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House Republicans Vote to Throw 300,000 Kids off Food Stamps In Order to Cut Taxes for Millionaires
House Republicans passed John Boehner’s DOA Plan B 215-209-1, but what is important is how Republicans tried to fool America into cutting taxes for millionaires by throwing 300,000 kids off food stamps.
Before the House could even vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid let them know that it didn’t matter what they passed because the Senate would not be voting on it. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney called Plan B an exercise in futility, “Plan B, which is the only thing the House of Representatives, the Republicans in the House, are focused on right now is a multi-day exercise in futility at a time when we do not have the luxury of exercises in futility. The Speaker and his lieutenants have spent days trying to twist arms and wrangle votes within their own conference. It’s an exercise in Republican vote counting that will not result in anything for the American people. It cannot pass the Senate. The President would veto it if it got to his desk.”
House Republicans knew their bill was going nowhere, but they engaged in what amounted to a day long temper tantrum/publicity stunt that was designed to sell the same ideas that have failed to pass at least twice before.
The bill may be dead, but it is important to look what the House Republicans tried to do. Rep. Chris Van Hollen pointed out during the debate that Plan B would throw 300,000 kids off food stamps and an additional 300,000 kids off of Medicaid. According to a White House analysis, Boehner’s Plan B would actually give millionaires a $50,000 tax cut. A Tax Policy Center analysis of Plan B found that it would result in a tax cut of $108,000 for millionaires.
Boehner’s Plan B was nothing but the same old Republican upward redistribution of wealth that they have been pushing for two years. Voters rejected the ideology behind Plan B at the polls in November. Boehner and the House GOP offered a plan that wouldn’t seriously address the deficit, but would hurt the most vulnerable members of our society.
All but 23 House Republicans voted today to cut food and healthcare for a combined 600,000 poor children, so that millionaires could get an extra fifty grand in their pockets. (Zero Democrats supported the bill, and they were joined by 22 Republicans who also voted no.)
This is where the Republican Party is at right now, and it is also why it is looking more and more likely that we are heading over the fiscal cliff.
(Note: This story was published prior to the final vote on Plan B falling apart. Boehner and Cantor said they had the votes for passage, when they didn’t. For updated information please see Eric Cantor Thinks Starving Millions of People Instead of Cutting Defense is Common Sense, and House Republicans Are So Serious About the Fiscal Cliff that They are Going Home for Christmas.)
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Linda1961
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
gopers in Congress are disgusting.
I am ready to jump off the fiscal cliff – better that than Plan B or any other bad deal.
Ken
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:45 am
Well this article is a huge oversimplification. But speaking in the same generalities, yeah, a lot of folks need to get off their b*!!s and start paying SOME taxes rather than milking the system. But the Socialistic Agenda is a self-feeding frenzy where more and more Americans see the benefit of taxing the wealthy for the apparent benefit of dodging their own responsibility. It’s the “Sure, let’s spend your money.” mentality. Socialism is a deep dark pit with no exit and that’s where we’re headed. America has thrived for generations based on Capitalism. But the “spread the wealth” mentality (which really means take it from others) will be her doom.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:23 am
Would you like to get rid of all socialism in the US?
Dawn
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:32 am
Ken, you need to read up on history. Particularly, tax history.
Ken
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Well yeah, I have read about tax history – and we fixed it many decades ago. However, the same people who scream “Don’t turn back the clock!” are now asking us to do so when it suits their agenda. Those of you who are jealous of the wealthy (claiming they are bad or that money is evil) subconsciously condemn yourself to poverty. If YOU win the lottery, I’ll pat you on the back. But some of you want your ticket money back. Wealth is CREATED. It’s not a fixed amount that has to be taken from some for the benefit of others.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 8:27 pm
93% of all new income last year went to the 1%. the 7% left over went to the middle and lower classes.
And for some reason you think people are jealous of the wealthy who are sucking the wealth right oput of the economy?
You got to be on drugs
Ken
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 1:11 am
To Shiva (moderator)
Earning money is a talent – just like singing, or dancing or writing poetry. Should we penalize all people with respect to their specific talent? Should dancers be required to perform for the rest of us simply because they’re good at it?
By the way Shiva, thank you for posting my posts. All too often the liberal media “spins” the news by limiting conservative comments in order to steer the conversation unfairly. Thank you.
jeanette
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Ken, very simply… check out the change in the income gap between the (exceedingly) wealthy and the rest of us since the Reagan Administration fired air traffic controllers.
Ken
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Jeanette, does it really matter how much someone makes? Should we have laws that limit (tax) someone at 100% at some point? Is “freedom” something we value, or should we continually set limits that contain the progress and success of others? Most of the greatest achievements and inventions of the last century came from capitalistic societies, (particularly the USA). Ask yourself “Why!?!?!” But the world has benefited. Conversely, socialistic societies, have contributed less. The attempt of some to neutralize humanity into one homogenous soup is a misguided effort. We are all equal in dignity, but not in talents. It’s reality.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Would you approve of getting rid of socialism in this country wherever it is?
Ken
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Shiva, No I wouldn’t support abandoning all Social Services because some are necessary to care for the least among us. However, those who milk the system are now expecting economic equality with those who feed the system. I’m sorry for those who can’t hold a job, but no, I don’t want to buy them a cell phone, or pay for their new car. www.youtube.com/watch?v=H...
Lynda
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
What is your last name, Ken, could it perchance be Scrooge?
Ken
Dec. 23rd, 2012 at 12:38 am
hehehe… .well Merry Christmas to you too.
NO, I truly love people. Today I moved an old crippled lady into her new apartment and delivered a motorized wheel chair. We all have an obligation to be CHARITABLE. But the government wants to determine where, and to whom our dollars will be spent. Of course, they’ll also charge some administrative fees that will waste a substantial portion. Charity should be voluntary although we all share that obligation. Oddly, each of us has the capacity to give something. Even if just prayers. Ironically, those who want others to foot the bill for them often seem to be the least charitable. Oh, and incidentally, my income is probably less than yours.
Ken
Dec. 23rd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
One more thought for y’all…..
Speaking of “spinning” the news, do you really believe the media when they write an article entitled “House Republicans vote to throw 300,000 kids….” Really? Was that the name of the bill? Was it “Throw kids under the bus”?
When we’re trillions of dollars in debt, the way out will be no fun for anybody. Yep, everyone will complain. The “not-in-my-backyard” mentality has to end. It’ll hurt us all. No specific “group” should shoulder the heaviest burden, but similarly, nobody should skate scott free.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 23rd, 2012 at 1:36 pm
you are quite wrong Ken. The group that holds 80% of the wealth is gonna pay the majority of the way out and shoulder the heaviest burden.
also, this article does not spin the news. The package that the GOP House did pass was spending cuts and the result of it is exactly what the title of this article discusses
Ken
Dec. 24th, 2012 at 12:23 am
Shiva, we probably have a differing definition of what “spinning the news” means. For me, a good reporter tells the whole story. (The good and bad aspects.) But a reporter who “spins” the news draws conclusions from that news and reports only one side rather than allow the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. The intent of the spinner is to create news rather than just report it – and typically a provocative headline is used. I understand the need to make a living and sell newspapers (or screen real estate). But in all professions – including journalism – there are some ethical responsibilities.
BARBBF
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Have been looking for details of “Plan B”..which show that the plan would throw 300,000 children off of food stamps, but have been unable to find any details. Can someone find a post which reports what is actually in “Plan B”???? Is there a website?
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Look in this thread. There were two parts. One for spending and one for taxes. The spending cuts passed the house, plan b which was the tax part died
I have posted several quotes and links to answer your question
Reynardine
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
I suspect they get an erotic thrill out of cruelty to whomever they see as weak. They probably jerk off to photos of Sandy Hook autopsies.
Rykr
Dec. 26th, 2012 at 10:52 am
That is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard. Rot in hell you sick bastard.
Sugapea
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Unbelievable!
What are Republican’s thinking at Christmas Time? Where are their Hearts? Have then none? And why do so many fellow American’s follow the GOP Selfish Greed to further enrich the already rich?
The Wealthy are already paying a much lower Tax Rate than they have in over 60-Years…yet, they want more, more!
i158.photobucket.com/albu...
Steve Hutchison
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Let’s go off the fiscal cliff! That’s the best thing that could happen.
Capitalist piggy
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
And plunge into another recession?!? No way Jose! I mean not even Steven!
Sandra Rickett
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Why are we not starting a petition to have term limits on senators and congressman? We have limits for the President…WTH!!
Dawn
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
This is my petition-please help me get signatures and pass it on! thank you!
Make Congress accountable to the American People www.change.org/petitions/... via @change
Jeff Lawson
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 1:41 am
no kidding what is fair for the president should be fair for the rest force them out of office.
sherrie heckendorn
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 3:32 am
I agree with you on that. There is a petition that demands pay cuts for all of them and removing all the extras that they get on top of their pay. It also demands that there pensions be turned over to help on the debt and they rely on Social Security like the rest of us. There are also several others but none yet on term limits and i think there needs to be one. I will check with several of the petition sites and see if one can be made.
Sally
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
The stupid thing is, I’m not sure the wealthy even WANT what the GOP keeps trying to hand them. I mean, I know Congressional Republicans are cruel and heartless, but the wealthy in this nation KNOW they are more lucky than talented, and that their wealth could do much good for the country. Surely there are more Buffets than Boehners out there. Come on, GOP, time to man up and return to the glory years, when the income disparity was not obscene. This is not class warfare any more…this is a matter of America either caring for all her people, or not. Where do you stand, Boehner? With the people or with the money?
Gail Anderson
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
The repukes. are all about MONEY for themselves. They don’t care about the elderly, the working middle class, or the poor. It doesn’t bother them to see a little chld go hungry. They are no god dam good and I don’t know how anyone could vote for these bstards. Selfish and one way. They refused to work with the president. Every bill he sends them their either IGNORED IT OR BLOCK IT FROM being passed. They are disgusting and the ONLY thing we can do is remember in 2014 and VOTE them the hell out of office.
llamacod
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Gail, you seem to have it ass backwards. If you’ve truly been paying attention you should realise that it is actually Obama that is not willing to compromise. He wants, not only to tax the rich more (which is fine let’s level the playing field and have a flat tax for everyone), but he also wants to get rid of the debt ceiling. Basically he wants to spend, spend, spend and not have to seek congress approval for more money.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
LOL. Its so funy you dont know Obama taking the debt ceilign was McConnells idea. Obama didnt want to get rid of the debt ceiling
Worse, Obama had 1.4 trillion in spending cuts. The only reason Boehner didnt take it was becuase his tea party wouldnt let anyone raise taxes on the rich. You are entirely clueless.
BARBBF
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Why is no one posting about Obama’s plan to cut COLA’s for Seniors on Social Security and Federal government retirees? From Glen Ford, BlackAgendaReport:
Obama’s scheme to cripple Social Security is to change the way inflation is measured, resulting in a drastic scale-back in cost-of-living increases in recipients. According to Dean Baker, of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the cuts would amount to 3 percent over 10 years, 6 percent over 20 years, and 9 percent over 30 years. In dollar terms, Black Minneapolis Congressman Keith Ellison says retirees would lose [7] $6,000 in the first 15 years of cuts and $16,000 over 25 years.
And that’s just the beginning. Once the untouchability of Social Security has been breached, it becomes just another social program to be carved up on austerity chopping blocks. President Obama’s true legacy will be to have begun the destruction of the crown jewel of what’s left of the nation’s social safety net.
Somedude
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 12:11 am
It’s no surprise so many Republicans don’t understand what the debt ceiling actually is when all they watch is Fox news. It simply allows the government to repay money that was already borrowed when congress passed the budget.
Of course, I can’t just blame solely fox news when even McConnel stood on the floor of the Senate and flat out lied about this exact same topic. Amazing.
J Martin
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:53 am
The only time republicans are worried about the US deficit is when the Democrats are in the White House. Record deficits wit Regan, Bush and Bush… they don’t care. Balance budget with Clinton… they destroyed it.
This is not a conspiracy theory: The only way Republican can regain power is to oppose anything that a Democrat president proposes. They are the ones that are not willing to compromise. This is crystal clear, I do not understand why so many people can”t see it!
Elizabeth Nolen
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Seriously, it is time to take note and the American people need to start voting some people out of the House. They do not represent us. They represent corporate America, and what TheY can obtain from them.
Sharon
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
The GOP is made up of nothing but sociopaths who delight in cruelty to people they see as beneath them- the poor, the needy, the elderly, the disabled, the middle class- anyone who isn’t wealthy.
Too bad they never read the Bible they spend so much time thumping: they’d know they’ll burn in Hell for votes like these.
Danielson
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 1:48 am
So you are saying that the 46.5% that voted republican in the last election are immoral, materialistic bastards? That they don’t care for what you call the common people? If a full half of the country are conservatives, are they really estranged from the people they represent? obviously not.
Punch
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 4:22 am
To loosely quote, Republicans aren’t racist, stupid, evil and greedy, just the people they elect to represent them are.
J Martin
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:58 am
To support that way of thinking you have to be an uneducated person or a selfish person that believes that your right to flight in your personal jet without taking your shoes off is more important than helping Sara Palin”s down syndrome child.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 12:18 pm
And BTW, We want that kids birth certificate. Anyone who can be preggie for less then 2 months before she has a baby is special
Don Morris
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 9:09 am
Republicans are nothing but backward ,Bible thumping hypocrites.
Buck Turgidson
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I have voted Republican for several elections now. Nearly everyone I know did the same, and like me they are atheist, pro-choice, socially moderate-fi scally conservative types.
Definitely not in the 1%.
It amazes me to see the old stereotypes of Republicans dragged out year after year, but it does about eliminate the possible of dialogue.
As to racism, sexism, etc. – I see a lot of extremely vile, hateful, racist, sexist, violent comment on blogsites, but it comes from the left.
Not saying most have such sympathies, but check out what any black, female, latino etc. conservative deals with.
The debate should be about how to put the country on a sustainable path, and the current batch of cowards is not addressing it.
Taxes will have to increase, and the middle class will also be hit.
Defense spending will be cut.
Entitlements will be cut. All of them.
How to do this and still allow for job creation, which largely comes from small business? There is the trick.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Comes from the left eh? Why not go to the Free Republic or Breitbart? Thats where the hate is.
BTW, most entitltents are things people paid into most of their life. You are paying into them right now. But they will be cut before you get to them. Makes me smile
Elle B.
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Where do I find the text to this bill?
James Threadgill
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Tallyho, over the cliff we go!
regressivewatch.org/wordp...
Debra Vermaas
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Those damn republicans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew Battles
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
This story is BS!!!! There are no propose spending cuts in the tax bill. As a matter of fact the Plan B is the same damn tax bill the democrats propose under Nancy almost a year ago.
You people will believe any lie as long as it involves children. Do your research!
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Do your research.
“Boehner and other GOP leaders had firmly indicated earlier Thursday that they had sufficient support to pass the Plan B legislation, along with another package of spending cuts. “We’re going to have the votes to pass both the permanent tax relief bill as well as the spending reduction bill,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters at a press conference at the Capitol.”
But a breakdown became evident after the GOP-dominated House only narrowly passed the package of spending reductions, which was intended to replace automatic defense cuts, or “sequestration.” That measure, meant to encourage possible conservative dissenters to support the tax proposal, squeaked to victory by a margin of 215-209, with twenty-one Republicans voting against the bill.
The House then immediately went into an unexpected recess, with members huddled behind closed doors before announcing the end of votes for the evening.
A source in the room tells NBC News that Boehner made an impassioned plea for his members to support the bill, saying they would lose their negotiating power if they didn’t pass it. But his pleas – and urging from an emotional Mike Kelly, R-Penn., were not enough to muster the needed votes.
firstread.nbcnews.com/_ne...
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
“Plan B was originally conceived as a full, clean extension of the Bush tax cuts for all income up to $1 million — an attempt to extract further tax and spending concessions from President Obama by eliminating the public perception that Republicans were prepared to take the country over the fiscal cliff to protect millionaires and billionaires from higher taxes.
But the fatal conceit of Plan B was Boehner’s expectation that 218 members of his restive conference would vote to effectively increase taxes on the wealthy, even incrementally, for any reason — let alone as a symbolic exercise meant to grease what they view as a misguided effort to cut a budget deal with President Obama.
His problems began to mount late Wednesday, when it became clear that conservative members would not support the plan without changes. To cajole them, he promised to twin plan B with a vote on separate legislation to cut spending from programs for the poor, meant to defer defense and domestic spending cuts set to take effect early next year.
It wasn’t nearly enough enticement. House Republicans were happy to vote for safety net cuts, but that had no bearing on their willingness to vote for an unconnected tax increase on high earners.”
So they were happy to cut funds for the poor to give to the rich. Sounds typical to me
tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.c...
Betsy
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I thought they went home because they did not have the votes?
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
“Boehner and other GOP leaders had firmly indicated earlier Thursday that they had sufficient support to pass the Plan B legislation, along with another package of spending cuts. “We’re going to have the votes to pass both the permanent tax relief bill as well as the spending reduction bill,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters at a press conference at the Capitol.”
But a breakdown became evident after the GOP-dominated House only narrowly passed the package of spending reductions, which was intended to replace automatic defense cuts, or “sequestration.” That measure, meant to encourage possible conservative dissenters to support the tax proposal, squeaked to victory by a margin of 215-209, with twenty-one Republicans voting against the bill.
The House then immediately went into an unexpected recess, with members huddled behind closed doors before announcing the end of votes for the evening.
A source in the room tells NBC News that Boehner made an impassioned plea for his members to support the bill, saying they would lose their negotiating power if they didn’t pass it. But his pleas – and urging from an emotional Mike Kelly, R-Penn., were not enough to muster the needed votes.
firstread.nbcnews.com/_ne...
Latoshia Green
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
so what about umemployment ? do the extentions continue or is 12/29/12 it ?
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
I beleive a few million get cut off
Cry more
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Just to be clear, there are WELL OVER 300k people abusing food stamps. I watch as my brother gets over 600$ a week in food stamps by claiming 5 kids and saying he is homeless and jobless. Let me start by saying he watches 2 of those kids, he has a home, and no he doesnt have a job. He spends probably 50 of the 600$ he gets on food, and the other 550 on drugs. I know about 30 people who all get foodstamps and none of them deserve/need foodstamps.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
So you are sure only the abusers will get cut right?
I dont really buy your story about 30 people, or your brother. No one gets by on $50.00 a month on food
Kem
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 3:44 am
“No one gets by on $50.00 a month on food”.. LOL it is possible. I had to shop for my family of 5 with $50.00 to a $100.00 a month depended on the bills, it’s not easy or healthy. but very possible.
master_baker
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
How exactly does he spend food stamp money on drugs?
Peter H
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 1:20 am
I used to work at a grocery store, and it would happen regularly. People will trade cash for food stamps at a reduced rate. Recipient A will buy $100 in food for Person B and Person B will give them cash. Less than $100 of course. I don’t know the approximate exchange rate though.
Ellen
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
So, why don’t you report him for food stamp fraud then? along with the other “30″ people who you “know” are defrauding the system.
Seems to me you are no better then them since you watch it and do nothing to stop it!
I also highly doubt anyone gets 600 dollars a week in food stamps. That number is beyond ridiculous. Think of a lower number the next time you try this lie, and don’t forget that you should turn him in for fraud also. It might also help his drug problem to do some time in jail.
QueenStorm
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:15 am
If what you say is true, then why don’t you document it and turn him in? It’s not the fault of the law itself, it’s the fault of people who know about fraud and do nothing but complain about it. This is a huge problem. Many people know of people who abuse the system but they won’t do anything to turn them in. How do I know? I spent 33 years as a Social Worker, begging the people who would say ‘someone’ is committing fraud to file complaints so we could do something about it. But they wouldn’t name names. So, don’t complain about ‘your brother’ if you haven’t turned him in. You are just as bad as he is. “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”. Same holds true for fraud.
Janis Hewes
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Since they must have some kind of a contract with the US Gov’t why don’t we just transfer all of their asses to Afghanistan..then they could get military money and food and sleep in the mud and get shot at and shit on..o yes they could have all of the precious guns they want…..What a great idea..follow orders of the people or go fight the wars you love….
We voted what we wanted Now Do It
labman57
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Further evidence that the Congressional GOP doesn’t give a crap about socio-economically disadvantaged American families, using anecdotal examples to justify their callous lack of empathy.
Case in point — at a time when there are a greater number of families in poverty … it makes perfect sense to reduce the number of families that can qualify for food stamps.
So do you feed the kids, pay the heating bill, or gas up the car (assuming that you even own one) so that you can go to work? Take your pick.
Congressional Republicans had previously opposed and filibustered legislation that would enact the so-called Buffet Rule. Their rationalization:
The “Buffett Rule” bill would not, in of itself, solve the deficit problem. They used the same reasoning when blocking legislation that would eliminate subsidies for the petroleum industry and tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas.
So if a bill does not, by itself, eradicate the federal deficit, then it’s not worth passing …
…. and so naturally the GOP strives to block funding for PP, NPR, PBS and AmeriCorps … and of course, slash funding for Medicaid and the Food Stamp program, because obviously those are the most significant — and clearly the least essential — programs impacting alleged excessive government spending, and each of these Republican proposals will make a huge impact on reducing the deficit, right?
Cue the well-deserved eye roll and face palm.
Chris
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
The truth is entitlements never get reduced.
Chris
Owner Cel Financial Services
IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer
Registered bonded California CTEC Tax Preparer
Please visit my website for all your Fillmore Income Tax needs.
Jimbo
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Something tells me you are all full of SHIT on this one! Lies and scare tactics that is what it takes for Dems to get anything done today…kinda feeling like Nazis are next for the Dems.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
That something is ignorance.
““Plan B was originally conceived as a full, clean extension of the Bush tax cuts for all income up to $1 million — an attempt to extract further tax and spending concessions from President Obama by eliminating the public perception that Republicans were prepared to take the country over the fiscal cliff to protect millionaires and billionaires from higher taxes.
But the fatal conceit of Plan B was Boehner’s expectation that 218 members of his restive conference would vote to effectively increase taxes on the wealthy, even incrementally, for any reason — let alone as a symbolic exercise meant to grease what they view as a misguided effort to cut a budget deal with President Obama.
His problems began to mount late Wednesday, when it became clear that conservative members would not support the plan without changes. To cajole them, he promised to twin plan B with a vote on separate legislation to cut spending from programs for the poor, meant to defer defense and domestic spending cuts set to take effect early next year.
It wasn’t nearly enough enticement. House Republicans were happy to vote for safety net cuts, but that had no bearing on their willingness to vote for an unconnected tax increase on high earners.”
So they were happy to cut funds for the poor to give to the rich. Sounds typical to
tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.c...
“Do your research.
“Boehner and other GOP leaders had firmly indicated earlier Thursday that they had sufficient support to pass the Plan B legislation, along with another package of spending cuts. “We’re going to have the votes to pass both the permanent tax relief bill as well as the spending reduction bill,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters at a press conference at the Capitol.”
But a breakdown became evident after the GOP-dominated House only narrowly passed the package of spending reductions, which was intended to replace automatic defense cuts, or “sequestration.” That measure, meant to encourage possible conservative dissenters to support the tax proposal, squeaked to victory by a margin of 215-209, with twenty-one Republicans voting against the bill.
The House then immediately went into an unexpected recess, with members huddled behind closed doors before announcing the end of votes for the evening.
A source in the room tells NBC News that Boehner made an impassioned plea for his members to support the bill, saying they would lose their negotiating power if they didn’t pass it. But his pleas – and urging from an emotional Mike Kelly, R-Penn., were not enough to muster the needed votes.”
firstread.nbcnews.com/_ne...
Doug
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
You know, I’m a Democratic stalwart, but the way the White House is messaging the proposal here is very slippery, bordeline a lie. Taxes for the very rich would go up by quite a bit under ‘Plan B’.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Only after a million dollars, and the tax only goes up 4%. And it cuts food from kids and the needy to pay for the rich
Your not a dem, dont waste our time
Johnathan
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 12:55 am
The article title says it cuts taxes for millionaires. It raises taxes 4% for millionaires.
DNA
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 1:04 am
Preamble of the Constitution of the United States.
We the People,
in order to form a more perfect Union,
Establish Justice,
Ensure Domestic Tranquility,
Provide for the Common Defense,
*** PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE ***
and Secure the Blessings of Liberty,
to ourselves and our Posterity (children)
do ordain and establish this
Constitution of the United States.
This is the list of the 5 reasons why the Constitution was written and why the United States was formed.
GuileWilliams
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 1:12 am
I didn’t think anyone in office could really be that stupid. Who the hell voted him in again?
daliathedoll
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 3:25 am
Does this mean that the children of underpaid WalMart workers are not going to have food? Or health care? Are these the same people in Congress who claim to be Christians? When Jesus said, “suffer the little children unto me, for thine is the kingdom of heaven,” he did not mean that children should suffer.
This is inhuman and inhumane. When will the rich have enough? Everyone jokingly is mocking the end of the world. I, for one, would love to see a tectonic change of course. Most of my adult life, the rich have gotten more and more rapacious. Politically, further and further right. attacks on Unions and working people just rampant. These guys are really giving it their all. It’s their last stand.
goodbye quinto sol. I have survived, so far to see el sixto sol. Let us hope that this era will be where humanity can once and for all, live in peace and harmony. Where we are channels of peace. Not hatred, not violence.
God does not punish us, but karma is a bitch.
Love, peace and hope in el 6to sol, el sol de la mujer.
econik
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 3:35 am
If you can’t feed a kid, don’t have one. Its called taking personal responsibility. Enabling others to rely on the government isn’t the solution either. Also, there is a lot of people who take advantage of the system. Don’t buy in to emotional crap. Go do some research and think with your brain and not your cheap emotions.
Rebecca
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 am
*if you can’t feed a kid, don’t have one* Good logic at first glance, but it fails to take into account things like –
You’re well off, you have a child or 2, & then your finances take a downturn, suddenly, you struggle to keep the bills turned on & a roof over you & your family’s head. Feeding your family is suddenly VERY difficult.
Sooo…under your logic, should the parent(s) now get rid of their child? They obviously can no longer afford to feed them.
Kid’s aren’t like pets, you don’t toss them if you can’t afford them anymore (& honestly, I’d think someone was horrible if they did that to their pet as well)
Just figured I’d point out that the world is not as cut & dried as you seem to feel it is. When my husband & I had our child, we were well enough off. Our son made things a lil tight at times, but we still did well. Then my husband lost his job & it took awhile to get another – which didn’t pay as well as the original. Now, we have to use foodstamps to feed us ($234/month for 3, for those who want to count pennies) & much as we hate it, we would not eat without them. With luck, we’ll manage to find a better job soon & ditch the stamps, but until then, we’re stuck.
The world is not cut & dried, an outward seeming is not always the true reality. Think of this before you make blanket statements, please.
Julene Sullivan
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 4:13 am
Really starting to wish that Boehner’s mother had used the original Plan B!
Bruce MIller
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 4:13 am
Why would anybody want to give the rich a tax cut
joseph graves
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 6:52 am
god’s letter to the angel to the church laodicea rev:3:17-19 you say,i am rich; i have acquired wealth and do not need a thing, but you are wretched,pitiful,poor,blind and naked.18 i counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,so you can become rich;and white clothes to wear,so you can cover your shameful nakedness:and slave to put on your eye’s,so you can see.v19 those whom i love i rebuke and discipline.so be ernest,and repent,my words to you the republican’s and to the government you are out of control of your moral’s to the issues of our country, like in school agricultural should be a recommend study as well as the bible,but instead you school sex education,there are no true values taught to our children, better teaching for why and when they should have children we are multiplying like flies out of control,and getting diseased to death from pure lack of knowledge ability !
K R
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 8:20 am
47.7 Million Americans are on Foodstamps. That’s 1 in 6 Americans on Foodstamps. That PROMOTES the General Welfare, hmmm, no that gives people that dont NEED help help.
Foodstamps is the fastest growing program in the Federal Government. From $20B in 2000 to $80B this year.
If you take that $80B and divide it evenly between all Americans below the poverty level that would be $60k per PERSON. hmmm, where is that $80B going then? Cuz Im pretty sure people in Poverty aren’t getting $60k worth of foodstamps each year.
BoilerMike
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Boy is your math off. Try $1700 per person.
Beau Barnes
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 8:42 am
I say run this train off the cliff. This is the only way anything will get done.
Ted Kennedy
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 8:50 am
When they turn 18, 99% of those kids will vote for the Democrats.
Kenneth Pierson
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 9:06 am
In related news. Dewey defeated Truman.
Arthur Lemay
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:06 am
Yes, the Republicans don’t want to increase anyone’s tax rates. The top 1% now pay 40% of the taxes, and 79% of California’s tax increase will be paid by the rich. And the voices on this site are crying for more. This is class warfare propaganda.
France has raised the tax rate for 1 million Euros per year individuals to 75%. And those people, mostly business owners, are leaving France. One of them, the actor Depardieu is moving his money and his production company of 80 people to Belgium. This will cost France dearly because the rich give people jobs, and if the Government takes away the profits, there will be fewer jobs and less compensation for those who work for a living.
The problem is that confiscatory rates make people flee, or just stop working hard to create jobs. And, of course, young entrepreneurs just don’t start companies in high tax places.
So, raising the rates on rich people to confiscatory levels means fewer or no jobs for the working people, and reduced tax receipts for the Governments.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:26 am
The republicans want to raise taxes on the middle class and poor to protect the rich. Thats already been proven.
Lets look at it another way, the 2% own around 80% of the wealth. If they want to own that wealth then they need to pay for it in taxes. Most people pay the full share of taxes while the rich pay far less then their fair share. Our rich once paid 70% in taxes and didnt leave. Well guess what, if they want to leave, that means the wealth will go back into the economy and they will just be making from for more people to move up and fore the distribution of wealth to be much broader. I say let them go.
Except for the fact, that many of the rich are saying go ahead and raise our taxes, we can pay it. Raising taxes on the rich wont effect jobs in any way.
The US cannot survive on a 80% at the top and 20% at the bottom. We need a 20%-60%-20% distribution of wealth to make it. The middle class is the jobs driover with their purchasing power, that power now sets in the hands of the far less fewer wealthy
Jim Tom
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:07 am
WTF politicususa….Plan B didnt even make it out of the House, Boehner didnt even have the support of enough GOPers to move it to the Senate. Do you just make crap up to stir the pot? You’re as bad as FoxNews!
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:27 am
You dont seem to understand there were 2 bills. One cuts(that passed) and one called Plan B(that died). Read over the commnets here, I had to school several people who are uninformed
Jim Tom
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:34 am
ahh so you say that the bill that cuts passed but Boehner’s Plan B is the one that died.
That is why I stopped reading the article right here:
“House Republicans passed John Boehner’s DOA Plan B 215-209-1″
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:21 am
exactly. I cant tell you what to read but there were 2 sections that were voted on
Jim Tom
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:31 am
well, i guess i just ope that not too many people use this site to “inform” themselves, since this crack job journalistic work completely misrepresents what actually went yesterday.
if you want to “inform” readers, you shouldnt rely on them reading the comments to understand what the article intended to say. you should say it in the article.
As a left leaning independent, it would be really refreshing to see someone report on what actually happens, not sorta what happened with their left/right spin added on, the sole purpose of which is to further entrench you party liners. You blame the GOP for our problems (and yes they do have a lot of blame), but the Dems are just as responsible, and its you hard line folks that allow it. You and your followers are the ones who encourage the politicians to put party above country. It’s disgusting, and it needs to stop
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:47 am
Its your own fault for not being informed. Not mine or this websites
And the article does not misrepresent anything. Plan B failed. The spending cuts passed. Inform yourself
Mike
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:11 am
Yes, why should we cut government spending? Why should people get a job and provide for themselves instead of demanding everyone else pay higher taxes to support their free ride? Take a look at Europe (or California) and you will see the future of America under Obama and the progressive left. We will all soon be handing over half of what we have to support those who are unwilling to provide for themselves. We should end all government welfare handouts that are not based on contributions. Keep social security, since people pay into that, but get rid of extended unemployment, welfare, food stamps and medicaid. Replace these with job training, lower taxes, and real healthcare reform that focuses on lowering costs for everyone.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:28 am
Ok we get it, you have all the right wing talking points down. Isnt job training wonderful when there are no positions to fill?
chas
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:24 am
You are going to end up with MORE Tea Party congresspeople if the Dems over reach and ram a huge tax hike without spending cuts down our throats. Moderate Repubs will lose primaries to Tea Party in safe Repub districts. Thus more Tea Partiers – mark it down
john kenner
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:42 am
the problem is the angry white male. His day is done.
And he wants revenge. Obama understands this.
Rick Baxter
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:48 am
The whole idea of the Fiscal Cliff is put forward as a scare tactic by Wall Street, the Right wing Media and far Right republicans to try to scare everyone into supporting the current status of failed Republican tax policies.
Tax policies and spending policies have to change, there is no getting around the fact taxes have to go up especially at the top to a fair and equal percentage of income being paid by all. Spending has to decrease the most in the biggest programs like defense spending. We do need a strong Military but can no longer afford to spend like we do.
Social security and Medicare should not even be part of the discusion as they are taxes seperate from the general federal income tax or general funds. Just look at your pay stubs. They were roled into the general fund for budget purposes in the late 80′s or early 90′s so the deficit spending did not look as bad. Then it gets easy to blame those programs that are large but funded for the problems and not look at the true causes of out of control spending for Defense, Federal employee benefits and pensions, and other programs.
Change must come but it needs to be real change to those things in the federal budget that are not already funded in other seperat taxes.
The worst case with the fiscal cliff is everyone pays a little more and automatic spending cuts reduce the deficit. After a few days wall street rallies as they see the deficit go down and goverment spending reduced.
Tax rates do not affect the economy as greatly as a forced distribution and concentration of wealth in the hand of a few does as the few cannot spend enough to keep the economy going. Fair tax rates as a percentage of income on everyone are needed on all income generated regardless of source. No special reduced rates for investment income.
I vote drive us off the cliff, it will be fixed early in January as all politicians will be scared for their jobs or scared of being lynched if they do not come up with a truly fair…
Workig class gal
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 10:55 am
Yeah, training is wonderful and will lead to a job….but then….it may not be to the person’s liking.
For crying out loud, a job provides a livelyhood….don’t confuse hobbies and entertainment with making a living…
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:24 am
I am all for working, but its obvious you dont have a grip on the jobs situation. With most of Americans wealth at the top, people are not buying to provide the jobs people are trained for
Anne
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:43 am
I wish there was a way to get these folks out of office before they could do the kind of damage they have been able to do to the social fabric in this country. Just one day that they are able to block progress or pass legislation that reflects their harmful, outdated ideology is one day too many. They love to run off at their mouths about “entitlements” and “handouts,” and there are a lot of low IQ parrots who swallow this nonsense. These same parrots unthinkingly echo it, never thinking for a moment that they could find themselves in a position to need the help they deride. Yet, they want to gut such programs in order to continue further enriching people who don’t need it at all. It speaks volumes not only about them in their heartlessness, but also about the thoughtlessness and/or heartlessnes of folks who continue to vote for them against their own best interests.
Jim Tom
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:54 am
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 11:47 am
Its your own fault for not being informed. Not mine or this websites
And the article does not misrepresent anything. Plan B failed. The spending cuts passed. Inform yourself
LMAO- THE VERY FIRST LINE OF THE ARTICLE SAYS PLAN B PASSED IN THE HOUSE! You’re a joke. :L
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Dont hurt yourself on the way out. Inform yourself
www.google.com/search?q=P...
woody
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 5:56 pm
When cuts are made to agencies such as Dept of Health and Human Services or Dept of Education, the politicians do not specify where the cuts should come from. The salaries of the administration of these departments and the lesser paper pushers from these departments could render most of the savings from the various departments. It is always the children or the elderly that will suffer according to the big government liberals because the administrators will not cut their own damn salaries or staff. Progressives. Running the country into the ground since they established the Federal Reserve and IRS in 1913. But why doesn’t the elimination of tariffs and free trade get the blame from either party? Because both sides agree to fuck the worker and send the jobs overseas. It’s not left versus right, it’s the state versus you.
almansa
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Can anyone name a single successful nation, ever, that didn’t have a system of progressive taxation accompanied by a strong social democracy? Does the Tea Party assume that we will be the first, that everyone else is doing it wrong? No we will become a Christian version of Pakistan, and the states will become tribes. The red states will be home to impoverished religious fundamentalists with guns and bad schools. The blue states will keep their universities and healthcare and social services paid for by the taxes that they no longer need to share with the red states.
RailroadMike
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 3:44 am
Republican President Dwight Eisenhower stated any party that attemptes to destroy our social programs like SSI,farm programs ie: food stamps, and labor laws protecting workers and unions , you will never hear from that party again. I hope he’s right.
Rc Davis
Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 5:20 am
1. The debate is about the bush tax cuts, which effected EVERYBODY, and lowered the taxes by all, to the point several income levels paid NONE.
2. The debate currently do not Decrease Anyone’s tax rate.. It merely is about extending the cuts for some, and not others (the rich). NO ONE WILL PAY ANY MORE IN TAXES UNLESS THEse tax cuts are not extended.
3. IF congress extends the cuts, NO ONE WILL GET ANY MORE “cuts” then they currently have.
4. I remember when these cuts were proposed, the democrats did not want them, stating they were cuts for the rich only.
5. Now, with the possibility of losing these cuts staring you in the face, all of a sudden everyone is seeing just how much those cuts benefited EVERYONE, not just the rich.
6. You can’t have it both ways.. Either the tax cuts benefited everyone .. Or they didn’t. Bush helped the middle and lower classes, or he didn’t.
7. If his cuts did not help anyone, then no one should argue against cutting them ( the will only hurt the rich, after all)… ( and the bush plan was a terrible idea), or
8 he tax cuts in fact helped everyone across the board, and his plazas a good one, and we should keep it.
9. So… Every one take the cut, or no one take the cut.
10. If the cut is maden across the board, the rich will pay more taxes, and so will everyone else.
11 if the cuts are continued, the no one gets any increase in cuts.. They. Online the levels they are currently on.
12. The repubs are not throwing anyone off food stamps… The loss of the “terrible bush tax cuts” are causing a contracting in what a standard citizen has in his pocket now compared to what bush provided him…
13. The cuts were disproportionate.. The rich got LESS of a cut than the poor.. Proportionately, the poor got a bigger cut than the rich.
14, No where is there any discussion about giving the rich an INCREASE in the tax cuts they have had , along with the rest of us, in the last few years.
15…