Shocking secret revealed: Taxing the rich can’t pay for all of Obama’s programs

posted at 1:45 pm on August 1, 2009 by Allahpundit

First CBO tells us that nationalizing health care won’t actually be “deficit-neutral,” as The One has long and insanely claimed, and now this. Everything I thought I knew about economics has been proven totally, er, true.

Normally it’d be a moral victory that the Times is even reporting this, but come on. Was there anyone so naive as to think they wouldn’t end up being shaken down by a utopian liberal with a Democratic Congress to do his bidding? Besides Christopher Buckley, I mean.

As these analysts recognize, taxing the rich has its limits both economically and politically, such that members of Congress are not likely to tap that well again and again…

Mr. Burman and others recall that in the creation of Social Security and Medicare, Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson insisted that beneficiaries contribute through payroll taxes, both to finance the programs and to give all Americans a vested interest. The same philosophy should apply to seeking universal health coverage, they say.

“This idea that everything new that government provides ought to be paid for by the top 5 percent, that’s a basically unstable way of governing,” Mr. Burman said…

Administration officials recently began promoting a fallback. Rather than tax individuals, it would single out insurance companies that sell “Cadillac” plans. David Axelrod, a White House strategist, has described the proposal in populist terms, saying it would hit “the $40,000 policies that the head of Goldman Sachs has” and “not impact on the middle class.”

That position, analysts predict, cannot hold over time.

“There is no way we can pay for health care and the rest of the Obama agenda, plus get our long-term deficits under control, simply by raising taxes on the wealthy,” said Isabel V. Sawhill, a former Clinton administration budget official. “The middle class is going to have to contribute as well.”

Note well: Burnam and Sawhill are Clinton veterans, not conservatives. They have no skin in this game except warning their party that a 57 percent combined marginal rate on top earners may, perhaps, result in some of those unintended consequences we dare not mention lest we be branded fearmongers.

No worries, though. The stimulus is working. The economy is recovering. All is well.

Blowback

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The hell you say. There have never been that many rich people and there are fewer by the day. Can’t the average American see that?

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM

The economic storm will pass alright. Leaving behind a devastated economy, a deluged healthcare system, and the obliterated remains of what used to be known as America.

Guardian on August 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM

The top one percent already pay 40% of all the taxes, which is twice the ration of their percentage of actual wealth. Until everyone has some skin in the game, this country is going to Ayn Rand land in a big hurry.

flyoverland on August 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM

Bush had the war on Terror, Obama has the war on Profits.

Dreadnought223 on August 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM

if GOP ever gets any control at all again they need to run on tax simplification that will be followed by moving away from income tax at all and in the direction of the FairTax.

I liked the plan they came out this year where the 1st 100K is taxed at 10% and then 25% after that. That would unleash a real recovery as opposed to Porkulus.

gsherin on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM

I think the average American knows that. But there is 52% who believe this man in the WH.
I also think that voters are slowly realizing that there is just not enough money for more entitlements. Look at cash for clunkers.
They fund it with x amount (presumably that we can afford) run out of money and then just find more………. That doesn’t work when all these programs we all ready have are going broke.

ORconservative on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM

Only 2 minutes. Milt Friedman, Ayn Rand & Thomas Sowell? Rockin? Against the Dali-Bama? Crank it….

Seriously we need to push this and help this guy get some traffic, he’s putting together some really cool stuff.

deedtrader on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM

Sadly, there are plenty of people making $22,000 a year who truly believe that people making $85,000 a year are rich. It’s not just that they believe this, they also believe it to be unfair.

Once we bleed the top 5% dry we’ll move the bar lower and lower until we can bleed everyone above the pverty line dry.

myrenovations on August 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM

pverty should have been poverty

myrenovations on August 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM

“It depends what your definition of is rich is”
Which I’m beginning to think means, anything NOT a public program.

Weight of Glory on August 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM

Bush had the war on Terror, Obama has the war on Profits.

Dreadnought223 on August 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Since the War on Poverty could never be “won” (some people are clearly content with accepting govmint free rides, thereby perpetuating their status) Obrawndo has taken up arms in the War on Prosperity.

Tom_OC on August 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Government willfully refuses to acknowledge this: money and people are portable.

I can practice what I do just about anywhere. Atlanta? Sure. But also the Caymans, Costa Rica, or Australia.

When I leave, the taxes I contribute go with me.

In a sane world, what is happening in California and New York would be a “teachable moment” for Washington. However, it doesn’t seem to be sinking in.
__________

RJGatorEsq. on August 1, 2009 at 2:02 PM

According to the President’s address, he does not want “our new economy’s” growth to be based on “inflated profits”? What’s an inflated profit?

This guy has no clue about the private economy. He implies that “sustainable” economic growth is a byproduct of a wholesale government takeover of health care, high-earner tax increases and shuttering our domestic coal, oil and gas industries? Incentives for private enterprise? Zilch. Disincentives? Plenty.

clorensen on August 1, 2009 at 2:03 PM

“Obama Supporters Use Latest Debt Projections to Press for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Involuntary Servitude” http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/06/obama-supporters-use-latest-debt.html

Mervis Winter on August 1, 2009 at 2:03 PM

“The recession we faced when I took over was even deeper than anyone thought at the time.”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

“It told us how close we were to the edge.”
(And how much more I would need to do to push America OVER that edge!)

“But it also revealed that in the last few months that the economy has done measurably better than expected.”
(except for the trillions of dollars more in debt, the millions more people unemployed, thousands of businesses going under…)

Who the heck listens to this crap and believes it!!!

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM

“It depends what your definition of is rich is”

Weight of Glory on August 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM

Rich means you’ve worked hard and have been extremely successful in your endeavors.

Can’t have any of that in Obamautopiarainbowunicornland.

fogw on August 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM

This redistribution of wealth is such a complicated business…for the NYT. “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone”…

d1carter on August 1, 2009 at 2:07 PM

“Contribute” ???

That verb usually implies a voluntary choice.

Involuntary taxation, more accurately.

Wethal on August 1, 2009 at 2:09 PM

** Rich means you’ve worked hard and have been extremely successful in your endeavors.

** Footnote: Does not apply to Kennedy Clan.

fogw on August 1, 2009 at 2:10 PM

Rich means you’ve worked hard and have been extremely successful in your endeavors.

fogw on August 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM

Well, in that case, Obama shouldn’t have any trouble funding what he wants. Until we run out of money or stop giving it to him, whichever comes first, that is.

Weight of Glory on August 1, 2009 at 2:10 PM

The economic storm will pass alright. Leaving behind a devastated economy, a deluged healthcare system, and the obliterated remains of what used to be known as America.

Guardian on August 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM

Good line!

FloatingRock on August 1, 2009 at 2:10 PM

http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/06/obama-supporters-use-latest-debt.html

Mervis Winter on August 1, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Incredible!

Show the government that we are willing to shoulder more of the debt?

just wow.

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM

The economic storm will pass alright. Leaving behind a devastated economy, a deluged healthcare system, and the obliterated remains of what used to be known as America.

Guardian on August 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM

… and then the Katrina survivors will be avenged by Obama.

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:14 PM

Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet

Don’t ask me what I want it for
If you don’t want to pay some more
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me
H/T Beatles and SRV..

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 2:14 PM

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM

What was that, an Idiot Convention?

Hand them a sign, send them out in front of the cameras. You can do that with dogs and cats. And monkeys.

fogw on August 1, 2009 at 2:15 PM

I remember when Clinton promised that his tax increase would hit only the “ultra rich.”

It hit my mother-in-law.

A widowed elementary school teacher in a small town in Wisconsin.

Don’t believe a word they say. Not. One.

Even if it doesn’t hit you now–wait two years.
__________

RJGatorEsq. on August 1, 2009 at 2:15 PM

OH GAWD. I am starting to bawl again.

GW_SS-Delta on August 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Was there anyone so naive as to think they wouldn’t end up being shaken down by a utopian liberal with a Democratic Congress to do his bidding?

How many people voted for him again?

Brat4life on August 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM

How many people voted for him again?

Far too many, and still they follow him.

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM

pverty should have been poverty

myrenovations on August 1, 2009 at 1:56 PM

I’m srry, myrenvatins, we can n lnger affrd “o’s” here. Yu were right the first time.

Rhinoboy on August 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM

no….freakin’….way…..

29Victor on August 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM

All is well.

Heh. Reminded me of Kevin Bacon at the end of Animal House.

Remain calm. All is well.

29Victor on August 1, 2009 at 2:21 PM

Awhile back I was fed up with all the holographic unicorns and butterflies that were filling the office. I confronted one of the Unicorn’s spawn and stated my case for unicorn and butterfly BBQs. As she walked away she huffed, “At least health care will be free.”

That is who we are fighting. It isn’t Barry, Congress, or SCOTUS. We are fighting her, and she is legion.

Limerick on August 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM

We’ll see if Colin Powell really knew what he was talking about. While waiting, I suggest we make the John Galt Gulch a whole lot bigger.

a capella on August 1, 2009 at 2:23 PM

Far too many, and still they follow him.

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM

but it feels so good!

/stuckonstoooooooooooooopid

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:23 PM

RJGatorEsq. on August 1, 2009 at 2:02 PM

What’s to keep them from striping you of all your money and degrees prior to allowing you to emigrate?

chemman on August 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Suckas.

hawkdriver on August 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 2:14 PM

I have had that song stuck in my head for months.

myrenovations on August 1, 2009 at 2:25 PM

What Middle Class? The Fascist have destroyed the middle class. Has anyone taken a tour of Detroit lately?

Socialism is a Great Idea until you run out of other people’s money. Why doesn’t the market start climbing back? The game is rigged would you put your money in it? Capping CEO pay. They say George Soros knows exactly what is going to happen to the dollar ect…Money went Galt, and I don’t blame those people with lots of capitol for leaving a rigged game. We are in a trader not an investor market. Can the Progressives be starved out, I sure hope so. People with capitol to invest probably are not products of the American Public School system so they didn’t vote for the American Idol Candidate, they figured it out we have been trending down since Obama was elected. It’s not rocket science- HEAVY TAXING AND SPENDING. Can I have some more please, I want to be fashionably victimized by my own Government, we will all be Peasants. Well except for Criminals who are raking in money hand over fist while telling us it’s for our own good.

Dr Evil on August 1, 2009 at 2:27 PM

hawkdriver on August 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM

How are you doing?

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 2:27 PM

hawkdriver on August 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM

good to see you posting.

chemman on August 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM

As she walked away she huffed, “At least health care will be free.”

That is who we are fighting. It isn’t Barry, Congress, or SCOTUS. We are fighting her, and she is legion.

Limerick on August 1, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Heh. Reminds me of aconversation I had with a waitress at Randy’s Doughnuts a few months ago. Turns out she is a RN recently returned from Canada who thought their health care system was totally superior to ours. I imagine that explains why she was waiting tables.

a capella on August 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Hey hawkdriver it’s nice to have you aboard, hope that you are doing as well as can be expected. You are in our prayers

thomasaur on August 1, 2009 at 2:30 PM

a capella on August 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM

couldn’t have said it better. Most places I know and starving for RN’s. That she can’t find a job is most telling.

chemman on August 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM

Can’t the average American see that?

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM

They’re blinded by pixie dust….

jana on August 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM

I know and = I know are
My fingers need a little hand slap today

chemman on August 1, 2009 at 2:32 PM

DO THE MATH !

6.4 Trillion Dollars spent by US gov

371 billionaires in US

8.9 Million millionaires

So lets see get $1 Billion Dollars from each Millionaire and $1 million Dollars from each Millionaire give you

371 Billion + 890 billion gives you 1.271 Billion Dollars

William Amos on August 1, 2009 at 2:32 PM

Make Congress and the President subject to the identical plan with no special treatment over that which I would receive, and I’m game to try. Are they?

unclesmrgol on August 1, 2009 at 2:33 PM

William Amos on August 1, 2009 at 2:32 PM

You’re a paid shill for them Republicans, ain’t you?

/duh

VibrioCocci on August 1, 2009 at 2:35 PM

That should read 1.27 Trillion dollars.

William Amos on August 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM

I remember a few years back that Mugabbe said his country’s financial and economical woes of his country had passed. That the country would be on a righteous path once they got all of whitey’s productive farm land and businesses.

I give Obumbler the same credence as the great leader for Rhodesi…Zimbabwe.

jukin on August 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM

I only got as far in the video as the opening screencap, “Your Weekly Address.”

Is anybody else getting a Kim Jong Eel vibe off this guy?

(understand “Eel” is incorrect. “Il” looks like “the 2nd” in preview).

Rhinoboy on August 1, 2009 at 2:46 PM

They’re blinded by pixie dust….

jana on August 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM

I guess that’s better then unicorn gas.

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Historically, a good ruler never taxed his subjects more than 10%.

Here in America(and europe), we are just too dumbed down to realize that we are getting ripped..

Really if we could just figure out a way to get these offshore funds and corporations to pay their 10%…we would have all the money we would need.

The best stimulus this economy could possibly get would be to drastically cut taxes on the middle class and working poor.

Another obvious solution is that we could drastically cut back on military funding. There is tons of corruption,fraud,unecesary and wasteful spending there.

We don’t need to cut programs for the poor or raise taxes on the middle class in order to fund our programs. Nor do we need to enact temporary hyper-inflation in order to pay down the deficit..

MaximusConfessor on August 1, 2009 at 2:49 PM

Rhinoboy on August 1, 2009 at 2:46 PM

Totally understandable, I know I am waiting for the billboard size pictures of The Won to be put up everywhere. Because apparently we just can see or hear enough from our fearless leader.

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 2:49 PM

Those silly people at the NYT, they’re just a bunch of FEAR MONGERER

scalleywag on August 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM

The hell you say. There have never been that many rich people and there are fewer by the day. Can’t the average American see that?

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 1:48 PM

They deserve it – dirty profit hoarders!!! I want my slice of the pie!!!!!!!!!!!

*picks up pitchfork*

gwelf on August 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM

Mark Stein’s piece (Headlines) was spot on. It’s not about the money. It’s about the freedom. Even if costs could be contained, it’s not government’s job to concern itself with my healthcare. It’s my province alone.

SKYFOX on August 1, 2009 at 2:53 PM

Obama currently owns 3/4′s of America’s automotive industry, most of the finance and housing sectors, and he (currently) controls 50% of the US health industry.

If Barak Hussien Obama wasn’t lying his skinny brown ass off when he said he wanted to tax the ultra rich, he would tax himself, and no one else.

logis on August 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

I want my slice of the pie!!!!!!!!!!!

*picks up pitchfork*

gwelf on August 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM

Oh, you are going to get your slice of pie alright. I hope you don’t have a preference on flavor or size.

Cindy Munford on August 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

Hey Hawkdriver! Welcome back, you are in my prayers. Hope all is as well as can be for you.

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 3:13 PM

This is a ‘revelation’, some new ‘enlightenment’? (using a fave lib term that often means embracing Marx)

Liam on August 1, 2009 at 3:14 PM

I was reading Proverbs 26 in my meditation today. Found many proverbs that apply to what we are going through today.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

[Obama and of course, AndreaMitchellNBCnews]

v6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

[Gibbs - I always thought he'd be fired when he said, "You'll have to ask the White House about that."]

v8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

[Mainstream media --Says For ex. Jamieson: “It’s [Obama's repeated use of "Let me be clear"] a way of saying, I’m a candid person. This is who I am” – something she says signals back to the president’s campaign themes of open, honest government.] Instead of recognizing the President lies every time he opens his mouth!

v 17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him

[Obama getting in the middle of the Gates/Crowley situation when he "acted stupidly."]

v 18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, Was I not joking?

[Obama’s people admitting

Christian Conservative on August 1, 2009 at 3:24 PM

I was reading Proverbs 26 in my meditation today. Found many proverbs that apply to what we are going through today.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

[Obama and of course, AndreaMitchellNBCnews]

v6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

[Gibbs - I always thought he'd be fired when he said, "You'll have to ask the White House about that."]

v8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

[Mainstream media --Says For ex. Jamieson: “It’s [Obama's repeated use of "Let me be clear"] a way of saying, I’m a candid person. This is who I am” – something she says signals back to the president’s campaign themes of open, honest government.] Instead of recognizing the President lies every time he opens his mouth!

v 17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him

[Obama getting in the middle of the Gates/Crowley situation when he "acted stupidly."]

v 18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, Was I not joking?

[Obama's people admitting that the middle class will have to pay higher taxes.]

Christian Conservative on August 1, 2009 at 3:26 PM

Sorry about the duplicate posts. It didn’t show up as posted the first several times.

Christian Conservative on August 1, 2009 at 3:44 PM

“I can make a firm pledge, under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.” – Barack Obama

I trust him!!

mankai on August 1, 2009 at 3:53 PM

The whole point of Marxism is to make everyone “equal.” Equally destitute that is.

Grayson on August 1, 2009 at 4:09 PM

How many people voted for him again?
Far too many, and still they follow him.

ChicagoBlues on August 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM

The Pied Piper of Articulation has them walking lock step off the economic cliff.

I believe the dept of education is to blame for this mess. They’re in it for the money and nothing more. Lenin, Hit;er, Stalin, Mao etc…all knew that their power was based on keeping the masses ignorant and well behold it has come to pass, high schoolers and even college degrees dedicated to social justice, hating America, humanity studies that preach the hatred towards other minorities etc…What else could we have expected. Rant ended.

larvcom on August 1, 2009 at 4:16 PM

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

Margaret Thatcher

Marcus on August 1, 2009 at 4:37 PM

Make Congress and the President subject to the identical plan with no special treatment over that which I would receive, and I’m game to try. Are they?

unclesmrgol on August 1, 2009 at 2:33 PM

I am trying to remember the specifics of the Contract with America from the early 90′s. Wasn’t one promise that Congress would have to live by the same laws that they passed for everyone else? (I’m going to google this and check it out tonight).
IF that was a stipulation for all Legislation on the Federal and State levels, we’d see a lot less legislation and what was passed would be a lot more level headed.

Red State State of Mind on August 1, 2009 at 4:43 PM

Make Congress and the President subject to the identical plan with no special treatment over that which I would receive, and I’m game to try. Are they?

unclesmrgol on August 1, 2009 at 2:33 PM

From 1994′s Contract With America:

FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;

Red State State of Mind on August 1, 2009 at 4:46 PM

Being a manufactured product of Affirmative Action, Barry is waging a war against Merits and Achievement.

bayview on August 1, 2009 at 4:56 PM

Obama voters and the Democrat base have found out that you can mug other people legally through the guise of a vote.

bayview on August 1, 2009 at 4:59 PM

Shocking secret revealed: Taxing the rich can’t pay for all of Obama’s programs

Actually it was a secret to no one-not even the criminals in congress and the White House who instigated this myth as an excuse for launching both socialized medicine and a socialized government. Well, maybe Robert Gibbs believes it.

MaiDee on August 1, 2009 at 5:53 PM

I liked the plan they came out this year where the 1st 100K is taxed at 10% and then 25% after that. That would unleash a real recovery as opposed to Porkulus.

gsherin on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM

I like it too. I’ve never heard of it. Not saying you’re wrong, but shows how poorly the GOP is getting its message out.

angryed on August 1, 2009 at 5:57 PM

Let’s re-cap here: So far O has managed to alienate the very rich, law enforcement, Evangelicals, Medicare recipients and now large chunks of the middle class.(also those who may be seeing his true colors after the Gates thing-but I’m not going there) Who is next?If I were a Dem on the edge, running in 2010, I’d be thinking about this hard and often. But the thing that’s bothering me the most about all of this is…He still continues headlong over the cliff. What kind of person does this?

jeanie on August 1, 2009 at 5:57 PM

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really,I’m shocked,shocked I tell ya!!!!!!!

So,Team Liberal whipped out the Liberal stick it to em’
playbook,and thought that the ‘Extremely Filthy Dirty
Rotten Rich’were going to save his Utopian Dreams,eh!!

canopfor on August 1, 2009 at 6:45 PM

The President is hoping that all of his schemes kick in before 2012 and we all become Obamabots. I don’t want to be beholden to anyone….especially the government.

yoda on August 1, 2009 at 7:26 PM

That the economic storm will blow over with Da Guv running the automotive industry, healthcare & banking systems while printing dollars fast enough to wipe out an amazon rain forest, NOW THAT’S RICH!

Archimedes on August 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM

if GOP ever gets any control at all again they need to run on tax simplification that will be followed by moving away from income tax at all and in the direction of the FairTax.

I liked the plan they came out this year where the 1st 100K is taxed at 10% and then 25% after that. That would unleash a real recovery as opposed to Porkulus.

gsherin on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM

Flat income tax, no deductions, capped at 20%.

Count to 10 on August 1, 2009 at 8:12 PM

You really aren’t starting to look at this evil SOB’s motives yet, Allah? All of his failing “policies” are working EXACTLY as he intended, and they are rapidly bringing the country to its knees, as he intended.

RightWinged on August 1, 2009 at 8:19 PM

“Under MY administration, you taxes will not go up… Not ONE DIME.”

Expiration Date

franksalterego on August 1, 2009 at 8:26 PM

“It depends what your definition of is rich is”
Which I’m beginning to think means, anything NOT a public program.

Weight of Glory on August 1, 2009 at 1:57 PM

Being on a public plan in the US would make you fabulously wealthy in several countries.

Count to 10 on August 1, 2009 at 8:29 PM

I could only make it through 2:38 of this claptrap, falderall, outright lyin B.S.

This Pinnochio like the one before has:
No Birth Certificate
No History of accomplishments, grades, transcripts, documents, written thesis’s.
No preacher
No real father or mother
No problem lyin like a bedwetter

Is THIS Pinnochio “a Real Boy or just a puppet”?
Who is this Pinnochio’s Geppetto?

dhunter on August 1, 2009 at 9:16 PM

if GOP ever gets any control at all again they need to run on tax simplification that will be followed by moving away from income tax at all and in the direction of the FairTax.

I liked the plan they came out this year where the 1st 100K is taxed at 10% and then 25% after that. That would unleash a real recovery as opposed to Porkulus.

gsherin on August 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Flat income tax, no deductions, capped at 20%.

Count to 10 on August 1, 2009 at 8:12 PM

How about a national sales tax on all sales, all stock transactions, transfers, all commodity trades, all imports all overseas sales, every dollar traded except food and medical care. The ultimate fair tax. Only pay when you consume.

dhunter on August 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM

Let me be clear – we are all screwed.

JimRich on August 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM

If Obama weren’t president, he and Michelle would be on one of those Oprah shows where all the guests are in consumer debt up to their eyeballs and are facing down bankruptcy and are clueless to figure out how they got in the mess they’re in. I’ll bet this guy has never had a household budget in his life. In fact, given his wife’s penchant for $600 sneakers and $6000 handbags, I wouldn’t be surprised if he *IS* in personal debt to the tune of a couple of hundred thousand dollars.

NoLeftTurn on August 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM

David Axelrod, a White House strategist, has described the proposal in populist terms, saying it would hit “the $40,000 policies that the head of Goldman Sachs has” and “not impact on the middle class.”

Have these morons run any numbers? How many of these “Cadillac plans” do they think there are in effect right now? These guys won’t raise enough money to underwrite pedicures for glammy-glam Michelle Obama for the rest of Obama’s current term. Is Axelrod braindead?

BuckeyeSam on August 1, 2009 at 9:24 PM

All the bho presidency will do is create another 12 year rule by Republicans. By the time we have unclustered all of the cluster created by the Dhimmicrats we’ll be voted out of power again.

…it’s the circle… the circle of life…

Mojave Mark on August 1, 2009 at 9:31 PM

No worries, though. The stimulus is working. The economy is recovering. All is well.

All is well. Isn’t that what Kevin Bacon’s character screams at the end of Animal House as he’s getting trampled by an onrushing throng?

As the economy (and especially employment) continues to drift, I think Obama will start seeing some real personal popularity problems by the winter holidays. The sense of most Americans will be best described by the words that Billy Ray Valentine (Ed Murphy’s character in Trading Places) used in explaining the anxiety of owners of pork bellies to the Duke brothers:

Okay, pork belly prices have been dropping all morning, which means that everybody is waiting for it to hit rock bottom, so they can buy low. Which means that the people who own the pork belly contracts are saying, “Hey, we’re losing all our damn money, and Christmas is around the corner, and I ain’t gonna have no money to buy my son the G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip! And my wife ain’t gonna f… my wife ain’t gonna make love to me if I got no money!” So they’re panicking right now, they’re screaming “SELL! SELL!” to get out before the price keeps dropping. They’re panicking out there right now, I can feel it.

BuckeyeSam on August 1, 2009 at 9:36 PM

Note to Crackhead in Chief: This recession is not deeper than I thought, it’s pretty much balls on.

Alden Pyle on August 1, 2009 at 10:31 PM

Rich means you’ve worked hard and have been extremely successful in your endeavors.

Can’t have any of that in Obamautopiarainbowunicornland.

fogw on August 1, 2009 at 2:06 PM

Not really, much as we’d all like it to be that simple. And ‘rich’ is a VERY subjective term – to most of the rest of the world a middle-class American is filthy rich beyond their wildest dreams!

Dark-Star on August 1, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Obama Clunker Economics:

Projected Budget to last four months, funding runs out in FOUR DAYS…

Simple. Math.

TN Mom on August 1, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Rich means you have a job and that Obama can tax you.

bayview on August 1, 2009 at 11:02 PM

Rich people will move away, they can afford to. It will be the rest of us schlubs that will end up paying for all of it.

workingforpigs on August 1, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Once we bleed the top 5% dry we’ll move the bar lower and lower until we can bleed everyone above the pverty line dry.

myrenovations

No, it’s simpler than that. Once we have a truly international perspective, then we are ALL rich — compared to villagers in Africa and slumdwellers in Asia. Then we, the richest people in the world, will all be taxed. By the world’s favourite American president.

brambo_42 on August 2, 2009 at 3:09 AM

Ok, as a wise latino male with rich life experiences I have a solution to this mess. Barry is going after the wrong insurance companies. The demorats need to make Life Insurance mandatory. Screw health insurance. Every man, woman, and child in the USA of Kenya must have at least a 1 million dollar life policy.When you kick the bucket your family will be doing very well. You can also require a 500K dollar policy on fetuses so if you abort them you get paid. That is their goal anyway. Imagine all the instant millionaries and the stimulus on the economy. How many Americans die everyday? Problem solved. As a side issue they can eat all the fetuses as per Jonathan Swift and a Modest Proposal. That way the abortion lobby can have their cake and eat it too.

bigtexmex on August 2, 2009 at 7:10 AM

Everyone have the feeling this ship is being captained by a third grader,Obama.

Jeff from WI on August 2, 2009 at 8:32 AM

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