CrossTalk: Divided We Stand (and vid)
http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/us-politics-leadership-trend-026/
"What is happening in the US?"
Executive Action Needed to Resolve Looming Constitutional Crisis, Quell Tea Party's Neoconfederate Insurrection, Avoid Apocalyptic Outcomes (podcast)
http://tarpley.net/2013/10/05/executive-action-needed-to-resolve-looming...
Emergency Program: Stop the Depression - Webster Griffin Tarpley on the Shutdown
Whatever Happened to 'No Negotiations' with Debt Ceiling 'Hostage Takers'? - by Dave Lindorff
http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/10/11/whatever-happened-to-no-negotiati...
"President Pivot prepares to screw old and infirm.."
Reality is that we've always got Obama's famous "debt ceiling" speech.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.
I could go on but the reality about the debt ceiling is simple - the US has maxed out its credit cards and can't kite loans anymore. So they are now stuck with begging the banks in question to increase the limits on one of those cards so they can pay off the other ones.
Reality is that we've always got Obama's famous "debt ceiling" speech.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.
That was then, this is now?
I could go on but the reality about the debt ceiling is simple - the US has maxed out its credit cards and can't kite loans anymore. So they are now stuck with begging the banks in question to increase the limits on one of those cards so they can pay off the other ones.
Except the cards mostly belong to those same banks. The real problem is that the US is trapped in a spiral maze that it can't escape, borrowing from the same entities it owes money to just to service, not reduce, their debt, and constantly accumulating interest while getting nothing for its money. The only way to avoid increasing the debt ad infinitum is to break down and admit that the system isn't a system, but a scam, and that the only way out is to dismantle the scam and stop playing. But what president could ever do that?
That's why it doesn't matter what happens in the US politically. Their problems are too huge and any real solutions are strictly verboten in political discourse. Like the worst drug addicts, you can't help them until they want to help themselves. They just need to crash hard and hope they'll survive the experience.
Democrats Must Stop Ted Cruz's Hollywood Ending - by Matt Taibbi
http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/19832-focus-democrats-mus...
"The entire world financial system revolves around the notion that the US will never default because under normal, rational circumstances, it can't. Before this latest political meltdown, no one could ever have conceived of a sovereign state intentionally defaulting.
But we're, like, a week away from this happening, and where's the emergency mobilization?
Debt Ceiling: China Calls For World To Be 'De-Americanised' : 'Pax Americana Has Failed on All Fronts'
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/513431/120131013/china-debt-ceiling-sh...
"As politicians of both political parties are still shuffling back and forth between the White House and Capitol Hill without striking a viable deal to bring normality to the body politic they brag about, it is perhaps a good time for the befuddled world to start considering building a de - Americanised world,' the editorial said..."
What's Wall Street going to do, and rest assured they will come up with something, now that they find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion once again!
Cruzifiction of the GOP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-cruzification-of-the...
It’s time for stocktaking by GOP leaders
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/its-time-for-stocktaking-by-gop-l...
G.O.P.’s Hopes to Take Senate Are Dimming
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/us/politics/gops-hopes-to-take-senate-...
For the GOP, rightward ho!
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mcmanus-heritage-foundat...
Modern GOP is still the party of Dixie
How the South poisons American conservatism and sabotages our politics
Goldman: 'Headed For A Short-Term Debt Limit Deal'
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-14/goldman-headed-short-term-debt-...
"Remember: what Goldman wants, Goldman gets..."
European Austerity Hits America: Time to Suffer - by John Stanton
http://www.4thmedia.org/2013/10/08/european-austerity-hits-america-time-...
'Game Over,' so to speak. The dark times are here in America. You are on your own.
Austerity means that Capital will now be allowed to flow uninhibited through the United States of America..."
The Folly of Empire - by Chris Hedges
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_folly_of_empire_20131014
"The final days of empire give ample employment and power to the feckless, the insane and the idiotic. These politicians and court propagandists, hired to be the public faces on the sinking ship, mask the real work of the crew, which is systematically robbing the passengers as the vessel goes down.
If we had any idea what was really happening to us we would have turned in fury against Barack Obama, whose signature legacy will be utter capitulation to the demands of Wall Street, the fossil fuel industry, the military industrial complex and the security and surveillance state.
We would have mutinied. We would have turned the ship back..."
Behind the US Government Shutdown - by Andre Damon
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/14/pers-o14.html
"As the US government shutdown enters its third week, it has become increasingly evident that the ongoing crisis and threat of a federal default is being used to create the political framework for the intensification of attacks on the working class.
The ongoing government shutdown and the machinations of both parties are leading to the deepening alienation of the vast majority of the population from the political establishment."
Now if only we can get the right-wing in Canada to self-destruct the same way as the GOP. Wishful thinkin' i suppose.
John McCain warns of consequences if Democrats try to "humiliate" Republicans
"The Democrats, they better understand something: What goes around, comes around. And if they try to humiliate Republicans, things change in American politics - and I know what it's like to be in the majority and in the minority - and it won't be forgotten."
Obama Postpones Meeting With Congressional Leaders (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/10/14/329432/obama-postpones-debt-limi...
"US President Barack Obama has postponed a meeting with congressional leaders as the partial government shutdown drags on and the debt ceiling dispute continues.."
Shutdown of US Gov't & 'Debt Default': Dress Rehearsal For Privatization of Federal State System?
http://rt.com/op-edge/shutdown-us-financial-climax-212/
"...Several overlapping political and economic agendas are unfolding. Is the shutdown - implying the furloughing of tens of thousands of public employees - a dress rehearsal for the eventual privatization of important components of the federal state system?"
7 Warning Signs We Have Been Set Up For Economic Collapse
http://nsnbc.me/2013/10/15/7-warning-signs-set-economic-collapse/
"Either way the theater on Capitol Hill plays out - either the debt ceiling being raised as Obama wants or Republicans get their way - the US economy will default because it is built into the script.
The steps being currently taken are meant to lead to what financial analyst Jim Sinclair refers to as a bankster bail in..."
US Government Shutdown: LIVE UPDATES
Obamacare and the Assault on Workers' Health Benefits
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/16/pers-o16.html
"Developments in two major US cities underscore the anti-working class agenda underlying the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare.
The essential aim of the ACA is rapidly emerging. Behind the talk of providing coverage for the uninsured, Obamacare was devised from the start as a means of dismantling the employer-based system of health insurance that for decades guaranteed a basic level of health care for tens of millions of workers in the US.."
Ponzi Politics: Continuing Saga of US Debt Crisis
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/329707.html
"...a relatively small number of institutions, basically the global banks, investiment banks, and credit hedge funds...built a huge Yertle The Turtle-like tower of debt by selling it back and forth among themselves, booking profits all along the way. That is the definition of a Ponzi-game..."
Senate leaders said Wednesday that they had reached a bipartisan agreement to end a 16-day government shutdown and avert default on the national debt that has roiled Washington, furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers and closed crucial government services.
Congress will now attempt to quickly advance the legislation through both the House and Senate throughout the day in hopes of avoiding default on the national debt and reopening the government, although the exact order of that process remains unclear.
Crucially, stalwart conservatives in the Senate – particularly Texas Sen. Ted Cruz – said they would not use procedural tactics to slow a vote on the legislation, brightening the prospects for a quick solution.
The bipartisan deal would reopen the government through mid-January and extend the government’s ability to borrow through early February – a victory for President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats who had vowed not to bargain over basic government operations or preserving the credibility of U.S. debt.
The deal also locks in reduced spending levels as established under the automatic spending cuts known as the “sequester” – a silver lining for Republicans who have otherwise been pummeled by the recent fiscal showdown.
Yes. If, god forbid, Democrats make it too hard on Republicans, things might change in American politics. Like, say, the Republicans might shut down the government until President Blackenstein gives them whatever they want, and what would things look like then?
i don't get this term!!! it makes me uncomfortable in some way....is it a slur? is it alluding to someone or some company?
Now if only we can get the right-wing in Canada to self-destruct the same way as the GOP. Wishful thinkin' i suppose.
Except history shows it wont affect them greatly. The last shutdown of any consequence led to the Repugs getting more seats not less. Plus a lot of the seats are so entrenched as dem or rep that they just wont ever change (unless there becomes a third party of disaffected dems or reps or both)
Huge win for the Democrats today and hopefully it will will spill over to the mid-term elections next year, allowing the Democrats to retake the House, and get move than the 60 seats required in the Senate to prevent future filibusters.
That’s how you treat a bully!: Democrats win — and learn a huge lesson
GOP is finally surrendering. But it will try more extortion soon -- and Democrats will have to stand just as strong
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/16/thats_how_you_treat_a_bully_democrats_wi...
Reality is that we've always got Obama's famous "debt ceiling" speech.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.I could go on but the reality about the debt ceiling is simple - the US has maxed out its credit cards and can't kite loans anymore. So they are now stuck with begging the banks in question to increase the limits on one of those cards so they can pay off the other ones.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the debt ceiling a creation of the politicians not lenders.
Isn't the reality more like a family deciding that they will not allow their debt go past a certain point. Then when their debt is nearing this self imposed level they are faced with a number of tough choices like not investing in car insurance even though they are locking into a long term lease agreement, or not doing necessary maintenance.
Reality is that we've always got Obama's famous "debt ceiling" speech.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.I could go on but the reality about the debt ceiling is simple - the US has maxed out its credit cards and can't kite loans anymore. So they are now stuck with begging the banks in question to increase the limits on one of those cards so they can pay off the other ones.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the debt ceiling a creation of the politicians not lenders.
Isn't the reality more like a family deciding that they will not allow their debt go past a certain point. Then when their debt is nearing this self imposed level they are faced with a number of tough choices like not investing in car insurance even though they are locking into a long term lease agreement, or not doing necessary maintenance.
Well that's what a sensible person would say but they seem to be in short supply.
I am curious how the debt to GDP ratios compare to during WWII. The US finances are a mess, but I don't think they are anywhere near insolvent.
i don't get this term!!! it makes me uncomfortable in some way....is it a slur? is it alluding to someone or some company?
With A Final 285-144 Vote, Mission 'Raise the Debt Ceiling' is Accomplished...
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-16/mission-accomplished-see-you-al...
"See you all again in February..."
http://reason.com/blog/2013/10/17/shutdown-ended-credit-limit-increased-se
The can is kicked 90 days down the road.
As the House finished their vote to reopen the federal government and raise the debt ceiling, a House stenographer decided it was a good time to let everyone know her feelings about God, Congress, and the Freemasons.
“He [God] will not be mocked,” the stenographer, apparently named Molly, yelled into the microphone as she was dragged off by security. “The greatest deception here is that this is not one nation under God. It never was. It would not have been. The Constitution would not have been written by Freemasons. They go against God. You cannot serve two masters. Praise be to God. Praise be to Jesus.”
http://gawker.com/house-stenographer-dragged-off-floor-yelling-about-free-1446830813
No word yet as to whether she will be running for a house seat for the Republicans.
Grand Theft Health Insurance - by Russell Mokhiber
http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/10/17/grand-theft-health-insurance/
"Repeal Obamacare. Replace it with single payer."
