Brian, the only other option would have been to let the Tea Party ditch our country into the ground. Remember, that is why we have sequestration.

They were congnizant of the reputation of the US as a world leader. Cardin and mikulski cared more about the fact that the nations credit rating was in jeopardy, put their deliberately by GOP malfeasance. The GOP fiscal policies are disastrous, when have they ever been successful? Reagan ran the deficit, Clinton with democratic bi partisanship created a surplus, BUSH gave it away and then started 2 wars not paid for. Iraq was going to pay for itsliberation from OIL revenues, it did not. Halliburtan (Cheneys co) made millions and shoddy work killed AM soldiers taking showers. USPS in danger by created GOP misuse of fiscal policies. MI is a defunct democracy because of GOP policies awarding absolute powers to an individual over towns and cities. Proving that democracy really doesnt work, if all people are considered. Mikulski and Cardin like democracy, they serve all and they care about next generation. Something GOP doesnt understand or care about.

Actally Senator Ben Cardin is doing his job representing MD citizens. The US Senate is broken procedurally because of the Republican abuse of the FILIBUSTER which was intended to be a rare procedural rule to assure minority representation on issues. Instead the republicans turned the mallet into a hammer to be used frivolously to stop the will of the majority. Not for men like Senator Cardin, the republicans would have savaged SS and medicare. Without men like Senator Cardin, the republicans would have devastated Medicaid, WIC and SCHIP to secure tax cuts for billionaires. Senator Cardin is doing his job. Would the republicans have the same sense of duty to "serve and protect" the US govt would be functioning and sequester would be REPEALED with one SENTENCE and a VOTE in House and Senate.

#Maryellen - Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah. Your dip head President proposes this plan, then threatens to veto any bill that tries to override it and all you can do is blame Repubs. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah....

Your pResidnt then proposes a cut of 500 million to Medicare and, again, all you can do s blame Repubs. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah....

BFM... Diphead President? So let me ask... what did Mr. bush propose over an eight year presidency? Oh yeah. Two ridiculous wars that killed and maimed our soldiers, tore apart families, blew a budget surplus and ruined our status and reputation among nations. Lets not forget that this mess didn't start just four years ago. We have been leading up to this mess since 2000 when Mr. Bush took office.

Mr. barnes,

Continuing to blame former president Bush for our current troubles is extremely lame. The current Administration and Congress are to blame in their entirety for the current fiasco. It their responsibility and their responsibility alone.

You can't pass a budget if the GOP Tea Party won't play ball.

Sean Tully "You can't pass a budget if the GOP Tea Party won't play ball."

Sean Please! The House has passed a budget for the past 4 years. The Senate has not.
The President has never signed a budget. Please do not sound so ill informed.

The House passed Tea Party inspired budgets. The Senate will not consider a Tea Party budget. What is needed is negotiation and compromise. That word is not in the Tea Party dictionary.

Its not Mikulski and Cardin who are the problem in the US Senate. It is radical right wing stalwarts like McConnell from Kentucky who would failed in his goal to make Obama a one term president, and who is intransigent in his efforts to MAKE HIM FAIL and is willing to let taxpayers bear the BURDEN of irresponsible behavior and GOD awful leadership.

"It is radical right wing stalwarts like McConnell from Kentucky"

Yea! Kentucky is one of the most radical states in the world. They eat children down there in Hickville! We should just wall them of from us more enlightened people.

You racist! =)

Yes! Apparently the top 20% of wage earners already pay 40% of income taxes. Only someone of Ben's ilk could claim that that 40% share should be even higher. And, he ignores the fact that when the bottom half of the country pays no income tax, they don't have "skin in the game" that might lead them to want to curtail spending.

Clearly you meant "no Federal [income] tax".

You must be rich boys. Those job creators must be taking care of you.

Hey, I got a job for you.

M. Sullivan: Would you stop bitching if this 47% or whatever at or near the poverty line paid 5% in federal taxes? If so, then yes, I agree. even if you're poor, you should pay SOMETHING.

However...if you're not...then I'm really not sure what you're complaining about. Can't get blood from a stone.

Gee, for you it is all right for the wealthy to continue to cheat the american economy and future generations so you can hunt for the boogey man that may be harbored among the poor and the workers in AM. There are a lot of WORKING PEOPLE who are the backbone of the nation, who contribute with sweat, skill and labor equal to any DOLLAR BILLS. The rich pay in $$, certainly not in sweat or loyalty. It is time the WALL STREET thieves went to jail and the rich who increased their wealth by 121% in the last 10 years while worker wages stagnated. Oh, and by the way, ERIC CANTOR, the kill Medicare guy, now wants to introduce legislation that would deny HOURLY WAGE EARNERS overtime. It seems the workers in this country are getting shafted by republican fiscal ineptitude, while their RICH donors get richer.

For those who disagree with my last post:
How is it "fair" that someone who busted butt to work their way through school and worked hard for years to advance their career should pay an ever increasing percentage of their hard earned salary in taxes to support those who chose to do nothing but claim entitlements?
Most of the "rich" people out there didn't have it handed to them. They earned it. Should they be penalized for their hard work?

Sully notice that no one answered you? They can't. They cant justify it.

I agree, that means 65% of Harford county can start paying their fair share. Just because you live in a mobile home doesn't mean you get extra benefits!! poor people suck!

@Sullivan YES they should. The CEO for my company got a $32 Million dollar bonus when the company went public, company attorney got $24 million. What about the workers? We took a 50% cut in 401k contributions once it went public. The company is profitable because of the workers, why wasn't the bonus split amongst all employees? The 1% got rich off the backs of employees. Employees lost benefits in the end. Yup, that fair!

Diesel you picked the wrong company to work for. Quit.

Trust me I want to leave MD as fast as possible. The people in harford county... well I won't go there. However, I will not quit and give up my nice 6 figure salary. I pray every day for a transfer out of this county to one that is more educated and wealthy. It’s sad when you can’t spend money because there is nothing here to spend it on.

Tillie, every single one of those poor downtrodden workers had the same opportunity in this country to get an education and work their way up the corporate ladder to be CEO or the corporate attorney. These people don't just walk in to work, punch a clock, put in their 8 hours, then go home and relax. People in the position of CEO work many long and hard hours and often take huge financial and personal risks. Sometimes they win and sometimes they lose big time, all the while working themselves into an early grave. Sure, there is some natural intelligence and ability involved, but that goes for any profession. I don't see any worker bees begrudging professional football players the millions they make for playing a game. These guys have natural ability and hard work and you pay to watch them.

Oh, lest your forget, for 7years, our nation was constantly intimidated by the BUSH/CHNEY mushroom cloud, the great national threat of Saddam Hussein. It will take a very long time for the DEMS to catch up with the fear mongering masters of the BUSH/CHENEY years. Obama is telling the truth, backed by facts and the nonpartisan CBO about the damage the self inflicted wounds that the republicans are imposing on our economy. It takes a lot of arrogance to impose pain on 300 mn ppl in order to spit in the face of the MAJORITY of voters who re elected President Obama to office in 2012.

Ms. Brady, Since you are obviously a dedicated blue Kool-Aid drinker I know there is no chance at a logical debate with you so I really don't even care to try.

Maryellen is a lost cause Just, you are making the right decision.

Cardin makes Maryland's vertically challenged senator look almost good. Well not quite. I will give the democrats this: their ability to stay on message day after day after day (with the help of a willing media) makes many uninformed people fall for this garbage. Obama was FOR the sequestration 15 months ago, now he's on the perpetual campaign trip telling the public that the world will come to an end. The democrats hammer and hammer and hammer their talking points and in the end, the republicans will probably give in as they do so often. Let's face it Cardin and his party couldn't care less about these "cuts" which are not real cuts in terms of dollars. He and his party love these budgetary crises because they use them as a political tool. Why do you think the senate won't pass a budget? They love these confrontations where they can scare the American people and drive home the message that any reduction in the size of government will have disasterous consequences.

Let's see if I can analyze amark's statement.
1) Mikulski is short so let's make fun of her.
2) Democrats spew only garbage
3) People who listen to democrats are "uninformed"
4) Obama is still campaigning and the world will end
5) Democrats have a hammer
6) Republicans always cave
7) Democrats love a good budgetary crisis
8) Democrats chose not to pass a budget
9) Democrats are the scare party

Where is the Kenyan Usurper Hawaiian Devil Baby when you need him? Oh, that's right, playing golf with Tiger Woods on a holiday weekend.

Ever wonder why you lost the last election and will continue to lose unless you can change the rules of the game amark? Sort of like the Orange Squash, you have a bad team and the sooner you realize it the better chance you will have of winning again.

Hey FIFA:

Mikulski is one of the nastiest, most contemptible people in the Senate. She looks like a toad with hair. I have nothing but contempt for her, because she has literally NOTHING but contempt for honest, hard-working PRIVATE SECTOR Americans.

NOTHING, NOTHING she does is ever bi-partisan. She is a hack who makes everything about politics, not governing.

Am I apologist for Republicans? Heck no. I want people of courage, on both sides. I want people who put country first. She ain't one of them.

"She looks like a toad with hair."

Classsssssy

This is one of FIFA's best posts ever. Almost all of his points are absolutely true.

@Phil Dirt - you are best when you are compacted.

That said, for all of the terrible things amark says about democrats, democrats are winning elections. Won the Presidency, again, increased lead in the Senate, won the popular vote in the House and only through gerrymandering were the Republicans able to keep their advantage.

See that light at the end of the tunnel Phil Dirt, it is a democratic train coming at you that is going to run over you.

Fifa, I see you once again making claims of gerrymandering by Republicans in other states but you completely ignore the overtly obnoxious use of gerrymandering by our own Democrat Governor O'Malley. So just to be clear, it is OK when Democrats gerrymander because they are only doing it for the good of the people, or as our Governor loves to say ... for the children.

"She looks like a toad with hair."

That's an insult to hairy toads.

JAB, I don't ignore the gerrymandering done by the Democrats in Maryland. It was extraordinarily obvious.

The difference that you refuse to recognize is that in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, all states carried by Obama, the Congressional districts are controlled by Republicans. That is a far cry from Maryland where the Congressional districts match the Obama vote. Go ahead and count the number of Congressional representatives in those states and compare it to the Presidential popular vote in the state. What do you see? Take off the sunglasses first.

BEN CARDIN is a phenom. He is a champion of the people and he does not have to make a fool of himself to get his point across. He has been fighting for workers and middle families his whole career. He is a man of stature who knows how to work with others to get the job done for MD. He has brought jobs, money and integrity to our government institutions. He is a man, a legislator for whom Marylanders can be proud. Hes fighting to save SS, MEDICARE and raising the minimum wage.

couldnt vote for a budget that did not come up from the US HOUSE. For people who brag about knowing so much about the US constitution, it is amazing how much ignorance of that precious document has surfaced in this discussion. THE US HOUSE is the purse strings, it is where fiscal bills originate. Only since BOEHNER has it totally and unequivocally FAILED TO DO its job. The Republicans have the house, but that will change in 2014. There is not one SUCCESSFUL PRIVATIZATION project promoted by republicans that is a success, there is not one republican dominated presidency that has produce FISCAL RESPONSIBily in managing TAXPAYER DOLLARS. Ronald Reagan ran up incredible deficits to fund STAR WARS epic weaponry, BUSH/CHENEY squandered the Clinton surplus their first year in office by irresponsible top heavy tax CUTS. President Obama has reduced the deficit, without a BUDGET, for 4 years in a row. That is not something anyone here seems to be cognizant of. Because that would mean Obama has acted responsiblity to manage govt spending while conducting 2 wars and winding down same.

Maryellen, the house has passed a budget every year. Please try again with some facts.

Note: you probably won't find them on the dailykos(kooks) website.

Cut back your heat to 60 degrees. Go to the store to buy stuff once a week. Move to basic cable or cut it off and listen to a radio. Eat beans and rice, not meat. Sell one of your vehicles. Pay off some phone plans.

Craig, you are just going to have to bite the bullet.

Do you even have a clue what it would take to pay off the Federal Debt in 10 years. Never mind, you don't.

Now that sounds like a comment from an old fart 1ke..!...^

All national governments run constant deficits. All of them.

Craig: You do realize Maryland's budget is balanced every year, right?

and please, it's not (and some Republicans). It's (and MOST Republicans). You've got a small percentage who aren't afraid to make the tough calls.

but yes, this nation's political system is both figuratively and morally bankrupt. Pretty much all of them.

Axe it is not, more like a butter knife. But enough to start a mini-recession in my opinion. Hope it doesn't affect your industry too much CW.

More than you know. I have a lot of skin in the game and could very well pe affected personally. That said, sometimes the medicine tases bad.

I honestly hope not, Chris W.

Totally agree here. I personally want Sequestration to go through. The world won't end, the nation won't collapse. Only the hyperbole...

I supported Obama's concept of 2.5 to 1 ratio of cuts to tax revenue. I still do. Too bad he's once again talking out of both sides of his mouth.

not as if the Republicans and Romney would've been any better. Slashing government spending to the levels they suggested alone would've crippled economic growth far more then this sequestration would.

I just wish our President would sack up and force the cuts through that this country needs. He's got the ability to manipulate how and where to a reasonable degree. He needs to use that leverage.

Chris W: I do hope, should it happen, your job is left unscathed (or mostly, in any event

I want to clarify. Sequestration is not a good thing. I do not believe in making cuts across the board. We should look at the budgets and cut where we can most afford to.

I am also not saying that there should be not changes on the revenue side. I personally would like to see a total rewrite of the tax code to make is far more simple.

Every year since 9/11 the Defence budget increased. I think there is a lot of cutting to be done there. (Short of cutting carrier deployments) There is also no path to serious deficit reduction without entitlement reform.

All I am saying is congress did get the tax increase on the wealthy. Before we talk about revenue again, we need to cut.

I just believe sequestration NEEDS to happen. Why? Because our leadership fails us, no matter who we elect in.

If pain is actually felt by these hacks in Congress, then maybe they'll start doing more cutting the 'right way'. Every group has special interests though, and a sob story to tell.
Not to mention when spending is cut, services of some kind are obviously reduced. The tears then come out of the woodwork; "How could our government let us down", etc. I hear it from my "conservative" friends all the time over facebook. The latest one was someone complaining that the payroll tax deduction was "increased', and how could "Obama" do this to middle class families. A photo shared from a right wing facebook group, of course. Spreading the stupid, like a virus.

You are the worst kind of screwed 1ke...not getting screwed, already screwed and now commenting out of denial...I am old as dirt as well.

Reckon you'll be dead before you figure out you were not getting screwed and that it was just the cost of doing business without a digging stick or a mule.

Heh heh... anonymity really bugs you, doesn't it.

Using your name in meaningless contexts is bad news. Taking online forums seriously is even worse news.

Bunch of folks here like this sequester stuff. What most politicians thought was ridiculous 16 months ago looks downright sensible now.

What is needed is a total restructuring of how taxes are collected and what they are spent for. The people who count in America will not stand for it, however.

Sequester isn't sensible as Chris W. mentioned above. However, a growing number of folks, like myself, are growing tired of Congressional failures time and time again.

1ke you have finally said something that I can agree with about needing to make major changes to restructuring the federal tax system. The only problem is it needs to be even more simplified by making it a flat rate national sales tax rather than a VAT. I would even support continuing to have a flat tax income tax system along with a national sales tax and perhaps have the flat tax only kick in on income above a reasonable level. If they had just these two federal taxes and eliminated all the other ridiculous taxes the federal government would not only increase revenues but would also dramatically cut spending by eliminating the need for an obnoxiously bloated IRS workforce.

VAT is collected from companies that sell things.

I know exactly what the VAT is and you are kidding yourself if you do not believe that the accumulated cost of the VAT will not end up bundled into the price charged to the consumer. Hence my reason for supporting the national sales tax concept.

Sales taxes have the most impact on those that can least afford it. The poor. It is a backwards tax. Very similar to FICA tax.

FIFA ... Even though a national sales tax would be a tax on everyone it is the most fairly balanced tax system there could be. If you are poor you obviously should not be out buying lots of items that would be taxed. A national sales tax would not be assessed on basic necessities such as groceries and medicine, so unless you are spending your welfare check on Air Jordans or a new Sony TV you will not be too adversely affected by a national sales tax.

But, since you have now gone on record saying that "sales taxes have the most impact on those that can least afford it. The poor." I will keep that in mind when we are debating the need for Governor O'Malley to add a sales tax on gasoline in a few weeks.

JAB, what I say is true. Sales taxes impact the poor the most. Gas taxes rate right up there as well as a terrible way to fund government on the backs of the poor. As a percentage of income they earn, sales and gas taxes hurt the working poor far too much.

Taxing capital gains and dividends at different rates ("unearned") than ordinary income is an obscenity as well. It was a giveaway to the very wealthy who earn a large portion of their income that way.

Job creators wouldn't do that!

Aggressive, highly punitive enforcement would be a requirement to accompany a VAT.

There are other provisions fit for a reasonable plan. One of those provisions would be means-tested access to Medicare and Social Security (which was intended initially as a safety net for widows and children.) It was never meant to a a government operated whole-life policy.

Fifa ... you really need to learn a little more about taxes beyond the standard progressive liberal talking points before making your contributions to the topic. The tax rate on earnings from investments is lower because the money invested was taxed at the standard income tax rate to begin with before it was then used to purchase stocks or other investments. This is also to encourage individuals with money to invest their money to continue to grow the economy rather than just leaving it sitting idle in a bank.

1ke ... again we agree on something. This time the concept of means-tested access to Social Security and Medicare. If this happens a third time in one day I am gonna be scared.

Capital gains taxes are pitched in a way that encourages investors to keep their investment exposed to a greater degree of risk than those who would exploit it for their own gain. If you decide you can't afford the risk, you take your money off the table and pay the tax.

Bottom line? The lawyers, the bankers, and the wealthy over time make the rules so that they get to use your money as long as they please with as little personal risk as possible.

JAB, I have a funny feeling I know a fair amount more about income taxes and accounting than you do.

The reason that capital gains and dividends are taxed at a much lower rate than "earned" ordinary income is simply because it benefits the wealthy who convinced the Republicans that they want to be taxed less and Republicans agreed. Don't give me the malarkey about "risk", it fools no one.

Fifa, that is the problem with liberal elitists, they always think they know more than everyone else.

JAB, I don't think it, it is a simple fact in this case. You are out of your league. I am far from a "liberal elitist". But I do notice you seem to like to use name calling a lot as if a progressive is a bad thing. I could call you a neanderthal conservative, but I choose not to stoop to that level, you choose to go for your perceived potty talk as fast as possible.

Fifa, Progressive Liberal is an actual term used by Progressive Liberals but I have never seen a group of conservatives that choose to call themselves Neanderthal Conservatives. If calling someone a liberal elitist is "potty talk" then please allow me to break out the bar of soap myself.

However, when calling a person that is overtly liberal and makes a one sided accusation that they are smarter than someone else or know more about an issue than someone else a liberal elitist I am not engaging in name calling, I believe my 4th grade English teacher would say I am engaging in the proper use of descriptive noun and adjective.

JAB, when I read a stupid comment by an ignorant poster such as you that has very little education other than that provided by their 4th grade teacher, I let them know. Your comment about taxes was uninformed and ignorant. Have a nice day.

And the liberal elitism continues.

Senator Cardin speaks the truth to power. He stands up for working families and he will protect SS and Medicare from the proposed republican savaging of the programs. And he will resist ERIC CANTORS efforts to deny hourly workers OVERTIME pay in the work place.

That would make you a Republican Steve..

The name is pronounced "Burner."

Sounds right to me. BONER said he got 98% of what he wanted in the SEQUESTER cuts. He was proud of the CRISIS that the republicans created, the economy paid for and then he came to the rescue, but not before the nations credit rating was damaged world wide. The republicans cant govern, because they hate government which the last time I checked was "WE the people". The republicans are fiscally irresponsble because they serve special interests and the wealthy in the country. Adam Smith warned us about CORP monopolies harm to an economy and the founders established a powerful FEDERAL govt to stave off the WOULD BE KINGS who would inevitably surface from time to time. Because they knew that mans lust for power and greed could only be curtailed by EQUAL force.

The Fact is the administration pushed the sequestration idea.

Here is the deal.

We have a leadership problem on both sides and it is our own fault. We love to spend, but we don't like to use our own money to do it. When a politician tells us this simple truth, we send them down the river faster than we can get another loan from China.

All increases in spending, should be tied to (real) increases in revenue. All decreases in taxes should be tied to (real) spending cuts. The. Problem is most Democrats will vote against anyone who wants to cut, most Republicans will vote against anyone who wants to increase taxes.

Then we get stuck with the two ideological extremes and there is no common ground in sight.

Maryellen....This is Barry's brainchild. He wanted and created this. Where are you getting your info from? You sound like you are fresh out of college. Hopefully you will grow up and realize that no one in Washington is on your side.

I hope you haven't bred or intend on breeding.

At least Republicans breed.

"At least Republicans breed."

The GOP (Grumpy Old People) party is dwindling pretty fast. Soon white people are going to be the Minority.

Republicans dont think women are their equals either. Just look at the WAR on WOMEN that has surfaced in the last 2 years. RAPE isnt really rape according to republicans, there is such a thing as LEGITIMATE RAPE. And violence against women doesnt really happen. "They get what they deserve", so say the republicans. Oh, and of course, those VAGINAL probes that McConnell and Cuccinelli of VA and other republicans dont consider such a violation of a womans body an inconvenience or indignity. The GOV has a right to legislate a WOMANS VAGINA for public safety but not assault weapons or hi capacity magazines.

It amazes me how many women actually support Republicans sometimes. I chalk it up to religious beliefs overriding common sense, but who knows?

The problem, of course, is that Republicans - like Democrats, do have good views that most middle class people of both sexes can wholeheartedly agree with.
It just comes down to the stuff you don't agree with, which side's portion of views do you disagree with the most.

Maryellen, you do realize that the GOP pulled all of their funding for him right? That's hardly supportive of his backwards position.

You are nothing more than a partisan hack. At least, use information that is true, not lies.

Who does all the raping? Not many Republicans in jail for rape. Besides you're not offending me. I'm not a Republican. I just can't stand the childish Liberal mindset.

Hey, Seepy, what's a liberal mindset? Do you care to get past simple-minded labeling and offer something like a definition?

Note: A listing of policies you don't like is NOT a definition.

CP, since no one else wants to say it, I will. Shut up. You sound ridiculous. You offer no view points, no common sense.... Nothing, just immature, ridiculous "challenges" to peoples sexual orientation and "put downs". And by the way, have enough courtesy, courage and responsibility to post using a real name. Of course you won't. You aren't brave enough or man enough to stand behind what you have to say. Which, cupcake, makes you a wimp with a big mouth and absolutely no character. Now, be gone with your stupidity.

Tom you are doing the same thing that you are bashing me for. "Do as I say not as I do". (That is a liberal trait 1ke). Tom I like how you ignore the fact that people like 1ke, Fifa and Steve constantly name call, put down others, use racial slurs and do not use their "real" names. I'm not hiding. I'm smart. I possess some internet savvy. I never trust anyone on here or anywhere else on the internet. You should probably exercise some caution as well. You never know if some wacko will show up at your door step. Naive at all? Cupcake?(sexual orientation) Wimp?(put down). Nice job bud. You conveyed your point very well. Now as for me being a man? I do not need to prove my manhood on the "Patch". However i'm very willing prove myself in the real world.

Oh, Seepy, you are so mucho macho! You are so very smart!

And where is the definition, where are the ideas, where is the substance, where is the research?

And @Tom Barnes has been a consistently upbeat contributor to Patch pages. Why don't you pay him some mind? My guess is that by local standards you are really out of line. He cares.

No thanks. Don't know either of you from a hole in the ground. I prefer to poke and stir the pot. This is a fun game. Makes me smile.

Repubs have sex just not with their spouses. You can find them at rest stops and bookstores.

Sea O' Pea is a Palinbot.

A million sperm and you were the fastest Birkenstock wearing heathen?

FIFA you are DOA!

He's the daytime replacement of Kongo and Sanchez. We all have a burden to carry.

Are you trying to mimic postings of the insane?

These people are all Democrats and they further a Democratic party platform with their every vote.

You shouldn't elect people like them if you don't like their politics.

Well said.

The so-called American Way was a myth sold with ease in an age when three channels and Government propaganda were the only voices.

There is nothing new, no collapse, no downfall, no plunge. The apathy has always been there. Look at historical voting patterns: never more than 60%.

Capitalism has always been at war with democracy--go ahead, we live in a republic, touchhole-- and it has never been able to deliver for a large portion of the population.

The only thing that is different is the increased flow of opinion--simple-minded or not-- and information. Turns out that education-for-the-factory-floor has not been able to equip the populace with the skill required to distinguish between the two.

You don't like it because things are not going your way right now. Tough, ain't it!

I tend to my own needs 1ke...always have..are you actually saying that you are pleased with the way things are going..? It's no wonder that you're stuck being a fake on blogs such as this one...you deserve the fake identity..

BULL! Both parties are not equally responsible for what is happening in this nation, to this economy. It is flat out, blatant, bald face republican ERRANT FISCAL POLICY to make OBAMA fail and to cover up their lust for power and control. It is the NRA writing gun policy that allows thousands of innocents die each year. The republicans Passed irresponsible BUSH tax cuts and squandered CLinton (DEMocratic) surpluses, the republicans took this nation into two wars of choice and swore that Iraq would pay the bill from their oil revenues after we were greeted as liberators. LIE, very big lie. It was the Republicans who were offended that the AM ppl would elect a black man to the WH and they declared that their mission was to make him a one term president. They failed, but did a lot of deliberate conscious decision making on the downward path. It was the republicans who put the USPS in fiscal jeopardy in violation of the US constitution and cause closure of over 3000 rural post offices across the nation. THERE is no equivocation, the republicans failure to govern, their blind jealousies, their thirst for power is insatiable and 300 mn ppl are the price they are willing to pay to gain power & control.

We have spent outr way into this mess and both parties have done it. The amount spent on defense since the Clinton years has decreases, while entitlement spending has steadily increased. Your going to pin this problem on Republicans? I think not.

"republicans took this nation into two wars of choice "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Terrorists
Only one member of congress voted against the use of force in Afganastan.
Support from Democrats was strong in the Iraq war vote as well

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution

You engage in bumper sticker politics.

And you believe in revisionist history Chris.

Please point out any errors. I provided links to the vote counts.

All the other info is from Wiki

Chris, it is what I call context. You point out facts without the context of the era.

The context is that the support garnered from many Democrats at the time was through the presentation of "evidence" that Hussein had WMD. We now know for a fact that when Iraq said they did not have WMD, Iraq was not lying. Were we lying? We'll never know as the participants blame faulty intelligence. Democrats did not wish to appear as "weak" on terror so many of them went willingly along.

Fools.

Thus when you state "Support from democrats was strong", you are doing that out of context in order to support your opinion.

They don't have the skills developed to do anything but divide by fighting...

If Bob wants to feel threatened he should post on here for awhile.

He's lying too? Man yo guys are just party hacks. Chicago thugs!
http://www.wmal.com/common/page.php?pt=WMAL+EXCLUSIVE%3A+Woodward%27s+Not+Alone+-+Fmr.+Clinton+Aide+Davis+Says+He+Received+White+House+Threat&id=8924&is_corp=0

Clearly CP has failed to read the "threatening" email.

Go here and learn something - http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/exclusive-the-woodward-sperling-emails-revealed-88226.html?hp=t2_3

Neanderthals played by Woodward for fools.

Yeah, when the President's henchmen tell you you're going to regret something, they just mean it in good fun. I guess a horse's head would just be considered a friendly gift too.

Why don't you go read the email Richard?

This text is spurious apparently. See http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/athenian.asp for a discussion.

So who do we enslave? I vote Libs. They don't fight back.

Seepy. Superhero. Hey, you can be courteous here. And if you wonder about posters and the breadth of their involvement, you can click on their names and read what they have written in the past.

By the way, you are looking kind of low-brow here, cousin. But, hey, it's your electricity and Patch's server.

And what is it, again, that defines the "liberal mindset"? If you knew what the [something] you were talking about you surely could explain it to a dummy like me.

I don't feel like typing all of it. Pass on Grass.

The best the Republican Party can do at this point is just try to stonewall progress. Granted, that can and has been fairly destructive, but I'm quite confident any talk of "demise" is overstated. Thankfully, the country continues to grow more educated and naturally lean away from the truly embarrassing crap that seeps in from the far Right. The party will be forced to move significantly towards center in the coming years or face increasing irrelevance.

I know 16 trillion in debt is progress! God Bless America!

Why is that most American cities, run by Democrats btw are failing? High crime, High taxes, High dependency. Good luck answering that one.

"Why is that most American cities, run by Democrats btw are failing? High crime, High taxes, High dependency. Good luck answering that one."

I'm sorry, but it's not 1985 anymore. And even back then that argument didn't make sense. You think cities suck? You mean the economic, technological, and cultural drivers of our species? Yeah, I bet you do think that, considering the uneducated garbage you vomit all day.

Jag ... get a clue, Detroit and Baltimore are just two simple examples of Democrat run cities that are beyond recovery. There are plenty more but you already know that which is why you ignored the real point of his comment.

Yeah, you've convinced me, JustABill. Detroit is a really accurate representation of the world's progressive cities. And Detroit has the issues it does due to it electing a Democrat for mayor - you're so right.

The effing morons on here. Good grief.

I received that same viral e-mail about the "The US 's Worst Run Cities All Have Democrats for Mayors" from my crazy Uncle in the Nursing Home. It was started by Glenn Beck. Go figure....

What I see is both sides parroting the same tired old lines that the other side is responsible for all the world's ills, while their side is comprised only of angels who can do no wrong.

You fit right in LJK.

Oh because you are so polished. Hey I lived in the city. The overt racism and violence brought onto whites would leave a stain in your panties. The family switched when they realized it catered to them as whites. Sorry if we are not self hating and do not suffer white guilt. And damn right suburbia is better then the Baltimore City. Got a problem with the fam leaving? Pretty logical decision. Die or live in a nice neighborhood. You are an elitist to the core. Big vocabulary words do not make one polished or smarter. (Another Liberal trait) And trust me money is not an issue. Jealous much? What about you? How many baseball bat fights have you been in? How many times was your house set on fire? You have no clue. Just another chump know it all with all of societies answers. Go back to your academia. I hear it's a nice sheltered life.

Fires get set in certain folks' homes and not others in the city and in the country. All people except junkies are reasonable, I have found. You are in love with your biography and the fictionalized presentation thereof. It's a good tale, I'd bet. I wonder where. Sounds like Wilkens Ave. or Pratt/Lombard around Carey St. Rough.

It chases racist attitudes and upbringing out into the open.

Guess you never adapted.

He agreed to cut a trillion but in the next stroke of the pen he spent a trillion for Obama care. So where is the savings?

Tell me, TD, who signed that bill into law that included the sequester?

The federal government spent 3.5T in 2010. They spent 3.6T in 2011. 3.79T in 2012

There was no 1T cut. They agreed not to spend an additional 1T.

This is no different than a store that jacks up their price on an item from $40 to $80 and then has a sale on the item for $45. Are you really saving $35?

The deficit has been reduced in the last 4 years under Obama because the democrats understand the governing is a responsibility and they honor democracy as preferable to the "efficiencies" of the bullies who think they have all the answers. the sequester was a dereliction of duty on the part of congress. The House and Senate failed to do its duty to country and once again the AM ppl will pay for the mistakes and arrogance of men.

We are spending more this year than the last, and last year more than the year before. What is so difficult to understand about that?

Probably the worst copy and paste job we've seen.

The Truth hurts. Its the repubs fault.

Though you present yourself as a cad, Seepy, you are correct. It even looks ugly on the page.

Didn't you miss, ever so briefly, my crisp, patrician prose?

Actually its both sides.

Dan, you are onto something. Politicians!!! Regardless of party, politicians are liars, cheaters, and will tell you what you want to hear at election time. Once elected, they sit back, do nothing, and collect a check. Whats sad, America continues to send incumbents back to Capitol Hill.....

Pure theft FIFA, since we all know where that money comes from. That 30% is a tax future generations to pay for existing ones. Politicians without the guts to either cut spending or increase taxes are responsible for that.

If the Me Generation doesn't want to pay taxes--and it does not apparently--of course leave it to the kids to pay. There is no groundswell of public opinion in support of increased taxes, according to the way the Sequestration negotiations are going.

Leave it along with what's left of the 401k and the too-big house with an underwater mortgage

If the government didn't have such a prolific track record of squandering massive amounts of tax dollars, many more may be open to participation at some new level.
I could almost digest a flat tax concept, provided it could be done within the constraints of the Constitution.

As a conservative, I will support tax increases only after they do something about the entitlements.

I agree that we cannont cut our way out of this mess, but neither can we tax our way out. Obama just got his "tax on the Rich" in January.

The Sequestration amounts to an 85 billion cut

New taxes will generate 149 Billion.

So by my math, for a balanced approach we need to cut aother 59B.

http://blog.heritage.org/2013/03/01/obama-fulfills-demints-prediction-blaming-sequester-for-future-economic-problems/

FIFA:

A very interesting idea.

I like the idea. My concern is the response by other countries would cause them to re-think their US strategy. As an example, a Japanese car company might follow suit and make it unprofitable for their industry prosper here.

That said, the idea hold promise.

Why that would be similar to campaign finance reform...I like the idea Sanchez..

I don't believe you meant $2 Trillion on elections last year.

I am sorry, billion. These days there are far toooooo many 0000's!

$2 billion at 33%. STILL a good amount if put tot eh debt they themselves grow year to year.

Evets, then add thousand or so congressional campaigns collecting campaign cash and then all the local and state. That is a huge chunk of change.

Although the figures my be off, I like this des as well.

An "income tax" for political campaigns.

OMGoodness - now that is a suburb idea ! I doubt anyone would be willing to go with the 33% tax and I am sure it would be fought tooth and nail but it is an excellent idea.

1ke, "But, it's somebody else's money, which makes it OK."

Yes! Those who donate are not taxed. Those who receive are taxed. How can you not want to tax someone on their income? Do you think campaign contributions are not "earned income"?

Ok, not letting you get away with this one.

Crack down on poor people? Jail or shoot everyone who commits a crime? Quite a stretch.

This is how the conversation turns south quickly. I assume you may be referring to one of several posts I made on the gun control issue and my proposed solution which is swift and harsh punishment for gun offenses?

I am not trying to get away with anything. As you know, I have been reading and writing here for several months. Please understand that I was not responding to any particular post, and you are among the more thoughtful posters. But unless someone invests some time and reads as carefully as he or she writes, he or she remains as unaware of the larger body of ideas that they ingest and move about in as a fish is of the water it swims in.

There is a distinct subset of concerns which crop up again and again. Those are:

1. The fear of crime, especially violent crime, far beyond its statistical likelihood
2. The focus on takers, particularly takers from the City
3. The mistrust of government both State and Federal
4. The obsession with firearms as a means of addressing otherwise unaddressed fears
5. A misunderstanding of macroeconomics and globalization
6. A lack of empathy for generations of Americans already pushed and still being pushed over the brink into Third World poverty

I do get angry and come across as arrogant and intolerant. How can one help it when the discourse never gets to the WHY these sad patterns of civic awareness have emerged?

I think perhaps you misinterpret frustration with the government programs as frustration with those in need. I think most people here have empathy. We simply differ greatly on solutions.

Give a man a fish and he will eat today. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.

We give out a lot of fish. If only we were better teachers.

Chris, except a lot of the posters here and in the past will/have say/said, learn to fish with your hands. Good luck to you new fisherman.

"they must first want to learn. Therein lies the challenge, I think."

You are in that business Evets. Is this what you see?

Way to prove my point FIFA.

I think Evets hit the nail on the head. Some people just don't even try to do for themselves. I think that is what bothers me most. I understand when people are disabled and have other disadvantages, but when your a capable adult and don't even try, its difficult to garner sympathy.

Chris, where is your outrage about our corporate welfare? You only point at people on welfare. They are a tiny compared to the wealthy and corporate welfare our country gives out every day. Why are you not jumping up and down on the big part of the problem, but instead you go after those with nothing?

I have spoken about both. Recently.

I am against all types of govt hand outs. Corporate or otherwise.

Limited foreign aid as well.

I thin we should support a transaction tax on WALL STREET speculators that will slow the trade abuses and add money to the treasury. Also, there is always a FAIR LABOR tax on imported goods. After all, if we are fighting for democrcy, opening makets for products, we should also be demanding that workers around the world be treated with respect that humanity demands.

Maryellen Brady, did you ever sleep in a park and call yourself an Occupier?

Maryellen Brady, do you extend that tax on the billions sent back south to Mexico and beyond by illegal workers here only trying to feed their families back home?

"American taxpayers and consumers get shafted."

And THAT we can all agree to! We found common ground! Now what?

There were plenty of sound fiscal solutions to the problems facing this nation presented by President Obama and promoted by the DEMS. It was the broken SENATE with GOP abuse of filibuster that stopped real progress. GOP has offered up NO responsible fiscal solutions to nations probs. They ran on jobs in 2010 and promoted 31 anti abortion bills as their solutions to job creating.

It sounds like YOU Sean have quite extreme ideas on who others are and what they do in their lives that contribute to society. You speak of them as if you hate them and blame them more than the 7% of the population that we see in 95% of the mug shots taken around the country.

Do you really think that those who may identify with "the tea party" are the problem of government built up over decades? Really?

What on earth are you talking about, JoeBlob? What constitutes 7% of the population? You have data on 95% of the mug shots?

Where you been anyway? I'd bet you were out buying ammo and memorizing abstract of the Senate Bill 0281 while you put the pedal to the metal of your Scooter Store Grand Coupe.

Sanchez, what are you talking about? I do blame the Tea Party for the bottleneck government we now have. Have I not that right?

Capitulation is not compromise.

"We won, you lost" - President Obama

1ke, I bet you been out lurking in the bushes at bus stops looking for little boys.

Yes Sean, you have the right to blame those who are not to blame. you have the right to show your hate toward others. all in your rights.
I do find it odd that you blame such a small group of people out of the 536 who are responsible. and hols blameless those who control 2/3 of government. i find that quite radical and extreme.

Ahh, 1ke does not like having his nagger ways returned does he? ignorant bastard!

You post as if you were a filthy, impotent little man.

Projecting your own ED problem on others 1ke? Why are you such a vile nagger?

I find it amazing that you turn my every word, phrase or idea into some hallucinated, sexualized, macho combat. First, it was pedophilia and, then, erectile dysfunction.

People without you affliction would presume that the word "impotent" referred to the state of being powerless or characterized by an inability to effect a desired outcome. But, not you. No!

You, sir, are a guttersnipe. Do everyone a favor and delete your filth.

THE CARSON TRUMP TICKET....think about the possibilities..)

ID rather not. Trump is a pompous tool.

Jesus said: the most direct pathway to hell is to follow the rich man. Someone here would suggest that Donald Trump who has declared bankruptcy several times in his career, destroying the lives and stealing the money of investors and then moving onward unscathed. He is a failed human being whose value system is dominated by self preservation and worship of wealth. He has done nothing to improve the lives of others. He has done nothing to make democracy stronger or to enhance US reputation elsewhere in world. The frivolous suggestion that he has answers is a clear indication of surrender to GOP hate and bigotry. Roman empire lost its democracy to those rich folk who lusted power and wealth. They killed a thriving society to enrich themselves.

We need a tool to straighten this mess out...he would be one of the real tools that the sleeping public would wake up to....think about it...
We are currently being ruled by fool tools.... and the sheep that flock toward the cliff..

You need to look at the other part of the team that I chose Maryellen...Ben Carson for President....Trump, VP....What a team of balance!!

"Someone here would suggest that Donald Trump who has declared bankruptcy several times in his career, destroying the lives... "

Really? You keep repeating that and for what reason? Have you ever claimed bankruptcy? If not why not? Never started a business? Never made a payroll when you didn't get paid? Anyone like Trump, regardless of your emotional misgivings for him, who start many businesses are for sure going to fail at times. How is that to be held AGAINST him? Do you have any idea what HIS payroll is? How many people rely on a job in his many businesses today?
"ruined lives"? SO emotional and flat out wrong. Everyone has lost a job or 10. Their lives are disrupted many times but not "destroyed".

"stealing the money of investors"??? That is an allegation that you make of whole cloth. How? Ponzi and Milken and and others did, not Trump. His investors know the risks and for you to say that savvy millionaire investors are somehow naive and being robbed by Trump is absurd. You rhetoric makes me think you have spent many evenings in parks and held signs up with some anti establishment messages. Are you an Occupooper?

If it is "Easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to get into heaven", it is self revealing that following a rich man is not the way to get into heaven. The only other place, that we know about, is hell. Thus follow the rich man to hell. Jesus said it. Mark -10:25, Matthew-19:24.

No Steve, its not real. Its fake because its on youtube and we can see it and hear it. If you had an open mind you too could see and hear it. It is not Harris who is the subject of the video but the fine Doctor who heads the CDC. Its a shame Steve you are so closed minded.