Remember folks, it's the Republicans holding the debt ceiling hostage, in order to get the cuts they want to the budget. This is a manufactured crisis. In 2006, the debt ceiling was raised with a one sentance bill.

I don't know how you can look at all that's gone on and not see that Obama is the problem. He is systematically killing our country. And to simply blame the Republicans is ridiculous. We are sinking under our own righteousness and Obama is providing the concrete.

Is it just me? Or are the postings starting to make more and more sense. Could it be that we as a nation are really starting to wake up and understand that it does not matter which side of the isle....they are both out to screw us, the "Taxpayer" for their own greedy needs. Many rude not very well thought out knee jerk comments are seeming to slow down.

Some of the stuff at Wal-Mart is just too cheap. I found an item I would gladly pay $150 for on sale for $49 -- made in China of course. Why don't we impose some tariffs to even things out a little? It costs more to do things right and not screw up the environment here in the US (China has more lax pollution regulations). A few tariffs could change everything and put us all back to work. Why aren't alternatives to taxing us to death being explored?

I thought that prices were set by a free market, not by "the rich".
If "the rich" could charge more now, they would.
To charge any less would be unfair.

What I find odd here is in the past election the reason so many Republicans were voted into office was Americans were sick of our government spending money faster than they can borrow it. For the first time in a long time the new Congress is making an atempt to follow the message that was sent in the last election and we still complain. Go ahead and raise the taxes on the rich, what do you think will happen? Gee, lets think, no need too, they will just raise the price on what ever product or service they are selling us to become rich! A better bet is don't raise their taxes but get rid of all the loop holes so you are getting the money via the back door.

Concerned.... And maybe we can expect those 40-50% of individuals who pay NO federal taxes (some even getting money FROM the gov't) to start paying something like the rest of us.

The tan man is loving all this, and wants to just mess with Obama!

I do expect some sort of an interim solution created that will allow our spending & the debt ceiling to NOT be an issue for our federal gov't in the future few months while more indepth discussions ensue.

Yes, we were blessed again last evening with another one of John Boehner's ANTI-PROGRESS reports. Yippee!

I hate to inform the Republicans but they are going to have to pay some taxes. For those corporations who don't pay anything, you will have to now contribute. And those who can afford to pay more, should pay more.

According to CNN poll Obama is down again in the polls to 45% approval and 54% disapproval so I would guess people aren't too pleased with the way the debt ceiling negotiations are going. And we will be blessed again this evening with another of his televised campaign talks masquerading as a progress report on the negotiations. Yippee!

Bowlgal: The Republicans aren't going to get people working again.

The debt ceiling has been raised 6 times since 2007 when Pelosi and Reid took control under Bush and not once in those 6 times were taxes raised. Pres. Obama's huge spending and Healthcare Act has caused this problem of lost jobs and smaller revenue. Get people working again with less regulations and repeal several big spending policies and you will see the massive difference.

In the last 30 years there has been 17 debt commissions, yet ever year the national debt continues to increase.

If everybody would listens to Obama all what that man is worried about is the 2012 election.
If that was their personal budget for home, they know they would have to cut spending to help pay the bills. I know for the last few years we have cut back on alot of things, and we didn't go to the bank and ask for more money. Why be even more in the red.
May be the President and the vice President need to stay home more, so Air Force One doesn't cost the tax payers so much money and that will help cut the budget.

Everyone needs to read this.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/22/d......

"There will be a two-stage process. It's just not physically possible to do all of this in one step. I know the president is worried about his next election. But, my God, shouldn't he be worried about the country?" - John Boehner
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Not physically possible? WHY?! I really, REALLY want to know - has ANY Republican Representative explained the logic behind their colleagues' insistence that the debt ceiling cannot be raised to accommodate a time period longer than 6 months (January 2012)? Yes, not raising the limit beyond 2012 would indeed have an impact on Obama's next election - as well as the next election of EVERY congressmen running - because dragging this farce out even longer than it inexplicably has been only POLITICIZES the issue more! Contrary to Boehner's suggestion, that wouldn't benefit this country at all. The longer our government can function without having this debate yet again, the firmer the markets' faith in our credit becomes. Otherwise it would easily be seen as the political game it would be. Obviously no GOP congressmen has admitted their true reason for wanting to do their little two-step debt dance but, again, I REALLY want to know if their only public explanation so far has been that "it's just not physically possible to do all of this in one step." 74 debt limit increases since 1962, and 7 debt limit increases under George W. Bush, proves that weak claim false.

The Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group, study found that 67 of 100 senators have a net worth of greater than $1 million. Herb Kohl, was the richest on the list at $214 million. Because senators are not required to disclose their true net worth, the numbers underestimate a person’s net worth,therefore, there may be more actual millionaires in the Senate. 237 members of Congress are millionaires. That’s 44 % of Congress So with of 67% the Senate being millionaires and 44% of Congress being millionaires, do any of you from either political affiliation, believe they are really representing the middle class? The Republicans are digging their heals in against any new taxes on the wealthy (themselves), I find it a complete conflict of interest on their part as well as any Democrat who will not vote for increasing taxes on those who can afford it. To raise taxes on those who have benefited the most from the Bush tax cuts will have very little, if any impact on their lifestyle. On the other hand taking away benefits from the middleclass and the poor wouldn’t mean a change in lifestyle, it might mean life or death for them.

Time to take a look at history.
For debt ...pdf (2.4 MB)

I say put a freeze on our politician's pay until they come up with a solution. Also, give the politicians the same healthcare that we have. Cut their pay by about 10%. Take away their perks. Once they leave office or are booted out, there is no more pay, but they will have to file for unemployment like the rest of us. They can get cobra insurance after their terms. Watch and see how much we will save.

I think the president should say no to all the cutting the repulicans want to do and just raise the debt cieling on his own. then start working on a budget good for the whole country.

The sick part is The President is threating the elderly that they will not get their social security checks. If I don't get what I want I am going to pick on the old people. What kind of behavior is this for the president. Spoiled Brat! The 80 & 90 year olds believe this will happen. Shame on him.

Robot_Lord_of_Tokyo you said it ! None of these clowns are concerned about Americans.... get every one of them out.

We don't need sports, testosterone, or adrenaline. We need rational and selfless thought, something we are not going to get from any of the mooks we elected. Throw them all out and start anew.

coast2coast:
OF COURSE that is the best way to measure a coach, because the betting line takes into account what PLAYERS the coach has. As I said, any coach is only as good as the talent he-she is given..
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You know darn well, that any idiot off the street could have taken the original dream team to win gold, with the hall of fame players that team had! A good coach is one who is able to motivate and game plan and WIN, even if they may have inferior talent. When talent is very close, a GOOD coach will find a way to win. So yeah, the best coaches are the ones who have the best records vs the betting line. And you are right on...It was Stan Parrish of ball St, who I bet against OVER AND OVER. Far and away the worse coach in America (in a D1 program). A coach you simply bet against EVERY GAME (doing no other analysis what so ever) and win about 80% of the time! Of course my top play last season (that I posted in a different blog site, that you know) was winless Akron +13.5 over Ball St. A game that went to OT, and Akron lost, but covered the betting line....Off the topic, but you had to get me started!!

I agree with AutoWorker. Isn't this the standard? Spout doom and gloom, dig in heels along party lines, then appear to work feverishly on compromise, accomplish item(that should have been completed long ago), then finish with patting oneself on the back with an attitude of, "Whew, we sure worked hard didn't we!"

We need to remove career politicians from office. Their slothful procrastination and disregard for deadlines is shameful. Makes me wonder what could be accomplished if lobbyists and/or complacency hasn't had time to dim the enthusiam for public service of those newly elected.

kiowa talking my boyz-da Lions!
Knowing kiowa (old friend) he'd go on to tell you the true measure of a coach is their record against the spread, LOL! Who was the guy you use to always claim was the worse coach ever? The guy from Ball St who had some God awful ATS record? You had some of the best coaching angles for betting sports!
Maraneli really is a good coach. I'm a huge Detroit sports fan (growing up from there). Your post is WRONG kiowa...he's now the defensive coordinator for da Bears! He started off as the line coach..I'll forgive you though, since you knew his history back to Ari St, but you forgot to also mention USC!
Guess the real question is do you think Obama has done much to turn things around? Most are not seeing this vast improvement that I talk to. If he truly took over a 0-16 economy, most would tell you we are still 0-16.

No, Republicans have no interest in working with the Democratic Party

I think it is all smoke and mirrors. The politicians on both sides want to keep citizens as fearful as possible for as long as possible. I would bet that all details regarding the debt ceiling were worked out months ago. If the politicians can keep citizens fearful right to the last minute before coming up with a miracle solution, then the citizens will be grateful and the politicians have more job security for appearing to come to our rescue. Politics is not about helping citizens. Politics is about creating personal wealth and power. It does not matter which party you support. They are all in it for themselves. That is how they always are able to leave office as millionaires. Smoke and mirrors, I tell you!

kio,
Fine, change it to the GM...Millen built an 0-16 team. The new GM has a 6-24 record.
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Is he a bad GM? Should he be fired?
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Obama took over an 0-16.........you get the rest.
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BTW, I agree with your coaching analysis of Marinelli.
GO BEARS!!!

BAD ANALOGY!
A coach is only as good as the players he-she is given! Rod Marineli was not a bad coach at all. In fact after he was fired from that 0-16 Lions debacle, he went on to be assistant defensive line coach for the Bears (and still is). Bears defensive line was great under his guidance, and made it all the way to the NFC championship game last year, mostly all on defensive play. He had many good years prior to the Detroit gig; as well, as a defensive coach (Tampa bay, Arizona St)...
The Lions sucked because of the HORRIFIC management in the front office under Matt Milen.
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I suppose the analogy CAN actually be made, because today it's always the president who gets the blame because they are the supposed "leader" (much like the coach)where the real culprit behind the scenes is in fact the front office, or in this case the FED president; Greenspan and his hand picked successor-Ben Bernancki.

This sums up the "blame Bush" argument...
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Regarding blaming Bush. Follow me on this....
The Detroit Lions recently went 0-16, a winless season.(2008)A new coach was hired in 2009, the team went 2-14; then 2010 they went 6-10.After 2 years (similar to Obama) the new head coach has a record of 8-24. Do you blame him? Should he be fired?

,
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Obama took over an 0-16 economy...it still stinks at 6-10, and YES, it is OK to blame the PREVIOUS "COACH"!

concernedperson - will there ever come a day that you will admit your democratic party has failed this Country also? Has failed in finding solutions to the problems? Has sat around and waited for someone else to come up with a plan? It doesn't even matter what party you favor. They are all guilty and if you don't see that, you are simply blind. Stop blaming all the Countries problems on the rich or those that have had success in their life. It's really lame.

They are not any closer to reaching a solution than they were on day one. The Republicans want their cake and eat to all on the backs of the poor and middle class in this nation. There will come a point when this will not work anymore. Our nation will not be able to survive. It is time for the rich elite to start paying their share of taxes, and stop asking for tax breaks and loopholes so they can get richer.

Rusty to continue to let the wealthy get richer on the backs of the working class is what The GOP is doing and to sit and say put them in the poor house LOL what planet are you on? The ones losing everything is the middle class working people, paying out the butt to line the GOP and wealthy pockets to try and keep their place in the political field BUT POOF TO ALL THE GOP come 2012

americanproductsamericaspride-
QUESTION:
What % of the stimulus package or (obscene spending package) passed by President Obama actually worked?

Rusty,
QUESTION:
What % of the stimulus package passed by President Obama was TAX CUTS?

Few people seem to understand that the real problem is the huge amount of interest owed to the Federal Reserve -- and that the Fed is NOT part of the Government. Both of the two big parties are willing to pay that corrupt bunch of Wall Street robbers instead of taking care of America. The US Government is not allowed to even audit the Fed properly. We could all use some more tea.

If Democrats don't budge on their three sacred cows, taxing the rich into the poor house, taxing corporations into oblivion and excessive welfare spending there will never be a resolution to the debt crisis.

This entire media campaign -- with the major news networks (ABC-NBC-CBS-CNN-MSNBC-PBS)bashing the Republicans and their cut spending ideas, AND FOX news bashing the Democrats and their increase tax ideas -- has been for publicity and political posturing only.

Not Obama, not Boehner, not Pelosi, not Reid -- not one democrat nor one republican EVER planned to NOT raised the debt limit.

It will be raised and we will retain our Moodys and S&P credit ratings and we will continue paying our bills and writing SS checks and opaying Medciare, ect.

These people in Washington may be bklooming idots -- but remember, they are highly educated blooming idiots (90% are Harvard lawyers) and they know enough to check their political party loyalties at the door when they have to be .... in this czase it will be later for them rather than sooner!

Big waste of time. Repubs would rather see our country fail on epic levels then concede to raising taxes on the rich. Its obsurde to the average American that this isn't over with already. But the average American is middle class so there is your answer.

It's all about jobs -- the ones the politicians want to keep -- their own!!!

They don't have any choice but to reach an agreement. It is just a matter of which side is willing to bite the bullet.