President Obama urged a balanced approach to the upcoming budget talks, but warned that Congress (read: mostly Republicans) needs to start putting the country ahead of politics, “Everyone in Washington needs to focus not on politics but on what’s right for the country; on what’s right for you and your families.”
Watch here:
President Obama pointed out that things are improving, “We began this year with economists and business leaders saying that we are poised to grow in 2013. And there are real signs of progress: Home prices are starting to climb again. Car sales are at a five-year high. Manufacturing is roaring back. Our businesses created 2.2 million jobs last year. And we just learned that our economy created more jobs over the last few months than economists originally thought.”
But he also noted that we got some bad news this week regarding America’s economic growth over the last few months. He said, “And it reminded us that bad decisions in Washington can get in the way of our economic progress.”
Obama urged a balanced approach to our budget, “We all agree that it’s critical to cut unnecessary spending. But we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. It hasn’t worked in the past, and it won’t work today. It could slow down our recovery. It could weaken our economy. And it could cost us jobs – now, and in the future.”
Recommending Congress cut unnecessary spending, he cautioned, “(L)et’s cut what we can’t afford but let’s make the investments we can’t afford to live without.” Obama continued that we must make investments in America, “Investments in education and infrastructure, research and development – the things that will help America compete for the best jobs and new industries.”
The President lauded the 2.5 trillion in cuts already made, but said we still need a balanced set of reforms that don’t take aim at the vulnerable, “For example, we need to lower the cost of health care in programs like Medicare that are the biggest drivers of our deficit, without just passing the burden off to seniors. And these reforms must go hand-in-hand with eliminating excess spending in our tax code, so that the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations can’t take advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren’t available to most Americans.”
The President ended with a warning shot to Republicans to start putting the country ahead of politics, “2013 can be a year of solid growth, more jobs, and higher wages. But that will only happen if we put a stop to self-inflicted wounds in Washington. Everyone in Washington needs to focus not on politics but on what’s right for the country; on what’s right for you and your families. That’s how we’ll get our economy growing faster. That’s how we’ll strengthen our middle class. And that’s how we’ll build a country that rewards the effort and determination of every single American.”
Republicans have yet to pass Obama’s job bills or present any of their own, save for the tax cuts and deregulation they keep trying to pass off as “jobs bills” in spite of bipartisan economists concluding that neither will spur immediate jobs (as anyone who has been waiting for the trickle down already knows). Republicans refuse to invest in America by spending money to spur hiring, even of our veterans.
Patriotism means investing in your country as well as her assets, including our veterans who have already sacrificed enough.
PoliticusUSA
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SinghX
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Unless the President has a magic wand to wave over the top of the GOP clown car, the “Norquist Spell”, forcing obstruction for the purpose of deconstruction, change won’t happen.
The President’s warning is not stern enough. The only thing “they” understand is either a golf club connecting with their knee-cap, or a shot-gun blast that accidentally goes off in their face…that usually gets their attention. Unless there are some arrest and prosecutions of at least a few of these fascist, the GOP-Teabaaggers will continue taking/following “orders” from the top-dog fascist who is driving, controlling the GOP clown car.
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Just A Dumb Fireman
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 3:19 pm
“The only thing “they” understand is either a golf club connecting with their knee-cap, or a shot-gun blast that accidentally goes off in their face…”
I like it… I like it!
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Reynardine
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 4:17 pm
To si piš!
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Dan
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 6:19 pm
The republican party tried their best to run america into the ground while lining their pockets and the pockets of their GOP cronies. The economy is comming back and they cant stand it. Something drastic is going to have to be done to make them stop acting like a bunch of spoiled little boys and to start doing the job that they were elected to do. If the republicans dont start acting right they will end the republican party. America is tired of their crazy antics to keep our poor and middle class down. Every american deserves an equal break. Stop blaiming everyone for the few that abuse the system and do you job.
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phooeyrat
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Shine the Govt.”Spot-Lights” FBI, Homeland-Security, Justice Dept; on all Of these Clowns and their Grand Puppet Masters; if they have committed any “Crimes” and are found “Guilty” in a Court of Law; make them Pay. Make “Examples” of them to the World that they nor anyone else are above the law. Or make sure you and everyone else Vote them out of office next election. And keep yelling until it happens! As it should be. In my opinion.
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SinghX
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 7:38 pm
…Make “Examples” of them to the World that they nor anyone else are above the law.”
I think American’s would back this idea whole heartedly. Our basic core belief as Americans is that we all want a fair playing field with “fair” laws enforced. But instead, the wealthy white elitist have bought the playing field by breaking the laws (or changing them allowing them to cheat) in order to keep all of it for themselves.
Americans want these villains stopped more than anyone else in the world. “Real Americans” (as opposed to Sara Palin ‘Merikans) know how first- hand how badly GOP-Teabaggers hurt all American and rob the middle class. The tables need to be turned on them; the money they’ve stolen returned and laws they created for themselves abolished. Fair play plus an “equalized” playing field is an American value as well as belief. Let’s keep it that way and send these “dogs who shit on our lawn” to the pound.
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Thinking Person
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Good! I am so sick of these guys obstructing everything! Release the Legislation, Release the Jobs Bill! Stop being economic racists – the whole dang platform and over history. Enough! Its poor education and manners and Christianity to have Caused so Much Destruction Now and OVER History.
Why must we grant these GOPpers any time of day when they Orchestrated this whole thing.
I am really uncomfortable with any talk of more cuts. $2.5T has already broken down critical structures, include State and City cuts thanks to the Libor Scam, and this propped up housing market (why not prop it up for something useful!) – No, its totally unfair at this point to talk Cuts and Pretend it makes any more rational sense.
Its a Choice for America. What are we going to do? Given the majority wants change, why again must we give one hoot about what the GOP wants.
Call back those 51 votes as the LAW is WRITTEN! Who is Negotiating for the People?
It simply does not make sense from an Economic Test of the Economy’s purpose to actually be to MORAL point of view and frankly, I am tired of the ‘balanced’ talk when NOTHING about this Theft and Corruption is Balanced.
I really appreciate Obama’s position – I very much do. But, unfortunately, the failure to negotiate better with the banks, allowing their scot free crime spree to bust down our justice, the incredible spending on defense and visions of War – I am sorry, there is tough talk time and NO One is saying the Cut Mantra has BEEN Played.
Get the show Rolling GOP! GET IT MOVING!
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Grasshopper
Feb. 2nd, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Whatever that thinking person just said, I’m witchoo.Think about that Cream song, “I’m so glad”. Da Da Da dum da Da dum da, dum da dum da dum da da dum da dum da da. Anyway you get my drift. Everyone have a super bowl Sunday.
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inez
Feb. 3rd, 2013 at 9:52 pm
What is wrong with the Republican voters who are reading every day the disparaging anti_American tactics of their representatives?? I’m certain that many of them are on Medicare, and collect Social Security which their elected nin com poops want to desecrate. Can they not see that the the GOP is becoming a party of NONE? The President must keep hammering away on theNONproductive Repulshricans and do it forcefully and call as many press conferences as he can handle to cut them down to size.!!I am sick of their lack of the human aspect to their coasat curring.
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inez
Feb. 3rd, 2013 at 9:53 pm
OOOPPPPPs cost cutting……………..
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Disgruntled
Feb. 4th, 2013 at 8:40 am
The two party system is all a front to keep the masses happy and arguing against each other. The politicians are rewarded with there high and mighty medical plans and exemptions from laws. Find out about allot of it at infowars.com you will be amazed. I dont agree with everything they say but they bring allot of injustices being done to the american people.
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