GOP liars in the Senate

1. 60

   Doug Hughesposted 13 years ago

   From Ezra Klein at the NY Times -
   
   "There are fiscal theories that I disagree with, and that I think are cruel, and that make me upset. But very few actually make me sad. Sen. Mitch McConnell, however, hit my sore spot today. "There's no evidence whatsoever that the Bush tax cuts actually diminished revenue," he told Brian Beutler of TPMDC. "They increased revenue because of the vibrancy of these tax cuts in the economy. So I think what Senator Kyl was expressing was the view of virtually every Republican on that subject." In other words, this is why Republicans don't think tax cuts need to be paid for. They pay for themselves.
   
   Why does this make me sad? Because it's hard to see the country prospering when one of its two major political parties is this economically illiterate. McConnell isn't some backbencher. He's Senate minority leader. And he thinks there's "no evidence whatsoever that the Bush tax cuts actually diminished revenue."
   
   There's an ontological question here about what, exactly, McConnell considers to be "evidence." But how about the Congressional Budget Office's estimations? "The new CBO data show that changes in law enacted since January 2001 increased the deficit by $539 billion in 2005. In the absence of such legislation, the nation would have a surplus this year. Tax cuts account for almost half — 48 percent — of this $539 billion in increased costs." How about the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget? Their budget calculator shows that the tax cuts will cost $3.28 trillion between 2011 and 2018. How about George W. Bush's CEA chair, Greg Mankiw, who used the term "charlatans and cranks" for people who believed that "broad-based income tax cuts would have such large supply-side effects that the tax cuts would raise tax revenue." He continued: "I did not find such a claim credible, based on the available evidence. I never have, and I still don't..."
   
   http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-k … tsoev.html

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   1. 60

      Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Revenue did go down.
      
      Revenue for the government went down.
      
      My personal revenue increased.
      
      Democrats hate it when we get to keep our own money.

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   2. 60

      lady_love158posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ever hear of the Laffer curve? There is a point where tax increase do not produce the expected revenues as people look for ways to avoid paying them. In the past we have seen increases in revenues as a result of tax decreases, because more money becomes available to invest creating more jobs add to the amount of people that pay taxes, in addition to growing economic activity.
      
      Tax cuts aren't something that needs to be paid for, taxes after all are a forced confiscation of private property, not a benefit bestowed upon the masses by government. What WE need from government is control over spending so that tax increases aren't even something to be considered.

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2. 61

   Lighting Guruposted 13 years ago

   Regardless of whether they increased revenue or not, those tax cuts did help the economy get out of the recession that came after the dotcom bubble and the Sept 11th attacks, and much quicker than the Keynesian system that we have now that has never worked and is currently making our economic situation worse.
   
   I'm all in favor of any argument for tax cuts because it puts the money back in the hands of its rightful owners and out of the hands of the thugs in the federal government.
   
   As a side note - it doesn't matter if the USA has a surplus because the world uses the dollar as a reserve currency, so we almost need a deficit.  The problem is when we're running deficits so large that there's no demand for dollars it destroys the entire system.

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3. 66

   Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

   They are lieing in the House, too.
   
   Letter to the Editor of the Detroit News published 7-14-10
   
   Ignorance or pandering?
   
   U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor is either not familiar with orthodox macro economic theory or he is deliberately pandering to what he considers to be the ignorance of Americans whose concern about the national debt is natural but overblown until the light at the end of the recession tunnel is visible ("More spending isn't the answer," June 24.). Then will be the time to balance the budget by cutting expenditures and increasing taxes.
   
   Ralph Deeds, Birmingham
   
   From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100714/OPI … z0tiirIvFq

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4. 60

   Doug Hughesposted 13 years ago

   Jon Kyl was on Fox News Sunday - Steve Benen reports -
   
   "Wallace, to his credit, raised a good point — the “Republican growth agenda” is predicated on keeping “the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.” Wallace said this would cost $678 billion over 10 years, and asked Kyl how the GOP would pay for them. Kyl dodged the question, and talked about how great those tax cuts were.
   
   So, Wallace asked again how the cuts would be paid for. Kyl responded, “You should never raise taxes in order to cut taxes."
   
   IMO the irrational statement by Kyl "You should never raise taxes to cut taxes." was a deliberate misstatement to avoid voicing the rational alternative - You should raise taxes on those making over $250K to pay down the deficit. But this option scares the crap out of the GOP and most democrats are afraid to say it out loud.
   
   Repealing the Bush Tax cuts is a weak start - getting capital gains tax rates up with income tax rates is a second reform that MUST happen.

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5. 66

   Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

   http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/us/po … by.html?hp
   
   WASHINGTON — Lawmakers take contributions every day from corporate executives and lobbyists hoping for their votes. The question of whether that represents business as usual in Washington or an ethics breach is at the heart of a far-reaching Congressional ethics investigation that is stirring concerns throughout Washington and Wall Street.
   
   For example, on Dec. 10, one of the lawmakers under investigation, Representative Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, left the Capitol during the House debate to attend a fund-raising event for him hosted by a lobbyist at her nearby Capitol Hill town house that featured financial firms, along with other donors. After collecting thousands of dollars in checks, Mr. Crowley returned to the floor of the House just in time to vote against a series of amendments that would have imposed tougher restrictions on Wall Street.

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6. 93

   habeeposted 13 years ago

   Boy, I sure am glad that democrat politicians never lie! LOL!!

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   1. 66

      Ralph Deedsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nope. Democrats are like sex--they only go from good to excellent!

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      1. 74

         Arthur Fontesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah and you can get some pretty nasty diseases along the way

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      2. 60

         Evan G Rogersposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         ha ... hahaha...
         
         hahahahahahahHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

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      3. 60

         JOE BARNETTposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         ha ha ha good one!

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   2. 0

      SirDentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How do you know when a politician is lying?

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      1. 76

         Hugh Williamsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         His lips are moving.
         
         (and thanks for the straight line)

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7. 67

   MikeNVposted 13 years ago

   TAX AND BORROW AND SPEND.  The Odumbo philosophy in action.
   
   Funny but when Other Peoples Money runs out this plan collapses.
   
   Odumbo has told more lies than any President in my lifetime.
   
   And GW was a total POS.
   
   So ultimately all that we really know is the Politicians from both sides do not tell the truth.
   
   So the real issue is do you want to Give your money to the Government so it can grow so large that it becomes an incurable cancer on America causing it to completely collapse or do you want to support a group of greedy liars who want to perpetuate a system that keeps feeding their own pockets, but at least gives you a chance by limiting the amount of Government.
   
   It's 2 bad systems, but only one gives you a shot.
   
   You will never eliminate GREED.  All you can hope for is to temper it. And anyone who doesn't think Odumbo is motivated by Greed only needs to look at his extensive spending on Parties, Golf, and Vacation trips.

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8. 60

   TMMasonposted 13 years ago

   I find it amusing that a party that has full control of our govt. and has had control of the congress for what... 6 years now. Can actually blame the minority over and over again with a straight face on.
   
   What a bunch of loosers.
   
   And imagine, some people are dumb enough to buy it.

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   1. 67

      Flightkeeperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      TM are you serious? One has to laugh hard. This party produced a president who explained every failure he's had as "It's Bush's fault"! I think it's permanently on his teleprompter at the beginning of each speech.

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      1. 60

         TMMasonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I know flight...
         
         It all Bush's fault... I even heard one Obama lackey refer to Bush 1 today in an interview.
         
         How pathetic can the Left get... new lows every day.

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      2. 76

         lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It is Bush's fault. Anyone living in this country can tell you that.
         Obama has to clean it up, and the Bozo's give him the blame.
         
         They all must have gone to the The Beckles Clown School.
         
         "Now crinkle your eyes up and cry.....hurry! Bring the tears!!"
         
         oh boohooboohooboohooboohooooooooo
         
         Obama has ruined eveything. sob gulp......it all started in 2009........boohooboohoooo
         
         We Republicans were PERFECT before those Dems took over.
         
         What's the talking point?? Oh yeah......Saul Alinsky/muslim/not born here/communist/hates America
         
         Oh poor poor pooooorrr Republicans....we did eveything right until THEY came along
         
         What  collassal JOKE.

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      3. 76

         lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         So, adding 7 billion to the deficit so people who don't need it can have more $$ will help America how?
         
         Trickle down?
         How many jobs were created from 2000-2008???
         
         Remind me.....Oh yeah! We LOST jobs, to the tune of millions a month. And why?...come on, say it with me: Outsourcing!!!
         
         And who was in charge? Come on....., don't be shy: Bush and the Republicans!!!
         
         Oh yee of faulty memory.
         
         Or deliberate obtusion.....either way, We AINT BUYIN IT!

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   2. 76

      lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      So you think keeping the tax give-away for the Uber wealthy is a good thing?

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   3. 60

      JOE BARNETTposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      so then you really are naive, very naive!

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9. 69

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   GOP liars in the Senate
   
   And, has been for decades, after decades.

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10. 76

    lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

    It's true. It started with Reagan. The neo-con philosophy along with MK Ultra programming and really really dirty deeds.
    
    This was put into place long ago. Trying to break it is like breaking a strong weed that has grown around a flower and choked it.
    
    Takes time and delicate manuevering. Like walking through a mine-field. Finesse.
    
    And i KNOW it will happen. That's why I love Obama....he's been there before. And not afraid.
    
    Oh it's a great time to be alive!!!

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    1. 60

       TMMasonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You have definitley been hanging with Alex Jones too long, chrs.

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       1. 76

          lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          No, Alex Jones is one of them.
          
          You can google mk ultra hearings. It is no secret, and it is no conspiracy.
          
          They were doing it. And I believe they still are.

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11. 0

    Amie Warrenposted 13 years ago

    Unfortunately, the Conservative base doesn't read the New York Times, and wouldn't understand it if they did.

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    1. 60

       KFlippinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Now there is a myth, they do, and if they did Not the rest of the world would not know how biased the NYT's is!

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       1. 0

          Amie Warrenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Do you even know who the Conservative Base is? I do. I live in a red state. Believe me, the "base" does not read the NYT. I did not say NO Conservatives read the NYT or understand it, I said the BASE doesn't.

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    2. 93

       habeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Gee, it's sad that all conservatives and moderates aren't intelligent enough to comprehend the articles in the NY Times. Wish I could be smart like all the liberals - especially the ones interviewed on TV who thought Palin was Obama's running mate. lol
       
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20LmZoM4 … re=related

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       1. 0

          Amie Warrenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Again, where did I say ALL conservatives? I didn't even say a thing about moderates! I said the BASE.  Do you know who the base is?  I do. I live in a state full of them, and trust me, not many of them read the NYT, nor would they understand it.
          
          That being said, the liberal base probably doesn't either.
          
          I do wish people would actually try to understand political terms before they argue it.

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12. 60

    KFlippinposted 13 years ago

    Economically illiterate . . . what a great label, and one that applies to on board liberal Dems who have no clue, zero clue, beyond what they are told will be impacted by sitting on their collective arses and not addressing the expiring tax cuts -- that is beyond, well beyond economic illiteracy - that's like Joy Behar mentality.  Our elected officials ought to be beyond Joy..........hmmm, have I coined a phrase....elect someone with an intellect and without preconceived, party-line BS notions.......elect someone Beyond Joy.  Hahahahahahahaha............ 

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    1. 0

       Amie Warrenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       "elect someone with an intellect and without preconceived, party-line BS notions."
       
       You mean someone from the Tea Party? Get real. There cannot be a more "led by the nose" constituency in the world.

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13. 62

    CYBERSUPEposted 13 years ago

    I have been around since the great depression and nothing has changed in our governmant. It was the guy before me, not me. I will not see the day when our congress will work together for the betterment of the people of these United States. That is sad, very sad.

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    1. 60

       KFlippinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       TERM LIMITS.

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    2. 76

       lovemychrisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You can lay that blame squarely on this crop of Republicans. Their WHOLE agenda was to destroy Obama. What kind of imbecile says "I want my president to fail"?
       Well, All of the R's in Congress, that's what kind!
       
       Republican=Imbecile

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14. 66

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Dems cowed by ignorance spread by GOP Teatards are reluctant to defend the administration's Keynesian stimulus program, but economists support it.
    
    The implications could extend well beyond this election cycle. To the extent that faith in deficit spending during downturns is eroded, the Federal Reserve  could face increasing pressure to deploy monetary policy to lift the economy out of a rut — a prospect that has unsettled officials at the central bank. A shift among Democrats could increase pressure in Congress to rein in the growth of government spending, slash the budget deficit and reduce the national debt — even during a period of weakness that traditional Keynesian theory would say requires more deficit spending.
    
    Ambivalence about using government borrowing and spending to spur the economy is longstanding. During the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wavered repeatedly over the size of the New Deal; budgetary retrenchment helped set off a second deep recession in 1937-38.
    
    “Not until World War II, with the need for revenue so large and the unity around winning the war so strong, was that ambivalence pushed aside,” said Gary Gerstle, a historian at Vanderbilt University.
    
    A Keynesian consensus held until the 1970s — even President Richard M. Nixon accepted the label — but began to be discredited during the “stagflation” of the latter part of that decade. The apparent revival of Keynesian doctrine during the 2007-9 recession now appears to have been short-lived.
    
    More here:
    
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/po … amp;st=cse

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15. 66

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Obama's unknown tax cut:
    
    What if a president cut Americans’ income taxes by $116 billion and nobody noticed?
         
    It is not a rhetorical question. At Pig Pickin’ and Politickin’, a barbecue-fed rally organized here last week by a Republican women’s club, a half-dozen guests were asked by a reporter what had happened to their taxes since President Obama took office.
    
    “Federal and state have both gone up,” said Bob Paratore, 59, from nearby Charlotte, echoing the comments of others.
    
    After further prodding — including a reminder that a provision of the stimulus bill had cut taxes for 95 percent of working families by changing withholding rates — Mr. Paratore’s memory was jogged.
    
    “You’re right, you’re right,” he said. “I’ll be honest with you: it was so subtle that personally, I didn’t notice it.”
    
    Few people apparently did.
    
    In a troubling sign for Democrats as they head into the midterm elections, their signature tax cut of the past two years, which decreased income taxes by up to $400 a year for individuals and $800 for married couples, has gone largely unnoticed.
    
    In a New York Times/CBS News Poll last month, fewer than one in 10 respondents knew that the Obama administration had lowered taxes for most Americans. Half of those polled said they thought that their taxes had stayed the same, a third thought that their taxes had gone up, and about a tenth said they did not know. As Thom Tillis, a Republican state representative, put it as the dinner wound down here, “This was the tax cut that fell in the woods — nobody heard it.”
    
    More here:
    
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/po … es.html?hp

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    1. 0

       Amie Warrenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       They also didn't notice that we are on the plus side of jobs now for the first time since 2002.  More needs to be done, no doubt. to recover the millions of jobs lost to outsourcing during the end of the Clinton and the entire Bush administrations, but creating jobs takes time. People who don't have s**t for brains, who are led around by the nose by the Tea Party and Loony Leftists don't understand enough to see what is going on, or even understand how long it takes for a small business to create even one job.

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16. 76

    lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

    Nancy Pelosi stated last night that there were more PRIVATE sector jobs created in the first 8 months of 2010 than the whole 8 years of Bushco.....
    
    Why do some people want to go back?
    They have said it....
    
    IF you elect Repubs:
    Repeal all the regulations that have been put in place
    Repeal healthcare bill
    Go after democrats big time.
    
    Revenge and corporate free-for-all
    
    "But what will you do for the country?"
    
    Make it pay!!!

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    1. 60

       JOE BARNETTposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       LOVEMYCHRIS- it's because they are being duped! if the know nothings have their way you will have 10% of the people extremely rich and the rest of the country will look like a seen from the book of eli. if people would just look up the definitions of republican and democrat then they would be able to "know" what they are voting for. if you are an everyday working citizen that makes 249,000yrly then the republican party has absolutely nothing. . .zero . . .zip . . .nada for you . thats why they have to use inflammatory, manipulative and scary tactics to get votes.

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    2. 60

       Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       "Nancy Pelosi stated"
       
       Nuff said.

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       1. 0

          Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          "Word!"
          haha 

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