General Discussion

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

92. One of the reasons that I am so disgusted with the long, long discussion about the fiscal

Reply to coalition_unwilling (Reply #28)

Tue Jan 1, 2013, 03:12 PM

Jan 2013

cliff and raising the debt ceiling is that all of that talk distracts us from working on structural changes in our economy that could result in more jobs.

The answer to unemployment is not UI benefits but jobs.

And the issue of jobs has hardly been thought of since this crazy fiscal cliff business started.

It is another Republican distraction.

If we could get people back into jobs and earning decent wages (and not start any more wars), then we would not have a fiscal cliff or problems with the debt ceiling.

We need import taxes that would produce money we could use to pay people to make our country safer and wealthier.

It is no coincidence that our serious problems started when the results of "free" trade became apparent.

This deal treats symptoms (like the need to extend unemployment benefits), not the problems themselves.

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Highlight:

Robert Reich : The deal emerging from the Senate is a lousy one. Let me count the ways: [View all] Coyotl Jan 2013 OP

Exactly. A shitty deal for America. No doubt about it. This is not a victory for our side. bowens43 Jan 2013 #1

This is not a victory for our side. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #14

If there had been a period for public comments, this wouldn't have passed. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #2

That's a good point. senseandsensibility Jan 2013 #3

This, clearly by DESIGN. Then, in the "debt ceiling fight", SS - and everything we hold dear - will chimpymustgo Jan 2013 #6

"How does that keep happening?" -- Dems and Rape-publi-scum are both coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #25

Yeah, but those 20% are already too poor to matter and many of them won't live Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #60

Thank you. A lot of people don't want to admit this, but it is very true. Puregonzo1188 Jan 2013 #101

Exactly.. sendero Jan 2013 #114

So right. Many of us were irate Jack Sprat Jan 2013 #50

We DON'T Hold All the Cards AndyTiedye Jan 2013 #126

"How does that keep happening," indeed. woo me with science Jan 2013 #131

In the middle of the night, at the last minute while everybody was out partying. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #12

How fucking crazy is it that our best hope to make things better lies with the hope Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #57

This is our reality. I'm stunned that more here refuse to SEE it. chimpymustgo Jan 2013 #83

And if they *do*... Marr Jan 2013 #155

yeah totally "last minute" pasto76 Jan 2013 #39

By design. Our democracy is a circus. geckosfeet Jan 2013 #58

Exactly - when I first saw xxqqqzme Jan 2013 #93

A moderate Republican won the election UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 #98

+1 n/t area51 Jan 2013 #140

That's become standard operating procedure now, I've noticed. Marr Jan 2013 #154

yeah they were able to avoid any public debate on the bill before voting on it. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #159

K&R'd!! snot Jan 2013 #4

Reich just wanted a pony. vi5 Jan 2013 #5

More than that. The pony had to be brilliant white with pink mane and glitter. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #11

And one farting rainbows all day. BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #21

Sensible woodchucks know how to deal with Dr.Reich. Jackpine Radical Jan 2013 #33

This doesn't make sense ProSense Jan 2013 #7

I'm glad you're feeling better and back up to speed PS. You didn't seem to be yourself yesterday. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #10

heh. SammyWinstonJack Jan 2013 #43

I don't think Robert Reich gives a shit as long as Cha Jan 2013 #110

I actually know Mr. Reich. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #111

I don't have an analysis.. I'm glad there are those who are Cha Jan 2013 #113

"I don't have an analysis." R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #118

Yes, I'm sure you are. I know I trust VP Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders, Cha Jan 2013 #120

That's nice. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #128

it sure is hfojvt Jan 2013 #136

What I would have liked to witness, at the very least, R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #162

What does Robert Reich know about anything? Pshaw, pshaw. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2013 #8

Repeat often: AlbertCat Jan 2013 #9

What about the long-term unemployed. What would have happened to them then? BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #23

My long-term UI benefits were abruptly ended on May 12, 2012 when California blithely coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #28

That, unfortunately, is typical for them. They couldn't care less when you are in trouble, Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #44

That is your response? That poster probably doesnt even live in California and cannot vote there stevenleser Jan 2013 #61

With a screen name like 'BlueCaliDem'??? OK, but I just love it when coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #105

One of the reasons that I am so disgusted with the long, long discussion about the fiscal JDPriestly Jan 2013 #92

That was the purpose of creating this artificial crisis. Keep the sheeple scared and distracted Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #99

Thanks. It's a game to distract Americans from the real issues of imports and their impact JDPriestly Jan 2013 #104

And a quick glance at GD page 1 shows how devastatingly effective it is. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #112

Agreed. Chathamization Jan 2013 #100

The same thing that might still happen. enlightenment Jan 2013 #29

What would have happened to them then? AlbertCat Jan 2013 #59

How about you get off yours first? BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #134

Do you even think before you post? AlbertCat Jan 2013 #137

Something could be worked out soon after the clift. wisteria Jan 2013 #70

They don't matter to anyone who won't create a jobs program. jtuck004 Jan 2013 #75

So true. JDPriestly Jan 2013 #94

+1 Everyone's already forgotten last years 99ers leftstreet Jan 2013 #153

I wish Third Way types would stop hiding behind Unemployment Benefits. Marr Jan 2013 #158

I wished EmoProgs/Libertarians would stop trying to burn down the village to save it BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #166

Ooh-- "EmoProg", "purist", AND an accusation of not voting for Obama all in one paragraph! Marr Jan 2013 #167

Why do we want to restore military spending? Puregonzo1188 Jan 2013 #102

It's really about preventing cuts to military spending. Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #148

K & R, one party rule for the next 4 years, because we celebrate crumbs & mother earth Jan 2013 #13

^^^^this^^^^ me b zola Jan 2013 #91

"quickly offer legislation that grants a middle-class tax cut and restores most military spending.." alcibiades_mystery Jan 2013 #15

Cut military spending in half and we will all be safer! Coyotl Jan 2013 #97

no, actially, he said "A" middle class tax cut hfojvt Jan 2013 #138

I agree with him, wisteria Jan 2013 #16

Robert Reich is there to lull the GOP into thinking they got more than they did.... WCGreen Jan 2013 #17

5. The Bush Tax Cuts and Big War are the Main Drivers of the Deficit. This protects War grahamhgreen Jan 2013 #18

+1000 nt abelenkpe Jan 2013 #19

We should have nineteen50 Jan 2013 #20

K and R - I agree with Reich (and Krugman). NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #22

Krugman doesn't believe President Obama could have gotten a better deal ProSense Jan 2013 #32

Ronald Reagan Post Office reteachinwi Jan 2013 #48

I think I'd rather we just went over the damn cliff already. CanonRay Jan 2013 #24

Neither Reich nor Krugman provide any strategy for how a better deal Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #26

Um, the cliff was and is a better deal than what has been negotiated (so far) in the coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #34

The Congress is responsible for negotiating and how do you negotiate with thugs? Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #36

"Going over the clff" (or better yet, stepping off the curb) would have meant coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #106

I think Labor Secretary Reich knows how governance works DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2013 #35

I teach political science at the college level, and while I think I'm a fine professor Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #41

So the only people qualified to speak about governance DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2013 #45

No, not necessarily, but don't we want to seek solutions? If the complaint is Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #49

When the next Congress convenes, we'll have more seats in the House MessiahRp Jan 2013 #139

"a middle-class tax cut and restores most military spending" - which is what this achieves muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #27

Yes, the deal was not great. Yes, the deal will be replayed in plethoro Jan 2013 #30

A $5 million threshhold on the inheritance tax doesn't maintain "dynasties" starroute Jan 2013 #31

Leave it to some Ds to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory BainsBane Jan 2013 #37

Some people know how to tap into underthematrix Jan 2013 #65

kick WashingtonConsensus Jan 2013 #38

Caved again 4dsc Jan 2013 #40

Tell me how YOU would get a better deal through the House. Pleas be specific. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #42

The importance of not making the deals that led directly to the "cliff" this one, and the next and TheKentuckian Jan 2013 #55

OK, maybe you would be willing to lose those benefits, but why subject others Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #63

Why Won't The Obama Team Listen To This Man??? supercats Jan 2013 #46

Maybe they do listen to him but he offers no way for his ideas to get through Congress Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #51

He speaks about helping us out, but really, what has he done to help us out? wisteria Jan 2013 #68

Trading temporary tax cuts and UI benefits for a permanent 64% tax cut and a $4M per family gift Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #47

The uber-wealthy in America TM99 Jan 2013 #133

You misunderstand what I wrote. This deal, should it happen, sucks in so many ways Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #135

I understood TM99 Jan 2013 #144

+1 woo me with science Jan 2013 #145

Like both sides were saying, nobody was going to like it all. I'm very happy with some gateley Jan 2013 #52

Reich is right. (nt) DirkGently Jan 2013 #53

DON'T restore most military cuts. spooky3 Jan 2013 #54

Cut defense in half to make the world a safer place! Coyotl Jan 2013 #127

Agreed. I think I would have preferred the cliff. But it still has to be voted on in the house. geckosfeet Jan 2013 #56

Reich is losing me on this one. $5 million exemption for inheritance is fair. Zen Democrat Jan 2013 #62

This is a completely irrational viewpoint, particularly understanding who we are dealing with here. stevenleser Jan 2013 #64

"every Democrat/Liberal/Progressive should be toasting it and cheering" limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #103

It also repeals a part of the ACA. Savannahmann Jan 2013 #66

You understand that CLASS was problematic from the start, right? stevenleser Jan 2013 #69

Yes, because it's expensive to care for the disabled Savannahmann Jan 2013 #80

Everything you just said is besides the point. CLASS was NEVER going to go into effect. It needed to stevenleser Jan 2013 #82

So as I said, fuck the disabled. Savannahmann Jan 2013 #124

No, now you are changing your tune. If you really care about the disabled... stevenleser Jan 2013 #152

We lost nothing? Savannahmann Jan 2013 #156

We did NOT have the CLASS act. As many of us have been trying to tell you.That was DOA two years ago stevenleser Jan 2013 #160

Was it or was it not part of the ACA which was passed by Congress and signed into law? Savannahmann Jan 2013 #161

For all intents and purposes, no, it was not part of ACA. nt stevenleser Jan 2013 #163

Really? Savannahmann Jan 2013 #164

Really. An unworkable provision is no provision at all. nt stevenleser Jan 2013 #165

The CLASS Act has been gone. Why are you parroting the RW on this? Zen Democrat Jan 2013 #73

Weak kneed again? Raggaemon Jan 2013 #67

because the truth is the democratic party is corrupt fascisthunter Jan 2013 #72

That seems to NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #89

And that about sums it up. woo me with science Jan 2013 #141

+1 Marr Jan 2013 #168

Why did I know that this would happen?? Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #71

because you, me, and many other independent minded posters aren't suckers fascisthunter Jan 2013 #76

Or just a natural cynic Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #85

Thanks for the laugh.... whistler162 Jan 2013 #95

Oh gee Really, we are now? Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #146

nope... you just aren't that clever fascisthunter Jan 2013 #169

I know! woo me with science Jan 2013 #142

GOP negotiating strength much stronger than warranted merely because the left ignores RW radio certainot Jan 2013 #74

Arguing over the fiscal cliff sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #77

the republicans have exposed themselves as entitlement killers lovuian Jan 2013 #78

Unfortunately, more than just "the republicans" have been exposed. nt NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #90

No way the GOP would cave in on the debt ceiling now creeksneakers2 Jan 2013 #79

Holy Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Batman! gulliver Jan 2013 #81

K&R nt ProudProgressiveNow Jan 2013 #84

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #86

The legislation does NOT "make the bush tax cuts permanent." stopbush Jan 2013 #87

Social Security and other similar programs for most of us are still on the line. JDPriestly Jan 2013 #88

Wake Up, Folks! The less they take from the super-duper rich, MsPithy Jan 2013 #96

Robert Reich lives in a fantasy land... Drunken Irishman Jan 2013 #107

you heaven05 Jan 2013 #157

The House is irrelevant now. Coyotl Jan 2013 #108

Cheer up. The GOP house hates it too, so probably won't pass it. magical thyme Jan 2013 #109

Amazing .... humbled_opinion Jan 2013 #115

It's a great deal! AAO Jan 2013 #116

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #117

yes, those groupies are indeed sickening Skittles Jan 2013 #121

Money talks. The Wealthy always win and will continue to do so until we the sabrina 1 Jan 2013 #119

I wanted a unicorn that farted glitter damn it!! LW1977 Jan 2013 #122

Kick. woo me with science Jan 2013 #123

My Senator, Michael Bennet, a Democrat, voted NO mountain grammy Jan 2013 #125

Good for him. n/t Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #149

Read the article. This deal, overall, obscenely favors the rich. woo me with science Jan 2013 #129

Why isn’t Obama demanding corporate welfare cuts? $2.6 trillion without touching Safety Net! KoKo Jan 2013 #130

That's an interesting link muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #150

Here's the beef: Doctor_J Jan 2013 #132

uh oh, another "extreme far leftist" criticizing obama. nt tomp Jan 2013 #143

When will he learn he is irrelevant Leopolds Ghost Jan 2013 #147

du rec. nt xchrom Jan 2013 #151