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babylonsister

(170,955 posts)
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 07:26 PM Jan 2013

Obama is Already Two Steps Ahead of Republicans on the Debt Ceiling

http://www.politicususa.com/obama-steps-republicans-debt-ceiling.html


Obama is Already Two Steps Ahead of Republicans on the Debt Ceiling

By: Jason Easley
Jan. 6th, 2013



snip//

Before the Republican congressional leadership had a chance to utter a word about the debt ceiling, the president said,

But we can’t simply cut our way to prosperity. Cutting spending has to go hand-in-hand with further reforms to our tax code so that the wealthiest corporations and individuals can’t take advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren’t available to most Americans. And we can’t keep cutting things like basic research and new technology and still expect to succeed in a 21st century economy. So we’re going to have to continue to move forward in deficit reduction, but we have to do it in a balanced way, making sure that we are growing even as we get a handle on our spending.

Now, one last point I want to make — while I will negotiate over many things, I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they’ve already racked up through the laws that they passed. Let me repeat: We can’t not pay bills that we’ve already incurred. If Congress refuses to give the United States government the ability to pay these bills on time, the consequences for the entire global economy would be catastrophic — far worse than the impact of a fiscal cliff.


snip//

The president has public support, the better message, organization, and plan. Obama is running circles around the Republicans while dysfunction, disagreement, and chaos have paralyzed their party. Republicans will bluster about letting the nation default, but no one believes for a second that the big money interests who really run the party will ever let that happen.

Congressional Republicans have demonstrated repeatedly that they don’t have the stomach to carry out their threats. A much wiser President Obama has learned to ignore the right’s empty threats while exploiting the fragmented disorganization of their caucus.

While Republicans are trying to dig themselves out of their fiscal cliff hole, Obama is digging in for another win on the debt ceiling.
48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Obama is Already Two Steps Ahead of Republicans on the Debt Ceiling (Original Post) babylonsister Jan 2013 OP
Boner can't bear the responsibility alone. If he doesn't have SDjack Jan 2013 #1
From the moment I heard his speech, I thought this one line said it all: pacalo Jan 2013 #2
I though that speech of Pres. O was top flight, spot on. Congress needs to pay their bills. Sunlei Jan 2013 #12
That was it for me, too. I haven't bought into the terrorism. No decent person wants us to default. freshwest Jan 2013 #14
It's a brilliant approach, like holding up a magnifying glass to the entire cause of friction. pacalo Jan 2013 #19
One of my friends here met Obama last summer. He knows many highly educated, intelligent people. freshwest Jan 2013 #21
I to believe the man is a genius, he listens to everyone and is trustable. Sunlei Jan 2013 #23
I'm wondering if he'll teach at the University of Hawaii? Maybe later. freshwest Jan 2013 #29
Well said, freshwest! pacalo Jan 2013 #24
That was always my impression of him. No wonder the Kennedy family endorsed him. freshwest Jan 2013 #28
You nailed it with me on this... pacalo Jan 2013 #33
He possesses a high level of self-awareness NightOwwl Jan 2013 #25
An almost infinite emergy flows thorugh him - so that he is able to handle all aspects at once. freshwest Jan 2013 #26
I know a few dozen graduates of Harvard Law Cary Jan 2013 #30
Yes, a lot of his biggest conservative bashers are quite crude and... well, let's leave it at that. freshwest Jan 2013 #34
If I could wish anything into existance, it would be to change Obama's political stance to liberal, tavalon Jan 2013 #35
He's more liberal well over than half the voters. A fact that must be faced and he has. freshwest Jan 2013 #42
Actually, I think I can describe what my personal liberal ideal is tavalon Jan 2013 #47
I'd love the opportunity to be in the same room with him davidpdx Jan 2013 #44
No decent person wants us to default. Flashmann Jan 2013 #45
Agreed, but there are those on the opposite extreme who think it would be liberating, thus good. freshwest Jan 2013 #46
Any responsibilitty? fredlefebvre Jan 2013 #3
He wants Congress to raise the debt ceiling CJCRANE Jan 2013 #4
either way Cosmocat Jan 2013 #5
Well, at least our 1-post wonder got a pizza. SunSeeker Jan 2013 #8
I read and read and read... ReRe Jan 2013 #15
Oh my alot of first posters on DU tonight. sheshe2 Jan 2013 #17
President Obama is taking responsibility.. It's the asshole republicons who Cha Jan 2013 #20
I agree with your last statement, unfortunately, tavalon Jan 2013 #36
No debt ceiling rippinsteo Jan 2013 #6
Romney is that you? Sunlei Jan 2013 #11
Just another pizza eater. SunSeeker Jan 2013 #13
No wanna double digits? tavalon Jan 2013 #37
Two steps ahead with three back peddles in his back pocket CranialRectaLoopback Jan 2013 #7
what do you mean by that? Sunlei Jan 2013 #10
WOW...you are dropping your little tidbits of negativity all over DU. sheshe2 Jan 2013 #16
Ido have disdain for this President. CranialRectaLoopback Jan 2013 #48
That's "pedals", hon. pacalo Jan 2013 #18
I love your smiley tavalon Jan 2013 #38
Aww, thanks! pacalo Jan 2013 #39
Hope you don't choke on the Cha Jan 2013 #22
What is with these 1st posters tonight....Cha sheshe2 Jan 2013 #32
Droppings are more importantly Cha Jan 2013 #40
They will not stop us for a moment in time! Never. sheshe2 Jan 2013 #41
not 2 steps ahead, President Obama is 100 miles ahead of them and gaining. Sunlei Jan 2013 #9
Taxes have already been raised, check your next pay stub. :) uncommonCents Jan 2013 #27
Uh, Republicans raised the taxes. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #43
Karnak sees donco Jan 2013 #31

SDjack

(1,448 posts)
1. Boner can't bear the responsibility alone. If he doesn't have
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 07:55 PM
Jan 2013

the Repug votes to extend the debt limit, he will allow the House to vote it up-or-down. DEMs plus some reasonable Republicans will extend it.

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
2. From the moment I heard his speech, I thought this one line said it all:
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 08:12 PM
Jan 2013
I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they’ve already racked up through the laws that they passed.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
14. That was it for me, too. I haven't bought into the terrorism. No decent person wants us to default.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:15 PM
Jan 2013

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
21. One of my friends here met Obama last summer. He knows many highly educated, intelligent people.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:41 PM
Jan 2013

He was stunned by Obama's intelligence. i believe the man is a genius. I've known a few, and they are humble and ready to listen - after all, they have an innate love of knowledge.

There are things to learn from any person on different subjects. Even those considered 'mentally challenged' have some insights because of where their minds wander.

The most pitiful person is the one who is trapped by ego or fear into not exploring things. The louder and more confident one is in one's own notions, always ready to insult or ridicule others, is a sign of low or stifled intelligence, IMHO.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
23. I to believe the man is a genius, he listens to everyone and is trustable.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:59 PM
Jan 2013

Looking so foward to his next books. Read somewhere after politics President O. wants to teach again. I would love to take that class!

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
24. Well said, freshwest!
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:20 PM
Jan 2013

As for my personal opinion about Obama, he's the first president who has reminded me so much of JFK. He's got the same presence: intelligence, quick wit, poise, charm, good looks, & a young, democratically-driven family.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
28. That was always my impression of him. No wonder the Kennedy family endorsed him.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:47 PM
Jan 2013

Last edited Mon Jan 7, 2013, 12:22 PM - Edit history (1)

I used to tell people that of those in my memory, JFK and Carter and would have been RFK - were the best ones. But I've seen more in Obama than those men, and I'm glad he got his second term. This country needed someone of this caliber for a long, long time. Very grateful to see someone who is able to handle so much.

Humility and patience are not weaknesses, the bravado and coarseness of loud mouths and bullies are dangerous. Obama has excellent and necessary traits for leaership. People who blow up and lash out cannot be trusted with so much responsibility and working with so many conflicting interests.

He is also one of those who work with things as they are, even though we don't like the way this country has changed. He comprehends this without the sloth of believing the status quo always wins, and gets things done without desiring credit or being adored. That is the downfall of shallow men and nations.

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
33. You nailed it with me on this...
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 12:13 AM
Jan 2013
He is also one of those who work with things as they are, even though we don't like the way this country has changed.


Perfectly put.

(fixed the typo on "changed" )





 

NightOwwl

(5,453 posts)
25. He possesses a high level of self-awareness
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:36 PM
Jan 2013

and very little ego. Buddha would be proud.

I'm still amazed he is our President.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
26. An almost infinite emergy flows thorugh him - so that he is able to handle all aspects at once.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:40 PM
Jan 2013

I've seldom seen such a self-actualized being. Good.


Cary

(11,746 posts)
30. I know a few dozen graduates of Harvard Law
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:52 PM
Jan 2013

You don't get to be editor of the Harvard Law Review unless you're brilliant.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
34. Yes, a lot of his biggest conservative bashers are quite crude and... well, let's leave it at that.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 12:14 AM
Jan 2013

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
35. If I could wish anything into existance, it would be to change Obama's political stance to liberal,
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:01 AM
Jan 2013

because I've known from the first time I heard him that he was a genius, and that genius pared with a Wellstone like political POV, would be just sublime. The First Lady is no slouch either. And I just bet you, their children got the good stuff too.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
42. He's more liberal well over than half the voters. A fact that must be faced and he has.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:50 AM
Jan 2013

This country has been going conservative for over 30 years, and has always had a large group, even before the latest craziness, that quietly went along with some of the most radical things.

We might pretend it is a generational problem or a regional one, but it's a bit different than that. I consider this country to have been operatiing with more than one social and economic model since before the Civil War. Classical liberalism has been around a long time, but was had only been manifested since the Civil Rights era in a context most of us understood.

This country have been further divided by how people live. We no longer have town halls or town centers in most of the country. Capitalism defined our work, where we live and socialize. Everything is a product, we are in a vertical social order set up not only on the physical scale but by media, separation in eduation and property.

At one time it was possible to call for a general strike among a community that trusted each other and had resources to share to see people through a temporary hardship. This is no longer the case. We have been taught to despise each other, the heart is no longer willing to stand by each other in hardship because there is no sense of roots, no belief in the greater good.

Even liberals or those who profess to be liberals, are not able to formulate what they want society to be in a positive manner - we spend more time examining our differences with the right than explaining what we want. Our voice has been taken from us, we have trouble keeping a meme, a motto with longevity to build on with those we wish to teach.

Those we see as allies, often are merely following conventional thinking patterns and believe things won't change to harm them if they stand aside and wait for the dust to settle. Then they will participate, but in the rmeantime the energy needed to change things is wasted.

The right wingers work in communities every day with their set of beliefs guiding them. This is not FDR's, JFK's,RFK's, LBJ's, Carter's or Clinton's America. More and more power and wealth has created a separate group that cannot be ignored as they have taken over the functions of many entities traditional liberalism created.

The masses of people not only do not protest this, they would not want it to change. Obama cannot dissuade them from what they see as the only way to survive. When we get more of our fellows to embrace liberalism. PBO can get more done in that direction.

He is not a master hypnotist, and he is not into controlling us as some might think. That is a losing strategy, because there are too many people in this world to get them to all agree.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
47. Actually, I think I can describe what my personal liberal ideal is
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 06:02 AM
Jan 2013

I want a nation in which children, the elderly, the infirm and those who struggle with poverty are assisted by the government. I want us, as a nation to care about one another, such that a person being hungry or homeless is seen as unacceptable and that our government as well as each individual chooses to help those in need.

I want America to stop being a foreign aggressor and with the United Nations, devote a much smaller amount of our GDP to helping other nations in need, rather than fueling the military industrial complex. Homeland security would be replaced by the Dept. of Peace.

I want unions to be strong or even better, unnecessary and I want those who have more than they could ever want for to give back what they don't need to those who do.

I want us to have universal health care and universal public education.

I want a nation that values its nurses, firefighters and teachers and finds CEOs who do nothing but amass money to be contemptible.

I want, just once, to find that there are some people who are more liberal than I am.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
44. I'd love the opportunity to be in the same room with him
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 10:06 AM
Jan 2013

I honestly wouldn't know what I would ask him first being both a political freak and having an interest in law.

Flashmann

(2,140 posts)
45. No decent person wants us to default.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 10:28 AM
Jan 2013

Decent people are not the problem.......Republicans are.......

Decent people and thuglicans are two entirely different animals....

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
46. Agreed, but there are those on the opposite extreme who think it would be liberating, thus good.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 12:29 PM
Jan 2013

Last edited Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

Many want to liberate us from the evil government and would welcome a permanent state of default, and the collapse of civil government on every level. But it would only liberate a few millions of their lives and future. Those who work to maintain social relationships, who are not on the sidelines howling for entertainment, don't want default.



 

fredlefebvre

(1 post)
3. Any responsibilitty?
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 08:37 PM
Jan 2013

Pres. Obama was a United State Senator from January '05 until November '08. Does he include himself and the votes he cast in the phrase "bills they've already racked up"? Or are we to assume that his numerous "did not vote" record absolves him from any responsibility for the bills we have?
And do you really expect that Sen.'s and Rep.'s who have gotten us to this point will be able to solve it? Not likely.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
4. He wants Congress to raise the debt ceiling
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 08:46 PM
Jan 2013

so your point is moot.

The debt ceiling is just an arbitrary number like a bank overdraft limit. If you've already spent the money then it's absurd to suddenly tell the bank not to cover it.

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
15. I read and read and read...
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:17 PM
Jan 2013

and after I read a reply like that, my eyes wonder to their post count. Never fails. It's happened about 10 times in the last few days. I chuckle ever time... like now...

Cha

(295,899 posts)
20. President Obama is taking responsibility.. It's the asshole republicons who
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:39 PM
Jan 2013

who run like scared chickens from taking any responsibility. Zero accountatbiilty for their lies and spending when bush-cheney was Racking up debt and raising the ceiling 17 times.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
36. I agree with your last statement, unfortunately,
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:02 AM
Jan 2013

but you know Obama is pushing them to pay for everything that was passed in this generation? That would include him.

 

rippinsteo

(6 posts)
6. No debt ceiling
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 09:21 PM
Jan 2013

We deserve what is ours. No debt ceiling. Nobody cares about debt. I want what's mine. Peace.

sheshe2

(83,319 posts)
16. WOW...you are dropping your little tidbits of negativity all over DU.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:19 PM
Jan 2013

Last I saw you, was on my post, at the BOG. That didn't work out so well for you, did it!

It's pretty clear that you have nothing but disdain for this President.

 
48. Ido have disdain for this President.
Thu Jan 17, 2013, 04:12 AM
Jan 2013

Do you applaud drone killings, warrantless wiretapping, rendition, extrajudicial killings? I don't.

sheshe2

(83,319 posts)
32. What is with these 1st posters tonight....Cha
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 12:05 AM
Jan 2013

two have appeared on my threads...one at BOG....now on second tread. I can't even alert on him. My computer is wacky again tonight. When I tried my post below covers the alert!

This guy is nuts.

she

Cha

(295,899 posts)
40. Droppings are more importantly
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:17 AM
Jan 2013

Last edited Mon Jan 7, 2013, 04:02 AM - Edit history (1)

expedient than actually knowing what they're talking about.

No worries.. they won't stop the progress.

she

sheshe2

(83,319 posts)
41. They will not stop us for a moment in time! Never.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 02:39 AM
Jan 2013

We are moving forward rapidly. We are fired up! Yes we can!

I can not wait until the Inauguration. It will be awesome. Waiting with baited breath for what Chipsticks comes up with for that. It is why she has been moving so rapidly on her "moment or two series." She plans to finish through december before the Inauguration. A commemerative...then a new beginning.Then we have the SOTU!

WOW what a great month this is turning out to be.

Cha,
Mahalo Nui Loa!
For Everything.

she

 

uncommonCents

(8 posts)
27. Taxes have already been raised, check your next pay stub. :)
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:45 PM
Jan 2013

Taxes have already been raised, check your next pay stub. During the debt ceiling negotiation, President Obama got most of what he wanted if the U.S. went off the "fiscal cliff". This time, Republicans get most of what they want if the government is shut down. Since they can still pay social security and interest on the debt, Republicans have a much stronger hand this time. President Obama is out saying that a shutdown will be catastrophic, but it wasn't catastrophic the last time it happened. Get ready for a shutdown. Taxes have already been raised, check your next pay stub.

 

JaneyVee

(19,877 posts)
43. Uh, Republicans raised the taxes.
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 04:37 AM
Jan 2013


Notice column B: End Payroll tax break.

They have no leverage. And unless they want to be extinct in 2014 they need to keep quiet. The last thing they need is media pointing fingers at them. GONE.

donco

(1,548 posts)
31. Karnak sees
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 11:56 PM
Jan 2013

a steady stream of business leaders going in and our of the Whitehouse the next couple of months.

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