Budget talks: This is getting nasty

Obama has already explicitly placed SS and Medicare on the chopping block, utterly inconceivable for any Dem president any time in the last 50 (or 75) years.

How much, and how, they will be cut, remains to be seen. But they will be cut.

Meanwhile, the teabaggers offer .... nothing.

Our way or Armageddon.

 

Or we could just end the war and cut defense spending...

I know... Crazy idea, I'm sorry...

 

Without specifics, that means nothing.

And, when will the cuts happen?

And, has he said it in public? I've heard him say he's "ready to make tough choices" and things of that nature.

It's been reported that he's put SS & Medicare on the table in private talks. Let him say it in public.

And, let's get Pelosi & Reid on the record too. How many votes can they deliver?

 

He has said that if the GOP is willing to accept increasing tax revenue (eliminating exemptions) he'd entertain raising the social security retirement age and to ask high-income recipients to pay more into the program. He said he would be willing to make cuts in medicaid and medicare too but he has not been specific on those.

This is a chance for a classic compromise and it should have been done already.

 

Both parties suck. Let's leave it at that.

 

Obama's $4 trillion proposal is available pretty widely on the web.

No, I don't think I will.

 

A. That's vague as hell, with no specifics.

B. Where and when did he say this? Show me a quote.

C. When do the cuts begin? What guaranty so we have they will be made? Cuts that don't start until 10 years from now are bullshit.

 

Descriptions based on leaks, or has Obama released it?

 

I don't have the time to look for video, but here is the manuscript of today's press conference: http://blogs.wSportsJournalists.com/washwire/2011/07/15/transcript-of-obamas-news-conference-2/
I think he's pretty clear where he's willing to compromise and I don't think there are any particular revelations in there. I think it's disingenuous of Krauthammer to say there hasn't been enough specifics. I mean, we haven't been able to get past a starting point of "I'm willing to offer concessions here if you offer concessions here." Why should he be more specific when the other side hasn't given a clue to anywhere it's willing to compromise?

 

Why should it be more specific when the other side won't even offer a starting point? That's called being unreasonable in the GOP's part. A starting point has been offered an ignored. If I go to a negotiating table, I'm going to say, "I'm willing to compromise in this area if you are willing to compromise on this." And if that is agreed upon, you move on that.

 

BOTH sides are being difficult. There is no way this can be blamed on one side or the other...each has stated their idea and has refused to budge. To blame one side or the other is disingenuous. I am not claiming the GOP is being saintly here, but the Dems aren't making any concessions, either. Obama says he will accept one thing, then Pelosi and Reid say they will not accept that very same thing. This is both party's fault.