Papantonio: The Criminal Activities of Clarence Thomas

Written on July 8, 2011 in Radio Show

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has suffered from a credibility problem since before he was confirmed as a Justice on the high court. From his sexual harassment scandal to his constant conflicts of interest, it has become more and more clear that this man needs to resign. Mike Papantonio discusses the numerous reasons why Thomas needs to leave the bench with investigative journalist Brad Friedman.

Budget talks break down, source says

July 9th, 2011

08:24 PM ET

Talks aimed at reaching a budget deal – including spending cuts as part of negotiations about raising the nation's debt ceiling – broke down on Saturday after the White House resisted proposals offered by House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican familiar with the discussions said.

Boehner abandons efforts to reach comprehensive debt-reduction deal

By Paul Kane and and Lori Montgomery, Updated: Saturday, July 9, 8:41 PM

House Speaker John A. Boehner abandoned efforts Saturday night to reach a comprehensive debt-reduction deal worth more than $4 trillion in savings, telling President Obama that a midsize package was the only politically possible alternative to avoid a first-ever default on the nation’s mounting national debt.

Boehner (R-Ohio) told Obama — who is hosting a key meeting Sunday evening on the debt issue — that their efforts to “go big,” as the speaker says, were stymied by the toughest issues: taxes and entitlements. Democrats continued to insist on tax reforms that would not pass muster in the conservative-dominated House, and Republicans wanted cuts to programs such as Medicare and Social Security that Obama and Senate Democrats would oppose.

“Despite good-faith efforts to find common ground, the White House will not pursue a bigger debt reduction agreement without tax hikes. I believe the best approach may be to focus on producing a smaller measure, based on the cuts identified in the Biden-led negotiations, that still meets our call for spending reforms and cuts greater than the amount of any debt limit increase,” Boehner said in a statement released less than 24 hours before the Obama meeting is to take place.

Without such a lifting of the debt ceiling, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said that by Aug. 2, the nation will begin to default on the more than $14.3 trillion in outstanding debts the nation has collected after decades of runaway deficit spending.

Democrats blasted Boehner’s actions.

“I really do think this is is unfortunate. It’s very disappointing that the Republican fixation with protecting tax breaks for corporate special interests and the very wealthy has prevented them from agreeing to a broad and balanced deficit reduction plan that would be good for the country,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Biden negotiating team.

RPChattanooga

I'd say it's time to use the Constitution to put the R's in their place. They have proven they care nothing for the majority of Americans only the rich and corporations. The country knows who is to blame for our economic problems. No jobs are being created because of Republican policy ( Bush tax cuts and no tax increase for those making the most and paying the least) and our economy will never get better until Boehner and his sheep get the message. Problem is they have fallen down the rabbit hole and taken on the role of the Mad Hatter only more insane! 

 

blbixler

What a shocker.
The truth of the matter is that nobody wants anything controversial on the record until after the 2012 elections. So we'll get some watered down semi-compromise and raise the debt ceiling until 2013, unless Cantor's psychosis overrules Boehner's "leadership". The sad thing is, that will be close to a miracle given the almost total dysfunction of the legislature. Their loyalties are to keeping their job, God, and country. In that order.

asmith1

 

Boehner has NO right to abandon the dicussions - he is paid to do this by the tax payers of the country - it is part of his job description.

If he is not capable of doing the job he was elected to do after campaigning on a platform attesting to his experience and ability to make the tough calls, then he needs to step down and let someone who can do the job step and and do it.

This has nothing to do with being Democrat or Republican - it is about doing the job you were elected to do.

This is starting to border on the abusrd and nothin good will come of it - for the nation or the people of this nation.

stevec3

 

 

 

 

 

I have been following these posts from the beginning and have seen many posters attacking John Boehner. Many have called for his resignation as Speaker. Others have questioned his leadership.

But maybe John Boehner is showing leadership. Unlike Eric Cantor, who positions himself to be next Speaker by shirking his duty, Boehner is Speaker now. He has to negotiate. He knows that failure to raise the debt ceiling would result in the US defaulting on its debts, which would have catastrophic consequences (those who say otherwise are living on another planet). He knows that the only way to do that is to compromise, unlike many of the ideologues he leads. So that's what he does. He gets the best deal he can without harming his country, and takes it.

That looks like leadership to me. But then, I am old school.

• The Take: Boehner's decision means an opportunity lost
• Leaders pressured from below in debt talks
• Senate Democrats draft debt-reduction plan

Budget Battles Force One-Sided Compromises

Allison Kilkenny

July 6, 2011 

The national calls for “shared sacrifice” during these times of austerity presuppose that giant corporations like Goldman Sachs and Exxon Mobil share the same amount of privilege and power as, say, your grandmother.

If the upper one percent has to pay slightly more taxes, say the GOP and some Democrats, including the president, then octogenarians have to say bon voyage to their traditional Social Security and Medicare payments.

It remains to be seen if the GOP is willing to meet President Obama halfway on his plans to tax the wealthy at slightly higher rates. Even if the president did get the GOP to acquiesce in this one area, the lavishly rich would still be taxed at historically low rates (no one is seriously considering going back to Eisenhower’s 91 percent, or Nixon’s 70 percent).

Basically, this is all a fight to go from 35 percent to the Clinton-era 39 percent top marginal rates. A four percent increase simply doesn’t carry the same punch as significantly gutting the social safety net for the poor majority. A single mother of four is going to feel the toll of dwindling food stamps way, way more than a hedge fund manager is going to feel the miniature tax creep—if it happens at all.

Yet, this narrative of “shared sacrifice”—as if all parties are equally sacrificing their means—has fully permeated the national discourse.

Nowhere is this kind of one-sided compromise more apparent than the funding chaos that just ensued in New Jersey. Using his line-item veto authority, Governor Christie hacked away at the Democrat-controlled legislature’s spending plan, slashing $900 million from the budget.

Christie nixed healthcare funding for low-income workers, tax credits for the working poor, and money for AIDS relief and mental health services, yet he managed to add funds ($150 million) for some of the wealthiest towns in the state.

The governor’s attack against the poor follows his recent signing of a law that limits the ability of New Jersey’s public employees to collectively bargain for healthcare benefits, and cuts the paychecks of those workers in order to increase their contributions towards healthcare plans and pensions.

The state Democrats laid down during this vicious attack on the working poor in the spirit of bipartisanship, naturally. Sharing the sacrifice, and what not. Of course, then the Democrats were simply shocked—shocked!—that a Republican governor, who they had just sold out their own party in order to support, would then turn around and stab them in the back. Senate President Stephen Sweeney furiously spat that Christie was a “bully” and a “punk,” and that he wanted to “punch him in his head.”

But there was no need for Sweeney to feign surprise. This is the era of the one-sided compromise, where millionaires are taxed at rock bottom rates while the working poor have their pensions stolen from them.

The starkness of Christie’s one-sided compromise is made all the more apparent when one considers that his education cuts could be reversed simply by implementing a millionaire’s tax. Of course, that would entail calling foractual shared sacrifice, and that simply isn’t acceptable.

Instead, the governor decided to briefly go to war with the state Supreme Court over education funding before the court ultimately found that he hadn’t allowed the schools to provide for their students, and ordered the state to restore $500 million in funding.

In a speech on Tuesday, President Obama coupled his demand for tax increases on the wealthy with a pledge to take on spending in “entitlement programs.” These two items are often paired together as if they carry equal weight.

Cutting the fat from an upper tier that is currently enjoying historically lavish wealth and gutting state pension plans are not equivalent acts. It makes sense when John Boehner crafts this comparison, but it’s disconcerting when President Obama plays into the false narrative

Getting the American People the Security and Opportunity that they Deserve

Posted by Kori Schulman on July 08, 2011 at 02:46 PM EDT

"What matters most to Americans, and what matters most to me as President, in the wake of the worst downturn in our lifetimes, is getting our economy on a sounder footing more broadly so the American people can have the security they deserve," President Obama said this morning in remarks on the latest jobs numbers.  

Watch the video below, read the full remarks and read the blog post by Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of Council of Economic Advisers.

Download Video: mp4 (68MB) | mp3 (7MB)

The President will not be satisfied until every American who wants work can find a job. As he outlined, there are some things that Congress can, and should, do right now on behalf of the American people, including:

• Extend the payroll tax cut. There are a lot of middle-class families who could use the security of knowing that the tax cut the President signed in December will be around for another year. 
• Pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill. There are over a million construction workers out of work after the housing boom went bust, just as a lot of America needs rebuilding. The two can be connected by helping private companies rebuild our roads and bridges and railways. 
• Pass the patent reform bill to give our entrepreneurs the chance to get their job-creating ideas to market faster by streamlining the patent process. 
• Pass the trade agreements that will help businesses sell more American-made goods and services to Asia and South America, supporting thousands of jobs here at home. 

President Barack Obama remarks on the monthly jobs report during a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House, July 8, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Accelerating job growth remains the President’s priority. Here are examples of the work this Administration is doing to put Americans back to work and spur private sector investment:

• Extending tax cuts for the middle class to put more money in the pockets of American families.
• Cutting payroll taxes resulting in an additional $1000 in the pockets of families making 50k/year – which is providing a boost to families’ pocketbooks even with higher gas prices.
• Creating new incentives to get our small businesses hiring, including 17 tax cuts for small businesses and measures to boost lending to small businesses – including enhancements to spur SBA loans and new programs to help community banks increase their lending to entrepreneurs  
• Creating clean energy jobs by providing tax cuts for producing renewable energy and proposing an expanded, permanent R&D tax credit and improved tax credits for electric vehicles. These initiatives will help create the jobs of the future, while improving our energy security.
• Increasing exports by supporting trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia that will help support tens of thousands of jobs in the United States.
• Identifying regulations that are holding businesses back and need to be changed or removed because they are out-of-date, unnecessary, excessively burdensome, or in conflict with other rules.

Changing the Conversation on Immigration Reform

Posted by Secretary Hilda L. Solis on July 08, 2011 at 07:15 PM EDT

A few weeks ago, I went back home to Los Angeles to host a conversation on immigration reform. More than 300 people packed the auditorium at East Los Angeles College (ELAC).

The immigration issue in communities like this one is about a lot more than numbers. For families in this neighborhood, it represents a daily struggle guided by great uncertainty, anxiety, and fear.

I was raised by immigrant parents in a town about fifteen minutes from ELAC, so I’m familiar with this story. Not surprisingly, many in the audience were, too.  I heard about families being separated because of our broken immigration laws; about fearful workers who had been treated terribly; and about brilliant students, with big dreams who can’t make them come true. It broke my heart. It made me think about my story – about the people who raised me and how much they’ve meant to my life. 

Storytelling is one way to learn about the immigration issue, one way to connect with it, and with each other. Stories help link our commonality – our common struggles, goals and victories.  Stories bring us closer as people. But they also provide a unique framework from which to better make the case for building a 21^st century immigration reform.

So I’m happy that panelists and audience-members alike were able to share them.

But we can’t just preach to the choir. We need to make sure that everyone – especially those who disagree – know about the many ways immigrants contribute to the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

They create jobs as small business owners and entrepreneurs and file three times the number of patents. And research shows that immigrants are 30% more likely to form new businesses than U.S. born citizens. Immigrants build our roads and harvest crops. And yes, immigrants are driven, smart and some the best students we have this country.

We need to spotlight this side of the immigration debate, too. And we need to make sure that people know about the progress we’ve made under President Obama’s leadership.  

At the Labor Department we’ve signed several agreements with foreign consulates to provide added safeguards to vulnerable workers.  Through new revisions to our H2A farm worker program, we’ve provided increased protections for foreign workers who come here to harvest seasonally. And DOL has begun the process of certifying U Visas for victims of crimes like trafficking and involuntary servitude through cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Additionally, the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently issued policy guidance about the proper treatment of immigrants in a number of sensitive situations. It directed agents to pay particular attention to safeguarding the rights of victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other serious crimes.

We need to do more. We have to take hold of the way people talk about this issue and about all immigrants. We have to prove to all Americans that comprehensive reform is in our national interest. It starts with changing the conversation – with telling stories. President Obama gets that, and events like the one we hosted in Los Angeles are an important part of the process.

Hilda L. Solis is Secretary of Labor.

Medicaid: More than Just Numbers

Posted by Jon Carson on July 08, 2011 at 04:26 PM EDT

It’s no secret that our country is in the middle of a tough dialogue about the budget and spending. President Obama knows that the American people and ordinary families should be at the heart of these discussions. 

In recent days, White House officials have been meeting with organizations like The Arc, MomsRising, and Family Voices to discuss the important role Medicaid plays in the lives of millions of Americans. They heard from parents of children with developmental, intellectual and physical  disabilities who told us about Medicaid providing the services and supports so their children could thrive in the community when no one had given them a chance. They heard from mothers who would go without health care but for Medicaid and families where Medicaid has helped change and save lives.

The families we met and the stories they told put a human face on the discussions going on in Washington. From Family Voices we met Laura, a passionate young girl and aspiring author from Indiana.  ThroughMomsRising we met Gail from Utah who would not be here today without the support Medicaid provided as she dealt with breast cancer . And through The Arc we met the Keaton family of West Virginia and their 18-month-old son Graysen, who has DiGeorge Syndrome.

We know that Medicaid helps provide services so that people with disabilities can be sisters, and brothers, daughters and sons, friends, peers, and classmates -- not patients. And yesterday, Sherry Glied from HHS wrote about a landmark new study that outlines the tremendous benefits that come from having Medicaid coverage. That’s why President Obama has proposed a package of reforms that save money and strengthen this critical program without shifting the cost of care to our seniors or people with disabilities. 

Medicaid can be more efficient and the President’s plan helps streamline the program to save money and provide better care. But the President’s plan stands in sharp contrast to the Republican plan that transforms Medicaid into a dramatically underfunded block grant. Under the Republican plan, states would get one-third less for Medicaid by 2021, potentially leaving 15 million people without coverage, including seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities, children and pregnant women.

The families my colleagues met with traveled many miles to share their stories with us and as the discussion about our fiscal future continues, we will be doing all we can to fight for them and the millions of Americans who depend on Medicaid each and every day.

Jon Carson is Deputy Assistant to President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement

President Obama on the Passing of Elizabeth Anne Ford

Posted by Erin Lindsay on July 09, 2011 at 02:29 PM EDT

On the passing of former First Lady Elizabeth Anne Ford, President Obama and Vice President Biden released the following statements:

Statement by the President:

Throughout her long and active life, Elizabeth Anne Ford distinguished herself through her courage and compassion. As our nation’s First Lady, she was a powerful advocate for women’s health and women’s rights.  After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. While her death is a cause for sadness, we know that organizations such as the Betty Ford Center will honor her legacy by giving countless Americans a new lease on life.

Today, we take comfort in the knowledge that Betty and her husband, former President Gerald Ford, are together once more. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to their children, Michael, John, Steven, and Susan.

And a statement by the Vice President:

It is with deep sadness that Jill and I learned of the loss of Betty Ford. Throughout her life, Betty displayed strength, courage and determination that provided hope for millions of Americans seeking a healthier, happier future. Her legacy and work will live on through the millions of lives she has touched and the many more who will continue to look to her for inspiration. Her family will remain in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days.

Weekly Address: Working Together To Meet our Fiscal Challenges

Published on Jul 9, 2011 by whitehouse

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live within our means without hurting investments our economy needs to grow and create jobs.

Statement of President Barack Obama Recognition of the Republic of South Sudan

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 09, 2011

I am proud to declare that the United States formally recognizes the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state upon this day, July 9, 2011.  After so much struggle by the people of South Sudan, the United States of America welcomes the birth of a new nation.

Today is a reminder that after the darkness of war, the light of a new dawn is possible. A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn. These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people. The eyes of the world are on the Republic of South Sudan. And we know that southern Sudanese have claimed their sovereignty, and shown that neither their dignity nor their dream of self-determination can be denied.  

This historic achievement is a tribute, above all, to the generations of southern Sudanese who struggled for this day. It is also a tribute to the support that has been shown for Sudan and South Sudan by so many friends and partners around the world. Sudan’s African neighbors and the African Union played an essential part in making this day a reality.  And along with our many international and civil society partners, the United States has been proud to play a leadership role across two Administrations. Many Americans have been deeply moved by the aspirations of the Sudanese people, and support for South Sudan extends across different races, regions, and political persuasions in the United States.  I am confident that the bonds of friendship between South Sudan and the United States will only deepen in the years to come.  As Southern Sudanese undertake the hard work of building their new country, the United States pledges our partnership as they seek the security, development and responsive governance that can fulfill their aspirations and respect their human rights. 

As today also marks the creation of two new neighbors, South Sudan and Sudan, both peoples must recognize that they will be more secure and prosperous if they move beyond a bitter past and resolve differences peacefully. Lasting peace will only be realized if all sides fulfill their responsibilities.  The Comprehensive Peace Agreement must be fully implemented, the status of Abyei must be resolved through negotiations, and violence and intimidation in Southern Kordofan, especially by the Government of Sudan, must end. The safety of all Sudanese, especially minorities, must be protected. Through courage and hard choices, this can be the beginning of a new chapter of greater peace and justice  for all of the Sudanese people.  

Decades ago, Martin Luther King reflected on the first moment of independence on the African continent in Ghana, saying, “I knew about all of the struggles, and all of the pain, and all of the agony that these people had gone through for this moment.” Today, we are moved by the story of struggle that led to this time of hope in South Sudan, and we think of those who didn’t live to see their dream realized.  Now, the leaders and people of South Sudan have an opportunity to turn this moment of promise into lasting progress.  The United States will continue to support the aspirations of all Sudanese.  Together, we can ensure that today marks another step forward in Africa’s long journey toward opportunity, democracy and justice.  

South Sudan's Moment of Promise

Posted by Katelyn Sabochik on July 09, 2011 at 04:54 PM EDT

Today, South Sudan became the world’s newest nation. Several months ago West Wing Week took you behind the scenes of the referendum that led to today’s celebration of an Independent South Sudan. We traveled to all parts of the country with the President’s Special Envoy, General Scott Gration. We went behind the scenes at polling stations from Juba to Khartoum, met some of the international community who helped to ensure the vote was fair and peaceful, and traveled to Darfur to inspect conditions and learn about the commitment of the United States to peace in this region after decades of civil war.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out the video.

Earlier today President Obama sent an email to organizations and individuals in the United States and in Sudan who worked along the South Sudanese people to make this day possible.  You can read the email below and check out the President's statement on recognition of South Sudan.

Dear Friend,

Today, the American people welcome the birth of a new nation. After decades of war and the loss of millions of lives, Southern Sudanese are rejoicing in their newfound independence. And as President, I am honored to formally recognize the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent nation.  

Many people made this day possible, first and foremost, the people of South Sudan who have endured extraordinary hardship and sacrifices to determine their own destiny.

But today is also a validation of the hard work by all of you -- extraordinary organizations and individuals who have devoted yourselves to the cause of security, dignity and justice for all the Sudanese people. So I wanted you to be among the first to see my message recognizing the world's newest nation.

For many years, you've shined a spotlight on suffering and demanded that the world never forget Sudan and its people.

You have insisted that the Sudanese people remain a priority, and when the prospect of a successful referendum was in doubt, you joined with my Administration and the international community to rally support for self-determination.

Together, we have been able to support the Sudanese people as they achieved progress that many thought was impossible. Your efforts have helped to save countless lives and give hope to people who have known too much suffering. Now, the people of South Sudan have the opportunity to realize a future where their lives are valued and their human rights are upheld.

There are many difficult days still ahead. But today, I want you to know that I and my Administration will continue to stand up for the Sudanese people and the future they deserve. And in partnership with you and your dedicated organizations, I'm confident that we can continue to save innocent lives and show the profound difference that American leadership can make in our world.  

Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Read my statement on the recognition of the Republic of South Sudan.