Tag Archives: Harry Reid

Schumer Backs Reid Plan

25 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in budget, Deficit, economy, Politics

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AP is reporting:

“The third ranking Democrat in the Senate says a deficit-reduction proposal put forward by Majority Leader Harry Reid has the best chance of ending the political stalemate and avoiding a government default.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer tells MSNBC he expects the Nevada Democrat to release details of his plan later Monday. Schumer says the deal would last through 2012, cut spending by the same amount as borrowing is increased and contain no new taxes.”

Which is exactly what Boehner wanted from jump street. The Daily Caller, May 11:

“Boehner took the ambitious stand in negotiations to raise America’s debt ceiling while speaking to the Economic Club of New York, saying, “Without significant spending cuts and reforms to reduce our debt, there will be no debt limit increase. And the cuts should be greater than the accompanying increase in debt authority the president is given.”

While the Treasury Department has yet to specify exactly the size of the increase Congress will need to approve for the $14.3 trillion debt limit, estimates are currently settling in around $2 trillion. That means, according to Speaker Boehner, that the White House and congressional Democrats would have to agree to spending cuts equal to at least $2 trillion as well. The only thing “off the table” is tax increases, said Boehner.

So after 6 weeks of kabuki, we’re right back where all this began. And unemployment is still our biggest problem. Nice.

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Let the Railroading Commence

24 Sunday Jul 2011

Posted by in budget, Congress, economy, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security

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I sense that the railroading of the American public will commence shortly. That August 2nd deadline for either raising the debt ceiling or facing economic crisis has now been moved up to 4pm today, so says Speaker Boehner and Treasury Secretary Geithner.

“House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told his GOP rank-and-file that congressional leaders are working round the clock on a deal set for release before the Asian markets open on Sunday at 4 p.m., a source tells The Hill.”

“The speaker and other leaders started their day at the White House, where Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner warned of possible trouble in the markets if policymakers don’t announce a viable plan for raising the debt limit before Asian exchanges open Sunday evening, according to people familiar with the meeting.”

Add that to remarks by John Chambers, managing director of Standard and Poor’s, in an interview last week:

“Chambers added…that even if the parties agree to raise the debt ceiling, it may not be enough to avert a [credit rating] downgrade. Chambers said the country must implement a plan to reduce the annual budget deficit by roughly $4 trillion over 10 years, which makes the debt manageable over the long term.”

Since when do the ratings agency crooks who aided and abetted the banksters—and profited handsomely from doing so—leading up to the mortgage meltdown, get to dictate economic policy? But I digress.

That sort of ‘we have to do something big and do it now, or else’ mentality leads to “solutions” like proposing a “Super Congress”:

“Debt ceiling negotiators think they’ve hit on a solution to address the debt ceiling impasse and the public’s unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security that have been earned over a lifetime of work: Create a new Congress.

This “Super Congress,” composed of members of both chambers and both parties, isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, but would be granted extraordinary new powers. Under a plan put forth by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his counterpart Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), legislation to lift the debt ceiling would be accompanied by the creation of a 12-member panel made up of 12 lawmakers — six from each chamber and six from each party.

Legislation approved by the Super Congress — which some on Capitol Hill are calling the “super committee” — would then be fast-tracked through both chambers, where it couldn’t be amended by simple, regular lawmakers, who’d have the ability only to cast an up or down vote.”

It would also require only a simple majority vote. Isn’t it amazing how that 60-vote filibuster thingy isn’t an obstruction when it comes to what Congress really really wants to do? Like screw us over.

If this all sounds a bit familiar, it’s because we’ve been here before. Remember TARP? Get ready for TARP 2.0. Yves Smith at naked capitalism:

“We commented last night on the parallels between the pressure tactics used to railroad the passage of the TARP and our current contrived debt ceiling crisis. The similarities have increased in a predictably bad way. Even worse than the economic toll radical budget cutting will impose on ordinary Americans is the continued undermining of basic democratic processes.

The foundation was set with the TARP’s radical power grab…[H]ere is the truly offensive section of an overreaching piece of legislation:

“Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.”

[…]

As with the TARP, we have the drumroll of a purported threat to public safety, namely the possible Destruction of the Financial System as We Now Know It. John Boehner is stoking the panic by saying there needs to be a deal by the opening of trading in Asia or the Market Gods will take their vengeance. Turbo Timmie will no doubt warn of dire consequence of the failure to ink a deal by the supposed drop dead date of August 2 when he makes the rounds on Sunday TV.”

“I hear the train a comin’, it’s rollin’ ’round the bend…”

What Else is New? Republicans Threaten, Sir Robin Backs Down

06 Wednesday Jul 2011

Posted by in Congress, Constitution, Democrats, Libya, Politics, Republicans

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Republicans threaten to say mean things about Sir Robin Harry, so he backs down. As usual.

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) canceled a vote on legislation authorizing U.S. military action in Libya after facing pressure from GOP lawmakers, who warned they would vote the measure down in order to focus on budget matters.

[…]

Several Republicans complained about the Libya vote, noting Senate Democrats cited the debt crisis as the reason for canceling this week’s scheduled Independence Day holiday. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), for example, said he did not think it was worthwhile for the Senate to cancel its break if it did not deal with the nation’s financial crisis.

The discontent came to a head on Tuesday morning when Republican senators, led by Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Roger Wicker (Miss.), took to the floor to express their opposition to a vote on the measure.

[…]

“The Senate is basically fiddling while America goes bankrupt,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).”

Good call. Ron. Whether or not a president can take us to war kinetic military action with out the consent of Congress is “basically fiddling” We don’t need no stinkin’ Constitution, we’ve got debt ceiling kabuki to focus on.

But there is time for meaningless, non-binding, “Sense of the Senate” resolutions, although I don’t see how you can put the words “sense” and “Senate” in the same sentence. Seems like a bit of an oxymoron to me.

Herding Cats

22 Wednesday Jun 2011

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Wanted: Director of Messaging. Apply, Democratic Party. Prior cat-herding experience a pre-requisite:

“The Senate Democratic leadership – all of them, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabenow and Mark Begich – planned a morning press conference today where they will call for job creation measures, or stimulus, to be included in any debt limit deal. They will say that deficit reduction cannot bring Americans back to work, and that recent soft numbers for the economy demand that jobs get the primary attention. According to the press release “they will urge the negotiators to consider new proposals to boost hiring in the short term at the same time that they pursue a plan to bring down the debt in the long term.” The phrase “equal priority” is in there as well.”

On the other hand:

“The debt-reduction package emerging in talks between the White House and congressional leaders would not “fundamentally change” the alarming rate of growth in the national debt, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee said Tuesday.

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) said the goal of slicing more than $2 trillion from the federal budget by 2021 falls far short of the savings needed to stabilize borrowing, reenergize the economy and avert the threat of a debt crisis.

“A $2 trillion package sounds big, but I think most serious observers would tell you that it takes a package of at least $4 trillion to fundamentally change the trajectory we’re on,” Conrad told reporters.”

And then there’s Harry:

“Democrats are increasingly concerned that Republicans are setting them up to endorse large spending cuts in a deal to raise the national debt limit without giving ground on anything — even GOP-friendly policy measures like tax cuts for business owners — to stimulate the economy in the near-term.

…”I don’t like to question my colleagues’ motives,” noted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) during his weekly Capitol press conference Tuesday, “but whether they work with us to pass these policies, or continue opposing ideas they once supported, will tell us a lot.”

*Sigh*

The Party of “No” or The Party of No Backbone

24 Friday Sep 2010

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Gutless. Spineless. Cowards.

“Senate Democrats said Thursday that they had abandoned plans for a pre-election showdown with Republicans over taxes, postponing any vote on extending Bush administration tax cuts until after the November midterms.

Democrats discussed the issue during a caucus luncheon but left the final decision to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)”

That was your first mistake, leaving it up to Sir Robin Harry Reid.

“Late Thursday, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said, “We will come back in November and stay in session as long as it takes to get this done.”

Bullshit. If the Republicans take control of Congress, and how can they not with opposition like this, does anybody with half a brain (which excludes Reid) think they’ll be in the mood to make a deal after the election. Here’s what will happen:

“…the GOP is going to shout and scream and throw feces and demand what it will deem one of two acceptable options:  a permanent extension of all cuts or a one- or two-year extension.  And one of these will pass.  And if it’s the temporary extension, the renewal will come up before the very Congress these midterms are going to elect, meaning it will be an even more Republican Congress than the one in the lame-duck session.  So the tax cuts for the rich will be made permanent then.”

Meanwhile, back in D.C.:

“The Senate left for the weekend Thursday afternoon and will not return until early next week, when Reid has scheduled a vote on a bill to prevent firms from sending jobs overseas and reward those that bring jobs back to the United States. Congressional leaders are aiming to get lawmakers out on the campaign trail by the end of next week.”

No, don’t go back at all. Slither your worthless invertebrate asses home and stay there. Don’t even come back for the lame-duck session. Get ready for your post-Senatorial careers. At least we can save on the cost of utilities by keeping the Capitol building dark, you useless wastes of space.

The party of no or the party of no backbone. One hell of a choice.

Beware Wannabe Speakers Bearing Gifts

13 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by in budget, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats, economy, Obama, Obama administration, Politics, Republicans

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Speaker-in-waiting (he hopes) John Boehner says a few reasonable sounding words on Face the Nation and the headlines are about a ‘shift in policy,’ a ‘crack in Republican solidarity,’ a ‘victory for the Obama administration,’ and ‘Republicans caving on the tax cut battle.’ Three words of advice:

Don’t buy it.

First, why would anyone believe a word Boehner says? Then look at the entirety of his comments. Yes, he said,  “If the only option I have is to vote for some of those tax reductions, I’ll vote for it.” He also added, “But I’m going to do everything I can to fight to make sure that we extend the current tax rates for all Americans.” One hand giveth, the other taketh away.

Here’s what the Orangeman is doing as I see it. One, he’s taking a campaign issue away from the Democrats. He’s not going to let them beat the GOP over the head with ‘defenders of the rich’ for the next seven weeks, so he appears to show willingness to compromise.

Two, Boehner uses the qualifier “if the only option I have is…” because he knows that’s not the only option he’s going to have. He knows that, like everything else, the battle over extending the tax cuts is going to be in the Senate, not in the House. He knows that there are already 4 Democratic Senators—Bayh, Conrad, Nelson, and Webb—plus Joe Lieberman, who have come out in support of extending all the tax cuts for at least some period of time.

That’s why he also said this during the interview: “I don’t control the agenda on Capitol Hill. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid do…”

Here he’s painting the Democrats into somewhat of a corner. He and the Republicans can say, ‘See, it’s not us, it’s them. We’re not the obstructionists here. We’re willing to compromise but the president can’t get members of his own party to go along with him.’

Boehner hasn’t turned reasonable, it’s all a political calculation. Caveat emptor—let the buyer beware.

Reid Up By 2 in Latest Rasmussen Poll

28 Wednesday Jul 2010

Posted by in Congress, Conservatives, Politics, Republicans, Tea Party

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Nevada Republican Party to the Tea Party Express: Thanks a lot.

In the June 8 Senate Republican primary in Nevada, Tea Party darling Sharron Angle defeated Republican establishment candidate Sue “Chickens for Checkups” Lowden by a margin of 39%–28%. A June 11 Rasmussen poll showed Angle with a 50–39 edge over Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Then Angle started talking…and running from cameras. Now? The latest from Rasmussen has Reid up 45–43, and Nevada has changed from Toss-Up to Leans Democrat.

Some of the internals are interesting:

48% of the state’s voters have a Very Unfavorable view of Reid

55% have at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of Reid.

50% characterize his views as extreme.

But yet he has an overall lead. Howzat?

Angle…is viewed as holding extreme views by 58%.

And if Rasmussen has Reid up by 2, you know his actual lead must be at least 6 or 7. Take note Tea Party candidates: Crazy can win the Republican Primary. The General Election, not so much.

Angle’s latest: In a radio interview today she was asked her thoughts about campaign finance regulation.

“Well I think that the Supreme Court has really made their decision on this, they found that we have a First Amendment right across the board that was violated by the McCain-Feingold Act. And that’s what they threw out, was those violations. The McCain-Feingold Act is still in place. The DISCLOSE Act is still in place. It’s just that certain provisions within that they found to be definitely violating the First Amendment. If we didn’t have the DISCLOSE Act there would be a lot of different things that people wouldn’t be able to find out.”

The DISCLOSE Act became the latest filibuster victim on Tuesday.

It’s True Harry, and You Have Only Yourself to Blame

15 Thursday Jul 2010

Posted by in Congress, Democrats, economy, financial reform, Politics, Unemployment, Wall Street

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Welcome to the party, Harry. You’re a little late, but glad you finally got here:

“Republicans hope unemployment rates jump higher to give them a better shot at retaking Congress, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday.

At a press conference announcing a package of proposals to help small business, the Nevada Democrat said Republicans were obstructing legislation to help the economy for political reasons.

“They think the worse the economy is come November, the better they’re going to do election-wise,” Reid said.

Reid cited an extension of unemployment benefits as an example of legislation that would help the economy but was being blocked by Republicans.”

They don’t care about extending unemployment benefits. That money goes mostly to the vanishing middle-class that Republicans have been trying to kill off since 1980 anyway. This will just accelerate the process in the direction of their goal of a two-class society—the very rich and the poor. The fat cats on Wall Street are hiring and doling out the big bonuses again, and that’s all that matters to the GOP.

BTW, Harry. If you’re looking for someone to blame, find a mirror. If you and the other Dems would have had the balls to change that stupid-ass 60 vote rule in the Senate 18 months ago, none of this would have been possible. We could have had a REAL stimulus package, REAL health care reform, and REAL financial reform.

Democrats didn’t want to change it because they were anticipating some time in the future when they were in the minority and could use the filibuster to their advantage.

That time will be here a lot sooner than they thought.

One Vote

01 Thursday Jul 2010

Posted by in Congress, Democrats, economy, Politics, Republicans, Unemployment

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One vote. That’s all more than 2 million Americans needed to have their unemployment benefits extended. One vote.  That’s all that was needed to prevent the unprecedented action by Congress of failing to extend benefits when unemployment is anywhere near our current rate of 9.7%, the previous high being 7.2% in 1983. One vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had the votes of 57 Democrats, counting his own. He even had the votes of 2 Republicans, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. And in the post-January 20, 2009 climate of Washington, D.C. that is a major accomplishment. He needed one vote to get the sixty necessary to break the filibuster and pass the extension before the Senate recessed until July 12. One vote.

Unfortunately, not only for Senator Reid but more importantly for those 2+ million Americans, that one vote was, and is, in the possession of possibly the biggest damn fool ever to occupy space in the Senate chamber, Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Nelson’s reasons for his opposition:

“Tough choices are possible and necessary to not add to the deficit,” Nelson said. “Some also say we need more emergency spending now to keep the recovery going. But in my view it could jeopardize the recovery and would add to our already enormous deficit, likely to be around $1.4 trillion for the second year in a row…. Congress should provide additional unemployment benefits but not as a bailout to the states that worsens the deficit and passes the bills onto our children.”

Do you know who’s making tough choices, you idiot? The long-term unemployed who now have to spend July 4th weekend wondering how, or if, they’ll be able to keep their house, or pay the rent, or keep the lights on. They’re not worried about passing bills on to their children; they’re worried about being able to feed their children.

Lucy and the Football—Again

26 Saturday Jun 2010

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I don’t like to get my blood pressure up this early on a Saturday morning, but this latest action by the Senate in killing the extension of unemployment benefits really pisses me off. And every time one of these lying, elitist assholes opens their mouths it pisses me off that much more.

Like Olympia Snowe, who sent a letter to Harry Reid “urging” him to bring a stand-alone extension of unemployment benefits to the floor of the Senate next week. Nowhere in the letter did she say she would vote for it. That’s because she won’t. And neither would the other Republicans and that idiot Nelson. Snowe is just playing Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown—again. Reid should tell her to take a flying f*****g leap.

When are Snowe, Nelson, and the rest of the obstructionists going to compromise on something. Ever? The bill was watered down to accommodate them–just like the stimulus, health care, and everything else—and they still voted against it. Everything but the $33 billion for unemployment extension was offset, just like they wanted. Still they voted no.

This just in, you morons. People who get unemployment checks don’t put them in the bank. They spend every dime of it on rent, or the mortgage, or food, or clothes. It’s called economic stimulus, dipshits. Get a clue.

Then there’s Diane Feinstein who, even though she voted for the extension, gives ammunition to the obstructionists when she continues to say stupid-ass things like this:

“We have 99 weeks of unemployment insurance now. The question comes, how long do you continue that before people just don’t go back to work at all?” she said…“And there isn’t a lot of documentation on this. Last night for the first time I had somebody from a company tell me they’ve offered jobs to individuals and they said well, ‘I want to not come back to work until my unemployment insurance runs out.’ So we need to start looking at these things. And, we need to start paying for it.”

Bullshit. Nobody’s getting rich off unemployment, Di. The average check for one of Feinstein’s constituents in California is $450 a week. In San Francisco, where Feinstein and her rich hubby live, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1709 a month. Which leaves $91 a month for things like food, electricity, water—minor things like that.

And forgive me but “somebody” from some unnamed company who says that “they’ve” offered jobs to people who would rather stay on unemployment is bullshit too. The unemployment rate in California is 12.4%, there are 6 people for every job opening. People want to work, there just aren’t any jobs to be had. But when you’re sitting on top of a cool 40 mil, like the Feinsteins are, you have no idea what life is like in the real world where the peasants live.

I won’t even get into Nelson. The man is just a hopeless, clueless idiot with a terminal case of HUHAD (head up his ass disease). Why he doesn’t just switch parties and be done with it, I don’t know.

[End of rant]