Can the obstructionism end, now, please?

[Marley23]

@Jas09

I kind of hope that Obama embraces the outline of Romney’s plan (capping deductions for high earners) to generate these revenues.

It’s worth looking into. I assume you’re suggesting that on top of letting the top-end Bush tax cuts expire? Obama’s campaigned on that idea twice and won twice, so the Republicans can’t make much of a claim that the public is opposed to that idea at this point.

[YogSothoth]

@RitterSport

Not really. The House races are much less competitive, because state legislatures can gerrymander safe seats for each party. You can’t (to my knowledge) gerrymander the Senate races, and there you see that people voted more Democrats in.

Well you can, but you’d have to redrawn state lines. Which, I’m serious here, I don’t even know if that’s legal right now.

@smiling_bandit

I’m sure this may come as a shock to you, but amazingly, your idea “compromise” seems to be that we do what you ask and get jack squat. Sure, I can see how you’d love this. I don’t see why we would particularly agree to it. Also, it’s not actually a useful compromise if your offer virtually jack squat, by throwing some token tidbits our way, or if you stop anything from happening until or unless we go along with whatever you desire.

Tell you what, I’ll make this easy for you. You pick 3 specific issues (ie. abortion, gun control) and tell me to what degree you’ll be willing to give up your ideal, (no abortions to some abortions, no gun control to some gun control) then I’ll offer you what we’re willing to give up in exchange for that. Once you’ve learned Compromise 101, maybe we’ll move on to more advanced stuff

[Jackmannii]

It’s isn’t “obstructionism”, it’s “principled opposition”. We should thank our lucky stars there are so many politicians in both major parties that are full of principle.

@Simplicio

Obama isn’t a lame duck, and won’t be for several years.

Whoosh, baby.

[BrainGlutton]

@getitrite

Bullies, Bigots, Hatters, = compromise. IF this cannot be changed, then vote.

Errmm, we just did that . . .

[BrainGlutton]

@Marley23

It’s worth looking into. I assume you’re suggesting that on top of letting the top-end Bush tax cuts expire? Obama’s campaigned on that idea twice and won twice, so the Republicans can’t make much of a claim that the public is opposed to that idea at this point.

Is that really gonna stop 'em? Like, they care?

[BrainGlutton]

@Jackmannii

It’s isn’t “obstructionism”, it’s “principled opposition”. We should thank our lucky stars there are so many politicians in both major parties that are full of principle.

“And be careful not to step in the principle . . .”

[BrainGlutton]

Hm. I seem to recall posting this thread in GD, because it’s no longer about electoral business, it’s now about Congressional business.

[appleciders]

@getitrite

Well in 2 years Mr. Boehner will face election again, What ever he does will be judged by his constituates, and he better remember he does work for someone. I’m so tired of the fat, entitled, congress critters that think we have no choice but to admire their mendasity and consider ourselves lucky to have them in charged.

Boehner lives in a safe Republican district. If he loses an election, it’ll be because a Tea Partier primaries him. He’s perfectly safe in the general election. While he may have incentives to moderate, fear of losing his election isn’t one of them.

[Marley23]

@BrainGlutton

Hm. I seem to recall posting this thread in GD, because it’s no longer about electoral business, it’s now about Congressional business.

I moved it because it still fits into the topics described in the Elections forum subhead.

[Jas09]

@Marley23

It’s worth looking into. I assume you’re suggesting that on top of letting the top-end Bush tax cuts expire? Obama’s campaigned on that idea twice and won twice, so the Republicans can’t make much of a claim that the public is opposed to that idea at this point.

I’m not even sure you need to raise the top rates depending on the deduction cap. You may be able to get sufficient revenue 100% from a policy proposal created by the GOP candidate.

It would be interesting political nijitsu - say "we can’t afford the Romney rate cuts but rather than raise rates (which will happen automatically without a deal) we can implement his plan to add fairness to the top end of the income ladder).

[pkbites]

@BrainGlutton

So, can the Admin perhaps get a bit of cooperation, now, from the Congressional Republican Caucus? Pretty please, and for America’s sake?

NO! Hell NO! **FUCK NO!!! **

I specifically want my rep in Congress and my Senator to do anything they can to obstruct Obama in his effort to make the U.S. what it once was (a barren wasteland covered in ice). And “for Americas sake” I hope they are successful!

[Omg_a_Black_Conservative]

Can it, yes? Will it, probably not. Don’t forget, Democrats weren’t exactly willing to work with Bush after he won in 2004.

[Measure_for_Measure]

@Sam_Stone

The people voted for gridlock, and I suppose that is what they’ll get.

Actually most people voted for a Democratic member of the House of Representatives but gerrymandering (an American tradition dating to the 18th century) favored Republicans this year.

[gamerunknown]

@getitrite

Bullies, Bigots, Hatters, = compromise. IF this cannot be changed, then vote.

Hatters? More proof that Democrats are against small business!

[CalMeacham]

@Marley23

Boehner: “We are willing to accept some additional revenues, via tax reform.”

Yes. Interesting the way that works – no new taxes, but we’d like to close “loopholes”.

[tim-n-va]

What is the status quo? The Republicans are talking like it is the current system. The Democrats should say the status quo is sequestration and insist that is the start point of any negotiations. That is, to agree to no tax increase above what has currently been agreed to. That sort of gives the Republicans an out with regards to their Norquist pledge.

Of course, that would imply the Democrats are an organized party.

[HMS_Irruncible]

Another vote speculating for tripling down on the crazy-ass obstructionism, with the reasoning that the people have clearly expressed that the Republican slate was too moderate.

[Jackmannii]

@Measure_for_Measure

…gerrymandering (an American tradition dating to the 18th century) favored Republicans this year.

Speaking of which, a ballot initiative in Ohio to create a citizen commission to set up legislative districts failed. Opponents (most Republicans) successfully sold the plan as “taking power out of the hands of the people”. Still trying to figure how they got away with that.

[Jas09]

@tim-n-va

What is the status quo? The Republicans are talking like it is the current system. The Democrats should say the status quo is sequestration and insist that is the start point of any negotiations. That is, to agree to no tax increase above what has currently been agreed to. That sort of gives the Republicans an out with regards to their Norquist pledge.

Of course, that would imply the Democrats are an organized party.

Yup, that’s the back-up plan. Let the rates all revert and then start from that baseline. If the GOP wants to vote against massive tax cuts early next year then good luck with that.

[BrainGlutton]

@pkbites

NO! Hell NO! **FUCK NO!!! **

I specifically want my rep in Congress and my Senator to do anything they can to obstruct Obama in his effort to make the U.S. what it once was (a barren wasteland covered in ice). And “for Americas sake” I hope they are successful!

Oh, dear . . . I’ve got a couple of bits of bad news for you, pk: (1) All the preposterous paranoid bullshit the RW has been spouting about Obama in the last four years is literally true and (2) you just declared yourself an Enemy of the State. There will be a knock on your door in about 15 minutes . . . don’t worry, that’s the last time that will ever happen . . .