An emboldened President Obama turned up the heat on House Republicans today by laying out a stark choice for the GOP. He made it clear that he is willing to compromise on the fiscal cliff, but any compromise will be on his terms.
Here is the video from NBC News:
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Obama said, “I agree both parties can agree on a framework in the coming weeks. The president went on to turn up the heat on House Republicans by repeating that both sides already have an agreement on keeping the tax cuts for the 98%. The president said if Congress does nothing the typical middle class family will see their taxes go up by $2,200. He pointed out that businesses can’t afford it either, and congressional inaction could drag the entire economy down. Obama then pushed Congress to immediately extend the tax cut on the first $250,000 of income.
Obama said that by doing this, “Families and businesses could enjoy some peace of mind heading into Christmas.” The president used his reelection victory to tell Republicans that this shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody because this was a major issue during the campaign. He said he was glad to see more congressional Republicans starting to agree with him that we need a balanced approach. Obama revealed a bit of his strategy by saying, “If we can get a few House Republicans to agree, I’ll sign this bill right away.”
The president said, “When the American people speak loudly enough, low and behold, Congress listens…The lesson is when enough people get involved, we have a pretty good record of making Congress work.” Obama asked Congress to listen to the people, and the American people to make their voices heard by writing them, emailing them, calling them, posting it on their Facebook walls, and tweeting it at them.
Obama said he was ready, willing, able, and excited to get this issue resolved. He said since both sides agree on the middle class tax cut extension already, they should get this done. The president urged everyone to spread the word about this in order to put America on the right track to get this done.
The president is using the same tactics that he has used three times previously to get House Republicans to act. President Obama is becoming quite adept at using his bully pulpit to mobilize the American people towards his point of view. Beyond giving him a second term, the results of this election validated Obama’s approach to deficit reduction. The vast majority of Americans, 60% in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, agree with him.
The president was correct. Over the past year when the American people have gotten involved, House Republicans caved. This event today was the first step in the White House’s plan to turn up the heat on a few dozen vulnerable House Republicans.
Much like the way he won reelection, I get the sense that this president is micro targeting his public opinion pressure campaign. His first target will be House Republicans in the Philadelphia area. I suspect his travel schedule will take him to the backyards of several House Republicans before this issue is settled.
Obama has taken Social Security off the table, and vowed not to sign any bill that doesn’t raise taxes on the wealthy. He has become an unfettered and emboldened president who is pressing hard for his agenda. He isn’t playing politics anymore with House Republicans.
Obama is here to do exactly what the American people told him to do.
This president appears determined to make the rich pay their fair share.
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Donna
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Please take Medicare and Medicaid off the table as well. There are plenty of places to make cuts. Tax churches–there is nothing that says churches cannot pay taxes, even Jesus said “render unto Caesar….” Make them render and make the corporations render, they keep laying out their demands, but be strong and don’t give in. The people need our president to be strong.
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Carol
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
I agree churches should be taxed. However, no Republican will back that because that is where their tax breaks come from, so called charity to churches.
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Elizabeth
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
How about subsidies to big oil and the tax rebates to big corporations where they end up taking taxpayer’s money? How about cleaning up the Pentagon’s budgeting and cutting back on unwanted weapon development.
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Jonathan
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Go after Churches that break the tax laws regarding politicizing and supporting political candidates. They broke the law, they must pay the price.
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Daddycool
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
All of the churches are breaking the law and dumping loads of cash into politics. Along with many other non – profit entities.
That’s exactly what citizens united and the super pacs were designed for.
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Darrell West
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
In 2014 it maybe time to clean up Washington because they are not doing nothing but seating back be on TV to interview and interence other people business.It maybe time to clean up Washington for good.
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Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I would be agreeable to getting rid of them all and starting over
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Anna Soull
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
“President Obama is becoming quite adept at using his bully pulpit to mobilize the American people towards his point of view.”
First off, the American people SHARE his point of view or he wouldn’t be President, he does not need to mobilize them towards a point of view which is already in agreement with the majority.
Second, encouraging citizens to call upon their state politicians to do their jobs in a way which reflects the wants/needs of the people is not a “bully pulpit” its a Right given to all citizens to speak to, and expect action in lieu of their communication, from politicians.
Just because people have not spoken out freely, or actively, in too many issues to list – that does not mean that when they do it is to be considered a bullying tactic at all — on the contrary — its a democracy at its finest.
I applaud President Obama for taking this stance, he spent 4 years trying to work with people who wouldn’t work with him, and is the one who got the bad reputation when nothing changed as a result.
I wouldn’t be kissing the butts of people who threw me under the bus either …. especially if I was the President, and knew WHY I was the President.
With Respect,
Anna
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Maranon
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Mr Obama, do not let up now.
Yes, the people who make more money need to pay
more.
The corporations who demand the military go and defend their pipelines everywhere in the planet, need to pay even more.
The corporations who lease the lands ther, mine the gold and silver, they need to pay even more, since they are getting those minerals for free!
The corporations who drill for oil, then export it at huge profits, need to pay even more since they cause so many issues with the environment.
The churches, need to pay property taxes just like everyone else. If their landholdings are great, then they need to pay accordingly. Those who insist in messing in politics and play king making, they need to be fined big time.
The farm subsidies (for not farming the plains), needs to be reduced or re-called and the land re-named and forbidden from farming instead of just handing out moneys to mega orporations and people like Michelle Bachman.
The congress and senate, need to get a limited service period, so they do not spend their entire lives as blood suckers ( E.g:McCain ) and there would be no benefit to worry about re-election and fund raising.
We all need to call the representatives and ask them to get this taken care of.
Peace and long life
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Sugapea
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Amazing article from ‘The American Conservative’ (they’re waking-up!)
“Revenge of the Reality-Based Community”
“My life on the Republican right—and how I saw it all go wrong”.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/revenge-of-the-reality-based-community/comment-page-4/#comment-711460
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fedded-up
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
That was an excellent article – thanks for posting it. Also, the comments were really good – most were in-depth and heartfelt – very little knee-jerk stupidness. I enjoyed reading it!
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mjh
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
He made it clear that he is willing to compromise on the fiscal cliff, but any compromise will be on his terms.
‘Bout time.
For too long, the GOP thought that “compromise” meant “give in to everything WE demand.” Nice for them to get a taste of their own medicine.
The president is using the same tactics that he has used three times previously to get House Republicans to act. President Obama is becoming quite adept at using his bully pulpit to mobilize the American people towards his point of view.
The problem though, was whenever the President did this, he was accused on GOPTV [aka Fox news] and RW hate radio of being a “Chicago thug” who engaged in “Chicago-style politics.”
I say, hell — as long as you’re being accused of it, give it to ‘em, Mr. President . . . I say, it’s time for you, as your fellow Chicagoan, R. Kelly, once put it, to show them “how dem playas do it in the Chi” . . .
.
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Myss Bowdeen
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Please listen to the leader, he is agreeing to increase his own taxes!!! That in itself speaks volumes in my opinion.
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Bill
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 5:49 am
The answer is simple, increase the tax on the wealthy and on big corporations but offer a tax credit on every American hired full time. The fear of taxing big business is not creating jobs and this will do both. Just ask Reagan, it worked for him!
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Lynda Harrison
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
It’s way past time these jerks in Washington were made to realize they are there to do the business of ALL the people and not just the chosen few at the top who line their pockets.
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sandppppr
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Taxing the churches should be examined carefully. There are many small churches who barely get by. Their pastors have to work other jobs to make a living. Many do not have a parsonage. Most of these small churches are using their collections just to try to improve the church building. Many of these churches are supported by minorities and do not own title to other lands or buildings.
It is the large churches who contribute to political campaigns and meddle in politics who should be taxed. If churches have lands and businesses which they profit from they too, should pay taxes. If pastors are making lots of money, far beyond the median of what most the American middle class earns and brings home, then they too must pay taxes. If they have limousines and corporate aircraft, then these items should carry the penalty of a luxury tax, and churches should not be allowed to form a corporation.
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Mary Ann
Dec. 3rd, 2012 at 5:12 am
Oil subsidies and tax deductions for cooperations is called corporate welfare. Instead of cutting programs that help elderly, disabled or poor people, let’s cut the corporate welfare first. Some CEO’s use that money to create golden parachutes for themselves if a venture should go wrong. This has happened over time because republican ideology says that as long as the Ceo’s are well taken care of, they will hire hire hire and the economy will be wonderful! It’s called trickle down and we’ve been trying that for the better part of the 32 years. IT’s not true and doesn’t work. All it really does is put vast amounts of wealth in the pockets big business and large banks and corporations. some of that money in turn, goes into the pockets of republicans to keep the gravy train coming their way. People are finally wise to it and republicans are simply ruining their own image by continuing to cling to their precious trickle down economic policies. Hold firm Mr. President!
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