Obama calls out Congress!

[tarheelsunc]

This is the Obama we wanted all along I think!

"If Congress fails to come to an agreement, EVERYONE's taxes will increase."

[NotThisTime]

1. Good about time!

[Vox Moi]

2. Throwing down the gauntlet

YES!
This sounds like a guy who just won an election.

[Pisces]

3. I've got the pen out ready to sign the bill Right Away!!!!!!!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

4. I was on the phone to my doctor, fails to come to

an agreement on what exactly?

I though he was in the catbird seat and could simply allow the tax cut extensions to expire. So is he referring to a debt ceiling/sequestor deal or what was he specifically getting at? Thanks in advance.

[tarheelsunc]

6. He's asking for a balanced approach, just like during his campaign

as opposed to keeping tax rates the same and drastically decreasing spending. Obama's telling them to extend middle-class cuts and increase taxes on the rich.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

10. That's the thing though, the President is in a position to simply let

the tax cut extension to expire. He doesn't even need a House vote. Then he could dare the rethugs in the House to allow the debt ceiling to lapse, putting the blame at their feet should they not extend the debt ceiling and the government shuts down. He could use the military cuts as a compromise: Extend the debt ceiling and he won't push for cuts in the military budget.

That way we get the revenue we need and cuts can be made in other areas and they can avoid tampering with Medicare and SocSec (which should be off the table anyway).

Am I making sense?

[GitRDun]

5. Let the Bush tax cuts expire!!!!

I'll pay more

so Social Security and Medicare are there for the elderly.
so Medicaid is there for the elderly in nursing homes and the poor.
so kids going to college can get Pell Grants
for every other collectivist socialist policy that represents aiding the least of our citizens!

Jeez this isn't that hard Congress!

[freshwest]

7. Yes, I read this already, haven't seen it posted here. He said the Ryan budget is LAUGHABLE.

And Reid has ordered, NO changes to Social Security, PERIOD.

In the meantime, the ACA advances to increase Medicaid to those for whom it is a lifeline and Medicare is expanded.

Even for those of us who aren't directly affected, it is great to be moving FORWARD.

Thanks to all the voters who stood in long lines and made it happen!

[Dawgs]

8. How is this different from what he said before extending them last time (2010)?

[southmost]

9. YES!

[Blanks]

11. I've been thinking of starting a thread suggesting this.

I believe the 'Bush tax cuts' are supposed to expire at the beginning of the year, and Obama has been fighting to extend the tax cuts on all but the top group.

I believe what he is saying here is "fine, let all of the tax cuts expire". Tax cuts don't stimulate the economy as much as increased spending anyway.

I was going to suggest that he just let all of the cuts expire if congress doesn't work with him. I'm glad he has come to the same conclusion.