America Weighs in on Washington
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-08-01/america-weighs-washington
Congress held the nation in a state of anxiety for weeks as lawmakers battled over whether to raise the debt ceiling. Yesterday congressional leaders agreed to the outlines of a plan. It calls for cutting more than $2 trillion in federal spending over a decade. It would establish a new congressional committee on deficit reduction. And it would raise the debt ceiling in two steps. A vote on the measure is expected today, but uncertainty still surrounds its passage. Today Diane wants to hear your thoughts on what's going on in Washington. We'll have a brief update on the deal from NPR's Washington editor, then we'll open the phones.
Guests
Ron Elving
Washington editor for NPR.
Comments
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Let's start with the
"Concentration of banks is due to the lack of oversight of our government, not the reverse".
Agree. But there is no "concentration of banks". Look at Canada's banking system compared to ours. They weathered the "recent unpleasantness" much better than we did.
"Only about 10% of the population paid income tax when it was instituted."
Would want to see documentation on that, but let's stipulate it. Sorta tells you something's wrong with what has happened to the size of the Federal Government then, doesn't it?
"And I'm tired of hearing the double standard that Social Security and Medicare tax payments don't count as taxes when coming up with the 50% don't pay tax, but counting it when it's convenient in the deficit context. "
Well you can be "tired of hearing" it all you want, it doesn't make it less true. SS and Medicare are supposed to be "self sustaining" based on their revenues. They are SEPARATE from income taxes. Take a look at your pay stub sometime. The fact that the Federal Government puts everything in the same pot is a different issue.
"At the minimum, medicare is an income tax on the working. There's no pretense that it's an insurance program."
Nonsense. Use whatever terms you want. If that is the case then your insurance company is "taxing" you twice a year to pay for your automobile coverage.
Doesn't the fact that there are no truly happy sides in this decision indicate that it is a true compromise - both sides are having to let go of things, programs they would prefer to preserve. May not be what would be anyone's first choice - isn't that what a compromise is?
Thanks for your show to give so many great points from all sides about the debt ceiling. However, saying that the President "caved" about this or that part of the issue goes against the idea that the people were looking for the players to compromise. Compromise is suddenly seen as a bad thing and saying that someone "caved" does not help the idea that everyone has to give a little to get to a final goal.
I agree with the callers who have said that the idea that both parties are responsible for this is ridiculous. Democrats have compromised and continue to compromise. The false search for "balance" leads to an untruth. The blame is not equal on the left and the right. The extremists in the Republican party who were willing to risk economic catastrophe to get their way have not compromised. They have threatened and they have gotten their way. The Democrats in Congress and the President have had to capitulate to avoid an economic meltdown.
Taxes are lowest they have been in 60 years. The top 1% of taxpayers pay average 16%. If you pay more than that you should be mad. 74 people of top make as much as 19 million people on bottom. This is just transfer of wealth to the wealthiest people.
The "let them eat cake" expression comes to mind.
During Eisenhower era the highest tax bracket was 91%.
The reason the President caved is because he was the ONLY adult. He needed a roomful of adults, not a roomful of children. Adults can be reasoned with, children are spanked or grounded and President Obama didn't/doesn't have that right. Perhaps unfortunately.
why do republicans go unchallenged when they claim that tax hikes will effect everyone? the tax increases, or end to tax shelters, are for the wealthy, no? are there any specifics on proposals for raising revenues? do any of them effect people making less than 200k?
Raleigh, NC
I think there is wisdom in Warren Buffet's comment:
"I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that any time there's a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election."
I do not understand how Speaker Boehner and Mr McConnell can say they are doing what the people want ~ I don't agree with any of their statements. I cannot imagine how our country will become a great place again with the divide between the haves and have nots - to include education, healthcare, and opportunity.
I write my OK representatives daily/weekly and I'm not sure how I can make a change. Do you?
The goal of the republicans was to make Obama a one term president,not improve the economy or the US, this is based on race. Any opposition to Obama is a way to diminish the black man in office.
All of the terms like debt reduction, cap and trade, and the like, are just code words for racism.
The United States of America was just the victum of political extorsion. We witness today as the first day of the dismantling of a great country by a group of ideaological myopics who wrap themselves in the consitution and the flag while they actually have more in common with the Taliban. Who was it that said we we will fight them over there so we will not have to fight them here. Guess what they have always been amongst us. I so very saddend by what my children will face in the future.
No one seems to be entertaining the fact that this is a deliberate strategy by the right to keep the economy on hold. Mitch McConnell, the Senate's highest ranking Republican, has even gone so far as to state his number one goal is preventing Obama from being re-elected. It seems Republicans are willing to go to any means to achieve this end. This includes intentionally strangling the economy until election time rolls around.
We can debate right and wrong all day. I find many of these comments truly beside the point. There are some names which appear regularly here who only want to prove a point.
This is what conceerns me most. The issue was so confrontational primairly becasue one group of conservtive Repubicans were not ready to compromise under any conditions. This might indeed still be the case. Sch behavior is not democratic and it is not in the spirit of the United States. we are a country of 307 million people. they can be no right or wrong way. Some of the contributors here and these right Wing Republicans are using tactices of extortion and blackmail. This decision was achieved through this sort of behavior. We should all condemn that in the utmost.
I work for a company that processes applications for private school aide. My job is to make sure each applicant provides the proper income documentation for calculating need. I discovered that some families who are not documented citizens were receiving social security benefits. When we talk about taking away social security benefits, or even reducing them, shouldn't we be looking for those who are receiving benefits illegallly? There are so many folks in this country illegally and receiving benefits that might go to documented citizens who need it, and don't always get it. My neighbor has been out of work because of a back injury. The man walks with a cane and quite slowly. His wife told me he was turned down for social security, but that they were appealing. Why are we not investigating the fraud cases? I don't mean to sound harsh, and if someone needs aide, I would like to think he or she will get it, but people should be processed into our system, then receive benefits. In many of these cases, the entire family is undocumented and receiving social security, food stamps and sometimes welfare. Why isn't someone or some panel assigned to look into the fraud cases receiving public assistance?
Warren Buffett paid 11% total taxes including federal, state, local, and corporate taxes on his $8billion investment gain in a recent year. He agrees it's unfair that his secretary pays a tax rate twice as high.
I would like to debunk the argument that we need to continue special favored tax rates for the wealthy investor class in order to put money hands of so-called "job creators" to boost the economy and create jobs.
The tax cuts for the wealthy started under President Reagan in 1982 have certainly worked for the wealthy. The fraction of the nation's wealth held by the richest 1% has increased from 22% to 40%, equaling the highest wealth disparity in our history. Despite all that money in the hands of the so-called "job creators" our GDP growth has dropped by one-third, comparing the 30 years before and after Reagan. Unemployment stands at greater than 9%. How much more do we need to give the so-called "job creators" before we realize they are simply pocketing it.
http://fairsharetaxes.org
LIberals, you are HILARIOUS!!! Keep 'em coming, will you? A good belly laugh makes a body feel so much better!
"Republicans are racist", "Bush is the devil", "The Tea Party is the Taliban in this country", you just can't make this stuff up!!!
I can always tell when the liberal progressives start getting riled up that we've taken at least a baby step toward restoring this country to being a constitutuional republic.
Diane Rehm: An occupation of Freedom Square in Washington, DC is planned starting October 6, 2011 and will last for as long as it takes.
I hear young people talk down about social security all the time and it drives me nuts. They say "I've paying for my social security and I better get it". But they are missing the whole point! Its not "your" social security yet. Its not a savings fund. Its for the older lady down the block who can't pay her bills. Its called community! We live in a community and have to watch out for one another.
Dianne, you asked why the unemployed and disenfranchised haven't marched on Washington...how do you think they can afford to even travel to Washington to protest if they can't even pay their bills???
Why aren't people marching on Capitol Hill?
I don't know why. I'm 25 and born after the times of marching on Washington during the Vietnam War, but I admire those people tremendously. I wish there was a leader in the community I could find and follow and support. I would march calling for an end to tax-loops, simplification of tax law, and lowering government spending by cutting all programs by a small percentage. I do not know who else would march with me, because everyone has their own opinion and might agree with only one or two of those things. I worry American citizens have become just like the politicians in that we cannot agree and compromise on enough to where we can all hold signs together, or worse, hold up an American flag together and be proud.
'Why don't the American people march on Washington?' Because we're a stupid, simple people who rely on union leadership and entitlement programs. We complain, but don't act, and are in our comfort zone being this way.
AMEN!
Americans are mad, mad at Congress, but won't march to Washington because they're working at their low wage jobs, or out of work looking for jobs, or too old and disabled, or just too discouraged and have lost all hope in Congress. It's a sad time in America for many.
PeteG2 wrote:
"Warren Buffett paid 11% total taxes including federal, state, local, and corporate taxes on his $8billion investment gain in a recent year. He agrees it's unfair that his secretary pays a tax rate twice as high."
This is one of my favorites! Hey Pete, did you know you and Warren both can send as much money as you want to the Federal Government? Yup. You sure can. You can even earmark it for debt reduction.
From taxfoundation.org:
"How do you make a gift to reduce debt held by the public?
If you wish to do so, make a check payable to “Bureau of the Public Debt.” You can send it to: Bureau of the Public Debt, Department G, P.O. Box 2188, Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188. Or you can enclose the check with your income tax return when you file."
Won't you send your check today?
Shame on the Congress . . . shame on the bipartisan politics . . . we cannot march because we are too busy working trying to hold onto our houses, insurance, etc.
The wealthy do not invest in our economy. There was a study showing they are more interested in investing in emerging markets. The top 1% do not do anything to help our economy.
I think that many people are feeling disenfranchised. I have called my congressman and senators and got no satisfaction at all. The 2 republicans just repeated back to me the party line and do not even recognize my point. Why bother to go all the way to DC when they will not pay attention?
Note- this is a new position for me - I have traveled to DC in the past and felt that I could make a difference.
Also - the president pretty much gave up before the negotiation started - I love Mr. Obama - but think he should appoint someone who negotiates better than he to handle negotiations.
Thank you
In Response to the question why is the public not marching on washington, the reason is quite simple.
In the past few years this country has seen two political revolutions, one to elect the left, then the response to elect the right. With that type of political power held by the people, political disenfranchisement is rare.
Diane:
What financial resources should unemployed people use to march on Washington? As someone unemployed for over a year, I have no money to hire a lobbyist or buy a congressman. And on my previous salary, I didn't when I was employed, either.
I am an unrepresented citizen. Because I want them to act differently than they are acting, my so-called reps respond with boilerplate to my emails. My congressman is in a gerrymandered, safe district. He has nothing to fear from me.
I think Americans haven't risen up because they still think they have rights and are represented. After the past few weeks, I think more and more people are realizing they are mere pawns to fundamentalist politicians.
What I fear is that we have lost, perhaps for some time, an American consensus on governance. We do not seem to have a common mission anymore and it seems that some autocratic societies, like China, are much efficient and can actually get something done.
I am much embarassed by what is happening in Washington and would like to suggest a third party. Unfortunately I do not know how to resurrect Theodore Roosevelt.
The Republican Party of Lincoln, TR, Eisenhower, Dole, etc., is dead. It no longer exists.