From the office of Congressman Andy Harris:
“By an overwhelming amount, Maryland families and businesses have contacted me to demand that the federal government get its fiscal house in order, stop spending more than it takes in, and balance the budget,” said Rep. Andy Harris. “ I disagree with the President – we need a balanced budget amendment, and I won’t vote to raise the debt ceiling unless a balanced budget amendment is part of the deal. To create jobs in America again, we must stop the spending spree in Washington.”
Harris you’re a jackass
That is a truly constructive and useful comment Doug. If we don’t get a balanced budget amendment out of this, the nation will have missed its last great chance to better itself.
I am tired of all the republicans trying to up one on everyone else. I am all for lowering taxes, but not at the cost of defaulting on the debt. The honorable members of congress are messing with the average citizen. Yes, there are things that each party does, but don’t grandstand on voters backs. Don’t make yourself look important when you are just throwing the rest of us to the wind. I vote for the person who is better for the country and right now, the members of congress are showing us that they know what is good for the country and not listening to the people who put them in power.
This crap is why I am so repulsed by party politics, and why I am now an Independent. What is going on in Washington DC amounts to arrogance, entitlement, extortion and basically abuse of power. The market is tanking, housing prices are falling, nobody is talking about jobs and if this BS causes interest rates to go up, then our total debt will go up not down. Real smart move. The politicians and corporate fat cats will probably make money on this while Main Street and the Middle Class taxpayer will again pick up the tab. The last several years have been fiscally challenging. I responded quickly by cutting unnecessary spending(eating out and vacation), bringing in extra revenue(worked more hours and created new stream), and paying every bill on time(past purchases and services billed)in order to keep my good credit rating, which I have worked hard to build and makes everything so much more affordable. It worked for me, maybe Congress should try it? Just a suggestion.
Harris and his tea bagging scumbaggers have shown that the can’t solve problems and instead since they can’t get their way, they’ll just stop offering real solutions that don’t break the backs of the poor, seniors and middle class but keep low taxes for the rich and businesses that don’t invest their money in the USA and pay virtually next to no taxes already. Even the Speaker of the house can’t seem to get these tea baggers to follow the party line and will strangle the republican’t party.
Watch CSPAN and you’ll quickly see that none of the rascals from either side of the aisle have an interest in the average citizen. 10 or 15 Republicans or Democrats will spend an hour in front of the cameras bashing their “honorable colleauges on the other side of the aisle” and not a one of them will suggest anything to solve the problem. Washington is broke, figuratively and literally. No amount of whining about one party or the other will fix it. Good men and women make the effort every election cycle but the systemic corruption gets everyone eventually.
If either side wanted to solve the problem they would have started in February when the problem was evident!
@Frankly a Scumbagger its progressives like you that are the problem.
@scumbaggerPatrick-the polls show that americans do not support your tea bagger scumbaggers on this one.
@Frankly a Scumbagger You are unhinged, are you channeling your inner Ed Schultz?
@Frankly Speaking why must you use such foul, name calling language in a civil debate? I whole heatedly detest when either side uses inflammatory language, only to create anger.
The President offered by far the best deals that would have cut the deficit by 4 trillion $$$$ by a combination of cuts, eliminating tax loopholes and increasing taxes on the rich to levels during the REAGAN administration, whom by the way raised taxes also as did Bush the elder. The TEA party is holding the Republican’t party hostage with their pledge to destroy the federal govt, ruin the fragile economy and turning their backs on our seniors, poor and the middle class to favor the rich, superich and hedge fund thieves. The rich pay the lowest rates in income taxes and capital gain taxes since the 1970’s. In reality a regular working family making under 100k pays more in taxes than someone making over $250k as they are able to shield, defer or exempt most of his income from taxes and investments. Statistics show that the “trickle down” economic theory or supply side economics only works for a short period of time as tax cuts only have a temporary or minimal bump in tax revenues because if they become permanent incentives there is no incentive to invest money now as oppossed to later. I am for wise use of the tax system to encourage growth and investment if money is actually used to create jobs in the USA and invest in our country.
@FRANKLY SPEAKING
Where exactly can I read President Obama’s CBO scored plan?
Porter
Porter-it wasn’t scored as the republicant’s backed away from the framework of a $4 trillion plan discussed between “i look constipated” boehner and the President. The fact is that at least the President had the guts to propose something bigger but the tea party doesnt’ want this to go away as they think that keeping it from and center will get them votes for the next election. In reality a debt default can be more damaging that Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearms combined ever did to our economy in September 2008. This “crisis” is a self inflicted as the debt limit does not mean that the President can borrow the money. The reality is that both parties, but specially the Republican’t party serve their own constituencies and could care less about the fate of the american economy and the taxpayer.
@FRANKLY SPEAKING There is no President Obama plan. The President has not been acting in good faith in the negotiations.
Porter
@Porter – finally, the truth because it sounds like either you have a direct line to the White House or were, at the very least, in the room during negotiations.
Wait…. No? You have no first hand beyond the propaganda your limited intellect can digest from Fox News?
That’s what I thought.
@Watcher
It is unfortunate that President Obama has offered no plan and it has been widely reported. If he had a plan it would be a published public document and would be processed and scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Porter
Porter in all fairness, if Obama put forth a plan would it be seriously looked at? Most likely it would be demonized no matter how similar to one proposed by a republican presidential candidate. His health care plan was the same one Gingrich suggested in the 90’s and ROmney enacted and both where praised as visionary at the time.
History:
Clinton left office with a balanced budget and a surplus that went to paying off the National Debt.
Bush told everyone “It’s your money” without bothering to mention that it was our collective debt.
Any part of sound fiscal planning does involve making spending cuts when you realize you are paying out more than you are taking in. No individual can live on credit forever.
Another part of responsible fiscal planning is to realize that if you are unwilling to do away with the things you want, you need to increase revenues.
People seem to like to hear what they want to hear instead of the realities of the situation. There are many areas ripe for being cut in the defense department as well as social welfare programs.
Who among you is willing to give of yourself for the greater good?
Or are we all destined to argue about who needs to bail water out of our sinking lifeboat?
AMEN. This process needed to start in February not wait until a month ago! You can not balance a budget and work a deal around it in a month.
@Frankly Speaking, I have listened, very carefully, to all of the speeches and interviews during the past couple of weeks. At this point I can come to several conclusion; 1) No plan is going to get through both houses! 2)The Republicans and Democrats are truly miles apart, philosophically, on the role/mission/vision of government. 3)The democrats in the Senate and the President have not brought out any plan whatsoever. They have waved their hands and demagogued to the point of making my hair hurt. 4) The Boehner plan is flawed but does in fact contain specifics. 5) The republicans maintain that the American people do not want a tax increase, particularly on the middle class. 6) The democrats are convinced that the solutions lie in more and bigger government with centralized control. In order to achieve this goal the populace would be more than willing to see to it that the very wealthy fat cat business owner pay more taxes.
Number 6 has multiple problems; The super wealthy seldom have “earned income.” This is not just a loop hole its an entire planet out of alignment. Taxing the $250K plus business owner sounds good, but the owner will not actually pay one cent more in taxes. The business will and that becomes an expense of doing business. Unfortunately, the cost of the owner’s goods or services must go up to account for the additional expense, leading to higher cost for the middle class guy, who wasn’t going to have to shoulder the cost of the increased taxes. Go after the top, you squeeze the middle and the top just continues along.
I for one would like to see the government default. Is it all the doom and gloom that our president predicts? I suspect not. His latest title from the National Republican Committee is “His jello-ness.”
As proposed by former Secretary of Agriculture, The Honorable Ezra Taft Benson in 1968:
“A category of government activity which, today, not only requires the closest scrutiny, but which also poses a grave danger to our continued freedom, is the activity NOT within the proper sphere of government. No one has the authority to grant such powers, as welfare programs, schemes for re-distributing the wealth, and activities which coerce people into acting in accordance with a prescribed code of social planning. There is one simple test. Do I as an individual have a right to use force upon my neighbor to accomplish this goal? If I do have such a right, then I may delegate that power to my government to exercise on my behalf. If I do not have that right as an individual, then I cannot delegate it to government, and I cannot ask my government to perform the act for me.”
Quoted at http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role.html
Our government has exceeded its authority on many fronts. Thomas Payne may take issue with your prescribed role of government in creating and other dubious political roles. The people must decide if it is in our best interest to allow runaway government to determine how we live our lives or if we should return to a simpler time when neighbors helped neighbors and civility was the expectation. The current mood of the country seems to be the need to retract government. I have no objection to that.
Try buying your next car “off budget” and see where that gets you.
I truly believe that our tax system is messed up. What we need is a flat tax of no more then 15% of your total income. This will be tax payed by everyone, rich, poor, old, young, corporate, small business, proprietor, etc. This would truly be equality in all sense economically and would bring more revenue for the government, and after paying down the national debt, the government could lower the flat tax rate.
We demand equality, freedom, and liberty to all Americans.
I purchase the oil for a 90 year old relative who lives on less than $900 a month from Social Security . She has been receiving a yearly grant from the federal government to purchase oil for around $600. This spring the money for this grant was cut out of the federal budget. I can pay for the loss of this grant. However, there are many seniors who cannot pay for food, medical expenses, shelter, etc.
What is wrong with having people like me pay a few percent more on our income tax. The amount of money high earners pay in taxes has been cut too many times.
I have never been able to determine how people who earn more than 250K a year create jobs. Millionaire Harris who earns 175K from us, approx. 130K from his part-time medical practice and unknown amounts from his investments does not want to pay his fair share of taxes.
Shame on him.
Since Millionaire Harris receives 175K from us, why does he not volunteer part-time at a free medical clinic for the poor?
From the Office of Citizen nobletea:
Mr. Harris, you’re an idiot. Here’s an article from 2004 by the Heritage Foundation, that gives a few reasons a balanced budget ammendment is unecessary and probably won’t solve anything. The most important and still relevant reason is related to defense spending, as I mentioned previously in my commentary of Mr. Harris’ last mindless press release.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2004/10/the-balanced-budget-amendment-the-wrong-answer-to-runaway-spending
In case anyone isn’t aware of this already, the Heritage Foundation is a CONSERVATIVE policy analysis organization:
“The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.”
I like the work of the Heritage Foundation because I am a conservative.
Making your stand on a balanced budget bill is about as idiotic, obstinate, and inexplicable as anything you have done to date.
I actually commented on this article on the Facebook link. You will never again be allowed to fund elective wars. Imagine also what will happen when you get in one that is not elective. A balanced budget will require you to raise revenues to support the cause or cut spending in other domestic areas. All that is really needed is a little fiscal responsibility – not a constitutional amendment. Why not have a constitutional amendment for outlawing use of toaster ovens next to you ask you take a bath or a shower?
Actually under the suggested Constitutional ammendment that is not the case. That was one of the Heratige FOndations issues with it!
@FogDog writes “What is wrong with having people like me pay a few percent more on our income tax. The amount of money high earners pay in taxes has been cut too many times.”
Maybe the “rich” should send all their income to the government and we take all the money and divide it by the US population putting everyone on an equal stipend? That would be fair would it not?
interesting point. I love hearing the rhetoric on Fox that the top 10% pays 60% of the revenue when they make more then 60% of the income. It is an income tax if they made 90% of the income they should be paying 90% of the tax on income. I think it was discussed if they eliminated ALL breaks, loopholes and exemptions they could actually lower the tax rate which would mean that the average citizen would pay less in income tax on a dollar basis.
@Cdev
It is clear you are the Casper Milquetoast of the Dagger. You are an equivocating nattering nabob of self-important situationally convenient rhetoric.
Porter
Thank you and you are the paucite uuser of a large lexicon who really makes the scarecrow look like Einstien!
Perhaps you could participate in the debate with something of value to say. If not I suggest you go back to the little kiddies table!
@Cdev –
You need to have a point of view and position in order to debate. You are on all sides of every issue. You are weak, shallow and insipid in your commentary. Calling you
Casper Milquetoast is being kind.
Porter
Porter wrote…
“The “rich” should send all their income to the government and we take all the money and divide it by the US population putting everyone on an equal stipend? That would be fair would it not?”
When does a few percentage points mean “all.” This is an example of “stupid think.” I hope they cut Social Security and Medicare. As a senior who can live without it, people need to feel the consequence of voting for people who are stupid.
Nobody has the right to forcibly confiscate another’s property, money included. If you believe the federal government should have the right to take whatever they tell gullible minds they need, then you my friend are a socialist pure and simple, straight up!
Do you really feel that your involuntary contribution to municipal, state and federal spending are oppressive actions directed against you by a socialist entity? Walk the walk. And by that I mean, do not use any infrastructure that was pad for by your tax dollars. Do not expect any fire or police protection. Just take yourself off the grid since the electrification of rural America was undertaken by that despot Roosevelt. In short, move to Idaho and hole up in a log cabin and wait for them to come and take your guns away. They’ll be coming on the unmarked UN helicopters.
Andy Harris is misguided, and generally speaking, a poo-poo head. Too bad we couldn’t get someone with practical sense to lead this economy to its rightful status. We need the democratic party to take care of the people, to look forward, and continue the support systems for the elderly and poor! Republicans will never see past their own wallets.
Does anyone really believe that if the debt ceiling is raised the politicians will keep their promises and CUT trillions from the budget?? You gotta be kidding me. They will raise the debt and keep on spending more until the next crisis when they will do the same thing they’re doing now. Our only hope is to cut the fat and balance the budget w/o any new taxes or anymore borrowing. It’s called living within your means and millions of Americans do it every day.
If they don’t, stop voting for them. Simple.
One day, hopefully, enough of the good people of America will wake up and realize we already have term limits.
Well said Noble. Unfortunately fat too many people in this great land think that the incumbent drop is only for someone else. “We love our representative, look at all the projects he/she brought home!”
Unfortunately, Congress consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest markets would skyrocket. Instability would occur in financial markets and the federal deficit would soar.
The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility — two things that set us apart in much of the world.
The above are the words of Ronald Regan in 1987.
Who was steward of this nation, and someone I admire.
Think about it.
Tea Party politics is just bad for America. They are against things that government should be involved with, such as making sure our water and food is safe to eat, making sure children who are not able to afford a private school education get the pest public one they can, and having competent police and fire. But they have no problem letting government inforce morality on those they disagree with or don’t share the same beliefs.
The sad part is, both Republicans and Democrats seem to be afraid of these ill-advised fearmongers. I can’t see this movement or any of their party politicians lasting too long, especially when they are trying to destroy the lives of the middle and working class—the very same ones they say they’re trying to protect in favor of wealthy private corporations taking over everything.
HDG READER,
What? Are you kidding me? Oposition to raising the debt ceiling is fearmongering? Let’s look at who else is oposed to raising the debt ceiling?
1. “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I, therefore, intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt.” That is a direct and documented quote of a speech by Senaor Barack Obama given on March 16, 2006.
2. “Because this massive of accumulation of debt was predicted, because it was foreseeable, because it was unnecessary, because it was the result of willful and reckless disregard for the warnings that were given and for the fundamentals of economic management, I am voting against a debt limit increase.” A documented quotation from a speech given by Senator Joseph Biden also on March 16, 2006.
3. “I find it distasteful and disturbing to increase the debt limit yet again. Clearly we need to change course and this debt limit bill is just another reminder of that.” A documented quotation from a speech given by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Spetember 2007.
Oh, and by the way, #2 would be the same Joseph Biden who now charges the US government $2,200 per month (Secret Service) for the privelege of being on his property for the purpose of protecting him.
Please don’t forget Reagan saying in 1987 that we should raise the debt ceiling…
“Unfortunately, Congress consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest markets would skyrocket. Instability would occur in financial markets and the federal deficit would soar.
The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility — two things that set us apart in much of the world.”
We can play quotation games all night, it proves nothing. Reagan was right, Obama was wrong because he was a young idiotic Senator who found it politically easy to vote “no”. And guess what, just like every other member of Congress who became President, he grew up and realized that governance is a hard job when the weight of the nation rests almost entirely on your shoulders.
WHile I would not charge rent if I where in Joe Biden’s situation. It is fair if the structure pre existed and he had been actively renting it. Do you think President’s and VP’s pay for the needed upgrades for protection detials? Did the Secret Service or George W Bush pay for securityupgrades and agent offices at the Crawford Ranch? If candidate X was elected and had a previous income of 80,000 a year and owned a small house in Bel Air should they have to pay for the security upgrades to the house which may exceed their salary over 4 years as president?