David Gergen thinks what's left of the middle class in America had better be ready to take their medicine after we bust the budget with these tax cuts for the rich. How could America possibly survive if we asked the wealthy in this country to pay their share?
GERGEN: I just want to come back to one point Anderson. For the last two days we’ve been hearing about protecting the middle class… protecting the middle class. When we get serious about deficit reduction, you know who’s really going to get hit hard? It’s going to be the middle class. A lot of the mortgage deductions are going to get trimmed back. A lot of those things are going to get trimmed back and you know, I think that Washington is not being straight with people.
Yes we’ve got this… we have a need to get these tax cuts extended. It has to be done and so forth and so on, but trouble is coming for the middle class and the sooner the president and the Congress full level with the American people, the better.
Gergen's example of cutting back on the mortgage deductions rings pretty hollow with me since I believe they were only talking about mortgages over $500,000 and even then I'm not sure if they meant loan for that amount or the interest up to that amount, and getting rid of it for second homes. That's not going to affect too many that would be considered "middle class" unless you live in some of the most expensive areas of the country and I'd be shocked if they didn't make some exceptions for that.
What he's really talking about here is going after Social Security. He's been touting going after that surplus so our government doesn't have to reimburse the treasury for those funds for some time now. I'm sick to death of these hacks who are considered the "serious people" in our political circles telling the rest of us how we'd better be ready to tighten our belts while we make sure the crooks on Wall Street and big corporations and the rich are never asked to be patriotic and care that America doesn't end up being a third world country. It's just disgusting and it looks like they're happy to be taking us there fast.
And for all of his "concern" for the middle class, the ones who are really hurting are the poor. Of course we got no mention of how those tax cuts for the upper earners are going to help their situation. What we need to be "leveling" with each other about is what we need to do to get people back to work in jobs that pay well and how to rebuild the middle class. Not how we should just be accepting that we further destroy what's left of it.
David Gergen better take a long hard look at how close he has become to his caustic republican pals and get ready for a surprise. He needs to get on our side, not expect us to give our collective wealth over to the top 1%. Gergen needs to take another look at the tax rates graphic that exposes the absurdity of it all, and take a stand.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
I'll switch from arsenic to cyanide right now.
And I'd say that the check is in the mail, but I don't think I'll make it to the post off______________________
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
that middle class...for running up such a deficit!
The direction away from "that socialist cliff".....
lies a land which corporations and the rich can enjoy for generations to come....
and when there are all the common denominators in place....
some communism could come knocking to their descendants doors....
all in time...
hunting down, killing and eating the rich (h/t to Bill Hicks).
have matial law declared and throw one of each side into FEMA cells with two forks,
some Fava Beans and a good Chianti.
"Folks, this is not your father's Republican Party."
Joe Biden
Just wait till the tax cuts get extended (Obama said today they're staying and the dem.'s will just have to get used to it)., what's left of the middle class, and I won't even kid myself that I'm there anymore, is in deep shit.
i have a suggestion (bad as it may be, but), if this tax bill gets
passed in congress and gives the wealthiest an extra tax cut
for the wealthy, for all of you (those) who are older like me (over 60-65)
and have only unsecured debt, like credit card debt, why not just
stop paying this debt. we see what damage wikileaks hackers are
causing with their tactics. i know this is really not ethical, but as
a struggling middle class person, i have a limited income and i don't
and won't pay for the fucking oligarchy greedy bastards the gop/teabaggers
are whoring their elected offices to.
One questiion though, why would you be concerned about anything ethical in relation to credit card companies? Trust me, they've probably made a rediculous amount of interest on purchases you've made over the years. Even if you owed them a few thousand now and didn't pay it they're still probably 10k or more in the black on your account, possibly higher, much higher.
O.k. I don't know your spending habits, but they don't loose money. It's just about how much money they can squeeze out of you till you roll over and die.
i am not worried about the ethics, i just don't want to encourage someone to
not pay their credit debts if it will impact their future credit rating. i am an old man and the
only debt i have right now is credit card debt. i am not worried personally about
my credit rating nor do i care anymore what it is. but if a substantial number
of older individuals like me were to do this, if might have some effect, may not.
this idea would probably be most effective if almost everyone were to stop paying
their credit card debt for 2-3 months, but that is asking for an act of faith on
everyone's part and great sacrifice of personal credit stability.
i don't expect this to actually happen or be received as an
actual tool to attract any corporate creditor's attention to worry.
but wouldn't the threat of major capitol loss to the greedy corporate
sector be fun?
and it hasn't hurt me at all. It was my version of "universal default"--I defaulted on all of them. Now they are making deals to get 10-15% of what I owe them and I paid off two this year at that rate. But if I get some that offer a pay off for more than 15%, I just toss them. Two took me to court, but I defaulted on one settlement and they aren't chasing me much. They know the score. I stopped paying when they went to about 30% interest, all the fees etc. I live fine without them, do everything cash, don't own a house, have an old pickup that I got for under $1K that runs well.
Fortunately, still have a job, but that is hanging on by a thread. Next bit of spare cash will go to buying a cap for my truck in case I ever have to sleep in it. Always good to have a backup plan. Things are going to hell for us, but I will adapt. Maybe I'll end up spending the last unemployment check to buy a gun. The rich should not be allowed to think that they can let society go down the tubes and not have to pay for their causing it. Really, I am advocating taking the money back from them, with arms if it becomes necessary. Americans have been docile too long--take an example from the Brits, the French. Time to resist the thieves--time for justice.
comnpanys. What a bunch of crooks. After I got sick and couldn't work I tried closing my accounts, working out payment schedules, lowering interest rates - anything. And they all told me to go fuck myself. About two years later my debt, due to interest accrual of compounded 30% interest had increased around 20k. Even though I hadn't purchased a single thing. Kind of like taking the penny and doubling it every day.
I finally settled at a fraction of what I owed with two, and the third, BoFA, otherwise known as Assholes of the Universe, didn't get a dime.
My escape plan, I renewed my passport and I still have a tiny bit of equity in my life insurance. So if I finally lose my home, I'm cashing out and moving out of this god forsaken country.
Diamonds aren’t that rare. As precious gems go, they’re fairly common. Why then do we consider them the ultimate gift to a loved one? Why are they so expensive? Why do we even want one, when emeralds, opals, rubies are so much prettier?
It’s because there exists a monopoly that controls the price, availability, and distribution of diamonds and that monopoly has convinced the buying public that three month’s salary is what you should spend on a diamond engagement ring.
I find that to be nonsense.
Your “credit rating” is much the same. The “buying public” has been convinced that it needs to be protected, almost coveted. The higher value brings self-worth, and accomplishment.
Also nonsense.
If you never buy anything on credit, you don’t need a credit rating. The credit-card companies think you do though. Even the two biggest purchases of most people’s lifetimes (car and house) don’t need that credit rating. Cars depreciate, and shouldn’t be purchased with credit. Home prices are falling and there are no buyers. Put 40% down, and you can find a lender.
I wouldn’t tell anybody not to pay their bills. But I’m not concerned about my own credit rating.
I have got rid of all things but hard items. Cheap cars move in a depressed economy. Tools can be had cheap-the ones that wont wear out in twenty years at least. If your smart you can get 20% return in a down economy and get rid of your credit card. Cash is great you can get deals from folks with cash.
The wickedness of pride has lost the light to understand how little grace is earned an how much given.
I always ask for a discount if I pay cash and many stores will give one. If not, I walk out. (I don't use my credit card.)
far left loon >.<
i too always ask for a discount for either cash or credit purchases.
i have friends who get down on me for asking, but i save a lot of money
by just asking. their pride won't let them ask, but ego does have it's folly.
People are not going to put up with what these turds think they are going to do to us. Did you see what the British did today when the House of Commons voted to triple collage fees? Riots!!!!!! real riots. They attacked Prince Charles' car. They were yelling,"off with their heads!" Do you think this can't go farther? Do you think this cannot happen here? Just let the Republicans try to do what they think they are going to do. Have you ever read about the French Revolution. Read about it.
Meghan McCain is going to be on dancing with the stars. That should quiet the rabble for a while.
i wonder if she will be dancing to the cameltoe polka?
I haven't heard any of these geniuses mention the 2% cut in payroll taxes as a ruse to ultimately gut and then end Social Security. That is the poison pill in this fucked up "compromise" that the idiot made with the cretinous Republicants. That is the nose of the camel under the tent and nobody seems to have the fucking brains to see that and scream that out loud. Gawd, are there nothing but morons in the media not to notice that fucking trick? AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!
Just got some really bad news a few hours ago and just in time for the holidays. What makes this especially galling is that at the same time this is happening to us, bloated billionaires are poised to get their 6 figure tax breaks.
JP
http://giveusthisdayourdailtydread.blogspot.com
Success story...
CTHULHU 2012 "Why vote for a lesser evil?"
A WWII Japanese Admiral said,
In the TV Series "The Hulk", just as he was about the get huge, green and mean, he'd say,
Mr. President, Congress and pundits, know this:
All things in moderation ... including moderation
Gergen doesn't want the GOP/Obama plan to go awry. Gergen wants his tax cut extended for 2 years.
and gergen can put his left fist in that dark place where
his right fist is lodging now.
For decades now the American people have been doing our patriotic duty and "electing representatives" who were supposed to be working for us to make our lives "better".
We did not elect them to make things WORSE. But somehow they have managed to do exactly that.
They should have been protecting us against unscrupulous banking practices that did not serve us.
They should have been protecting us against unnecessary wars we did not want or need or could afford.
They should have been protecting our environment from water, air and sea contamination.
They should have been protecting our food supply from Monsanto's "termination seeds" and GMO and disgusting mass factory farming.
They should have been using our tax dollars to Improve Medicare and Social Security. To...GASP!!...create an Improved Medicare for All healthcare system for our country. This is certainly something "most" Americans would welcome and that we all surely do "need".
They should have been protecting American jobs and using our tax dollars wisely to create much needed jobs improving our country's infrastructure for the future. These could have been jobs within our national medical system, or in the manufacturing base creating innovative products for the future.
Instead what we have gotten is a gutting of our country AT OUR EXPENSE!!!
We have been ROBBED!
If we could launch a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. government on behalf of the People of the United States of America, we'd HAVE A FREAKIN' GOOD CASE!
There has been a major FRAUD and DECEIT perpetrated against the "general welfare"!
And now with the leaking of the State Department and Iraq war cables from Wikileaks, we realize that Hillary Clinton has been involved with crimes dealing with espionage against high ranking members of the United Nations to steal their identities.....for what purpose one might ask?! Oops. I forgot. No one is actually ASKING ANY HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS!
The question now is: What do we intend to do about all of this?
Keep "supporting" the Democratic Party? Just look what "going along to get along" has gotten us so far.
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
government only exists to serve the people. There is no other reason for it. If it ceases to serve then what's the next step?
Can I just add, my neighbor about four houses down has a rather large light display with electronic music going. He does it every year and it's driving me nuts.
He's probably a Republican in which case I would take action , if you're not comfortable having a little pow wow with the home owner I'd put my ninja outfit ( black pajamas ) on and "go to work" at about 3:30 AM .
"The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all."
How dare the serfs ask for more of the crops they raise? That food is for our table.
How dare the serfs try to build homes with the stone they cut? That stone is for our palaces, our walls to keep the rabble out.
With apologies to George Bailey and Frank Capra, I think Mr. Potter won.
I had to turn Rachel off tonight when that asshole kept saying that this was the best way because Boner was going to be speaker of the House and they would pass it any way later. Correct me if I'm wrong but won't he be the speaker in 2 years when these tax cuts expire and extend them again? Why not let them expire now and save the money for the next 2 years? Let them expire and dare the assholes to vote no on a tax cut for the middle class. No extras, no frills, just a straight up bill for lower taxes.
The payroll tax thingy might only help if you have a job. I don't. I had to leave my job for medical reasons and getting help is damn near impossible because I own my house.
My cardiologist says "No stress" which I am finding difficult to achieve these days.
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
- Will Rogers
arguement today when he said he didn't think the democrats wanted to take the blame for a tax increase on the middle class. Way to frame the argument.
and the whore he rode in on. He's CNN the new Faux news.
be calling him regergen short for regurgitate.
What is the difference from irate to unruly. When none have a chance of any.
The wickedness of pride has lost the light to understand how little grace is earned an how much given.
Gergen , I used to think you were level headed and pretty straight up but it seems you are auditioning for a job with Murdoch these days ! The middle class my butt , it's the top end who more and more possess and control the wealth but don't pay their share , it's the Bush tax cuts but not only the cuts the top tier received , it's all of them combined , we cannot afford them , it's corporate welfare , it's the Corporations and the US Chamber of commerce getting away with murder gutting this country of it's jobs , it's manufacturing and it's tax base , it's letting China and other countries get away with murder and not enforcing the rules in these trade agreements( because the US Chamber of Commerce doesn't want the rules enforced ) , it's the insane amount of money going to the money laundering operation that is so called defense spending , this government in cahoots with the military Industrial complex and the profiteers , it's two senseless occupations costing billions every month still , it's the financial sector and corruption ( and by the way nothing has changed ) , it's a trillion dollar bailout with no strings attached , it's a corrupt government making deals with Pharma banning price negotiations , I could go on and on but to sum it up you are completely full of shit . Not eloquent but I think I made my point .
"The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all."
During the Great Depression, when things were only just beginning to get strained, we almost had a coup in this country Interestingly enough, it was the "1%" of the day that tried to pull it off.
Well, it looks like they finally did it. It took them a while, but they did it. Government is the captive (if not willing partner) of Big Business. Mussolini's 'corporatism' ascendant.
But for how long? The conditions being created (mass poverty, homelessness, hunger, etc.) when you have a hundred million people in this country owning firearms, aren't exactly conducive to peaceful redress of grievances.
It actually seems like the top 1% honestly believe that there will be no eventual bloody backlash in answer to their predations. I'm sure the aristos in pre-Revolution France thought the same way...
with 'us'....he's definitely WITH the financial terrorists in DC
Just think how much money we'd save if these Beltway octogenarian patriots would be good Americans and just die, so as to reduce the budget deficit.
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
Makes me think that maybe Americans are getting their balls back.
Why hasn't anyone mentioned raising the cap on social security taxes as a way to offset the 2% payroll tax cut for workers? Get rich workers to pay the same lowered rate as everyone else. Keep social security revenues flowing. How is that not fair?
dolphinkazoo.com - smart. shrill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLCKSPFrkJQ
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
He, like the rest of the TV "pundits" is a closet GOP man, "I got mine, screw you". In the face of all evidence, the lower and middle classes have it too good in his eyes, because he works harder than us. F@#K him.
Not on the rug, man.
Huh? You see any middle class left in the United States anywhere? Those of us still with jobs aren't fucking middle class any more, we're ecking out an existance just above the elite-defined "poverty line."
Comments are closed on this entry