Who's winning the debt ceiling battle?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's pretty clear who is losing in the whole debt ceiling stalemate in Washington - the American people.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/07/28/art.boehner.jpg caption="House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) at a news conference earlier today."]
They have a right to expect much more from the people they voted into office. Losers include those whose lives could be affected if a deal isn't reached in the next few days and their checks aren't put in the mail. Oh, and let's not forget the country's reputation as a whole. That's taking a helluva beating. Even if a deal is passed at the last minute, the U.S. credit rating could still be downgraded, leaving investors around the world wondering if the United States is still a good place to invest.
The folks on Capitol Hill don't seem to be too concerned with losers. So who exactly is winning here?
The House is expected to vote on Speaker John Boehner's plan in the next hour. Boehner told reporters on Thursday the measure will pass. Tea party conservatives have been whining and stomping their feet for days saying the Boehner bill doesn't do enough. But some last minute wrangling could sway enough votes.
That has House Republicans feeling pretty good about themselves. House Minority Leader Eric Cantor told the Senate on Thursday to accept the Boehner bill or the cut, cap and balance bill previously passed in the House or suffer the consequences of default. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doesn't seem to care about that. He has already said that the Boehner measure will die when it reaches the Senate. And the clock keeps ticking.
Where is President Obama in all this? For the last several days he has had no public schedule and has remained behind closed doors inside the White House. So inquiring minds want to know.
Here’s my question to you: Who's winning the debt ceiling battle?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Rory:
Republicans are winning due to their theatrics. They have managed to use the debt ceiling as a partisan bargaining chip when it would be proactive to raise it first, then bargain later. Republicans blame Obama for the inaction, making it appear as if they are waiting on him! Treating him like a fellow congressman instead of President, they have made it seem like raising the debt ceiling is something only a Democrat would do. They have won the debt ceiling battle, but might ultimately lose the political war in 2012.
Kim:
Clearly, there's no winner here. What nerve to scream "cut spending" when the Republican Party was handed the baton, a balanced budget and surplus the day they proudly handed "W" the keys to the Oval Office. I wouldn't have dreamed it possible to drive this country into such a humiliating pit of greed and recession in that short a time.
Bob in Estero, Florida:
Winners in the debt ceiling battle big oil and fat cat CEOs. Big losers are the average middle class Americans.
Bill in Chicago:
Obama is winning. The Tea Party, with its all-or-nothing idealism, is the medicine that's far worse than the cure. They do deserve nearly total credit for causing sharper focus on runaway spending. But they must be thrown out in '12 if they don't back off a bit. We have so many other priorities that require our collective attention.
Paul:
Tough to find a winner here, but if I had to choose I'd say the Senate is coming out looking the best, as they have, as a whole, shown to be the most willing to work together while staying above the childish fray a little better than the other two participants.
David in Mississippi:
I only know who is losing, America. I love this country and understand the situation we are in. I make well, well below the $250,000 range for a tax increase but even if my taxes need to be raised to get us out of this mess then do it and be done with it. Raise all taxes and put them toward the debt only. Politicians, hands off!
@jackcafferty on Twitter
no one on one at all
jim avilla mo
If this country has any sense of history, the President is winning. How can anyone take the Republicans seriously about money when they put us in this situation, and now are trying to make it worse? They lie, and claim the Democrats are lying. I have learned the hard way that people tell you who they are by what they accuse others of being.
How can you win the debt ceiling? get the T-baggers out of the basement!
No one. Everyone loses.
China
The democrats blame the republicans, the republicans blame the democrats and the media switches back and forth. Im not sure who is winning but I know for sure who is losing, the American people.
Jack niether side is winning!The country is losing. Innocent people who sent members to Congress to look after thier interest. will suffer the most. bothe sides need to come together and pass a debt cieling increase.
No one, what with both parties refusing to come to grips with such out-of-control spending. At least the Tea Party is making some sort of effort to demand real cuts, although I hear no one but Ron Paul talking about ending the wars and empire in order to bring the fiscal house in order.
It still is unclear to me how increasing the debt ceiling, which Congress imposed on itself in the 1940's due to out-of-control spending, will result in an acceptable credit rating, since the three rating agencies are regulated by the government. Or how increasing the debt ceiling will force our government to finally live within it's means, and realize that easy credit is not the same as capital.
Ron Paul in 2012...
Jack niether side is winning! The country is losing. Innocent people who sent members to Congress to look after thier interest. will suffer the most..Both sides need to come together and pass a debt cieling increase.
The right question is who's losing and its the American people, but then we've been on a twenty year losing streak with politicians who've put their own political goals first over the needs of the American people. All the debt ceiling does is protect Wall Street and the politicians and does nothing to solve the primary problem facing our country – the economy.
At least the Republicans recongize that you can't spend money you don't have.
No one is winning the debt ceiling battle. They need to get together and work this out. They need to remember that the middle class and poor can't live without their Medicare or Social Security. We have worked hard and long for our benefits. We can't be washed away in the ocean like the middle class and poor did in St Louis during the Hurricane Katrina. Stop forgetting about us, the middle class and poor and remember we are the backbone of this country.
The only "winners" are the NEWS reporters, camera crews, writers, producers and opinion pundits that are getting over-time pay to cover this story.....
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE else....definitely NOT winning......
Q: More importantly, who's losing?
A: All of us
Jack, no one is winning. We are, however, proving to the world that our government is so party-oriented that they are no longer "for the people". I am disheartened and disgusted.
Liz
Ft. Myers
I'm not sure who's winning, but I know who's losing. The voters.
That shouldn't even be asked! What the question should be is, who is going to cut up the credit cards that these thieves have been abusing since we started going into debt! Let’s see what happens when they are forced to keep the debt ceiling where it is! I don’t see any of the government or media actually suggesting any solutions that work! Since all this has begun all the media does is go along with what the thieves want and it does nothing but make guys like Golden Sacks rich when they should all be in front of a firing squad!
Probably anyone who 'shorted' the stock market a few weeks back. This political stand-off is further widening the divide between rich and poor – and not just in the US! You're right about things getting ugly out there.
Nobody is winning. Both sides agree that the debt ceiling needs to be raised. The problem is they keep conflating it with budgeting, which ought to be viewed as a separate issue. If the debt ceiling is not raised, everybody loses.
Dave
Seattle
The Tea Party is winning this battle because they have set the stage for their true aims: Create a Constitutional crisis.
Many have cited that the President could invoke the 14th Amendment in order to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally. This simply isn't true. The 14th Amendment is specific that Congress, and not the President, has the authority over this matter. What Obama would have to do in order to raise the debt ceiling himself is cite the Emergency Powers Act. He would be forced to argue that not raising the debt ceiling would constitute mortal threat to the United States so he would invoke the EPA in defense of the 14th Amendment. Despite being forced to do so by the Tea Party's extremist actions, the Tea Party would go into overdrive stating that Obama was a "dictator" and move to Impeachment proceedings. I am truly starting to think that this was always an option that they had decided to go with if circumstances played out to their favor and that now they've decided to run this course.
Let's not forget that since taking office this faction has done nothing accept legislatively try to destroy unions, make abortions impossible, disenfranchise young and minority voters who traditionally vote Democrat, and take "glorious stands" against Sharia Law.
They are radicals.
I
Jack, One thing is for sure that the average people in the usa are not going to benefit ,no matter what the gov. does. the american people did not cause this problem,our goverment has.So what ever they do there is no winners.Until we the people take back our gov. and make them accountable,for the money they spend so freely and do not show any accountability for things will only get worse.I suggest thatit be law every part of the goverments federal and state be audited.every 6 months by independits,not any one who has anything to do with the goverment.The people would then be your winners.steve il
Its not who's winning but America thats losing. If your asking who is being INSANE its the Republicans. After what they took the country through one of the greatest economic depressions, they have the audacity to play around with another one. If Americans have to pay 400 more dollars in house payments, its insane that Republicans could have compromised and saved millions of Americans from catastrophies.
The Debt should not even be this close to defaulting, the President needs to invoke 14th amendment and stop the madness!!
Jack,
In response to your question "who is winning" no one! Not the right wing extremists who rather see a collapse of the Government than pay a penny more in taxes to help this President. Certainly the Democrats do not win a thing this Administration is trying to bend over backwards to compromise with these imbeciles who refuse to budge on ANYTHING. Most of all the American people are losing big time- some everything they have.
Elizabeth In Tacoma
Those who hold our debt and members of Congress who get a good salary, free health care and a good pension despite not doing there job.
Matt
Rockford
Why do the Republicans keep saying the President hasn't produced a plan for the budget. Please correct me, but isn't that the job of the House of Representatives. When I look at the Constitution, I see that it gives the President the authority to sign into law the proposal or reject it with a veto. Do the Republicans read something in the Constitution I missed? Maybe this is why they haven't been able to get a plan passed, they don't even realize what their jobs are.
China.
I have no idea who is winning, but I know who is losing: the American people. The debt ceiling is not for new spending, it's to pay the bills for previous spending – 2 wars that were kept off the books during the Bush years, tax cuts for the wealthy charged on the credit card, the Medicare Part D drug bill that was unpaid for, the Bush bailout of Wall Street and the Obama stimulus bill. If the debt ceiling isn't raised, the American people will be penalized with higher interest rates on home loans, auto loans, student loans and credit cards and we will be tempting not only another recession, but a depression.
Republicans are winning this fight. Their goal from day one has been to prevent any accomplishments by this president. A default will do just that. Initially they just said no and used the powers of the senate to silently block progress. Then, incredibly, only 12% of Democratic voters showed up in the midterm elections and Republicans were in a position to do some real damage. They're having a lot of fun now Jack, and you ain't seen nuthing yet...
I would score the debt ceiling battle a tie at this point.
[1] Nancy Pelosi receives Academy Award.
[2] Harry Reid receives Academy Award.
[3] John Boehner receives Academy Award.
[4] Eric Cantor receives Academy Award.
[5] President Obama hasn't presented his all star performance yet, it if he is awarded an Academy Award it will be the tie breaker.
As far as a solution for the problem – I think the whole bunch of them are stuck in reverse.
Nobody we are all losing. I know we need to raise it this time, but this must be the very last time we raise it – ever.
After this we live on what we get as revenue, we all need to put pressure on our reps and senators for a balanced budget amendment to the constitution.
From – Houston
It should be obvious, legislators supporting the Tea Party agenda are winning the debt ceiling battle. The mainstream, old guard of neither party has been able to bend their resolve to stop the federal government's irresponsible spending spree. To that I say, "Thank you."
i belive that if the repulicians win this battle they wiil take responibilty for what follows if the deficitreduction fall on the old poor and people how cant fight back now and have to wait for the next election the repulican well get the blme and rightly so i am a 100% total and permently disabled vet and i think we should all scrifice the porr and the weathy the deep pocket need to share a far share of the burden im from portland oregon and erery one i talk to feels this way
In terms of actual results, no one. But in terms of political capital, finally the Democrats are. As recent polls have shown, the American people are finally realizing that the Democrats are willing to make some serious compromises to reach a deal. Meanwhile, more and more anger is being directed at the Tea Party which is holding the Republican leadership hostage, which is holding the rest of the country hostage.
Jack: I believe the Democrats are winning the debt ceil battle, because about 64% to 70% of Americans want a two pronged attack with cuts in spending and a increase in taxes on wealthy Americans. The Democrats have come off as a party which will compromise, but the Republicans due to the Tea Party influence have come off as very arrogant. I hope the voters remember how the Republicans have acted in 2012.
No one is winmning this battle. Those of us living in countries that rely on the U.S. for leadership are now in a quandry as to where to turn for economic stability. Waiting for this Congress to get its act together leads us to look for sensible leadership elsewhere, perhaps Asia?
Frank
Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
They’ll probably forge a deal that’s heavy on future cuts and has a gimmick to require future Congresses to deal with them, but there might not be much real deficit reduction now. There will be no new revenues, no tax cuts, no entitlement reforms that would amount to real cuts, though Democrats could still walk away with a deal that protects programs while achieving long-term deficit reduction that would allow them to claim fiscal responsibility in the 2012 elections. In other words, Democrats could still end up with a win despite all the machinations of Republicans trying to not look like they are flopping about like landed trout.
I'm not sure anyone can be a winner in the debt ceiling battle. It definitly is not the american people. All it is doing is showing what a dysfunctional bunch our congress is. The solution to the problem is to vote against every incubent house and senate member in the next few election cycles until we clean out the whole bunch of them and get someone who knows how to get something done for this country.
Steve McKay
The debt ceiling is winning.
"We the People" sure aren't winning. The Senate and the House will continue to be the winners. Their paychecks won't be delayed, nor their benefits. Here's an idea, hold their paychecks, get the formaldehyde ridden trailors from New Orleans, park them in the Capitol parking garages, make it manditory for all of the elected officials to live in them, and see how fast they move to do something along the lines of what they were elected to do. It's not about "party" people, it's about doing what is good for the people who put you there. Term limits anyone????
That's the problem Jack, Republicans and Democrats have been fighting too much for too long that no one can really come out a winner. Too much damage has been done to the ceiling till it has literally collapsed. We the US people are the ones who are really taking the beating. These congressional leaders were voted on by us to do a job in which they have ultimately failed.We've seen our jobs move oversees, food and gas prices soar, and our US dollar basically is worth nothing anymore. The word win or winning does not come to mind but losing, lost, and loss is starring us right in the face. each and every day that passes.
Boedner made a bill that only reduced the dficit my 800 billion after sayinig it would be 1.4 trillion. Now he through something else in their to make it 900 billion. They have been so busy with this that they haven't renewed the FAA bill which has purt out of work 70,000 construction workers and is costing the government 200 million dollars a week. Now Boedner wants to keep concentrating on this debt ceiling for the next year while not doing the other work in the congress. Boedner is purely polical. He wants this to extent over the next election// Maybe that is good, we could concentrate on getting the tea party out.
Frank
Absolutely noone! I am appalled that House Republicans are so willing to take more from the middle class while reassuring the wealthiest people in this country that their lifestyles will be unaffected. Eliminating tax loopholes for the richest individuals and corporations is the best way to balance the budget. The Republicans must think all middle class citizens are gullible. We can't continue to support the whole country by bleeding the middle class. Also, there are wealthy people who are more than willing to pay their fair share, including the President of the United States of America, as he stated in his speech the other night.
Listening to the Republicans from the house you can read between the lines and understand that they can't agree among themselves so they MUST do all that they can to degrade the democrats rather than stand on their efforts and record and explain how their approach will resolve the situation. They took eight years to get us into this mess and now they want to take us down further. Tell them the definition of stupidity. "If you keep on doing what you have done that gave unacceptable results you will continue to get unacceptable results." This is even seen internationally. One European said flatly, "Are the Americans STUPID?" We will see when the Americans vote in 2012.
Jack, Who's winning? Fear mongers who are eagerly promoting narrow and egotistical agendas by forecasting cataclysmic outcomes on all sides of the debt ceiling debate. Is this really worse than Y2K?
Fearful people are cowards. Sadly, they willing to accept only modest changes to existing conditions... fearful that tomorrow will be unimaginably worse. The greatest generation is being replaced by a fearful one.
I have no doubt that, one way or the other, it will be Wall Street.
China!
Next question...
case and point, GE and they won't be the only one.
I have to say the tea party, once again, Obama is caving. I should have voted for Hillary.
It sure ain't the American people.
Somebody's winning?
I don't know, it just seems like a lot of noise, Jack. I can tell you who's losing....the American people.
Not sure, Jack, I know who isn't winning – the average American, so it must be Corporate America.
Jack, It looks like the Tea Party Anarchists are winning. It would be great to hear some bold, rational ideas from one of those good old fashioned Republican fiscal conservatives, but those Cowardly RINOs must be hiding in a bunker somewhere.
The American people are winning the debt ceiling battle. It's a can't lose proposition, so long as the Tea Party and Obama both stick to their principles. Two wonderful choices. The ceiling will be raised but with real spending restraints, step one in getting America's overspending under control. Or the impasse will continue and Obama can use tricks to borrow money under the table until the people get to decide the issue in November of 2012. I love the Trillion Dollar coin idea. Find out who dreamed that up and give her (or him) a bonus. That person solved the crisis single-handedly. Who dared to say that American innovation was dead?
It looks like the radical right tea party side of the Republican party is winning in the short run. Those lunatics don't seem to understand the harm they are doing to the middle class and the poor. In the end they will lose the war and will fade away as more moderate Republicans will emerge to work with the Democrats to keep this Country great with a strong labor workforce who will be paid a living wage, while the rich will have to pay their fair share of the taxes. Saner heads must emerge to raise the debt ceiling on its own as it always has been, and argue about the other things later. And raise it now, TODAY!
The foot note in history will be: birthers, deathers, intolerance, take away women's rights, and gay rights, and loony right wing.
Frances
Escondido
it sure is not the working class you are ok if you are illegal or on some kind of assis tance or a politican or work for the gov. it won't be long before we are hear with the same problem. you can't be 1.2 trillion over budget and expect to be pay your bills
Hi Jack,
The Terrorists are winning every day that we don't have a solution for a simple problem.
I recall news reports in which terrorists said, "Their war against us would destroy the United States of America"; quite frankly it has.
Our life as a great nation is weakened every day that a deal is not reached.
Sincerely Yours,
Edward Feyl
Pottsville, PA
No one, not even the Tea Party.
The lobbyists.
You really can't even pretend that the system isn't corrupt anymore.
I'm not sure who's winning, but I know the American people are losing.
If the Dems can keep their mouths shut....they can. Boehner, Kantor has the checkbook.....let them bounce the checks, let them take the blame not the democrats. Boehner is not the Statesmen he "thinks" he is. Boehner and his Kochplican party, is looking very disorganized and self-serving. Boehner's party like him, is a sick joke. I hope the Rust-belt heads are happy they stayed home during this past election.
In the short term, the unelected Tea Party members are winning the debt ceiling battle. Unfortunately the admitted members are only 1% of the American people, and don't know a damn thing about running a country. In 2012 the Republicans elected to congress will be the losers, because they all will be voted out for not compromising on anything, and trying to drive the this country off a cliff every 6 months. If we default, history will paint Obama the loser. As the sitting President during the countries 2nd Great Depression.
No one is winning, Jack? Why do we put up with the lies. I get so sick of people saying that the Republicans just have a different philosophy??? No they don't! They are Partisan hacks and are pandering to the Tea Party who are just inexperienced idiots!
All these sound bites, catch phrases, and just flat wrong information Boehner and cantor are spouting are just out and out lies. Why do we put up with it. It is feeding the Far Right Fringe who just repeat the lies and misinterpretations of the truth and facts! Fact Check flat ripped up Boehners statement that Obama, (Not President Obama, disrespectfully), that Obama spending caused all this debt!!!! It's lies and no one calls him on it! There is no honor in the Republican Leadership! The Dems aren't much better but this republican choice to attach the Debt Ceiling to the Budget and hold Americans hostage unless they get their way, is extortion!!! Then when Reid gave Boehner everything he wanted he turned it down! this is absolute BS. Why won't someone call the what they are, Unprofessional, unethical, lying, cheating sinners! I have called everyone, emailed, and you know what, they don't listen to the recordings or read the emails and their staffers are useless because they have been brainwashed by their captors. No one is winning, America is loosing and it's not funny at all! Get real, Jack, call them out!!!!! Wolf too! Did you see what Ali did to that moron Governor of Florida? You go Ali!
I think the question is 'Who's losing the debt ceiling battle?' Jack. And the answer is.....everybody.
I think the republicans have been offered a sweet deal that pass republicans like Ronald Reagan would have jumped at. But the tea party members still insist on my way or the highway. They might end up winning this battle but losing their majority in the house in the next election. No one likes being extorted and that is exactly what the tea party members are doing to this nation and their own party. They stand in front of TV cameras with a silly grin and say we refuse to negotiate. I guess that is pretty easy for some people to do when they have nothing to lose themselves. They will continue to collect their pay, their retirement and keep the best Health Care ever while the rest of us struggle to survive.
I believe that nobody is winning. The extremist on both sides are acting like spoiled children who would rather ruin it for everyone if they cannot have everything their way. I long for true statesmen instead of career politicians who are only concerned about themselves.
If the US Government does default, we should let the people who put us here feel the pain first. The bills to defer should be the salary, benefits, expense accounts and perks of the members of both houses of Congress. After that, we should let the power, and water bills for both houses go. Unfortunately, it will be the normal working men and women in ‘non-critical’ federal jobs like the Park Service, Veteran Affairs, FDA, CDC etc. who will be told to go without.
It is not much, but I do understand that we could always generate a little cash by embezzling $1 Million a day from Afghanistan. They will never miss it.
Atlanta, GA
It is easier to pick losers in this battle...the American people. The true battle being fought here is the 2012 election. Forget yours and my retirement. Forget the US's financial standing in the world. The Republican leadership has chosen to roll the dice with the economy. Their notion of extreme entitlement program cuts while refusing to even discuss taxing high income individuals, corporations or reducing military expenditures is absurb. All of us will lose while the divide between those with income and those without widens. Corporations sit on trillions and don't invest in the U.S. You see the development of a burgeoning underclass that will only become restless. So thanks Mr. B for building this rhetoric. You have only hurt those who elected the House to Republican majority. It will not bode well for you in 2012.
I only know who is loosing, America. I love this country and understand the situation we are in. I make well,well below the $250,000 range for a tax increase but even if my taxes need to be raised to get us out of this mess then do it and be done with it. I hated tax increases in the past because I felt the money was being wasted. Maybe all this will make them more accountable in the future. Raise all taxes and put them toward the debt only, politicians, HANDS OFF!
There will be no winners after the posturing and chest thumping of this wholly made-up "crisis" is over... only losers! Especially among the American people who can least afford it.
Jack, Nobody is winning! Everybody in the United States is loosing in this disgraceful display of political bullheadedness. The people are willling to compromise our Senators and Representatives are not listening. Shame on them
Winners in the debt ceiling battle BIG OIL and Fat Cat CEOs. Big losers are the average middle class Americans.
By this point no one Jack. If politicians Can not get their act together it shows how they can not put politics aside and solve this problem.
It really doesnt matter who is winning as either way the American taxpayer is going to loose.
I don't know who's "winning" but I know the citizens are losing. I know you cannot talk cutting taxes and growth in the same speech anymore and be truthtul
At this point the only winner I see in this charade is the American Press. Their incessant beating of this drum is manna from heaven, a newsman's dream come true.
And, conforming to the media's bias, most of the facts are wrong or presented in a fashion to fit Obama's agenda.
Tax the rich and redistribute the wealth.
Class warfare 101.
China and other overseas competitors. The US economy is hamstrung by uncrtainty.
I'm thinking China Jack. After all, China owns us already and when we default, interest we pay will go up and they can buy whatever's still left laying around. We really ought to be teaching Mandarin in our schools.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
no one is winning the ceiling battle, the american tax payers are losing through default of a congress that has other interest than their own well being. we would be better with no congress than what we have now. congress should not only represent but do the will of the people, not a few that want to hang on to their riches such as the "tea party." we need to figure out a way to have a government that has nothing financial or infamously other than the satisfaction of knowing they have done a good job. our present form of congress is too self centered and too self focused.
Who's winning, Jack? Nobody. And the American people are the ultimate losers in the debacle in Washington. Politics is the art of compromise, not chaos. Come election time, I hope to see a box to check by all incumbents' names: None of the above.
NO ONE in America is "winning", Jack.
the American people are mad as hell at BOTH sides of this totally disfunctional government.
if ANYONE is winning, it's the Chinese Communists and other foreign enemy govenments and terrorist groups.
Non- Tax paying Corporate America and Hedge Fund managers are winning the debt ceiling battle. Democrats, Republicans and American middle class tax payers are the losers in this fiasco. Terrorist tried to destroy our financial system and way of life on 9/11, but our legislators have done a heck of a lot better job of destroying it without the help of the terrorist.
the domestic terrorist group "tea Party" sponsored by the republican
party is.. they have done more damage to our economy and our
reputation than a foreign terror plot that would be successful..
And the great unwashed American public believed them and put
them in office..We need a new election, and soon
sk
Well with business sitting on the sideline with a trillion dollars in cash, when the stock market crashes and they can buy really cheap stock instead of creating jobs, I would say I won't be winning anything. If after a few more continuing resolutions, there isn't a budget in place and the economy collapses again, I won't be winning anything. When the cost of living goes up nobody making less than 60thou a year can exist, I won't win. Come late November 2012, if the tea bag, republican and democrat parties still control D.C., I won't have won anything. Somebody might win something but it won't be the vast majority of the American people just the insiders, players and self serving special interest groups. Here Lies America, a once proud land and I think of an old 1930's folk song and wish This land is your Land, This land is my land, This land was made for you and me. If it were I might have won something after all.
[(Nathan _from_ Indiana)]
"You don't have to believe in your government to be a good American; you just have to believe in your country." - [ George W. Bush in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay ]
I'd say we're right on track... I'm not sure where the tracks are going, but I seriously doubt that trying to derail the train is a viable solution.
(...this one's for the archives...)
No one is winning, and I decided to take matters into my own hands until they figure things out! Last week I dusted off my 401K and pulled all my money from investment funds and put in to a money fund, this way I win and my 401K will still be worth something.
With over 2 trillion dollars in the market held in 401k accounts, I say
dust off your password and make a statement they will understand.
Here's what we need...TERM LIMITS for House & Senate.
These folks are posturing for re-election and not dealing with the problem.
No one is winning. Our reps in Washington say they are making the same types of decisions americans have to make. WRONG! They are only looking at discretionary spending. American families are having to put it all on the table. They are having to make decisions about losing their houses, healthcare and other non-discretionary items. If Washington expects to make the same kind of decisions the rest of us are having to make...Put it ALL on the table, just like the rest of us.
Dean
Tucson,AZ
Jack,
With both parties refusing to come up with a long-term bipartisan plan, how can either party win the debt ceiling battle? But if a plan is reached, even one that's temporary, both parties will be claiming victory, never once apologizing to the Middle Class for driving them into extinction.
Jack: You mean "Who is going to loose in the debt ceiling?"--The American working class.
Clearly there's no winner here. But I do hope there to be a wake-up call to working-class republicans. What gonads to scream "cut spending" when the republican party was handed the baton, a balanced budget and surplus the day they proudly handed "W" keys to the oval office. I wouldn't have dreamed it possible to plummet this country into such a humiliating pit of greed and recession in that short of time.
No one is winning. The middle class will lose big-time.
Does it matter? We, the American people, are losing. And, in the long run that's the only thing that matters.
Jack,
To claim that anyone is 'winning' in this lunatic debate is completely wrong.The American people are losing,and losing big,is all that can be said at this point.Passing the debt-ceiling 19 times with the previous Administration was a no-brainer.Now all of a sudden it is a big problem?RepubliCONs are control freaks.Right now they don't have complete control,so they are doing anything to give themselves the illusion of being in control.
Greg M. FL
Jack , So fed up by the politicians .. weren't you ?
Los Angeles, CA. Republicans are winning due to their theatrics. They have managed to use the debt ceiling as a partisan bargaining chip when it would be proactive to raise it first, then bargain later. They created this stalemate by taking a hard line while Obama has reached far across the aisle in order to move on. Of course, the stonewalling Republicans blame Obama for the inaction, making it appear as if they are waiting on him! Treating him like a fellow congressman instead of President, they have made it seem like raising the debt ceiling is something only a Democrat would do. They have won the debt ceiling battle, but might ultimately lose the political war in 2012.
Obama is winning. The Tea Party, with its all-or-nothing idealism, is the medicine that's far worse than the cure. They do deserve nearly total credit for causing sharper focus on runaway spending. But they must be thrown out in '12 if they don't back off a bit and relax with their one-dimensional victory. We have so many other priorities that require our collective attention–unemployment, a housing crisis, education shortfalls, transport demands, poverty. Let's all grow up and multitask! Chicago, IL
All that really matters at this point is that the American people are losing.
Well it is not the American people. Those who have money invested in the markets are going to be broke and those who can still afford to buy a new car/house will not be able too because interest rates are going to sky rocket. My vote will be heard come 2012 and if I can get all my fellow Americans to register to vote then we can get these sling things bums out where their behinds scrape on the ground and they are being evicted from office.
Tough to find a winner here, but if I had to choose I'd say the Senate is coming out looking the best as they have, as a whole, shown to be the most willing to work together while staying above the childish fray a little better than the other two participants.
People, like Eric Cantor, who have put their money into Wall Street shorting treasuries, and stand to make a tidy profit if we default. Lovely isn't it, that he gets a vote?
No Body! The left can't push past the right, the right can't agree to disagree! Don't ever let those crazy tea drinking nut-bags have their way, we will all be in deep trouble then! All I know is that all of Congress needs to be replaced come the next election, maybe only then can decisions be made in Washington! I could only hope.
Who's winning? No one, and who cares who is winning when no matter who claims to be winning, all Americans are loosing. When we have politicians signing pledges to lobbyists who do not have the best interests of the country at heart and ignoring their oath of office what can we expect?
When lies are allowed to be put on TV masquerading as the truth how can the average citizen sort it out? I believe none of them and just ignore them, but many uninformed citizens believe them. That is a serious problem and does nothing but cloud the real issues in a campaign. Thanks to our SCOTUS claiming that corporations are people (yeah. sure they are ... NOT) we will be inundated with these 30 second pack of lies disguised as political ads for another 15 months. I'm sick of them already.
If you were to ask the most loyal knee-jerk follower, that fool's favorite political party is winning. But no one else is even close to a win.
All of the fools talk a lot of smack about the lack of bipartiniship and compromise from the other party, but if you question the position of the fool's party you are labeled a racist or a socialist. But everyone else is faced with loss of work or a cut in pay.
Winning? Winning, Jack? I can tell you who is losing. The people who are the working class in America. Both sides, or should I say all three sides are "winning." Government is taking an ever stronger hold and control of its citizens by fear mongering, manipulation, and misrepresentation in government. This is all about control and all three are winning...Democrats, Republicans and the wannabe Tea Party. They have us scared, buffaloed and at their mercy. What has occurred and continues to occur, is a well laid plan by a select few with no regard for the country or its people. An economic and government breakdown such as this does not "just happen" to a government this size. It is orchestrated and directed by government, banks, corporate greed and planned wars. It cannot be blamed on workers incomes, benefits, social programs or unions. War and war mentality for profit is what has destroyed our great nation and has turned from Democracy to Capitalism for government. War is money!
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
Jack,
In the name of cutting costs, are all these aids in Washington NECESSARY? I question if America is really benefitting from the "expediency" afforded our leaders? What kind of savings would this generate? Also, when talks of cutting Medicaid and Medicare arise, perhaps it would be more prudent to address the common factor of HEALTHCARE COST!
It just seems each side has a narrow view by which they hope to solve our problems.
Alvis
Jack,
In the end... no one will be the winner. And the average citizen of this country will be the least likely to win in this debacle.
Washington is so screwed up right now it is not funny. As President Obama said "You voted for divided government, not dysfunctional government." And he is the only adult in the kindergarten room called Congress.
There are no winners – only losers. And the losers are you and I – the people out there on Main Strreet. The politicians on both sides of the isle in Washington should realize how unpopular they all are right now. Most people have an image of a federal government being run by a bunch of childish incompetent jerks. And, just how did these people from the President on down create this image? They did it the old fashioned way – they earned it. Yes, they really have earned it by their stubborn, pig headed attitudes and this image is ruining the reputation of the entire nation.
The same people who always win, the rich and corporations. They get rid of SS, medicare, and medicade in order to keep poor and middle class money flowing directly into their pockets through the ponzi scheme called wall street. At the same time not paying taxes on their I'll gotten gains. Lovely plan isn't it?
There are no winners – only losers. And the losers are you and I – the people out there on Main Strreet. The politicians on both sides of the isle in Washington should realize how unpopular they all are right now. Most people have an image of a federal government being run by a bunch of childish incompetent jerks. And, just how did these people from the President on down create this image? They did it the old fashioned way – they earned it. Yes, they really have earned it by their stubborn, pig headed attitudes and this image is ruining the reputation of the entire nation
Richard Batchelor
Sussex, NJ
My Comment is, I am a veteran of the Iraqi war, and I can't help but wonder where are our Proud Senators and Congressmen and Women who will stand up and say before I let our Veterans and Elderly SSI people go without," I will forfeit my own salary first!"
Thanks
Trent from Georgia
Who cares Jack? The fact that the U.S.'s two political party's can't compromise means the American people lose and will continue to lose. Our government sucks.
No one is unless the Republicans follow the will of the majority and accept a truly balanced bill with tax cuts AND revenue. Even more than half of Republicans agree. If your family is in danger of going broke, wouldn't you cut expenditures and try to find a source of income to address future bills? That is just basic common sense, which is missing in ultra-conservative Republicans. If default occurs, many of those not willing to compromise will no longer be in office soon.
Certainly not the American people.
Sadly there are no winners. This is an everybody lose scenario.
No one is winning. Biggest losers will be small business, and those who rely on credit to meet immediate needs. Republicans may succeed in destroying the "full faith and credit" of the United states, but that is only a win if you want to destroy the federal government. Democrats will prove that they cannot be relied upon to safeguard anything. People who rely on government benefits for medical care or cash income, won't have either. It it is a question of steal or starve, most people will steal. The jobs that are available are no longer paying a living wage – goodbye middle class, hello poverty. When the small business class joins the welfare line, look out below.
The Republicans are winning the Debt Ceiling battle. The Debt Ceiling must be raised and they will not compromise with the Democrats. I don't believe the Democrats want to put the U.S. and World Economy in a tailspin so I think that the Democrats will capitulate to get the Debt Ceiling raised. It won't be over by a long shot then. The Republicans think that the voters will forget how they behaved but we won't.
I really don't know who is winning Jack, but i can say for sure who is losing-democrats,republican's,tea partiers, the average working man/woman and of course all the kids growing up today as they got the
worst deal due to the corruption and greed from these so called leaders over many many years, hopefully the people will wake up and fire all these corrupt people, declare bankruptcy and start over, the future generation will then have a chance.
Chris from Canada.
state: of shock
Nobody's winning the debt ceiling battle, but the american people are definitely the biggest losers in all this, especially the poor , middle-class, and unemployed. They elected all those conservatives in congress on the promise of job creation, and instead congress is playing a game of chicken with the U.S. Economy because they don't understand, or simply don't care how democratic politics works. The Tea Party is delusional, especially when they keep blaming Obama for everything,.
I only hope that when the country goes into default, the last people to get their paychecks are those Republicans in congress.
The Tea Party is winning and It's shameful and disgusting. Linda Blume
Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Considering that the democrats caved in on no taxes for business loopholes or the richest top two percent of taxpayers, the absolute recalcitrance of the republicans should be blatantly obvious to even the most mentally challenged of the population. The politically illiterate tea party want us to default not even considering the repercussions. The GOP got all it wanted and still holds out fearing it won't placate the wingnuts who just recently poisoned our once stable and compromising congress. The republicans are in total disarray and turmoil and will lose confidence no matter what materializes concerning the debt ceiling.
that's easy,the very rich who don't have to paid a fair amount of taxes
The American people are not winning. For the people, by the people; where is it? The U.S. congress does not have a clue. To save money and lower the debt:: dock all Republicans, Democrats; salaries for three months. Pull out of Pakistan(already proven they're not truthful), get out of Iraq totally(we've done our job there), Afghanistan is stealing my tax money and all U.S. citizens and for Libya let them fight their own battles. Why does the USA have to fight everywhere and losing our young men and women and while we need the money here. For me personally I say screw everyone outside the USA except our allies! If you wear our flag I support you!
The big banks.
They get to borrow from the Fed at near zero interest rates and then they buy T-bills and T-bonds to lend it back to the Governments at a profit, instead of lending to the small businesses who have been the only net job creators for decades.
They WANT interest rates to go up. Has anyone checked which congressional campaigns they contributed to? Wanna bet there's a strong correlation to debt ceiling "NO!" votes?
Who's winning the debt ceiling battle? Well it certainly isn't the American people. The negotiations and our government are being held hostage by a minority of far right economically ignorant extremists. I don't care if they want to go down, but it's not right to take all the rest of us down with them. Thanks to the tea partiers the value of our 401k's decline and we'll get to pay higher interest on personal loans, mortgages and credit cards. That's tea bagger "fiscal conservatism".
Hopefully, the lesson learned here is ....educate yourselves before you vote.
Jilli
Houston, TX
Certainly not the American people. There is no ceiling on the debt. It's rising almost as high as the inflated egos of the 450 people in congress and the president that are letting it get out of control for their own selfish reasons.
China! They are laughing all the way to the IMF.Our Cogress is gonna sell us out to them just to show they have more power than President Obama!
Obama, unless he caves. If he can get Moody's and Standard & Poors to endorse the Constitutional Option, the House GOP becomes irrelevant – all he needs to do is say that to make any part of the Bush Tax Cuts permanent, a matching spending cut is required or he will veto the extension. This should keep AAA alive.
Winning? Not sure. I do know who is losing, we all are.
Who's winning the debt ceiling battle?
Not Democrats or Republicans but President Obama.
Jenna
Roseville CA
I can't tell you who is winning but I can tell you who is loosing. No matter how this turns out its the most vulnerable among us. the Elderly and disabled already scared half to death they will be evicted next month. this won't bode well for the economy and that means cost of living increases which already have been rising. Again affect the ones that have the least to work with...to hell with the 401K plans. Try living on a dollar that isn't worth the paper its printed on.
Jack, I honestly don't know who's winning..but I know who's loosing...the American People!
Good question, Jack. I think the majority of Americans realize by now that Majority Speaker Norquist, and Minority Speaker Boehner are mainly interested in 2012 electioneering. You remember the old saw about fooling all of the people sometime, etc...
no one is wining the debit debate on the raising the balance but we all can lose. the president needs to hang tough because the children in congress need to come to the table. every thing that republicans and the tea party republicans are doing with one object in mind which is to embarrass the president and make him a one term president. the old south has raised its head after Obama was elected. the republican senator leader said this in one of his comments. maybe he should retire or may be we the people should demand a retirement of congress like our ancestors told the king of England in 1790 es or egyptian people did this year. this is not freedom if your leaders are playing games with our lives.remember WE THE PEOPLE!!!!
Whose winning? Don't know! Whose losing, that's easy, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a loser! Jack why don't you publish a list of incumbents, so people will know who not to vote for, I swear the only reason these people keep winning their seats back is because of name recognition, not because of their qualifications.
Dave from Peterborough, NH.
No one is currently "Winning" but the GOP, taken hostage by Neo-Cons and Tea Party zealots, is certainly losing.
While the far Right seems to think it's got a win-win (deduce spending or force the Fed Govt in a default forcing a "payment prioritization", i.e. cut domestic spenfing) the reality is very different.
When the actual 98% of Americans who live paycheck to paycheck (if they
're lucky) feel the pain...hell will break out all the way down to the 2012 election. It'll start with recalling TP legislators (Wisconsin) and then Governors.
It'll end with more Demos in office and Congress and an Obama second term.
After that...reversing Bush 2's largesse to corporations and the rich will balance the budget...pay down the debt in an orderly manner...and like Ike and Clinton create jobs.
Mark
Jack,
The President stands to be the big winner in this Debt Ceiling mess. When Congress shows themselves incapable of passing a bill that both chambers will agree to, The Adult in the room will step in and restore financial stability by Executive Order. Congress won’t like it, but the people will!
However, Appropriations are next on the Congressional agenda. Look for a “Government Shutdown” come October 1, 2011 & October 1, 2012.
Carl from Pahrump
The debt ceiling fiasco is a no-win situation for the average guy. It's like buying a car.
The salesman goes back and forth to his "boss", with the potential buyer's offer, and the refusal of the boss to sell the car for that price.
Eventually the buyer does get an approval. So, he buys the car and thinks he got a deal!
In reality the dealer got the deal. that's why they call him "THE DEALER".
Right now Congress is the DEALER. the American People are the hapless buyers.
If you think you got shafted when you bought your last car, just wait until you see the "deal" you see the "DEAL" that will come from the BOSS
The ghost of Osama Bin Laden. His goal of weakening the American economy by maintaining it fighting in all fronts has drained a lot of the U.S. economic might. It has been stretched so thin that it is about to snap. The President and all respective branches need to curtail expenditures in offshore wars, count its loses in the International theatre against the enemies of the state and shield itself at home. Lick the wounds of exhausted resources, restructure the economy with taxes on mega giant corporations who are squeezing the average civilian dry at home while protecting its credit stature and defending its regional borders. Let's rebuild to let the World be American again.
Walter A. Cardona
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Looks like the GOP is winning. Looks like they will get most of what they wanted while the dems are only getting the ceiling raised briefly,
No new revenues.
I cant understand how the country spent unchecked and now slam the brakes on. Wish they would decrease slowly.
The new deal will not help employment at all.
Wall street and the banks are winning the debt ceiling battle. They caused this problem, we bailed them out , and now they are threatening our credit ratings so they can make more money by charging higher interest rates to all of us including the government. When the U.S. goes down no country or bank will come to our rescue. China will own this country soon and illegal aliens will be the only workers with a job in this country.
No one is winning. All of America looses as the GOP tries to hold the country hostage and plays games with the future of Seniors, Vets, the disabled AND the US credit rating. While wasting time on meaningless votes.
It's an epic fail...
Compromise can't take place if only one side is willing to work at it. This is NOT the form of government the US is based on. Something is very very wrong in Washington. And I certainly hope the voters remember who was trying to do "harm" when 2012 comes around.
The American people.
WE have learned unequivocally what we were in denial of, and that is that all these people in Washington D.C. who we hoped were representing us, are really only interested in the power and greed they can obtain for their own parties.
Look at the recent comments: "Get your asses in line" – no thought of what the Representative's constituents may want only the party needs.
"I want to make Obama a one term President" – the power of no at the sake of the American people and an entire society.
"The Boehner plan will be DOA" – this without even knowing what comprises the bill and how it can be compromised, only that the "other guys" wrote it.
Welcome to the reality of our awakening Jack.
Many of the pundits say the GOP has won. I'm not so sure about that. The President is one tough and shrewed hombre. I would not be surprised to see him get a "clean bill" -which is what he wanted from the start . That's why he asked for more revenue from the Speaker in the 11th hour of their negotiations The President knew the Speaker couldn't get that done. But it did delay, delay. And now we are down to the wire with hardly any options left – Which is one piece of paper with a few numbers changed.
No one in this elected government will do the right thing for Americans and the rest of the world. Small Islands like ours will be crushed in an instant. The American public must stand up for what they want. They need to make they demands clear and not back down till they get it. Americans need to stand up in protest. Enough is enough. Our wolrd is changing and giving equal opertunity to all. But congress whats to remain the same, always have the upper hand on the lower classes. Americans!! Demand that congress and large cooperations pay taxes just like u. Demand that they play fair.
Do you think there is a winner? I guess China, they hold the paper. The losers? EVERYONE ELSE.
Jack, I don't know if anyone is winning this political battle, but if something doesn't change soon, we, the American publice will most certainly lose the fiscal battle.
Dan
Stewartstown, PA
The democrats are winning because of the Republicans refusal to compromise and the absurd, extremist agenda of the Tea Party. None of these young, wet behind the ears Republicans who were elected by the Tea Party are responsible people and they are blind to what they're doing. They will pay for it in 2012 and don't see it coming.
Simple. Big oil and big pharma. Everybody else loses.
The GOP is winning by a mile. To hear them talk, you wouldn't think that taxation as a percentage of GNP is the lowest it has been in the last 50 years. It was 50% higher during Reagan's day. Or that the economic decline along with the unwise tax cuts and unwarranted military expenditures caused the large Obama deficits.
If the Republicans had their way, we would be in another Great Depression. They haven't learned a thing in almost the last 100 years!
Don't you mean "who's the biggest bully on the playground"? Well, recess is over and if all the people in DC can't playing nice, then they have to go to timout without their snacks first. How can any "ego" there forget who pays their wages and voted in good faith for them to represent them and do what's best for the country? I bet if their wages and government healthcare were the first things cut, instead of the senior's social security, Medicaid, Medicare, military payroll, education, unemployment and every other worthwhile program the US government sponsors, they would quit being an embarrassment to US citizens and COOPERATE!!!!!!!!
Elaine,
Colorado Springs, CO
It's not clear who's winning, Jack, and we don't know what kind of wheeling and dealing is going on behind the scenes. One thing's for sure, though: If the TEA party forces default just to try to make Obama a one-term President, we all lose. Personally, I would rather the President invoke the 14th amendment rather than cave to their childish whining and foot stomping.
No one is winning this debate and everyone of your elected officials looks like a moron.
Your country was the leader of the free world, now you have turned into a side show. I am waiting for Jerry Springer to come out and moderate.
It is dispicable that people around the world now have their investments at risk. Why, because a group of elected people who vowed to serve their country are not capable of putting their own interest behind the countries/worlds needs.
Shame on all the politicians and may "GOD BLESS AMERICA" with a few descent people to lead your country.
signed:
Citizen of the world you have thrown into CHAOS!
NOT Middle Class American. We pay every day while those on the Right just look out for the WEALTHY.
China is the winner. Our current leaders of this country still fail to see the big picture. They are so busy fighting amongst themselves they do not see the impending doom. I fear we are at the point of no return and by that I mean total economic collapse. Civil war is right around the corner.
It certainly isnt Obama or either political party so it must be George Soros.
Gerry
Ash Fork, Az
Jack, no one wins this type of fight. The political parties stand in front of a mirror to see who has a bigger one- that is, an ego! While this is going on, Obama sits in his office planning his next campaign fund raiser. Can't we do better than rely on idiots to run this great country?
Malvern,PA.
Speaker John Boenher, that's who. John's gots the goods.
Its too bad Jack that the officials who make the messes of the country aren't made to wallow in it like the rest of Americans. If John Boehner and
Mitch McConnell knew their grandparents had to share a blanket
under a freeway overpass, I don't think they would be so quick to want
to cut medicare and social security benefits from the seniors and
middle class before they will raise the debt ceiling.
How did Americans get scammed into voting for the republicans again
so soon after we got rid of them in 2008, boggles the mind.
I would like to say that President Obama is winning the debt ceiling battle, but with all of the debt ceiling bills coming out of Congress having no tax increase provisions, I have to say that Republicans are listening to their rich white supporters.
Perhaps, what we need is a good old fashion civil disturbance (RIOT).
Washington, DC
Republicans seem to think they're winning this battle, and they may be right, since Obama and the Democrats have appeared, as usual, weak, gutless, and afraid to actually stand up for their principles. However, most polls show that overwhelming majorities of citizens are in favor of compromise by both parties, a balanced combination of revenue increases and spending cuts, closing tax loopholes, and increasing taxes on the wealthy. So the Republicans win the battle but lose the war, and Obama loses even more credibility and respect due to his incredible lack of courage and conviction. In 2012, the GOP/Tea Party loses the house, while Obama loses the White House to whichever empty suit that wins the GOP nomination.
There will be no winner. The Republicans will trash the world economy in an attempt to win back the White House in 2012 and if they succeed then it's Goodbye Social Security and Hello Wall Street. The poor in America know how to survive, The Rich only exist because we allow them to. Imagine.
People are the loser.No winner
Well for now probably the tea party and the republicans are winning but who knows Obama and the demarcates in the end could have a narrow win but nothing worth really celebrating over but no matter who wins politically it's dam that it has to be at the expense of the people who voted those clowns in in the first place
Probably Obama. He posed as the referee in the sandbox keeping the kids from killing each other. No matter what happens, he can say he tried to be the adult. While this bad sitcom has played out, Americans lose.
Carol in Northampton, Ma
There are no winners because our country is being led by a weener this president is no leader he has got to be the worst president in American history he must be crazy even to think about reelection .
You got the losers right Jack, the winners will be the holdout votes that extort pork for their districts through earmarks. That's how congress defines so-called compromise, and it will be more of the same by mid-week.
I'd like to see every bill and all these attachments published to the public BEFORE any final vote and maybe, just maybe, people will finally be heard. We would read it since most of them don't, they just send it off to their lawyers, staff and the fed's to type up and ship, then they go take a "time out" with Nancy Pelosi.
Jack,
Since the GOP is constantly delivering their 'I am deeply sorry for...(fill in mistake du jour here)'.A true Christian who makes a mistake asks for Forgiveness. Will we,the American people even get as much as that after the debt-ceiling is raised? I seriously doubt it.
Greg M. FL
It is entirely academic. Our credit rating will fall to AA regardless what happens to the debt ceiling. As long as it is heading south, we should consider declaring bankruptcy, restructuring our debt, and revaluating the dollar downwards. That way we could start with a clean slate and our products would be cheaper in foriegn markets thereby stimulating economic growth. We need to make lemonade now that it is raining lemons.
Congress would lose if we took the salary of all congress and the Govt.healthcare,also take congress pension.Maybe if w did not file income tax return we will win.Congress cant put everybody in jail.If they did put all of the tax payers in jail,Then we all get Govt.healthcare for free just like Bernie Matoff
BRETT MULLINS
The president / dems are winning.... the Republicans are just nuts.....or as John McCain......put it when refering to Tpers.......Bizarro!!!!!!........maybe his sanity is returning....We must honor our past debts......or we are in default.....I am all for getting our fiscal house in order, by a balance of spending cuts and tax increases......The Congress legislates......not the president.......
Wall Street, our next seat of government. They're laughing over this one all the way to the bank. And all those Tea Naggers will loose their pensions.
WINNING??? Nothing but a bunch of LOSERS!!! That pretty much sums it up!!!
The Democrats. The GOP is showing it doesn't know how to govern, a bunch of uneducated rubes were elected by the Tea Party, and they're willing to take the nation's economy down on a smoke and mirrors there's a spending problem.
Really?? How about putting the Iraq and Afghanistan war off the books. Not to mention not sufficiently doing anything in Afghanistan to win or at least get out quickly. Remember Tora Bora when bin Laden escaped?
That was a Pentagon / Rummy call.
This may be the death knell of the GOP for 40 years, good riddance.
The only winners that I can see in the debt ceiling battle are the millionaires and companies who will retain their tax loopholes. An auxiliary winner is the "tea party" whose members have decided that government default is better than comprimising their position. The rest of us are all losers with no say whatsoever in the decisions made.
Honesty, sincerely? Everybody, every single one of us is losing because of this Republican-Tea Party stunt. I hope they all get kicked out of office. Use the 14th Amendment. That's what it is there for. Our founding fathers weren't stupid, they foresaw this possibly.
Nobody is winning. The American people are losing. Come 2012, maybe the people will start to ensure a better future for themselves and their children/grandchildren by voting out this group of rich, arrogant, inconsiderable jerks in Congress and the White House. Maybe you can ask your viewers "how's it feel to be a loser"
That's the whole problem, Jack. No one should be winning this debate. This isn't a political issue. They should simply raise the debt ceiling and then have a serious discussion the debt problem.
ps – Last time anyone was "winning" it was Charlie Sheen. Look how that turned out.
Winners:
Greedy Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers with their obsequious tea begging Koch ho's.
Losers:
America's working poor and middle class (sold down the river, again.)
Jim Bailey
Cripple Creek CO
The congress, House and Senate, need to take a look at the 6 triilin dollars that they authorized the white house to borrow from the social security trust. Social Security is not bankrupt, they just stole it with a non-interest bearing note. They used our money before they borrowed from Japan, China or anyone else. Pay us back first, then either get a fair corporate tax from G.E., and the other loopholed giants. Then cut where you havwe to, starting with the cost of running the House and the Senate.
China, Jack. All this debate does is make our government and our economy look dysfunctional. I can imagine the cadres in Beijing are ready to jump for joy next Tuesday. We have the power to keep ourselves economically solvent but we're squandering it and before we all know it, our standing in the world will be gone. It's a sad day when folks in Washington care too much about threats to their political futures and not enough about threats to America's economic and national security.
The first people to miss a paycheck (and lose all benefits including health insurance) should be our senators and representatives. Why should they get paid for behaving like children?
The Republican Party has clearly split. Tea Party vs "Normal" Republicans
will bring this country to the edge or down. Many of us who served this country and worked hard and paid taxes for years, can not believe that they will hurt / let us down this way for one sided political ideals.They continue to hold on to big business & big money tax breaks. They will pay dearly come election time. They will stir the ire of the American people.
Remember what happened to Nixon - gone baby gone.
There are no winners on this one. American politics have hit a shameful new low, and Congress appears to be very pleased with itself for endangering the United States yet again. I hoped for the best with Obama, but the man has no fire in his gut. He refuses to take control away from an infantile Congress and run the country with a firm hand to protect the American people.
This is a disgusting display of immature behavior on ALL parts of Congress. I'm totally embarrassed to see our government making a spectacle of itself while the whole world is watching and waiting to see the outcome. I'm anxious to see if Obama ponies up and invokes the Fourteenth Amendment. He Should. Now is when our country needs Leadership–Time to take the bull by the horns Mr. President.
No one is winning. We are all losers. We have elected officials who only have their rich friends best interest at heart and their next reelection campaign. If I had my way I would fire all of them. They are a disgrace to this country.
Nobody!
Rudy P.
Roanoke, VA.
By Tuesday night Obama will win it by raising the debt ceiling using the 14th amendments. He has the power to do it, and he will exercise his power. A political move by the Republicans to use the debt ceiling as an election tool, but if you ask any Republican running in 2012 he or she will evade the question. Who wants to be elected for President in 2012 and tell 14 million seniors that they wont get their social security checks?. In the long run Obama will win it.
For the last eighteen or so months the Republicans have been kissing Tea Party butt, especially where they challenged democrats. Now their going to reap what they've sown. These Tea Party goofballs are going to block the mainstream Republicans and their ridiculous bill. In the meantime, more and more of us are ready to dump both parties and elect independents to the house and senate who can address the issues from a rational perspective rather then promoting a failed ideology. Who's winning, at this point the question is who's losing? The answer is, all of us.
President Obama ,once he comes up with his plan. The American people dissever better than this.
Jack without a doubt the Democrats are winning because of the inflexible position of the Republican Party. They continually show their mono focus, protect the minority wealthy, stick it to the majority of American's and make the President look bad. The only cuts they want are to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Republicans won't be happy until everyone in America and the country itself is dirt poor while the wealthy continue to become the ultra wealthy. When has the debt ceiling gone down? What has gone down is the revenue thanks to Republican tax cuts for the wealthiest and Corporations.
Jack, who's winning?
Rosetta Stone, who will help everyone learn Chinese.
The Bears.
The only winners will be late night talk show hosts.
No one is winning....everybody loses. Let's face it, the system that worked 200 years ago no longer works.
i think the tea partiers are winning,they put there money in gold in May knowing they would do this. How about checking on that Jack.
The Koch Brothers, Exxon/Mobil, Dick Armey, WalMart, GE, and the rest are the winners already, and they have been for years.
Hi Jack,
I don't know,but I do know it is not the American People!
Who's winning the debt ceiling battle?
China.
Nobody's winning BUT, the Republicans are losing.
The people who have always won.The debt ceiling is a smoke sc reen to distract the public while the politicians and their Wall buddies continue to rape the American populace. Aren't most of the politicians millionaires?When something is taken away from the people, no matter how they want to dress it up it is a tax increase. Who gets to make the rules if not the Rapists in control. Hello! Its the same ole, same ole until the truth of them gets out, otherwise continue to be over.
Here's a hint Jack. NOBODY.
Jack, Our politicians, both parties, are playing a game that is affecting all of us, but especially those of us who depend on social security for our living. The Republicians call SS an "entitlement'. That angers me. I worked every day until I was 65, and am still working. Every check I got, SS and Medicare was decucted from it. So I and all seniors paid for our SS, it is NOT an entitlement. My husband and I and countless others, will NOT vote for any encumbant in any future election.
China!
I don't know if anyone is actually winning...seems to me that anyone who is involved with this charade will be tainted and shunned as if they carry the Black Plague. I doubt ANY of these folks will ever be re-elected. And I guess that would be a good thing!
I do know who is losing, though. The same ones who ALWAYS lose...Middle Class Americans who work hard for a living and pay taxes, and just hope to squeak by.
Do ANY of the Washington folks have a CLUE of what's happening outside their marble walls? It's shameless.
The song "Send in the Clowns" keeps running through my head, only I keep thinking "BOOT OUT the CLOWNS," but then, that give Clowns a bad rap!
One word Jack, CHINA!
Just the Media Jack, no other winners, just us losers aka Americans!
COme on Jack, what kind of question is that? With both House and Senate bills the rich folks are winning, of course.
Maybe speaker Boehner, should sing zippydeduda again, seems to me that is the country that republicans are living today!!! lets vote all of the tea party out!
Marc
The Republicans are winning this battle. The radical progressive party of no led by Harry Reid, have already played their cards and said Bohener's bill is DOA. That pretty much sums it up. By the way, bills will still be paid after August 2.
Jack who's winning the debt ceiling battle , answer no one we all lose. But don't panic in a couple of decades things will be better. Is it happy hour yet ?
Of course the Republicans have already won. Whatever deal is reached is going to involve huge spending cuts to programs that generally help lower and middle class Americans. The topic has been framed in such a way as to almost totally negate the option of raising taxes, even though the top tax rates are now lower than they were under Ronald Reagan.
It is clear that the Tea Party is winning. They are willing to take us over the brink on principal. Well principal is a wonderful thing, but they are members of a deliberative body that MUST compromise. There is nothing dishonorable in compromise. It's what makes ....or made.... this country work.
I don't know who is winning but I can tell you who is losing – we are; the working class Americans.
I was never a supporter of term limits but these Republicans make a compelling case. If they didn't have to kiss the you-know-whats of their rich supporters who buy their elections for them, they might spend more time doing the business of the people.
Maybe if they didn't have to worry about funding their runs for re-elections, their constituants would be better served.
Who's winning. The Congressmen and Senators are winning. They keep their jobs no matter what. Want term limits? Only route I know for that goes through the Congress and the Senate. Too bad, so sad, get over it America, the buffoons remain in power.
China and India are winning Jack. They sent the most recent checks to Cantor, Reid, and the rest of the so called leaders.
who's winning? as I see it Jack the people winning the most traction from this debt ceiling farce, is the "MEDIA" I been getting bombarded from all sides due to the inability for this Congress to come together and find their way out of a paper bag.
It's easy to say no one, but if I had to choose it would be the Gang of Six. They're the only ones that have put out a serious proposal. The dems and republicans are too busy scoring political points, and the President appears to be a nonfactor. As of now, we're all losers if the debt ceiling isn't raised.
A Jolly,
Atlanta
I don't know who is winning but America is losing. Until the upstart Tea Baggers learn the difference between campaigning and governing the welfare of the country is at risk. I almost feel sorry for John Boehner, his party fails to understand they need to find a solution that they can get past the senate and the president. The wingnuts in the Tea Party don't get to vote on this one.
The people who are making wagers that our country won't meet its obligations. How sad. Shame on all those big businesses who spent big to get the tea partiers elected and all the Dems who stayed home last Nov. Lesson learned?
I don't believe anyone is winning the battle. In fact if they were smart they would do a real poll and us Americans that voted their lazy back sides in there would be the ones, that would say how much they could have, and how much they have to cut from every single thing they have that they spend daily on. In fact why do we pay the president, to be the president? He is living rent free, and has no bills to pay, so why doesn't he give up his income to pay our elderly their social security checks? To top all of that off, if they would stop blowing the peoples money of the US like there is no tomorrow, maybe then we wouldn't be in this crisis. Like I always say never send a rich person to the whie house, send a poor man there, and watch the cash they can save.
Hilda, North Carolina
The only winners in this mess are the Tea Party members. They have succeeded in imploding the Republican party, stalling the U.S. economy, and maintaining unfunded tax cuts for the rich. It's minority rule, where the Republican party is held hostage by a small clique of radically right wing fundamentalists.
One thing is damn certain it is not the American people In all of my seventy years I've never saw such a bunch of complete idiots as we have in congress now. I can't for the life of me understand what the hell these so called tea party idiots want, it is certain that they are completely off base when you mention budget, they must think they are playing with nickels and dimes.
John McCain's hobbits are winning the debate and the citizens of this country that didn't realize "Elections Have Consequence"(tm).
asking this question is like asking who wins a game of "russian roulette"
It appears to me that President Obama will win this debt ceiling battle and his proposal will prevail after John Boehner and his proposal crashes and burns. We need a proposal that is realistic, feasible and will effectively promote fiscal sanity of the country. Boehner's proposal isn't it!! Obama's proposal is!! The federal government needs to reduce its spending and debt, but also needs revenue to continue to fund its operations that are critical to the nation–Security, Health, Welfare and Social Security. A sound a proposal must address these concerns and Obama's plan does!!
Jack, I don't know why you insist on blaming Pres Obama for this, I'm sure he's working on it behind the scenes. The people who are most responsible for this mess are the Tea Party people who have sworn to not raise the debt ceiling. The only reasonable outcome in this situation is one in which there are revenues from those who have not been paying their fair share, as well as spending cuts.
Everyone keeps asking who's winning the debt ceiling battle – is it Obama, the Dems, the GOP, or the Tea Party?? This is the wrong question. What matters is who is losing the battle (and why). Answer – the people. This isn't a football game – no one but the politicos care who in DC wins the debt battle.
Tea Party wins because they have forced a new process. Obama wins because he managed to avoid a mistake. Neither are helping their chance of winning 2012, however.
neither side is winning. both will face another kick the bums out in 2012 and more calls for term limits and to get rid of all the incumbents especially the long term professional politicians
tampa, fl The banks! Now they are threatening us with higher interest rates no matter what happens, it's too late. Sound familiar with your own bank looking for a payment already made? Maybe we should ask for that $1 trillion back that bailed them out. Oh, there was no oversight by congress and they don't know where it went. Maybe we shouldn't let Congress play with our money any more.
Who's winning? Neither party, but the American people are losing. Every politician twho speaks for the press makes the same statement: "the other party is hurting the American people." HELLO - you are both hurting the American people. We are sick of you and your arguing, posturing, back-biting, etc. Find your common ground and COMPROMISE. You are making the United States look like idiots to the rest of the world and your creating a horrible example. I taught school for 25 years, and I'm used to children stopping their feet in anger. Grow up!
Here's a novel idea-Country runs out of money? Stop paying congress FIRST, and then see how long they'll take to come up with a plan.
Emerging markets are winning. If the behemoth of America is weakened, even a little, it helps them a lot.
No one is winning! Reid should never have been re-elected. Both houses should be locked in over the weekend and duke it out. Who ever is left standing wins. President Obama should also be in this and dictate his plan. The old congress has caused this problem but the newbies don't have enough experience to understand what it takes for jobless and the elderly poor to exist. Have their parents move in with them for awhile! The whole thing is disgusting.
Neither the Republicans or the Democrats are winning Jack. However the American people are most certainly losing. Remember this a representative democracy, and I do not believe there is an American (democrat or republican) that feels they are being represented by this three ring circus. Let the insolvency begin
Jack, I can't tell you who is winning the debt ceiling debate. I can tell you who the losers are. It's us. What these clowns fail to realize is that the financial community will treat this fiasco as a reason to raise interest rates, employers will stop hiring and probably layoff workers, and small businesses will fail. I suppose those that want to see America fail will be the winners. I for one, will vote against every single incumbent politician and I hope every American does the same!
Looks like the Koch brothers will come out ahead. We never really had a crisis until the Tea Party decided we did and held the economy hostage to get their way. These are the people who made such a fuss about the Constitution, and now they say we can't pay our bills unless we change the Constitution to suit them.
Those with money in oil. Soon, a barrel of oil, not the US dollar, will be the benchmark that all things value is based off from.
Who is winning? Unfortunately, it looks like the Republicans are going to trick everyone again. Pitching this battle over the vote in the House makes it look like Boehners bill is THE compromise everyone has to accept. That is like accepting a definition of sanity as being some middle ground between schizophrenia and paranoid schizophenia – as one commenter at WaPo put it so perfectly. Without tax increases, no solution to the debt problem is possible.
Americans are clearly winning the international stupidest, greediest, most self important, most Ideological, and least logical people in the World Award.
Hey Jack. Based on everything I hear, if Washington DC defaults on their debt obligations, all the banks will win. I've hear time and time again that it will "cause" all interest rates such as mortgages, student loans to name a few to go up even more than they have already. The words "higher interest" implies much more profit for someone.
There once was a country that got involved in two needless war, thrusting it deep into debt, while its most privileged members payed virtually nothing in taxes. Even when one of their own suggested it was time for them to pay their fare share, they refused. This was not the United States, but France prior to the French Revolution.
No one is winning but thanks to the arrogance of the Tea party we look like a crazy country. Not just to the world but to middle class who trusted our leaders to work for "We the people." Those that don't pay taxes have bought and paid for our elected leaders, to ignore the will of the people. In the past thirty years we have let government hold us hostage with fear tactics. They have failed to put the very people who voted for them, to be trust worthy, in meeting the needs of the American people and our country. Our schools have declined along with our high ways, transportation and our cities have become neglected. While they take bribes from lobbyist from every large corporation and even our churches we have become a sick nation and now we have a freshman group of leaders who in their arrogance and bulling tactics try to finish us off. The characteristic I hate most of the tea party is their disrespect and false stories of the President. In my opinion, they look very arrogant and foolish and i will not be voting for the republican party again.
Jack, I would say the Media. Seems like the only story they cover anymore.
It's my understanding that Eric Cantor's portfolio profits quite nicely if America defaults on its loans. There's your winner.
Once again it certainly is not the taxpayers, elderly, or our military – but the "idiots" we put in office to work FOR us not AGAINST us.... Wake up and do right by this country before we don't have one!
How about those Koch Brothers, bet they don't lose.
It certainly isn;t me.
I am almost 78 years old and depend totally on veteran's benefits, Social Security, and Medicare. For me it's not a political issue. It's an issue of survival.
Having said that, as I was willing to risk my life for my country in Korea and Vietnam I am also willing to accept reasonable cuts in my benefits and even have my own taxes increased a bit for my country.
Jack,
no one will winn the debt ceiling battle, but the middle class are definitely the losers. The GOP won't raise taxes on the corporations and the rich, and the Democrats won't stop entitlements to the lazy non-workers. So the middle class will shoulder the burden once again. However having said that, maybe you should move over to Fox news since you seem to have a problem with President Obama not being in the forefront every moment. He is a great president and people need to stop blaming him for everything that is wrong with this country. It started long ago under the Bush administration.
Yes, where IS Obama in all of this? Why is he hiding in the WH? He comes out once in awhile for a news conference, chin up in the air, or to "summon" leaders to the WH, as if they were serfs, and then does the "Mediscare" trick. His lack of leadership is the problem. He and the Democratic Congress could have passed a budget in the last 800 days. It's kind of hard to pass a budget when you just want to spend, spend, spend. And, pullease! Stop blaming Bush! Why not blame Lyndon Johnson who started Medicare and estimated it would cost $2B in 1990 (not $240B)! Why not blame Congress in years past who started welfare, food stamps, earned income credits, 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, etc., etc.–all "gimmies." And now when it's time to cut back on these programs, oh, no! Let's just raise more taxes–always from the wealthy–who isn't against raising taxes on the wealthy? There are far fewer of them. Wait, middle class, because there aren't enough wealthy to pay for all this-they're coming for you!
Georgia
Jack, China is winning the US debt battle. Every American is going to lose and China is going to benefit big time. They will grow stronger as we lose our credit rating. And, if no checks next month for those who are counting on them there for their basics like shelter....there will soon be refugee camps in the US. The congress has their heads in the sand. So many live on the edge now these days in this country. After all our health problems my husband and I have experienced after working for years we are among them. Healthcare wipes out your savings quickly.
Come on Jack the President has been all kinds of involved. The winners – the lobbyists and the tea party crowd that have all kinds of promises to call in after trading their votes. Winners – Not you, not retired me, not the majority of Americans that live in the middle of the political spectrum and are working their tails off if their lucky enough to have a job. I hope Americans look and learn at the time wasted by the house republicans when they could have had this resolved a long time ago, along with things like the FAA issue that has 4000 govt workers and thousands more construction workers out of work.
Silly question, Jack. Not only does no one win, there are more losers than we know. Congress voted to spend money and now they say they won't pay the bill. In other words, they are breaking their promises.
When the US signs a Trade bill, enters into an alliance or even promises a village in Afghanistan protection, even the most naive of our friends might ask "Why should we believe you."
I had a thought the other day after seeing several interviews of various politicians, mainly tea party republicans. They claimed that, should default happen, the money will be around to pay SS and military checks, as well as other key areas of government spending, but institutions like the EPA, welfare, and other programs the republican party typically rail the hardest against will probably lose funding for a time. Could that be the real angle here, to force the shut down of government programs that they want gone the most? The FAA is already taking a beating, and default hasn't yet occurred.
When the US Dollar slides into oblivion subsequent to political bickering, our liquidity (or what's left of it) will be available at bargain basement prices to our debt collectors. At this point, China wins hands down.
It is easy to see who is winning.
Every congressman that is getting funding from the Chinese.
The US DOLLAR can not lose its place in the international banking
It is clear who is winning the debt ceiling battle, it is democrats and republicuns that are winning the battle. As their lives will go on buisness as usual, and the lives of the working american will change catastrophically, they will continue to receive the perks and benefits of being in office as none of that is being threatened and yet I have to worry if I can keep a simple apartment and continue to go to school. This is sad!
The politicans. It was said more was spent than in the last 7 years. By lobbyist,special interests. Report who got the money. So we can vote them out.Jack
I really don't know who is winning, but I do know who is losing. All of America is losing, because our elected officials cannot put politics aside long enough to come up with a fair, and logical solution to this problem. Good luck America.
I would say right now the only real winners are big business and the top 1% of the nations earners. it is obvious that our government has no fiduciary duty to it's people, the nations interests, or the economy. Their only fiduciary duty is to the lobbyists, and their campaign contributors who want puppets. Puppets that ignore logic, data, the voices of Wall Street and Main Street, and fill their days with "busy work" that produce no results. A government full of puppets, equals no real production. Way to go big business!
Nobody is, but at least we can see how lowdown The Republicans can go just to attack The President. They will do anything to destroy his image but they are not taking in consideration the future of the country! They should be ashamed!
Jack,
After the votes today we need a European style vote of no confidence for the house, senate and executive office.
I know who is not winning: the American people.
The NFL owners and players were able to compromise and prevent missing any games, but our elected officials can't compromise to prevent a default? That is embarrassing.
Obama is hiding... promisss coming home to roost..Reality check is he made political promises for election unfullfillable; now is facing American reality.. We all don't live in liberal land,,
The truth is no one is winning this debate, everyone will come out a loser. As a Canadian i feel blessed that the worst thing going on in our province (BC) is the HST debate (joining of two taxes into one without public consultation) which due to a recent referendum will be recalled. Listen to the people is my only advice to both your parties or the people will make a change (when they've had enough)
how bout instead of not sending social security checks to us regular people we cut out the salaries for congress,that should save us more than cutting off retirees. we would probably save enough just from eliminating all the freebies they use at the tax payers expense! lets make a deal!!!!
To imply that the President is no where to be seen or heard when he is the most fully engaged President we've had since President Clinton is to pander to the party of No. The republican desire to see to it that President Obama is not re-elected is their obvious charge, not to support the people of the United States who are overwhelmingly in support of a compromise between the Democrats and the Republicans. We'll all pay a great price by having the U.S. default for the first time in our history. Fine, we'll then never have to listen to a republican again for the foreseeable future.
Who is winning the Debt Debate? The American People. Enough is enough. We need to stop following Greece and other socialist failures. As a Veteran, I highly respect John McCain. But he has been molded by the way things are done and We The People are saying that the status quo is no longer acceptable. And if there is a dictator in Washington, it is Harry Reid, a senile old crook who is the mouthpiece of gutless self appointed demigod who needs to be forced to retire. If CC&B were put on the floor of the senate then We The People would know who not to re-elect in 2012.
Jack,
My suggestion is as follows:
No solution for the country debt issues, simply pay all the bills with the exception of the president, the senate, and the congress. They are the ones NOT doing their jobs.
Obviously, the republican extortionists are winning. The Democrats and that joke of a president are completely flummoxed. They have no plan, and even if they come up with one, they will abandon it at the first sign of opposition. What the republicans are doing is putting the entire country at risk. It is no less than treason. Our government is broken, which was their plan from the beginning. There is going to be hell to pay, and as usual, we, the citizens, will be the ones paying.
I have mixed thoughts. I don't think anyone is winning this battle. The Republicans think they can force their will upon the nation despite the fact they control a minority of government, and the Democrats think we're all going to place total blame on the Republicans. However, we're going to blame everyone and both sides are going to feel the wrath of the American people, just as soon as we can find the courage to stand up for ourselves when those we elected to represent us have decided to abandon us for their own political gains. My hope is that we can find courage so that we can be winners.
Obama has won and will always win the debt/deficit debate because of two reasons which are:
1. If no agreement is met then Obama will cut off all payments to all Republican voting districts. Yes, this is a political decision. It exerts maximum pressure on a minimum number of Americans to change their opinions. It is fair because those that do not want to borrow money to make payments do not receive the payments they prevent. It will end the stalemate in the shortest amount of time and will prevent future stalemates on raising the debt limit.
2. If an agreement is met then Obama wins because he has prevented a calamity and has done so as a leader of all Americans and for all Americans.
So Obama always wins. He is the president. He is our leader. And, yes he is acting in all our best interests.
There is no winning or losing for the elite congressional members. Their retirements are set. Whose losing is middle class Americans who keep this nation going. You asked, where is the President? He is being presidential. He has spoken and is correct, Congress needs to get it together. People want to see a balanced plan with spending cuts and increased taxes. Not the President's plan, not the GOP's plan, not the Dem's plan, but all parties sticking it out together for the greater good of the nation.
Losers all: I've lost my patience with the president for whom I gladly and hopefully voted, and with every member of Congress on both sides of the aisle. And they have all lost my support. I have never been so discouraged by my government, nor have I been so embarrassed - and weary - to be an American.
So far we're all loosing. The republican party is being controlled by the tea party which does NOT represent the majority of Americans. Congress is going to have to compromise and extend raising the debt ceiling until 2013, after elections OR give in on revenue increases.
Winning? Who knows. Losing? People like me whose tax rate is about 33% ( and that doesn't include sales tax, tax on utilities, school tax, phone tax, on and on and on...) There is a slowly growing movement among people like me to withhold taxes until everyone pays a fair share. I'm not sure we have enough prisons to put us all in jail.
Kentucky (and many of us apologize for Paul)
The utra-rich and giant corporations – aided by the corporate media and the Republican-Tea Party.
There is no winner here only losers. I hope one day that I can tell my children that politicians once "were" so stubborn that couldn't find a way to compromise when our nation's credibility, integrity, and future is on the line.
Some drastic changes need to be made in Washington starting with limiting lobbyists, campaign donations and special interests groups.
Indiana
No one is winning this debt ceiling battle, but we know the American people and the republicans are loosing. Conventional wisdom may try and spin this as though the republicans are dictating the terms, but in the end, the republicans will overplay there hand, tie themselves more to problems with Washington and the economy, reveal there true extreme nature and inability to govern.
Jack;
They took the boat too far up the river for some of the new passengers. Now it sinking and nobody wants to bail.
Caferty asks "where is the President in all this:...? Well Jack, the last time I looked at the US Constitution it said that laws get enacted when both houses of Congress send something to the President for his signature. What exactly would you like the President to do? I'm all for allowing him to vote in both houses on this issue but that simply is not the rules we play by. Come August 2, when the Treasury has to decide who gets paid I hope they stop paying the Congress first..
Sadly Obama is winning simply because the Dems in the Senate have the last word in the voting process.
Meanwhile Wounded Warriors lose because Obama calls all the Vet Services Organizations to the WH for a pure photo op as he tells them he won't pay Vets come Aug 2nd.
I've always held the needs of my nation first, as a soldier, a warrior, and now a 100% disabled veteran, BUT the selfish needs of the career politicians weird enough who mainly are all millionaires like Pelosi & Reid hold America hostage.
Joe from Florida
Vetsforgotten Us on Facebook
The winner for months and now has been those who understand that the Congress-President battles cannot have a winner–just us American Loosers. China has been buying Gold at a feverish pace with huge gains as the price soars and the Gold backs their currency while the dollar, Treasuries takes a huge hit upon downgrades or default. The Oil-Gas shieks sit on trillions–so raise gas prices and they offset their Currency-Treasuries losses. The "Foes" laugh at the "Capitalists" flailing and failing–think Iran's Mullah's are not going to the Mosque tomorrow to thank Allah for our demise and downfall??
Americans economy, JOBS, all the needs we have–no winners there.
Who winning? The Chineese and other countries who will be getting higher interest on the money they loan us. Who should pay? The people presently in congress who can't seem to do their work. I say suspend their pay, benefits, and retirement accounts until they get the job done. And don't reimburse them for the wages they lose. They already have been overpaid. How much would we save if we discontinued there retirement accounts, and health care. Probably not much in the scheme of things but maybe they would start to understand what the rest of us already know. If you don't work you don't get paid. Affordable healthcare and pensions are things of the past. Who's winning? It's tough to say when we are looking at a bunch losers! I say get to work, your lucky to have a job.
It depends on whether or not the President stands up to the Republicans for the American people. What I don't understand is when the Republicans rant about how they are doing what the American people want and what they elected them for, they conveniently ignore the fact that 63-72% of Americans (depends on the poll) want Congress to raise taxes on the very top wage earners. And, no reporter, news anchor, or whatever you are called Jack, has the guts to ask the Republican leaders about this!
Those that want to bring this government, this president and this great country, in some sick way it makes them happy, are winning... What a shame we all have to suffer so a very few stupid thoughtless people can be happy.
The Democrats had two years in full control of the government and failed to do their jobs, choosing instead to rest on their rear ends rather than earn their over-inflated paychecks rather than to vote and pass a budget. The President and his Democrats have been absent in this fight until now, when they want to stamp their feet, stick their lower lips out, and pout that they're not getting their way. The Republicans have compromised as much as they realistically can, given the fiscal constraints that the American people are facing, the people who elected them, the people whom they all answer to, the people who desire far more than the same old Tax and Spend plans of the President and Congress.
It's a lose lose battle now. The only victory will be pyrric.
Obama will come out on top because all alocations come from the house. It was their incompetance that brought us to this point. All they had to do was rite a clean bill and put it on the presidents desk for his signature. They played games, they wasted time, and in the end they blew it.
Americans will continue to be losers in this debacle and future ones until we get term limits for members of the House and Senate. We need patriots, not politicians in Washington. The Constitution allows two-thirds of the states to pass amendments without congressional involvement. At the next governors' meeting, they need to draft an amendment that imposes term limits on members of Congress and take it back to their states to get ratified. Then Congressmen will worry less about getting reelected and more about doing what's in the best interest of the nation.
Jack, the winner is" get my way or no way"..speaker John Boehner
The winners in the United States' debt ceiling battle are every other economic powerhouse in the world. Here in the US, both parties' politicians are losing credibility, as well as the faith of their supporters. Neither side will budge, because neither side wants the other to be the one who "fixed" the debt crisis.
Winning? Does anyone else see what's wrong with that...why does everything in the country turn into a battle between parties these days? None of them will win come re-election time because all they’re doing is showing how incompetent they all are when it comes to listening to the American people. If I had to say who is "winning" in all of this, it would be the corporate jets whom are just looking on and probably laughing that they will never see any cuts to their subsidies.
Jack, no one wins even if those in the congress think they are winning. I have a suggestion though. Let's vote out all the incumbent bozos in the two branches of the governments in the next three elections. That will teach them how powerful the public is. Canthe media help starting this movement?
Where is the President? Your kidding, right Jack. It's not his job to write a bill. It's Boehner's job and he's failing. You are falling in line with the Fox Right idiots. Destroy the President at any cost.
The first thing Boehner needs to do is telll Cantor to go home to mommy. He walked out. He should shut up.
If the whole country doesn't stand up to these Tea Baggers, we're all in trouble.
Now Boehner's has postponed the vote Again. Once again he is wrong. He can't even get his own party together.
At least Pelosi was able to unite the Dem's.
Jack,
You mentioned that America's reputation is taking a beating on the world's stage thanks to the debt ceiling impasse. I find it hard to believe that the US reputation has further to fall. After George W. and his brand on the GOP, I think the rest of the world is truly amazed that the Tea Party actually became a viable choiceand ifluence in American politics. Good luck with that. I just hope the rest of us don't have more pieces to pick up when it comes to your economic choices (although I suspect we will).
Pres. Obama and the Dems. For what Obama what to do with raising taxes on the rich, closing loop holes, is what the people of the usa want and need. Its what work in Pres. Clinton Days. Lets go back to what works. and put a new bill in play, one that will fine congress for having a problem like this.
President Obama and his administration is winning the battle of political warfare. Though majority of the Republicans are held captive by an bias group of voters. Generally Congress as well as the senate are playing into hands of Obama and his administration. "Compromise" can't sustain without "fairness" is the name of this civil war amongst Amercans these days.
Bethel, North Carolina
Jack,
You don't know what President Obama is doing. Why judge him when you do not know? He may be in prayer for guidance.
NO ONE is winning in this current state of things. I know who is loosing, who is stressing out, who is angry frustrated and down right fed up! The American people, especially the elderly, Veterans and Disabled. The people that depend on their livelihood and cannot be certain of their future.
Who cares who is winning. Only if there is compromise will everyone win.
No one Jack. Compromise is the word, but the Republican's don't want any type of compromise. It is their way, or the highway. Their tax cuts along with extreme spending during the Bush years got us into this mess in the first place, now they want us to trust their judgement again. Democrats do seem willing to compromise to an extent. Since the Chinese own us, so let me speak the language with one of their proverbs: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
it is clear to me that the gop will oppose anything that might help the economy. they will continue that until the election. pure politics and damn the american people. Oboma wins wether he deserves it or not.
There are NO winners in this mess. I can only see a bunch of children behaving stupidly, They don't care about us and I no longer care about them. I believe there should be a national recall of all representatives and senators, We are better off with no government.
How can our country move forward when you have leaders that have declared their only goal is to see President Obama lose/fail. When our supposed leaders put party first, and country second, no one is winning. Shame on all of them.
Richmond, Va.
If only it was a just game we could be good sports and not sore losers.
The holders of U.S. government debt are winning. That includes wealthy American citizens and U.S. corporations. Such debt is not even on the table.
The capitalist economic system is winning over the democratic system of government.
Who is winning? Everyone who is chomping at the bit to loan us even more money at even higher rates! At some point in time, every family has to cut up the credit cards and start to get out of debt. If not now, when? The first checks that I would freeze if I were Obama would be those of the bureaucrats on pensions who got us in this mess to begin with. Why pay them for the stupdity exibited during their watch. The fiscally conservative thing is to cut spending big-time. Just balancing our budget leaves us with $14 trillion in debt!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE have to go farther. Let's look to the 50+% of the country that put NO MONEY into the pot to pay our bills! THAT is shared sacrifice!
The Tea Party loses big time. They will go into history as the group that destroyed America. I will not forget what the tea party has done. Are they really Americans? My father told me that permanent change comes through evolution, not revolution.
China, India and other economies that are looking to eat our lunch...Those countries will be the winners in this sad story...The wingnuts on both sides of the spectrum need to wake up and get a grip on reality. Get back to the Boehner/Obama Deal that bit the dust over the weekend and demonstrate that we can make the kind of cuts and raise new revenues –that would be a big win for the American people and prove that maybe our elected officials have the courage to do to the right thing for the country.
The winners are the Republicans and their bed-mates the Tea Party, big corporations, Wall Street, and multi-trillionaire CEOs.
The losers are the President, the Democrats, and what's left of the middle class.
Obama will cave, as usual. I'm sure that we'll have deeper spending cuts, the elimination of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and all social safety net programs, education, infrastructure, and anything that does any good for the average American.
But....this is what the people wanted when they voted in Republicans and the Tea Party. Anyone who voted for them shouldn't be complaining now–you're getting exactly what you wanted-the anihilation of the middle class and all jobs that pay a living wage. The country will consist of the wealthy lords (a small group) and the masses of poor, feudal slaves.
Who's Winning? Not the U. S. citizens! Members of Congress shouldn't win either. I say we vote out the entire bunch and start
over. Consider the way things have been going, what do have to lose?
Nobody's winning but for God's sake stopping blaming the president. He's the sane one! What exactly would you want him to do at this point...Yell? Knock heads together? The Republicans want to undermine him at all costs to the American people. Exactly what card does he have to play and who would do this better than he? Romney? Hilary Clinton? John McCain? I'm stumped looking for solutions to ignorance and intransigence.
No one is winning. You all lose in the end because the tea baggers make you all look bad with their short-sighted greed......
Stephen
Yarmouth, NS Canada
I've been a Republican all my very long life, but the party canabalism is wearing me down. Obama looks better than ever, at lest he has a long look to our future. I may not make the transition to join the Democrats but I'll at least move to the Independents. Republicans, it was nice knowing you...Bon Appetit
If we default China!
When two elephants fight who suffers, the "Ground". The winners would be the voters next election, Anybody that votes Republic Ant. should be taken to Texas. They should understand that these people do not feel their pain. All they do is satisfy their ideology.