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Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)
39. Yes, that's certainly a factor.
Thu Dec 20, 2012, 08:37 PM
Dec 2012

My point is that any deal to reduce the deficit could be improved by adding more stimulative spending, to get it to the point where it would increase rather than reduce the deficit. That would be better for the country.

I'm not holding Obama entirely at fault here. The result of Republican intransigence is that there's essentially no hope of getting a good stimulus package.

Obama is to blame, however, for falling into line with the deficit hysteria. He should be taking it on directly. For example, instead of saying that government needs to tighten its belt in tough times, which is exactly wrong, he should be going on TV to explain why the economy needs the federal government to run a deficit right now. Wider popular understanding of the point would somewhat weaken the Republicans' leverage, and also set them up to suffer in 2014 for their intransigence.

As for the CPI, my offhand guess is that paying higher Social Security benefits is, overall, less stimulative than some things, such as extending unemployment insurance benefits, but more stimulative than others, such as tax cuts for the rich. Generally, there's more stimulative effect when people are more likely to spend the money they get. Social Security goes to people at all levels of income, so the stimulative effect would be an average. Why do you say that keeping the current CPI is not stimulative? I'd consider it stimulative as compared with the proposed switch to chained CPI.

I believe this whole "negotiating" thing is nothing but elaborate Kabuki theatrics Texin Dec 2012 #1
Just Pointing Out That Boehner's Plan B Fail Proves My Point TomCADem Dec 2012 #42
Obama put SS on the chopping block. He showed his intentions. He can't unshow them. forestpath Dec 2012 #2
Look, given what Republicans have become, rusty fender Dec 2012 #6
Food stamps?!? Oh, that makes it all better. Like hell chained CPI is the "best deal we can get." forestpath Dec 2012 #8
I've switched to your side on the chained CPI rusty fender Dec 2012 #40
Partially agree democrattotheend Dec 2012 #13
You mean like has been suggested by President Obama; ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #29
Exactly democrattotheend Dec 2012 #36
Well, ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #38
Obama hates us. JoePhilly Dec 2012 #12
Don't tell me what to do. forestpath Dec 2012 #17
Welcome to the internet. JoePhilly Dec 2012 #22
Welcome to my ignore list, bully. forestpath Dec 2012 #23
This canard is getting old. cliffordu Dec 2012 #25
Is this going to blow up the stock market? flamingdem Dec 2012 #3
Probably. They're all under the impression that everything would go according to plan. reformist2 Dec 2012 #20
This is all just an elaborate stall, we are going over the cliff. bemildred Dec 2012 #4
I have a feeling no deal will ever be made. Jennicut Dec 2012 #7
I don't think the Republicans can get their shit together well enough to agree to anything. bemildred Dec 2012 #9
I believe that Cantor and his Teabagger freaks have but Boehner in a bind. No matter where he goes, Liberal_Stalwart71 Dec 2012 #5
You think so? savalez Dec 2012 #11
Actually it would be worse. Cantor directs the Teabagger Brigade. Liberal_Stalwart71 Dec 2012 #18
Yep. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #31
It won't matter who the GOP speaker is. They do not want to work with the President. Period. AlinPA Dec 2012 #44
Not denying that. Just suggesting that Cantor is more dangerous and despicable. Liberal_Stalwart71 Dec 2012 #45
He certainly is despicable. AlinPA Dec 2012 #46
The republican being complete jackasses Cosmocat Dec 2012 #10
You don't think he predicted them blowing this up? democrattotheend Dec 2012 #14
That isn't who he is Cosmocat Dec 2012 #19
Since forever. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #32
POTUS is smarter than lot of us musiclawyer Dec 2012 #15
Going over the cliff won't protect SS democrattotheend Dec 2012 #24
Welcome to my ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #33
Thanks. You seem pretty reasonable democrattotheend Dec 2012 #35
Shhh ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #37
The point that's being obscured: The federal budget deficit is TOO SMALL. Jim Lane Dec 2012 #16
It takes guts to say that - and you're probably right. reformist2 Dec 2012 #21
Doesn't that largely depend on HOW the deficit is reduced? 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #34
Yes, that's certainly a factor. Jim Lane Dec 2012 #39
Yup...Boehner is taking that ride BeyondGeography Dec 2012 #26
Boehner's Plan B is a joke. Balanced?? Tax rate increases on over $ 1 million while also Filibuster Harry Dec 2012 #27
This is Plan B-oner, the rodeo clown.. Tweet from Nancy.. Cha Dec 2012 #30
While I agree with you in general, wryter2000 Dec 2012 #28
Best. Title. Ever. kalli007 Dec 2012 #41
I agree that republicans do not want any deal with the President. Boehner is just playing the AlinPA Dec 2012 #43
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