Obama on Democratic Revolt: Everyone Needs to Act ‘Responsibly’
- Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:27pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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President Obam seems to have more confidence standing up to detractors within his own party than he did to Republicans holding out for an extension of current tax rates. Despite declining Democratic support, the president defiantly said Friday he’s confident his compromise will be approved as long as everyone, including Democrats, acts “responsibly.”
In an interview with NPR, Obama reiterated that his compromise with Republicans was better than any alternative. Yet he also seemed to leave the door open for some changes, as he went out of his way to remind the public and lawmakers that the compromise is only a “framework.” And while he said discussions on the compromise are ongoing, he’s confident a final bill will mirror his agreement with Republicans.
“I am confident we will get this resolved by the end of the month,” he told NPR.
“The issue here is not whether I think that the tax cuts for the wealthy are a good or smart thing to do. I‘ve said repeatedly that I think they’re not a smart thing to do,” he added. “At the end of the day, people are going to conclude we don’t want 2 million people suddenly without unemployment insurance and not able to pay their rent, not able to pay their mortgage.”
The interview revealed the president and NPR seem set on defining the debate as one on “tax cuts,” despite the fact that no one’s taxes are going down as a result of the compromise — they’re just not going up. A print edition of NPR’s story goes as far as characterizing the deal as raiding the national coffers.
“While acknowledging that borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars to finance the plan will worsen the federal debt,” it says at the beginning of one paragraph. The statement, however, ignores the fact that the current tax rates have been in effect for 10 years and that not taking contituents’ money is hardly borrowing money from the government.
(Read a full transcript of the interview.)
The interview stretched beyond just the compromise. The president also admitted he’s open to overhauling the confusing tax code in order to raise revenue. He said he’s wiling to look at lowering individual tax burdens in exchange for broadening the tax base.
“Simplifying the system, hopefully lowering rates, broadening the base — that’s something that I think most economists think would help us propel economic growth,” Obama said. “But it’s a very complicated conversation.”
For now, however, his hands are too full quelling his own party’s rebellion.
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Comments (86)
rojotx
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:38pmyep he is being “responsible”…..WHEN? The man that dodges all issues that ARE important!!
Report Post »Lotus503
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:38pmA Patriot’s Top Down, Bottom Up and Inside Out strategy
Top Down: WE THE PEOPLE will pressure the Congress and the Executive branch by the creation or threat of creation of a third party encompassing the beliefs and values of the vast majority of citizens of the United States.
Bottom Up: Pressure state legislatures into demanding a Constitutional Convention to assess if the Federal government is operating within the boundaries stated within the Constitution, and to take appropriate action(s) if it is not.
Inside Out: Use Top Down and Bottom Up strategies to create confusion and panic within the bureaucracies operating outside the powers of the Constitution.
Can anyone think of any variation to these that will work better?
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 9:02pm@Lotus: I’m afraid of a Constitutional Convention … from what I’ve read, once it’s initiated, everything in the Constitution is up for grabs. Please enlighten me with what you have read about this procedure, will you?
Report Post »isla
Posted on December 11, 2010 at 1:43pmTHE JUDICIAL BRANCH.
Report Post »The Judicial Branch is the last bastion of power which has the capability of keeping the other two Branches in check.
tergent
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:12pmThe tax cuts must be continued. The effect on the economy after the tax cuts were put in place was considerable. This reminds me of a post on http://www.freemarketsfreepeople.net “Bush tax cuts caused the recession?”.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:01pmHow much did it cost the taxpayers today for POTUS to hire Clinton to speak today? That started to play to TV at exactly at the same time that Elizabeth Smart’s father (a devout Christian) was talking live at the courthouse. Thank you HLN for keeping it live on Mr. Smart.
His daughter was taken from her bedroom although her family was right there. She was missing for 9 months and feared dead. Then she actually gets to confront her abductor in a courtroom, and the verdict handed down, Guilty.
If Elizabeth Smart isn’t the story, instead of Pappy Clinton trying to make his wife’s job easier.
Report Post »truthwinz
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:46pmObama just turned over the WH presser to Bubba…..said he’d been keeping the 1st Lady waiting for 1/2 hr and had to leave! REALLY!
Report Post »rockEy47
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:43pmgo bernie go. I hope you and your socialist friends vote against this bill. When taxes go up for everyone, the Democrates can take the fall.
Report Post »Bad Thunder
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:39pmEveryone Needs to Act ‘Responsibly’………. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaahahahahhhaaaaahahahaha Did he really say that? LoOOOoOoL
Report Post »TeaPartyPatriot
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:31pmAs we give thanks this holiday season, let’s all be thankful that the lunatic-left d-crat socialists have given us the BEST possible gift they could ever have given us for the next two years: they kept CRAZY PELOSI in charge in the House! Her slap-downs of the incompetent lunatic-left token and figurehead “You Lie!” hussein bring joy and cheer to us all. Crazy pelosi is a gift that will keep on giving all the way through the Nov 2012 elections when America will throw out the remaining d-crat socialists in congress and the presidency as we continue to Take Back Our Country.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:28pmWow – you mean to tell me that our failed “president”, the most fiscally-irresponsible destruction-merchant to ever sleep in the White House actually said that people should act “responsibly” and he was not struck by a divine bolt of lightening? Barry is one lucky punk!
Report Post »po-boy
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:01pmFirst time O.B. has acted responsibly. Watch the other hand. It’s just a show. He wants everyone to come to him so he can bring the top down. He’s as fake as a wh**es ora*sm
Report Post »TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:55pmWhy wouldn’t we (republicans) be in favor of letting them expire and going after a better deal when we take over in Jan? F-extending the current rate, we have to CUT to stimulate anything. The stimulus from the Bush cuts has already occurred, this won’t stimulate my ballsack. Just askin…
Report Post »isla
Posted on December 11, 2010 at 12:44amTermlimitsnow,
Report Post »Because whatever Repubs try to do after January will be vetoed by the President, purely along party lines even if it managed to get through the Senate. Right now, Republicans are holding a few cards which they will not have, come the new Session. We will have lost considerable negotiation power.
Diamond Girl
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:55pmDear Leader Opens Mouth and inserts foot….let alone lie.
Talk about a One-Termer…ya gotta love it.
Report Post »microace
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:54pmHere’s my Idea, next President we elect, how about someone who has never been a lawyer.
Report Post »Cywir in Gwlad
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:53pmYou know, the politicians on both sides have been rather silent on the impact this will have on jobs. People making over 250k are those people who own small businesses and hire people. The democrats are so focused on the Republicans pandering to the rich when in fact it is the Republicans pandering to small businesses. And besides the top 2 percent pay something like 46% of all taxes. Hopefully our next president will look seriously at the flat tax.
Report Post »Jennifer
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:49pmFor the life of me, I cannot understand why they don’t offer the extension on everyone under $250,000 PLUS all employers. If you don’t employ anyone, you pay the tax increase, if you do, you get a break and the peace of mind to hire more people. Why is no one discussing this option?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:02pmWhy is no one discussing a drastic cut in spending, or the fact that the government is a bloated tick
Report Post »stopprintn
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:49pmAdd your comments
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:55pmAdd your comments
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:57pmNo Comment
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:47pmUnavailable for comment.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:48pmMaybe you should start by takining $1.00 as a your salary, next park airforce 1 , 3rd shut up your wife, every time she has idea it csat more money and gives us less freedom, 4th stop all the parties at the White House. That should cut the defit in half. And last but notlease, release the AMERICAN TAX PAYER THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HOLDING HOSTAGE WITH OBAMACARE, iT WAS A LOSER FROM THE START, BUT NTHEN AGAIN YOU ARE A LOSER
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:47pmNot as long as you have those idiots below you in office. One thing about it is that its not going to go away.
Report Post »Diamondback
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:44pmNOW the demoncraps acting “responsibly” for a change would be something even I could support.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:58pmMr. Obama has been in office almost 2 years and has failed to stamp out the last vestiges of individual liberty. According to spokespersons on the left, This is proof of incompetence. Ridiculous, in less than two years the man has done more to destroy the American Revolution than any other politician in our history. Don’t be duped by this media blitz! The real message is ” the enemy of your enemy is your friend . If the left is against Obama he deserves your support.” Don’t be one of the gullible who is taken in by this preponderance of propaganda.
Report Post »http://commonsense21c.com/
RepubliCorp
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:00pmI hope you live a very long life….. and just maybe
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:41pmoh yeaaaaah, “responsibly”,,,, as compared to how obama acts “STUPIDLY”……
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:37pmThe failure of these Extended Tax Rates has been bundled in with them. Extending current tax rates will NOT cause big business to invest in growth. Extending Unemployment Benefits ENSURES that Unemployment will NOT go down over the next two years.
Report Post »WE NEED A REAL TAX CUT WITHOUT SPENDING!
mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:36pmOh how I would love to see the barry, Beck interview with barry hooked up to the polygraph.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:42pmbarry soetoro’s lying to Mr Beck would fry the swing needle on the first question.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:34pmMerry Christmas merry merry Christmas to meeeee. I’m out of the Blaze dog house. Yipee.
The king barry wants everyone to act responsible, What like he has? Jackass
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:42pmYou were in the dog house? for what?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:30pmOr we could talk about cutting spending you incompetent hack.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:28pmThat would take a brain and this bastard does not have one;
Report Post »Cliff
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:30pmCome on guys… just borrow more money and this will solve the problem!!! Don’t look at the waste we spend on stupid government programs, that wont solve anything!!! Nothing to see here… move along…
http://www.mentorlynx.com
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:40pmSCREW THE PRESIDENT and his Looney Band of Democrats. Let them expire. Then let the NEW Congress Pass REAL TAX CUTS WITHOUT SPENDING!
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:50pmThere is NOTHING responsible about this bill.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 3:50pmact responsibly…little late for that mr. president…and these so called tax cuts aren’t worth a dime…last year my family paid in 11 grand and still owed more to the state…(oregon) meanwhile some people were getting back 3 to 5 grand and not paying near that in taxes…whats up with that…I say lets do real tax reform…
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:03pmIf Republicans pass the bill with all the Dem earmarks, I say we abolish the Republican Party and start from Scratch. Making the Tea Party a REAL Political Party.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:07pmAct responsible? He is lecturing about responsibility???? Really???????????????????????
Drunken sailors, please drink responsibly….
Report Post »Gangbangers. please only shoot two people a week…
Rapists. please wear a condom..
joseph Fawcett
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:07pmAll this I believe is drama to make the Prez look moderate enough to win election in 2012. Watch, he will still be making small steps to the wone world order while compromising with the Republicans. This is about keeping the whitehouse Dem in 2012 and the move towards the progressive agenda going forward. It is easy to loose sight of the long term agenda with the “battle” at hand. More compromises done today, will just mean that the progress is slower. I thank God that they are exposed and now we can keep an eye open. Don’t forget that the President has the power of Excutive Order, and now the agencies he has established are by passing Congress anyway. So while this all seems like a true battle in congress, it really means little in the long term because no matter how it turns out congress will be by passed.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:10pmLOL….it’s always sad when they eat their young. Obama should have figured out by now, he is beginning to pay the price for selling his soul to the Communists that got him elected.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:15pmPUNK, I challenge you to NOT comment on two consecutive Blaze stories.
untameable-kate
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:15pmGODLOVINMOM, this will really rattle your cage, one of my employees got a six thousand dollar refund and didn’t pay in a dime.
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:19pmBroker, I challenge you to review the 5 previous stories to this one and find a single comment by me.
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:25pm5 CONSECUTIVE Stories I have NOT commented on PREVIOUS to this one:
Report Post »WATCH LIVE: Sen. Bernie Sanders…
GUILTY: Jury Convicts…
SEXUAL BATTERY: Teen Wrestler…
CAUGHT: Man Buckles…
REPORTS: Rioter Jabbed…
Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:26pmWhy is Bill Clinton on myTV?
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:36pmTHAT IS CRAZY having Bill Clinton speak for the president at the White House podium and then the president leaves the room while he is speaking. Obama just punted.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:42pmDems are gonna go one of two ways, give up or continue to revolt. If they give up, I don’t like it. Personally, I’d prefer they continue the revolt so the GOP writes the bill that they want in the House and let the Senate vote up or down on it. Constitutionally, the Senate can’t change a House tax bill.
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:48pmTruth be told, the Dems are ONLY upset that the president brokered a deal with Republicans without allowing Dems to tack on huge earmark spending.
Report Post »Cliff
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 5:53pmKonservative PUNK
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 4:26pm
Why is Bill Clinton on myTV? <—ROFLMAO!!!
http://www.mentorlynx.com
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:09pmThis is nonsense. They are just diverting attention away from what the really want, the FCC’s declaration of Net Neutrality that will be issued shortly. With the media muzzled the take over can be completed.
Report Post »Typical of our wonderful congress, it has it‘s head so far up it’s butt it is clueless. This whole tax thing is meaningless. If the spending isn’t only stopped, but thrown into a fast reverse, the whole house built of cards comes down.
Of course the good news is that the dollar is the longest lived unbacked paper currency in the history of the world. It has survived 17 years long than the chinese unbacked paper currency in the Ming Dynasty.
godlovinmom
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:18pmmore and more I have to step back…bow my head…and pray…I get very frustrated..its people on these blogs that do sometimes make my day…so thanks guys…hang in their my fellow Americans.. ; o )
Report Post »abc
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 6:35pmCliff, please find me $900B over 10 years that can be easily cut from all the government waste, and please be specific. The supposedly smartest young gun on the GOP couldn’t do it, so I won’t be holding my breath that you will either. And, if you cannot, then please tell me how a responsible citizenry and its representatives in Congress should act. Is it to try to explain to our debtholders that there really is a meaningful difference between overspending and undertaxing when all they care about is getting repaid? Or is it to finally grasp the reality that you have to BOTH cut spending and raise taxes, and that in a weak economy the first place to start is to raise taxes on the least economically vulnerable who will not change their consumption or capital spending patterns much with or without a 400 basis increase in the tax rates? But since you opine so confidently, I’ll let you educate me on what kind of accounting miracles the GOP has up their sleeve to justify the $900B incremental shortfall your party is advocating.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 8:30pmSorry Mr. Obama the end of the month is TO LATE for those with kids and are on unemployment.. they will have to apply for WELFARE which takes 30 days.. NICE MOVE .. While YOUR kids won’t be going without a gift .. two .. three,, the ones who have worked their butts off for YEARS paying the HIGH salaries of the PRESIDENTS and CONGRESS will not be that lucky.. maybe all that PORK going to SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS can wait until the end of the month OR better yet TAKE THE MONEY OUT.. but the average worker well they are just serfs to you Democrats so the HECK with them huh?? and for those that are working by the grace of GOD not the DEMOCRATS who are going to help out these people YOU want to raise their taxes by allowing games to be played .. worrying about what the OTHER guy will get.. how SAD and COLD HEARTED the DEMOCRATS really are they have showed their TRUE colors..
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 10:24pmWell barry,
we are responsibly preparing ovah here:
http://www.watchman2012.com
Report Post »Battening the hatches, preparing our off grids, and talking about forgotten skills
drbage
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 11:00pmMr. President, were you and your cohorts acting responsibly when you shut the Republicans out of any input or negotiations on sickness care and financial reform? What would your reaction have been if the Republicans reacted in the same childish and immature manner during those debates? Where is Crocodile Nancy complaining about the level of rhetoric? Where is stumblin’, bumblin’ Dreamworks Harry? But the more important question is while the dog and pony show is playing out in the fawning media what are the czars quietly doing out of sight?
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on December 11, 2010 at 6:35amDemocrats acting irresponsibly? What about the conservatives? This monster pork bill is ridiculous.
Report Post »PatriotR
Posted on December 12, 2010 at 4:57pmHow on earth do people think especially those feeding at the taxpayer trough that the government has a right to any Americans hard earnings? They do not understand that it is not their money to take as a tax, not their money to take to justify their illegal existance. Our leaders are falling right back to previous spending with this agreement.
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