon, the great depression is going to look like a cake walk. THAT GUY and his party have destroyed his countries economy. This will be worse than Arab spring
  
  Report this comment
- KILLACOMMIE4MOMMY
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:38pm
  This clown could not read you the McDonalds menu without getting off track and cinfusing you. Then he would get defensive and try to make you forget what he was trying to say!
  I listened and did not come away with ANYTHING I have not heard over and over again.
  The whole “lets have a discussion” thing is not work Mr. President.
  WHERE ARE THE JOBS?
  
  Report this comment
- king1
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:02pm
  yup old snatch face berry is just so full of crap. this is what should happen. the republicans should hang tough and make him blink. What WILL happen snatch face 2 BONNER will p*ss out and give scarry berry what he wants you watch
  
  Report this comment
- rp454
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:19pm
  Wow.. I must have fallen asleep. When was obama made king?
  
  Report this comment
- jeffo184
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:19pm
  Ronald Reagan, our 40th President, took office with a $282 billion dollar national debt. Now, 4 Presidents later, we have a $16.4 trillion dollar debt. What have we gotten for it? The only way to stop this insanity is by adding a Balanced-Budget Amendment to the Constitution. I started a petition at the White House website a few minutes ago. Please sign it! We need 25K signatures in the days for the White House to respond.
  https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/pass-balanced-budget-amendment-be-ratified-states-stop-insanity-our-ever-increasing-debt/zTYbw52R
  
  Report this comment
- oneshiner
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:32pm
  Not an hour ago I was at a market and some lady started telling me what a bunch of crap our Nation has become and that dam man she didn’t vote for either time is making her life miserable and how everything costs so much she can’t buy the food she needs as a widow on a fixed income. \
  
  I tried to comfort her the best I could by listening and telling her we’re ALL in a world of hurt. She kept on all the way out to the parking lot, she added that all those idiots who voted for this should go …. …. and I had to agree with her again. Too late, many are waking up from the kool-aide.
  Now we need Congress to grow a pair and get us out of this GOD FORSAKEN jam.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:43pm
  The debt we are paying for is money
  ALREADY SPENT by BUSH.
  It’s the bills due for Iraq and Afghanistan and Medicare Part D.
  All approved by the now kvetching GOP.
  
  The debt has nothing to do with FUTURE SPENDING
  Republicans are nuts.
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:08pm
  IMPEACH THIS MORON and implement TERM LIMITS for congress/senate, NO MORE LIFE TIME POLITICIANS!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:47pm
  Sorry Blaze-nuts: the “debt-ceiling” has nothing to do with authorizing Obama to spend more money. It ONLY gives the Treasury the authority to fund spending CONGRESS already approved.
  
  If we don’t raise the ceiling in time, Treasury bonds drop in value (we ALL own Treasuries in our retirement accounts), Social Security payments stop (for a generation that paid into it their entire lives and who can ill afford to have their income stop), military payments stop (salaries, defense funding, etc.)
  
  All because a political party that could win the election wants to run this country on their terms or not at all. They didn’t even get a majority of all House votes in the country; if it weren’t for Gerrymandering they wouldn’t have the House.
  
  But the Tea Party has the power to hold the gun to our heads. Unreal.
  
  Report this comment
- wrightbobo
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:51pm
  Obama is only a responder, not a leader! As a responder he is a champion illuminator, definer and community organizer of public crisis issues. He solves problems by blaming others and influentially gains sympathy to use new laws and public money to be totally unsuccessful in solving the inevitable consequences of public sin.
  
  Obama has no power but that which God and we-the-free-people (Congress) give him.
  
  When God is numbed from the consciousness of men there is no crime and no sense of guilt.
  
  Report this comment
- moderateliberal
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:52pm
  what action is that, toughguy?
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:33pm
  Will any Republican say, “Okay we all screwed up, and now is the time to make it right”. With no wars going on we should return to 2000 levels of government spending until the debt is paid off.
  
  Report this comment
- tonypro
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:10am
  “He said Congress has two choices: Either raise the debt ceiling or give him the authority to do so. Either way, the president seemed to say, the limit will be increased.”
  
  (Translated)
  I am the new dicktator (not a SP error) in chief, you will bend to my will, and to hell with what the people want.”
  
  ““I will not have that conversation with a gun at the head of the American people,” the president said, referring to his commitment to avoid another debt ceiling fight. “We have to break the habit of negotiating through crisis over and over again.””
  
  (Translated)
  “Let me use very purposeful language to continue the fear mongering for future gun confiscation, and what I really mean is I will not let a good crisis go to waste. “
  
  Report this comment
- topperj
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:06am
  We’ll see how many people really value liberty in the coming months. The **** is going to hit the proverbial fan with this guy in the White House. Unfortunately, the government has the fire power to win any confrontation. Recall Waco and Ruby Ridge. When it comes down to it, bigger guns will prevail.
  
  Report this comment
- redfish52
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:48pm
  I understand he is going to surround himself with children at his presser tomorrow…what a complete douche….he is so out of touch with the American public its laughable.
  
  Report this comment
1FreeVoice
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:19pm
If he needs to raise the credit limit on the national credit card to pay our bills, heck YES it has something to do with spending !!

2013 will NOT be a good year, remember provisions from the “affordable health Care” package are rolling in. People who were living paycheck to paycheck will have to decide whether to cut food, housing or gas (to get to work) in order to pay for the new health care tax mandate. Wow, is he going to be popular when the public gets hit in the wallet with THAT, and mom’s are having trouble booking Dr. apts. ! ! ! ( Dr. shortage + flood of new patients ) Business will still be slow, and people will have less to spend.

We can laugh or cry…
We should assemble a collection of Obama video clips for the comedians to slam him with next year.

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- oldguy49
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:27pm
  that is why it was sceduled to hit after the election……..if it had gone into effect last year we would not be listing to the liar in chief now…………….
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:36pm
  Obama is probably going to seize the authority by executive order to push up the debt ceiling as he wishes to do so from here on out. He is also pressing the message to low-information voters to have the blame for all of this mess (which is his), on the Republicans.
  
  That is in the end what this is all about: consolidation of all the power he can into Obama’s hands, while ensuring one more stake is driven in the image and perception of the Republicans. He is determined to end the Republicans completely.
  
  With Obama he does not fix the problem, he fixes the blame.
  
  Report this comment
- dabrain
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:54pm
  What makes you think you’ll have electricity for your idiot box next year, or even next month.
  Also, if you’re not a comrade in good standing you won’t be allowed bourgeois things like ‘News’.
  
  Report this comment
- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:05pm
  Gee it’s a good thing Congress isn’t side tracked and losing the laser like focus on J.O.B.S.
  
  Report this comment
- hatchetjob
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:53pm
  SCREW-WINDOWS, I agree 100%. On another note, I feel bad for people having babies and raising kids in this world today. It won’t be easy for them.
  
  Report this comment
Hammerdown
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:17pm
The ‘cuts’ he is insisting they have already made are really reductions in projected increases, THERE ARE NO SPENDING CUTS!

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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:45pm
  Would to God that more people understood that.
  
  Report this comment
- yiska8
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:09pm
  Here’s a Texas recipe for squeezing the truth from Barry Soetoro.
  Listen to what he says.
  Apply the exact opposite.
  Make the opposite seem much worse.
  And there is the 17 trillion dollar bitter truth.
  It tastes like *hit.
  
  Report this comment
- snooop1e
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:15pm
  Famous Debt Ceiling Quotes:
  
  “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.”
  
  Sen. Barack Obama,, March 20, 2006.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:16pm
What convoluted backward “logic” is needed to claim that 1) debt service isn’t spending, and 2) that we’re poised for a good economic year? What economic law increases regulation (costs), and strips more money from business (taxes = costs) and expects incredible growth? Is there another dot com bubble on the horizon that he is privy to? Also, to think that Boehner as the stones (pun partially intended) to actually shut down the government is laughable. Hopefully in a few months time I will be able to say that I stand corrected in relation to the speaker, but I probably shouldn’t hold my breath.

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John.Galt
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:16pm
Americans are dumb enough to believe this… which means the end is near.

It is Obama that has the gun to our heads – the debt is exploding, and soon we will be bankrupt. Just a normalization of interest rates to 5% would balloon our interest on the debt to the #1 line item in the budget.

This does not end well. Be prepared, and DON’T FEED THE LIBS, THEY MULTIPLY LIKE RABBITS.

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- WhiteFang
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:23pm
  John.Galt, Is the end near?
  
  The Bible shows that when the end is near, many will belittle the evidence. Rather than acknowledge the fundamental changes during the last days, they would scoff: “From the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” (2 Peter 3:3, 4) In other words, the sign of the last days is clear, but many will ignore it.—Matthew 24:38, 39.
  
  http://www.jw.org
  
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- missdagnytaggart
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:32pm
  I don’t think John Galt means the “end is here”, as in the beast of revelation is coming, I think he just means that this is the end of America as we know it.
  
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- L.B.Stephens
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:03pm
  missdagnytaggart,
  
  The end is not here, it is near.
  And we should not make the mistake of thinking America is the centre of the universe. Do we think the United States has any favoured status with the true God?
  Is it not just as corrupt and evil as the rest of the earth?
  Does the “end” that the Holy Scriptures talk about, is it a global “end,” Armageddon?
  According to the Bible, we are to accept It will affect the entire human family and usher in a new system of things, a peaceful world-wide kingdom with our Lord Jesus Christ as a mighty judge and king. – Daniel 2:44, 7:13-14
  
  So is the “end” not a conclusion, but a new beginning for mankind?
  
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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:03pm
  The end is near for the politician criminals. And they know it. It is just a matter of time. Maybe 2-3 years tops. Get your equipment ready men. Find like minded people and a safe place to go. Do not hesitate to defend yourselves. If you blink and think, you will lose. Take cover behind solid objects, not anything that can be shot through easily. Stay on the back roads. Move at night. Get a good portable water filter.
  
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sawgnr249
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:15pm
Obama:”I won’t negotiate with a gun at the head of the American people.”
Of course not, and DHS didn’t order 1.6 billion rounds of ammo, the 46,000 rounds bought by the NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE and the 174,000 rounds bought by the SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION did they? Obama is full of excrement and believes his own lies.

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- thegreatcarnac
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:57pm
  You’re right….the gun is already at the people’s heads and he owns it.
  
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- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:49pm
  Keep listening to Boykin and the other nut jobs. Let me ask you: what happens when all your predictions turn out wrong?
  
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stopprintn
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:13pm
Next time they kick the can down the road, I hope it breaks their feet.

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:20pm
  “We’re not a deadbeat nation,” the president stressed.
  
  Oh yes we are Obama…You have turned us into one…
  
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Mike Benton
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:12pm
When I ask my credit card company for an increased debt limit it so I can spend more money. Why else would I do it? I can spend more with the same income(think taxes). all I have to do is pay the interest. Until the game runs out. 0bama is nuts

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- cmhemphill
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:15pm
  This is exactly how our Presidunce is treating our economy. It’s time to cut the cards and work on a realistic repayment plan.
  
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- 702TruthSeeker
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:20pm
  no, this is much different. your credit card company has the ability to cut you off. Since the fed will not stop “printing” money, this will just continue until there is massive inflation and war. war is the only way to reset this much debt. I’m not talking about fighting some camel riding towelheads, but war with nuclear armed nations who will no longer tolerate our addiction to “free stuff” which is starving the rest of the world
  
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- seek.the.truth
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:22pm
  Comparing the debt limit to a credit card is a very simple way for just about anyone to understand the concept. Yet Obama doesn’t seem to understand that the spending must stop AND the bill must be paid. So simple!
  
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- VanceUppercut
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26pm
  Failing to raise the debt limit won’t prevent the nation from incurring more debt, it will just tell our creditors that we have no intention of paying back the full debt. Last time your boyfriends in congress pulled this crap, we lost our AAA+ rating. Many are predicting that another idiotic battle over PAYING OUR FREAKIN’ BILLS may cost us our AAA rating, leading to higher interest rates and more debt. Idiots like you somehow think that you’re fighting debt, when in reality your actions will make the debt worse.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:47pm
  Lance
  How is your green energy return treating you? Your girls played poker w other peeps money.
  
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- landowner
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:47pm
  Gee Vance – We take in about 204B per month. The debt service is about 55B. Should be just fine. So when your girlfriends in the Senate want to get serious about cutting their spending shop-a-holism let us know O-Tay? Till then go cry to your mommy.
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:53pm
  Obama is negotiating with the Republicans & Obama has a gun to the head of the American people.
  
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- Cavallo
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:04pm
  @Vance, From what I have been lead to believe, the service on the Debt is paid first. Therefore the only bills that would not be paid are those that would go above and beyond what we take in, minus the service payment. If I were them, I would make damn sure the second spending item should be soldier paychecks. Nasty things can happen to a government that doesn’t pay its army. Mostly what would be sacrificed are extemporaneous programs, parks, etc, and some over paid, over entitled civil “servants”, and pet projects.
  
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- VanceUppercut
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:06pm
  @landowner
  
  I’ve pointed out before that a while back (I believe it was in 2012) the Dems offered the Repubs what some called a “once in a lifetime deal”, agreeing to deeper cuts than they ever had before, but because it also required raising taxes on the 1% the Repubs told them to go to hell.
  
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- 00100111
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:25pm
  Awww, VanceOverbite. It’s so cute how you try to spin things to make it look like you idiots actually understand how the world works. You should go back to your room now, adults are talking.
  
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- TyMcW31
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:14pm
  @Vance, “but because it also required raising taxes on the 1% the Repubs told them to go to hell.”
  Umm..didnt they just raise taxes on “the rich” to “avoid” the fiscal cliff?
  
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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:34pm
  Obama is not in charge. He is a puppet. He is taking his orders from the NWO goons just like the last 10 Presidents before him. We were sold out long ago. He is just the latest puppet.
  
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- PROUD_2B_American
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:29pm
  To add to Seek.the.truth
  “Comparing the debt limit to a credit card is a very simple way for just about anyone to understand the concept”
  _________________
  
  It’s even worse than that. Obama is spending us into oblivion WITH OUR stolen credit cards. HE HAS NO SKIN IN THE GAME….. OF COARSE he doesn’t want to stop spending…….. what thief does?
  
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- vendingdude
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 3:03pm
  actually, if I allow my creditor to raise my credit card limit and DON’T “borrow” any more against it, my credit score improves. it changes my debt to limit ratio from say 90% card maxxed out to 50%, which could be a reason to do this at a government level, but I doubt it
  
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republic2011
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:12pm
Just keep telling the lies often enough and people will believe you.

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- techengineer11
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:15pm
  Everything that comes out of the mouth of this Marxist puppet is a lie.
  
  He and his administration are entirely grotesque to the average Constitution loving white American.
  
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- bannedfromCNN
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:16pm
  Especially the low-information voters who chose Soetoro…
  
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- rickroland
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:07pm
  @techengineer11 — Correction: “Everything that comes out of the mouth of this Marxist puppet is a lie. He and his administration are entirely grotesque to every Constitution loving American.”
  
  Race has absolutely nothing to do with it.
  
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- techengineer11
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:00pm
  rickroland
  techengineer11 — Correction: “Everything that comes out of the mouth of this Marxist puppet is a lie. He and his administration are entirely grotesque to every Constitution loving American.”
  Race has absolutely nothing to do with it.
  
  Well that is such a profound statement. Stop and think a minute. 95% of Blacks vote Commie, 85% of Hispanics vote Commie, 80% of the Jews vote Commie (suspect they all would but some prefer the lower tax rates), etc.
  
  Only like 40% of whites vote commie and you want me to believe Race has nothing to do with this?
  How does one explain the history of the Nations? Race mattered not? So if America would have been 50% African, 25% Jewish, 10% Hispanic, and say 15% European we would have got the same Constitution which my founding fathers gave me?
  
  You should really stop and think before you make such asinine comments. You sound like Phil Donahue or Jerry Springer.
  
  Can you reason with me? Help me understand why race doesn’t matter even though the numbers plainly says that race is the #1 predictor in all of politics. You tell me the race then there’s an almost perfect chance that I will tell you their politics unless they are white.
  
  Any scientist that saw correlations that high in any experiment they’d say it was conclusive but you say it does’t matter?
  
  Please explain.
  
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- Kalidor835
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:57pm
  @techengineer, you do realize that the vast majority of Jews in the US are caucasian (ie. white) and of mixed European decent don’t you? You could pass one on the street and you wouldn’t know it anymore than you’d know about any other white person. At this point in history being a Jew is more about a religion than it is an actual race of people.
  
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dublinthewagons
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:11pm
Aaaannnnd, w. Eellll. Uuuuhhh he is really gting bad about studdering when lying and look at his ears grow. It wasn’t okay to raise the debt ceiling when Bush was president, but now that this lying moron idiot is in charge its different. Sell air force one and all his limo’s and busses.
He lies so much he doesn’t even make sense to himself any more. Impeach him “IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO” in short the very sigh of him makes me want to vomit

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cmhemphill
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:11pm
As much as I think our current President is about as cognizant of reality as a Dodo tripping on acid is, he does have a point. We would be shooting ourselves in the foot, as well as a majority of the rest of the world, if the US defaults. However, just raising the debt ceiling and then raising taxes in a French Socialist manner, will not resolve the issue. Mr. President, you need to realize, just because it’s not YOUR wallet that pays for your progroms and lifestyle, doesn’t mean that there is an unlimited amount to go around. Doesn’t matter how much you authorize to print, or raise a ceiling, or what have you. This is not the time to turn Greek or French. This is a time to tell the children that the People are the parents, and that success is not a magical happening, nor do we have money and job trees.

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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:09pm
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.

Over the past 5 years, our federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion.That is “trillion” with a “T.” That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President’s budget will increase the debt by almost another $3.5 trillion.

Numbers that large are sometimes hard to understand. Some people may wonder why they matter. Here is why: This year, the Federal Government will spend $220 billion on interest. That is more money to pay interest on our national debt than we’ll spend on Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. That is more money to pay interest on our debt this year than we will spend on education, homeland security, transportation, and veterans benefits combined. It is more money in one year than we are likely to spend to rebuild the devastated gulf coast in a way that honors the best of America.

CONT’d

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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:15pm
  And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
  
  Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America’s priorities.
  
  SENATOR, Barack Hussein Obama on US Senate floor
  
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- stopprintn
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:26pm
  Just wait until intrest rates go up !
  
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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:31pm
  HE VOTED NO. After 4 years and more than $5 tillion more in debt. His words are no more than past lies to add the the ones of today. I think he could still lie with his mouth tqped and head cut off.
  
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zetuff
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:08pm
obama has to payoff his cronnies ….you know the ones that controlled to voteing machines..and counted to results..union thugs.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:07pm
Hahahahaha

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- 702TruthSeeker
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:11pm
  +1 LOL yes, things are going great!! great job dear leader! all must bow now
  
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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:58pm
  He lies like a muslim.
  
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AvengerK
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:03pm
This is typical Obama. This is the trial balloon. If it backfired he’ll pretend he never said it. If he believes the country bought his bulls@#t then that will be the line he and his fawning media will run with to bludgeon the GOP house with.

But make no mistake..this has nothing to do with fixing this nation’s fiscal issues. This is all about Obama trying to take back the house in 2014.

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:12pm
  More Marxist lies & distortion.
  Notice carefully when he states:
  “The $2.5T in cuts we’ve ALREADY DONE plus another $1.5T will STABILIZE our debt & deficit”
  
  We dont need “stabilization” you Kenyan POS, we need DRASTIC REDUCTIONS.
  Nothing would make me happier than if Conservatives would take the podium and simply
  state:
  
  “Mr President — Go F yourself” then walk away.
  Make him eat it.
  
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- BehindTheMouth
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:19pm
  If it backfires, his media will cover it up or blame it on those pesky evil republicans and their corporations. BTW, I like how he’s now going to get everyone to raise taxes on corporations now.
  
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- high school drop out
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:48pm
  You are so right Avenger! This presser today was to try to frame the debate against the GOP..Remember, watch the other hand…………
  
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Pat Alexander
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:02pm
Next up: Another “Summer of Recovery.”

Denial isn’t a river in Egypt…

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CatB
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:02pm
He is either a moron or thinks we are .. or BOTH!

Remember Benghazi!

Remember Fast and Furious!

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:27pm
  You have to realize he is talking to his base of supporters. They are so stupid that they think what he is saying is valid. They are the same people who realizing their pants are on fire, have an ice pick in their hands, will try to put the fire out with the ice pick.
  
  They are so stupid that they post that stupidity here and don’t even realize how stupid they are. Someone should write a book “if you’re stupid enough to believe…..you may be a liberal”.
  
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Wdawg
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:00pm
I have a feeling the US will go into default this time.

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- 702TruthSeeker
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:17pm
  it’s the only way for 1/2 of this country who voted for the jerk to wake up. there must be pain and suffering, otherwise they’ll keep expecting what they were promised while someone else pays for it. the problem is not our ruling class, it’s that a large part of our population has no morals or values
  
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- Cavallo
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:19pm
  I wish. That would cause a correction and a massive rearrangement of government priorities. However, since the service on the debt is less that the revenue we take in, it is highly unlikely we will default, without an express decision to default.
  
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Top_Contributor
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:59am
You left the ‘s’ off “projects.”

-1

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- The-Monk
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:05pm
  You missed work Thursday and Friday….
  
  -2
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:08pm
  I mean really?
  
  Even Wango showed up LOL…..
  
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13th Imam
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:59am
What the Weasel means is that the NEXT Debt Limit Increase will be to fund Santa Clause’s spending increases. Almost time for the Second American Revolution.

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thekuligs
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:59am
You don’t commit to buying things you don’t have money for.

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Canadaboy
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:57am
Wow, and I get mad at my government for being $600 billion in debt. How much more debt can the USA take on? This is madness, I hope Chinese is being taught in the schools, they will soon own the whole country.

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- Shenandoahvalleyminuteman
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:50pm
  Canadaboy, you are so right. I admit I used to think y’all was a bunch of French speaking idiots but now I’m about ready to move up there. We could learn a few things from you boys about debt. Thanks for the insite. I agree with you. Peace brother
  
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biohazard23
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:57am
OMG, he is sooooo full of crap it’s… And to think that anyone is going to believe this is just…. Holy crap, it’s just so infuriating!!

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- raabhimself
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:05pm
  @Bio…
  
  I am so sick of seeing this guy in the media to the point that I have given up regular TV…
  
  Obama’s next TV presser will be in 5…4…3…2…1…
  
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- Twinspeedr
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:15pm
  I swore off listening to the man speak in 2009. Best to just read the highlights after the speech. My blood pressure can’t take listening to any of the DC politicians. Pay attention to what the DO, not what they say they’re going to do…
  
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- biohazard23
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:21pm
  @Raab and @Twin, amen!!
  
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randy
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:56am
2 plus 2 = 5

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- thekuligs
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:59am
  More like 11!
  
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- Blackhawk1
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:56pm
  In Obamanomics 2 + 2 = 22
  
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BehindTheMouth
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:55am
Obama sucks

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- jteagle
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:06pm
  Well how could I possibly disagree with that intelligent well thought out argument?
  
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- bannedfromCNN
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:13pm
  Took the words right out of my mouth…
  
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- MDECKER
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:17pm
  No, just a pathological liar, with a twist of narcissism!
  
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- BehindTheMouth
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:45pm
  Eagle: Thanks, I didn’t think it was that good.
  
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- Schteveo
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:38pm
  JT,
  a person need not be verbose nor erudite, in order to make a valid point. The policies and works of Mr. Obama DO draw a large vacuum, so it’s not a stretch to say that in effect, that he, Mr. Obama himself, draws a vacuum.
  
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