Until we see a transcript (Whiteouse.gov) we will rely on this AP report of the President's presser:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama demanded on Monday that lawmakers raise the nation's $16.4 trillion federal debt limit quickly, warning that "Social Security benefits and veterans' checks will be delayed" if they don't and cautioning Republicans not to insist on cuts to government spending in exchange.
Social Security again? The Social Security Trust Fund lacks the vast powers attributed to it by libs but their notional assets do count as part of Treasury debt for purposes of the debt ceiling. Consequently, if the Trust Fund needs to redeem bonds with Treasury to pay benefits the Treasury ought to have room under the debt ceiling to finance that by issuing an equal amount of bonds to the public. Debt held by the Trust fund will drop, debt held by the public will rise, but total debt for debt ceiling purposes will remain unchanged.
Or at least,that is Congressional intent and the point of the law. Glenn Kessler of the WaPo explored this during the debt ceiling debacle of 2011. His conclusion - it's complicated, it seems to be tied in to the specifics of Treasury cash flow management (payroll tax receipts are not segregated, apparently), and there may be glitches in the structuring of the Trust Fund bonds - typically a bond matures owing both interest and the final principal payment; only the principal is counted in the debt ceiling, so Treasury needs to come up with the cash for the interest portion, which may create an issue when they are out of cash. His bottom line:
The Pinocchio Test
The president obviously does not want to show all of his cards in this high-stakes game of poker. Raising the specter of not issuing Social Security checks is designed to raise pressure on Republicans, but could also cause angst among the elderly.
At this point the answer is unclear but we become suspicious when politicians begin to use “may,” rather than speak in definitive sentences. If Treasury has the ability to keep paying Social Security benefits, even if the debt limit is reached, the Obama administration should make that clear. The Treasury Department’s new statement begins to add some clarity. We will keep watching how the president speaks about this issue.
Verdict Pending
Hmm - the same geniuses who were able to figure out that the Libyan exercise was not covered by the War Powers Act can't figure out how to follow the law and pay Social Security beneficiaries? Why do we even have Turbo Tax Timmy in Treasury if not to come up with personalized rules to fit the situation?
Barack loves to wave the bloody flag. I guess "it's for the children" didn't test well with the focus groups.
Posted by: matt | January 14, 2013 at 01:33 PM
TomM-- keep up with the Muppet developments-- Turbo Tax Timmie is OUT this month-- the Liar Du Jour is Jack Lew.... Lew will be making stuff up about widows and orphans shortly...
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 01:35 PM
Lew's Lies will be adopted and repackaged by the Legacy Media as part of the TeamDem Narrative...
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 01:37 PM
Speaking of "deadbeats" HRH Barry I-- the Fed Gov't's Debt Interest payments will exceed $500B this FY year-- that's up about $150B OVER the Bush years. interest payments are really starting to take a big BITE out of the federal budget now. Just that increase alone would have paid for almost 2 Iraq/Afghan special appropriations during the Bush years. The Repubs need to recite this EVERY Effin' Day-- THIS is the result of Obamanomics-- $500B EVERY YEAR JUST FOR INTEREST-- and that's before Soros and the other vultures strike. When they demand higher interest rates and the Ben B's Fed can't be T-Bond buyer of last resort-- God help us. When you have $16+TRILLION in debt-- that's what happens-- Soc Sec and Medicare beneficiaries are SCREWED. Thanks Dems-- you bastards.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 01:45 PM
cautioning Republicans not to insist on cuts to government spending in exchange.
I hope Boehner doesn't blink on this because I think, with the removal of that stupid "payroll tax holiday" and everybody having felt its impact, he has the upper hand in demanding cuts and leaving tax rates alone.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 14, 2013 at 01:46 PM
my previous comment was stopped. I will thereby try to be less angry in my retort.
TM is correct when he says "There He Goes Again" Obama is lying and faking again about cutting SS benefits. Repubs should call him on it immediately. Even a very liberal friend of mine thought his previous threat in 2011 was low ball tactics.
I say let's get some posters printed that say" Cut Planned Parenthood and PBS FIRST"
I am sure no one's livelihood depends on those 2 expenditures. PP 's recent bragging about the number of abortions performed should give everyone pause.
Wake up America! Obama is a fake and phony.
Now I sound like Gus.
Posted by: maryrose | January 14, 2013 at 01:48 PM
CH:
Agreed. The muddle is still in shock over Bammy's tax hike for the middle class.
Posted by: maryrose | January 14, 2013 at 01:49 PM
Perhaps Team Barack can benefit from advice from California on which people to put on payment hold when cash on hand becomes an issue. Hasn't California had experience with which payees to put on hold from time to time?
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 14, 2013 at 01:50 PM
Yes, that 'Top Senate staffer' Kleinbard, was lecturing on that point, this week,
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 01:56 PM
Lets review the history of republican congress governance:
1.) Govt shut down in 1990's
2.) Impeachment debacle of clinton
3.) Deficit debacle of 2011
4.) Debt Ceiling debacle of 2012
Your party CAN NOT GOVERN. Lets face facts.
Obama should hit the airwaves hard --- republicans want to shut down government, stop services. That is what they are proposing. Why are you trying to hide now?
Posted by: jor | January 14, 2013 at 02:01 PM
My personal favorite plan -- although probably not politically feasible --- If republicans go nuclear and refuse to raise debt limit -- districts with congress criters who vote against are SPECIFICALLY targetted. All federal spending in those districts should go to ZERO (maybe sans social security and medicare --- which can be cut, with a letter explaining your congressman voted for this -- please call immediately to change back).
The crazies voting for stupid policies need to be affected first.
Posted by: jor | January 14, 2013 at 02:04 PM
They simply don't care what the law is:
"The White House has informed House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) that it will miss the legal deadline for sending a budget to Congress. Acting Budget Director Jeff Zients told Ryan (R-Wis.) late Friday that the budget will not be delivered by Feb. 4, as required by law, a House aide said. 'Late Friday evening, Deputy Director Zients confirmed that for the fourth time in five years, the president’s budget will not be submitted in compliance with the law'” the aide said."
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:04 PM
Jor's "favorite plan" is the dumbest post of the young calendar year.
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:06 PM
"Lets review the history of republican congress governance"
Yet the nation kicked Pelosi out on her butt and kept her out.
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:08 PM
White House Scrubs Petition Seeking Obama Resignation Due To Forged Birth Certificate, Forged Selective Service, And Stolen CT Social Security Number
Here's the original text of the petition:
Sounds simple enough.
The petition page now reads:
http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2013/01/white-house-scrubs-obama-fraud-petition.html
Maybe this is why Powell was crying about Birthers...
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 14, 2013 at 02:10 PM
Maryrose/CH-- AGREED! the muddle have seen their payroll withold restored and take home pay go down, thwy also know there are NO jobs and NO raises, they need to be educated that Interest payments are WAAAAY up under Barry I (obviously, he's increased the debt 50+%)and because of his reckless crony payoffs, promises to Soc sec and Medicare beneficiaries will be CUT CUT CUT, when interest payments spike to $1 Trillion/year or more. The muddle can be educated that Barry I's reckless payoffs to cronies and the gigantic debt, will screw-- the muddle! The Repubs should have no problem showing the muddle that they've been played for suckers by the obnoxious punk. I think HRH Barry I realizes that is the way it will play out.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:12 PM
Danube of Thought: I don't want to break this to you --- but republicans lost the congressional house vote by over a million votes. They only have a majority cause they gerrymandered districts in 2012.
Just like they lost the popular vote in the past 5/6 presidential elections. You guys can't win unless you rig the system (hence obsession with "voter fraud").
BTW, Obama was first president to win > 51% vote twice, sine Eisenhower.
FYI your republican congress has a 14% Approval Rating. FOURTEEN PERCENT. What a joke!.
Shut down the government idiots -- destroy whatever remains of the republican party forever. You are already on the way to a regional status, this could be the nail in the coffin.
Posted by: jor | January 14, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Jor? send better trolls.....
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:14 PM
jor and JEF: Two braindead peas out of different pods.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 14, 2013 at 02:16 PM
BTW, their is another republican to ex-communicate -- apparently Powell says the GOP is intolerant.
Please add him to your usu witch hunt list. We can tally them all up: Hagel, Powel, Christie, Crist.
And in their place we have Bachman, Palin, and Cain.
Good job winners! Keep it coming.
Posted by: jor | January 14, 2013 at 02:16 PM
jor:'
I am tired of you so here goes.
2000- Bush legally elected after Gore{ Mr Al Jazeera} tried to steal the election in Florida by goofy ballots and disenfranchizing military ballots and votes.
2004= Bush re-elected with a mandate
Tried to pass SS reform and Immigration reform-STymied By goofy Democrats.
2008
Obama denies successful surge in Iraq ,a success in interview with Bill O'Reilly -his last time on the Fox Network
2008
No Nothing party uses class warfare and lies to elect least capable or qualified president ever.
2009-to present day
Least qualified got us Iran nuclear weapon progress
Syria Bashir should have been taken out like Saddam-instead we have 30000 dead Syrians and Asad still in power.
Libya -unauthorized deposement- now Muslim Brotherhood in charge
Egypt Lawless and floundering
Somalia- another screw-up the French have to bail us out of at the last minute
Boy- your boy's a real loser.
Posted by: maryrose | January 14, 2013 at 02:17 PM
"They only have a majority cause they gerrymandered districts in 2012."
I hate to break it to you, but it's all perfectly legal, and made possible by winning statehouses and state legislatures. And the electoral college system was rigged by the Founding Fathers. Too bad if you don't like it.
You seem to forget that congress includes the Senate.
You sre a bit too dim-witted to survive here.
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:19 PM
There isn't such a thing as a better troll, re Yglesias, Klein, et al, innumeracy is their bane,
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 02:19 PM
--districts with congress criters who vote against are SPECIFICALLY targetted. All federal spending in those districts should go to ZERO--
That seems like quite an excellent plan to me DoT, so long as we apply it to tax increases as well.
That way the jerks who like lots of government can pay 100% rates to get all those wonderful services.
Those of us who don't will be happy to pay a zero% rate in return for the largely nothing we're getting now.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | January 14, 2013 at 02:23 PM
"first president to win > 51% vote twice, sine Eisenhower"
Kinda makes you wonder what happened to LBJ, Carter and Clinton. And why JFK didn't get 50%.
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:23 PM
jor: Clinton can't practice law ever again. He had to publicly admit he was a LIAR. That impeachment schtick worked for me. His wagging finger is a feature in all news retrospectives. We have his lying ass on tape. Victory is ours. Last night on tv he lookedl ike hell!
Posted by: maryrose | January 14, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Narc@2:19-- true, true.
Anyone see and Arleigh Burke Class destroyer sized Platinum coin around here? Legal Whore Lawrence Tribe wants to monetize it.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:23 PM
I am sure we all remember the push back Governor Romney got during the campaign for saying that Chrysler (GM) was going to outsource jobs to China:
ABC: Misleading Romney Ad on Jeeps Draws Obama Retort
NBC: Misleading Romney Ad on Jeeps Draws Obama Retort
CBS: GM, like Chrysler, refutes Romney's auto industry ad
CNN: Biden, Clinton tag team Romney claim on Jeep and China
MSNBC: Romney falsely claims Chrysler shipping jobs to China
WaPo: 4 Pinocchios for Mitt Romney's misleading ad on Chrysler and China
Etc...
From a story headlined at Drudge: Chrysler (GM) is going to build Jeeps in China.
The Chrysler boss says the new Jeeps being built in China couldn't be built in the US, so Romney is still lying. I don't believe him.
Posted by: daddy | January 14, 2013 at 02:29 PM
jor:
Obama will be the one to look like an ass when the government shuts down and we will save money. It's win/win for us. Don't forget Bush in second term got over 50 Your boy Clinton Nevah.
Nixon thrashed MCGovern and Mondale- too cruel to talk about. Bammy barely scraped by this time and no goofy dem wins in 2016 because you have no bench. Only a bunch of retreads and camera hogs.
Posted by: maryrose | January 14, 2013 at 02:30 PM
To me the Macro Issue is that OPM HAS RUN OUT!! That is the simple truth-- and it is the simple truth that has left HRH Barry I standing when the music stopped. He's dinged the high income with higher income (but not his rich pals!!) and the muddle are paying their payroll taxes again-- so the the SS Tax Increase has sailed. The Interest payments will explode at some point, and tax collections suck because the economy sucks-- thanks to Obamanomics. Bullets and Bread will both be slashed dramatically when interest payments hit $1T/year sooner than later. The Iron Law of arithmatic. Goodbye Barry.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:31 PM
People like jor are never happy. You'd think with all TEH AWESOME electoral victories it would have something better to do than trolling a site which it claims to despise. Believe me, I'd throw away my pc before I'd ever waste my time trolling DU, Kos or any of those garbage sites.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 14, 2013 at 02:33 PM
daddy-- Chrysler? You mean that Italo-Car co. named Fix It Again Tony?
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:34 PM
"districts with congress criters who vote against are SPECIFICALLY targetted"
So if a congressman who got 51% of the vote declines to rate the debt ceiling, 100% of the people in his district get cut off. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. (Never mind that the entire scheme is unlawful and would immediately be enjoined. Jor ia a tad bit too dim to recognize such nettlesome details.)
Posted by: Danube of Thought iPad | January 14, 2013 at 02:34 PM
the stench of invincible ignorance, over there in the comment sections, brain slug damage is nearly irreversable.
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 02:36 PM
Jor apparently has the exact same candlepower as Iglesias. What sport is there in thrashing a dimbulb like him. He is so dumb he probably does not realize you are mocking him...
Posted by: GMax | January 14, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Jor-- I believe-- is the guy(or gal) who ordered TomM to STFU about the Platinum coin and defer to Larry "the Liar" Tribe. Jor is either completely stupid, or completely obnoxious. Both?
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 02:41 PM
Great post at 2:29, daddy.
I wish we had some kind of real news organizations. :(
Posted by: Janet | January 14, 2013 at 03:01 PM
Would one of the JOM current or former federal courts practitioners explain something to me. Why would a criminal defendant get into trouble with a federal district judge for asking other people to pay his legal bills? See LUN.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 14, 2013 at 03:10 PM
Just a generalized observation on the blog topic.
1. the Democrats want to talk about everything except spending. They believe that spending really does not need to be cut, but they do not wish to say that. This is because --
2. The Democrats intend to use IPAB to squeeze any cuts that are needed out of Medicare.
3. This leads to point 3. The Democrats intend to squeeze seniors. they just are going to do it differently, and less transparently. Instead of moving back eligibility ages, like the dastardly GOP, the Dems intend to squeeze doctors. (And thereby cause there to be less doctors for everyone). An the Dems will start to agitate to reduces expenses on expensive terminal diseases -- which sounds great, until its your Mom or Dad who can't get the care that might save them.
4. The GOP needs to understand what is going on here, and plan their politics accordingly. I am not sure they do -- and, because they are choosing a symbolic fight on the debt limit, rather than fighting the, um, spending directly, when it comes to the spending authorization bills, or dealing with the fact harry Reid refuses to do a budget.
Posted by: Appalled | January 14, 2013 at 03:16 PM
--districts with congress criters who vote against are SPECIFICALLY targetted. All federal spending in those districts should go to ZERO--
I'd like to extend this genius idea to entire states, allowing them to opt out of federal taxing and spending entirely.
Posted by: Extraneus | January 14, 2013 at 03:17 PM
LUN at 3:10 PM post of mine was to a different article on Aaron Swartz's being hounded by the Federales. See this LUN for the article that piqued my interest in the federal district judge. Here is an excerpt:
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 14, 2013 at 03:19 PM
Champerty I think TC for civil cases. Your link says nothing like your post .
To the muddles wake up call ass the coming huge leap in health insurance premiums and the sure to follow employer dumping of those plans
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 03:21 PM
What a crybaby:
http://youtu.be/dmhA5TZrw6I
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 14, 2013 at 03:22 PM
Speaking of Tax Cheat Timmie, Breitbart shares this about Jack "I eat your cheese sandwich" Lew:
I fear that before this term is over, we'll only be eating "cheese product."
Posted by: Frau Geheimnis | January 14, 2013 at 03:24 PM
Extraneus, let's extend the idea to states electing free spending Congresscritters. Pick a generally recognized index re conservative or liberal views. If a state's Senators and Reps have a median score of at least 60 on the liberal side, there will be an federal income tax surtax on that state's residents of 5% plus one percent for every point above 60. So, let's say a particular state's score was 65. The residents would pay a 10% federal income tax surtax.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 14, 2013 at 03:24 PM
Clarice-- absolutely... many many 20somethings and low wage workers will soon be dumped into exchanges or made to be 28HR part-timers in order to avoid the mandate-- Obamacare in action!! For those reasons too the muddle will be saying WTF!!?? and then they learn the OPM money is over and their gov't foodstamp of workfare check is cut. Goodbye Barry.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:26 PM
FrauG-- all true-- Jack lew is a proven liar.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:27 PM
Sorry, Clarice. I linked the correct post at 3:19 PM and excerpted from it.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 14, 2013 at 03:29 PM
Goodbye Barry.
You do know there was an election and we are stuck with this fool for four more years, right?
Posted by: jimmyk | January 14, 2013 at 03:38 PM
JimmyK--- yes I've heard the rumor. The 'Good Bye' refers to the muddle waking up to the fact he's a fool and worse. I believe that when the national bankruptcy and Soc Sec/Medicare cuts are finished shaking out, Barry will have ruined 'progressive' politics for a generation. Just one man's opinion.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:43 PM
The two things that leapt out:
- "Verdict Pending" is ridiculously generous--imagine W had said it, and convince me Kessler wouldn't have added a bonus Pinocchio (to make five); and,
- Obama gets another pass for holding the country hostage over the fiscal cliff, and now seeing he has a losing hand (banking his tax increase and demanding another) trying to pretend he don't play dat. As if.
And we can't replay this often enough:Posted by: Cecil Turner | January 14, 2013 at 03:44 PM
Janet@3:01...we do have "real" news organizations,if my headline reading at the grocery store check-out is any indication.For instance,the "Globe" headline blares: "Chelsea heartbroken!" "Who will die first?" (Bill or Hillary?)
Posted by: marlene | January 14, 2013 at 03:48 PM
I wish I had NK's optimism at this point. Pres. Rei di Tutto and his executive power are killing the country.
At least the Daily Beast is dumping Andrew Sullivan.
Posted by: Frau Geheimnis | January 14, 2013 at 03:50 PM
CecilT-- many thanks- agreed that needs to be replayed in a contiuous loop. Today-- thanks to obamanomics-- the US debt and annual interest payments are more than 50% HIGHER then when the SouthSide con man uttered those words. Play it continuously-- eventually the muddle will figure out that barry is a fool and worse.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:50 PM
FrauG-- go Galt-- starve the beast. then, the Debt Vultures will swoop and 10-30 year Treasury rates will go to 4-5% -- that bankrupts the welfare state. Very disruptive, yes, but it beats the free lunch lie that Barry/Media have pushed for 4 years. When mom can't get her meds from Medicare-- people will ask WTF!?
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:56 PM
when the national bankruptcy and Soc Sec/Medicare cuts are finished shaking out, Barry will have ruined 'progressive' politics for a generation.
Seems to me we thought that a few months ago, and the wise electorate showed otherwise. Once burned, twice shy, I'll believe it when it happens.
Posted by: jimmyk | January 14, 2013 at 03:57 PM
The can kicking worked through 11/12-- obviously. I still believe arithmatic saves the day.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 03:59 PM
I'm with you, Jimmyk, these progressives ain't going away for a long time. Look at our country. We just got used to high unemployment, destigmatized welfare, and nationally owned car and insurance companies and banks. I fear civil unrest, quite frankly, when the collapse does come.
Posted by: Peter | January 14, 2013 at 04:02 PM
Unrest?-- most definitely. And Barry will send out the Nat. Guard to put down the disturbances. Nice visual there.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 04:05 PM
I really think Obama has a very ambitious schedule for his first 100 days....LUN
He got his health care, he is trying for gun control, he is trying on immigration, and he announced the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Posted by: matt | January 14, 2013 at 04:10 PM
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 14, 2013 at 04:16 PM
In January 2005 the national conversation was about 'privatizing' soc sec and reforming Fannie Mae. The exploding AQ insurgency in Iraq and Katrina ended that national discussion. granted TeamDem had the Media to do the heavy work for them, but national bankruptcy will have a more immediate impact on the discussion IMO.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 04:16 PM
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 14, 2013 at 04:17 PM
Sessions and Hinderaker cite to the same example, which I believe was Washington speak. In any event, wrong though they certainly are, it's clear that he and his boss do honestly believe that stimulus spending is the way to get out of the ditch and out of debt. Crazy? To me, yes. But a lie? Not necessarily.
I think Obama has skated the legal line without consequence because he was popular. I agree with NK his popularity is about to come to a sharp end. Then, he'd better watch out. He'll be "it".
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 04:20 PM
(he and his boss meaning Lew and Obama)
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 04:20 PM
Clarice@4:20-- for your 1st graph to be accurate jack lew would have to be an idiot, with no quant analytic skills whatever. I believe he's intellectually gifted and knowledgeable. hence, he's a deliberate liar.
2nd Graph-- the Obamaniacs are ill-informed personality culters. When the reality hits-- they'll turn on Barry viciously IMO.
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 04:25 PM
Goodbye Obama?
"Freshman Republican Rep. Steve Stockman (Texas) on Monday said he would "seek to thwart" executive action by President Obama in regard to gun laws by any means necessary, even if it means "filing articles of impeachment.""
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/277021-gop-rep-threatens-obama-with-impeachment-over-gun-action
Doubt it.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 14, 2013 at 04:28 PM
A lot of folks on here keep thinking that Zero's voters will turn on him when things get bad.
What evidence is there to back that up? He's done a great job of stoking resentment and class warfare. If/when things really go south, why do you folks think that the muddle will turn on Zero? It seems a lot more likely to me that a lot of the muddle will turn on the people Zero and the MSM has been ginning up hatred against: the "rich", the strongly religious, suburban and rural folk, and, probably sooner or later, because on the Left it never seems to go out of fashion to hate them, the Jews.
Posted by: James D. | January 14, 2013 at 04:30 PM
At least the Daily Beast is dumping Andrew Sullivan
I assumed that was the motivating factor for him starting a paid subscription site where you had to fork over money to read his insanity.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 14, 2013 at 04:34 PM
I agree completely with James D.
Posted by: sailor | January 14, 2013 at 04:34 PM
Well, I think many of us feared - rightly - that a 2nd term Obama, freed from having to pretend to be moderate because of re-election concerns, would very aggressively pursue his extreme Leftist agenda.
Posted by: fdcol63 | January 14, 2013 at 04:34 PM
I just found this particular invocation of 'hostage' particularly odious, after Newtown, and that of his court jester 'the Solon of Scranton' 'shooting for Tuesday, and some such.
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 04:37 PM
I pointed out on another site, they already have a Trig denialist, at Business insider, well in addition to Blodgett, the odious Geoffrey Dunn, who must think he's like C. Thomas Howell's character in 'Soul Man'
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 04:40 PM
I agree with James D., too.
There will always be a scapegoat for Obama and the Dems and their ilk.
Posted by: fdcol63 | January 14, 2013 at 04:42 PM
James D,
One minor point of exception to what you wrote at 4:30: The left already hates and has turned on the Jews. I give you Israel and who its real friends and supporters are politically here in the States.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | January 14, 2013 at 04:42 PM
Fair points-- Barry got the standard Dem 62 votes plus his BIG DATA networking pulled in 4 million votes from young and single women voters. Barry got 4M+ FEWER votes than 2008. Those BIG DATA votes were the margin of winning -- PERIOD. AxelPlouffe dragged those voters out with threats about the the RICH GUY offshoring their job and an implicit promise that a vote for Barry and and he'll forgive your mortgage and student loan. None of that will happen. Instead, their payroll taxes are up, they may be forced into 28 HR work weeks (and a further paycut) or a health insurance exchange, and they'll have to help mom pay for meds when Medicare is cut. The next Dem will lose 4M MORE votes-- can the Repubs earn those votes and win?
Posted by: NK | January 14, 2013 at 04:43 PM
I agree completely with James D.
Me too.
...and, probably sooner or later, because on the Left it never seems to go out of fashion to hate them, the Jews.
We get anti-Israel protesters outside my church sometimes - Mclean Bible Church. They hate us because we don't hate Israel.
Posted by: Janet | January 14, 2013 at 04:43 PM
No, NK. Repubs cannot earn those votes. Too wimpy. Very sad.
Posted by: sailor | January 14, 2013 at 04:46 PM
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Posted by: Attorney Online | January 14, 2013 at 04:53 PM
A person can be very smart in some things and very stupid in others. The notion that stimulus spending gets us out of the ditch is not unique to a handful of credentialed morons who believe with every fiber of their body that big government is a good idea.
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 04:53 PM
Agree with the above on physicians salary and have counseled that when asked. There is actually commentary that mentions physicians cannot easily change careers and they believe the physicians are stuck with the compensation provided. I think we will see an end to the cozy relationship between hospitals and physicians where all costs were passed on and far less specialization than we have now.
Clarice-I don't think it's that federal spending can get economy going so much as a desire that government become the dominant player in every major sector in terms of future direction. Either as customer, owner, financier, or regulator. As the Tech President said without appreciating what he was saying "And Governments Must Facilitate Everything" when it comes to the economy. No, but that is so poorly understood.
Posted by: rse | January 14, 2013 at 05:02 PM
districts with congress criters who vote against are SPECIFICALLY targetted. All federal spending in those districts should go to ZERO
Bad news for Darrell Issa and CA-49 - not to mention the Marine Corps, which has its largest West Coast installation there.
I guess they could just move the Marines to Marin. Think anybody up there would mind live fire exercises and amphibious assault training?
Posted by: bgates | January 14, 2013 at 05:08 PM
The notion that stimulus spending gets us out of the ditch is not unique to a handful of credentialed morons who believe with every fiber of their body that big government is a good idea.
Yes, I think there are people who genuinely believe that stimulus spending is good for the economy. I also think that for many that belief is partly, perhaps even subconsciously, driven by a distrust of or dislike for the free market. For such people, Keynes was a godsend, because his premise was that the private economy was unstable and couldn't stabilize on its own without government's helping hand. So they "believe," but the belief is fed by the anti-free market predisposition. That's why no evidence to the contrary seems to have any impact.
Posted by: jimmyk | January 14, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Well the Post ladles dollops of this, into my fishwrap,
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/14/3178521/hot-enough-for-you-yet.html
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 05:15 PM
And the blanc mange mayor I've referred to, before folds like a deck chair;
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/14/3182274/miami-mayor-joins-gun-control.html
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 05:21 PM
"accurate jack lew would have to be an idiot, with no quant analytic skills whatever"
NK,
Not so. Nothing bars him from being a committed apparatchik who sincerely believes every false statement made. Tag him as "committed kindhearted commie" and work to run his ass out of DC on that basis. His sincerity coupled with his wholehearted acceptance of totalitarianism as the only reasonable path forward make him much, much worse than a simple lying thief such as Geithner.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 14, 2013 at 05:23 PM
The notion that stimulus spending gets us out of the ditch is not unique to a handful of credentialed morons who believe with every fiber of their body that big government is a good idea.
I find this harder to believe than that most of them know "Keynesianism" is pure b.s. but shill for it anyway because it helps their cause.
Posted by: Extraneus | January 14, 2013 at 05:28 PM
Frau? Didn't someone else say those very words??
Posted by: Gus | January 14, 2013 at 05:33 PM
Ex-I have a relative by marriage who is a University prof in finance at a university. He honestly seems to believe that the problem with the economy now is insufficient demand and spending as Keynes advocated. He mentioned Keynes by name. He also believes the Austrians are about every person for themself with no safety net.
I poured more wine rather than debate but it was difficult. Later his wife informed me that they "loved me anyway despite my being wrong." Except I wasn't and let it go out of respect for hubby. Now I do not want to be around them. Genuinely horrified they don't know what they don't know and are guided by what they wish to be true.
Posted by: rse | January 14, 2013 at 05:36 PM
rse, it's okay for Commies to lie and be wrong. So long as they believe their lies with every fiber of their being.
Posted by: Gus | January 14, 2013 at 05:38 PM
Thank you, jimmyk. That's my point exactly. Most of these same people believe that FDR saved us from the depression.
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 05:40 PM
Thanks for confirming my view and iimmy's, rse. It's an article of faith impossible to shake by any demonstration.
Yes, RB, he's not Geithner who's a different animal altogether--
Posted by: Clarice | January 14, 2013 at 05:43 PM
--A lot of folks on here keep thinking that Zero's voters will turn on him when things get bad.--
That presupposes there is only one type of Zero voter doesn't it?
The free-cell-phone-yippee-I-loves-me-some-food-stamps-keep-your-fingers-but-not-your-wallet-out-of-my-womb voters couldn't be pried off of Barry with an air chisel, but the mushy middle who still stand to lose a great deal with higher taxes and a catastrophic economy stand as ready to blame the guy at the top as they always have been.
They didn't get much in the first go round with Zero but enough put their money on Barry to deliver over and above Mitt that if he doesn't, watch out below.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | January 14, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Well Keynes would probably be embarassed by the likes of Krugman, who pretend to be his disciples, I think 'you know nothing of my work, you teach a class in this' ala McLuhan in Annie Hall, would be more or less his reaction,
Posted by: narciso | January 14, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Iggy,
Disagree. I think the Obama voter is a committed distributionist, welfare, freebie, moocher. I know a lot of them. I always look at them in social settings, at school, driving next to them, seeing them at my son's football practice, etc and try to determine what makes them tick. My conclusion is always the same - they feel entitled, they feel that hard work is for chumps and that what they do (cut lawns, clean pools, pull TV cables) some how earns them more than the guy who is out there putting skin in the game, taking risk and betting on losing his ass.
These people have been spoiled since Roosevelt and it is now come home to roost big time.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | January 14, 2013 at 05:52 PM
"Sullivan dumping: Palin's womb is to blame somehow."
I bet the Daily Beast took the day after pill.
I agree about true believers and detrimental policies. I question such a person personally cashing in greatly. I don't know if Lew donates portions of his salary or, like a few noteworthy conservatives, works for free. Perhaps every megalomaniac leader has a few who believe in the system but refuse to see the consequences.
Jamie Gorelick has also benefited greatly from being a loyal soldier--promoted to general, even--n the progressive army. For all I know, she too is a good, but misguided person.
Posted by: Frau Hartnaeckig | January 14, 2013 at 05:53 PM
Jack, the Libtard party promised and promised and promised and promised. Now it is apparent, that they CANNOT DELIVER. So they pick a MARXIST and go THE FULL COMMIE.
I saw it coming.
Posted by: Gus | January 14, 2013 at 05:56 PM
Yes, you did, Gus!
Posted by: Frau Hartnaeckig | January 14, 2013 at 05:59 PM
--Iggy,
Disagree. I think the Obama voter is a committed distributionist, welfare, freebie, moocher. I know a lot of them.--
Me too and I see quite few who are hard working dopes who will vote either way depending on how they perceive their interests being served.
Mitt didn't close the deal. If Barry doesn't deliver they're willing to look for somebody different.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | January 14, 2013 at 06:04 PM
And Gorelick being loyal to Reno and Clinton, got paid tens of millions in the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac meltdown, that we are still paying for.
Posted by: Gus | January 14, 2013 at 06:04 PM