Lame-duck Congress' first order of business?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Despite the fact that the Democrats took a real beating yesterday, the Democratic-led Congress will soon be back in Washington for a lame-duck session. Heavy emphasis on the word, "lame."
Because this Congress allowed so much unfinished business to pile up before the elections, there'll be no shortage of things to do should they actually decide to tackle some of the people's business.
There are the Bush tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of this year. If nothing is done, the biggest tax increase in American history will land on our doorsteps January 1.
There's the issue of expiring unemployment insurance for two million Americans.
And don't forget about the budget. Lawmakers need to either pass another temporary measure to keep the government funded - or pass the remaining spending bills for fiscal year 2011. The second won't happen, the first has to.
Other pending issues include the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax.
Don't hold your breath on any of this stuff. Congress will only be in session for a few weeks before the Christmas recess.
Plus, insiders say this lame-duck session could be more unpredictable than most since the balance of power is shifting. They say Republicans could spend at least a week figuring out who will take leadership roles in the next Congress.
More importantly, it's likely the Republicans won't be in the mood to do much cooperating, since they'll be running the show come January.
Here’s my question to you: What should be the lame-duck session of Congress' first order of business?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Has Democratic leadership been "authoritarian" and "closed?"
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
A candid Congressman... it's an endangered species in Washington. Unless they're retiring and have nothing to lose by being honest.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/11/01/art.baird.jpg caption="Representative Brian Baird (D-WA)."]
The Wall Street Journal interviewed Congressman Brian Baird, a six-term Democrat from Washington State who's retiring at the end of this term.
Baird calls out the Democratic leaders, saying they're "authoritarian" and "closed." He says they've repeated some of the Republicans' errors: "We've made some of the same damn mistakes, and we were supposed to be better. That's the heartbreak."
And we're talking about a loyal Democrat here. Baird voted for all of the Democrats' legislative priorities - including the stimulus bill, health care reform and cap and trade. Although he does admit that all three have serious flaws.
Baird says he was very excited when his party won control of Congress in 2006, but saw troublesome signs early on. For example, right after the election, he says Speaker Nancy Pelosi abandoned all work on a rules package to make the House more ethical. He says the leaders told party members to quote "trust them to clean things up."
That worked out well, didn't it?
Baird says he was optimistic when President Obama was elected. But the White House's decision not to make job creation its top priority made him lose hope pretty quickly.
His advice for incoming Republican members of Congress is to "treat the voters like adults."
Now there's an idea.
Here’s my question to you: One retiring Democratic congressman says the party's leadership has been "authoritarian" and "closed." Is he right?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Things in Washington different after midterms?
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/File)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The old definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.
We are on the verge of giving control of at least one house of Congress back to the Republicans. Gee, that worked well the last time, didn't it?
And the Democrats, who have had the Congressional ball since 2006, have done what – exactly? End the wars? No. Fix the economy? No.
Run up the national debt? Oh hell, yes.
Speaking of the Democrats, while party leaders insist they will keep control of the House, most experts will tell you otherwise. But either way, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could lose her job.
If the Democrats lose control of the House, Pelosi is toast. But perhaps more interesting is even if Democrats keep control with a very slim margin, which is the best hope for them, Pelosi could still be ousted as Speaker. Several Democrats have already said they would vote against her.
In any case, it's quite possible that a week from tomorrow the voters will bring some big changes to the political landscape in Washington – or will they?
At the end of the day, we just keep electing a different version of the same losing proposition. It's like deciding whether to hit yourself in the head with a hammer or a baseball bat... the results are pretty much the same.
Here’s my question to you: How will things in Washington be different after the midterms?
Interested to know which ones made it to air?
FULL POST
Should Congress adjourn early when they haven't passed a budget?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Our lawmakers ought to be ashamed of themselves:
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/17/art.debt.clock.jpg caption="A 2009 file photo of the National Debt Clock. That number now stands at over $13 trillion."]
They've yet to pass a federal budget, but some in Congress still think it's a good idea to leave town early to go home and campaign for the upcoming midterm elections. You know - go home and tell the folks what a great job they're doing.
The new fiscal year starts on October 1, and there are no signs Congress will have a new budget in place by then. This is inexcusable. Our national debt now tops $13 trillion. Annual deficits are running at more than $1 trillion. And without a budget it is impossible to have any idea what the hell the government is doing with our money. Our money.
In place of a budget, Congress usually passes what are called "continuing resolutions" for a month or two at a time. This prevents the federal government from shutting down. At this rate, Congress might not finalize a budget until after January - when the new Congress is sworn in. Four months from now.
So far, neither the House nor the Senate has even passed a formal budget resolution - which usually happens in the spring - last spring.
It's not to tough to figure out why there's no budget. Congress doesn't want to vote on a budget that could mean tough spending cuts right before an election. Heaven forbid. In other words, they are cowards.
But, no matter. Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the so-called House leaders are thinking about adjourning October 1 - a week earlier than scheduled - so they can go campaign for re-election. It's just disgraceful.
Here’s my question to you: Should Congress consider adjourning early to campaign when they haven't passed a federal budget?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Things get worse if Dems lose control of Congress?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Things are pretty bleak for millions of Americans these days... but President Obama says they'll be worse if Republicans take over the reins.
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That's the message coming from the commander-in-chief as he hits the campaign trail for Democrats - in a midterm season that could be a real bruiser for his party.
The president says that the GOP wants to "go back to doing the same things... if we give them the keys back, they will drive this economy back into the ditch."
But experts aren't so sure this message will resonate with voters. Blaming President Bush and the Republicans for what happened in 2008 may not work when many Americans are still hurting badly today - worried about finding a job and putting food on the table.
Meanwhile, polls indicate the Democrats may have reason to worry about November.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows Republican candidates have a three point advantage over Democrats in the :generic" ballot question... that puts them in almost the same exact position as in August 1994 - months before the GOP took control of the House for the first time in 40 years.
What's more, President Obama's disapproval rating of 51 percent matches his all-time high.
This poll also shows Republican voters are feeling an intense amount of anger over the direction this country is headed in... much like they did in 1994.
When you add all of this to the fact that Republicans have held a significant edge for months when it comes to voter enthusiasm... it doesn't seem to bode well for the Democrats and President Obama.
Here’s my question to you: Will things get worse if the Democrats lose control of Congress in November?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Is it time for Congress to raise the retirement age?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If you like your job, better hold onto it because Congress is thinking about raising the retirement age.
As lawmakers run out of options on how to pay for Social Security, the Washington Times reports how top Democrats and Republicans have been making unusually frank comments on the topic. Usually, politicians talk in generalities about cutting the deficit, and most other things. It's what they do best.
But it seems the flashing warning signs of our skyrocketing and unsustainable deficits have finally gotten their attention.
And now they're getting down to business - with party leaders saying that with people living longer and in better health - the nation can't afford to keep paying out benefits for as long as 30 years after people retire.
House Minority Leader John Boehner suggests raising the retirement age for full Social Security benefits to 70... for those who are now 50 or younger.
Boehner also says we should provide benefits only to those who need them. He says with the government broke, it shouldn't be paying benefits to those who have substantial income from other sources while they're retired.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer also talks about raising the retirement age... and providing benefits primarily to the poor.
Government watchdog groups are impressed at how serious both parties seem to be about fixing Social Security. They say leaders now realize that Social Security - which was long considered the "third rail" of politics - is now the "low hanging fruit," meaning it's one of the easier budget problems to fix.
All this comes as many European countries are moving toward raising retirement ages to fix their budget crisis.
Currently, Americans can start collecting Social Security benefits as early as 62.
Here’s my question to you: Is it time for Congress to raise the retirement age?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Huge tax increase coming in January: What should Congress do?
(PHOTO CREDIT: THINKSTOCK)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In 2008, President Obama said no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.
Well, unless something is done in the next six months, that won't be true.
What Americans for Tax Reform calls "The largest tax hikes in the history of America" will go into effect in January of next year when the Bush tax cuts are set to start expiring.
Here's a sample of what's in store for all of us:
Personal income tax rates are set to raise across the board with the highest rate going from 35 percent to 39.5 percent and the lowest rate going from 10 percent to 15 percent.
All the rates in between will rise as well. Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out. The marriage penalty returns on the first dollar of income. The child tax credit will be cut in half from one thousand to five hundred dollars per child. The death tax returns with a top rate of 55 percent on estates over one million dollars. Capital gains taxes will rise from 15 percent to 20 percent and taxes on dividends will go from 15 percent to a maximum 39.6 percent.
There are over 20 new or higher taxes in the new health care law and several go into effect on January 1 of next year. The alternative minimum tax will ensnare 28 million families, up from four million families this year, and taxes are set to go up on all types of businesses.
Congress of course knows all this... but they're on vacation and haven't said what they plan to do if anything.
Here’s my question to you: A huge tax increase is coming next January. What should Congress do?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
If GOP wins Congress in Nov., repeal health care reform?
(PHOTO CREDIT: THINKSTOCK)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Remember how health care reform was supposed to make health care affordable for all Americans? Well that's not what's happening.
A new report says employer health care costs will jump another nine percent in 2011 - and you can bet that companies will pass along those higher costs to their workers.
The Price Waterhouse Coopers survey of 700 employers shows they plan to offset costs by raising deductibles. By 2011 - more than 50 percent of employees will have a deductible of $400 or more... that's compared to only 25 percent who paid that much in 2008.
Also, 13 percent of companies say their primary plans in 2010 had deductibles of more than $1,100... that's more than double the level in 2008.
If these troubling trends continue, health care will become less affordable for those people who actually have insurance.
And, in the end, the health care law will be another gift to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies... and another burden on taxpayers.
Republicans are trying to seize on this.
More than 70 incumbent lawmakers and more than 330 GOP candidates have signed a pledge to support legislation that would repeal the health care law - and replace it with something less costly - if they win in November.
Meanwhile - Democrats are hoping that as more parts of the law take effect and the public feels the benefits, they'll get behind it.
But, for now, polls still show that majorities of Americans oppose health care reform... months after it was shoved down our throats.
Here’s my question to you: If the Republicans win control of Congress in November, should they repeal health care reform?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Why is Democratic Congress refusing to pass a budget?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
At a time of skyrocketing federal deficits and a national debt that just passed $13 trillion, the Democrats in Congress can't be bothered to pass a budget for next year.
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That's their job. Congress is supposed to decide how to spend the taxpayers' money. They are mandated to pass a budget; and presumably to stick to it... but that's a whole other story. Yet efforts to pass a budget have stalled in the House because Democrats can't agree on what and how much to cut. See, it's an election year - can't be seen cutting things in an election year.
It's simply outrageous.
Republicans say Democrats are making a "huge mistake" by not passing a budget; and they're right. House Minority Leader John Boehner suggests Pres. Obama should find someone's "ass to kick" when it comes to the budget deficit. He says the GOP will be relentless about this issue.
One Democratic Congressman - Gerry Connolly from Virginia - calls budgets "inside baseball." Suggesting it's not something the public is interested in.
Meanwhile our government just keeps spending and spending - from the Wall Street bailouts to the economic stimulus to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and health care reform.
They are bankrupting the country by running up an astronomical bill. The national debt is now estimated to reach $19.6 trillion in less than five years.
It is a debt that can never be repaid. Our government is in the process of destroying this country. And despite warnings of the dire consequences of their actions, they continue undeterred taking us down the road to financial ruin.
Here’s my question to you: Why is the Democratic Congress refusing to pass a budget?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Will you vote to re-elect your member of Congress in Nov.?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
With only five months before the midterm elections - fewer than one in three Americans say they plan to vote for their member of Congress in November.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/09/art.voting.jpg caption=""]
A new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows an increasing dislike of elected officials and the anti-incumbent mood at an all-time high. It's about time…
Only 29 percent of those surveyed say they plan to vote for their House representative. That's even lower than in 1994 - when the Democrats were swept out of power. 69 percent say they they're dissatisfied or angry with the government.
Of course Republicans are hoping for big gains; but it might not be that easy. This poll also shows a majority of people have a negative view of the GOP's policies; and only one-third say they trust Republicans over Democrats to handle the country's problems. As for the Tea Party, half of the public has an unfavorable view of them.
Meanwhile voters across the country went to the polls yesterday for the busiest primary day so far this year.
And the results were mixed.
It was a big day for women candidates - in California, Republican primary voters overwhelmingly chose two female business executives. Former Hewlett-Packard head Carly Fiorina will go on to face longtime Senate fixture Democrat Barbara Boxer; and former eBay CEO and billionaire Meg Whitman will run for governor.
In Nevada - the Tea Party-backed candidate, Sharron Angle won the Republican primary and will now challenge Majority Leader Harry Reid in November.
And in Arkansas, Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln managed to hold onto her seat in a tight race... no doubt giving hope to incumbents everywhere.
Here's my question to you: Do you plan to vote to re-elect your member of Congress in November?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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