Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
President Obama Spending
Administration Pegs Long-Term Deficits at $9 Trillion
The mid-year review from the Office of Management and Budget, released Tuesday, estimates that the 2009 deficit will be $1.58 trillion, which is $262 billion less than officials predicted earlier in the year. But the 10-year projection rose to $9 trillion, while the Congressional Budget Office estimated the 10-year deficit at $7.1 trillion.
FOXNews.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The mid-year review from the Office of Management and Budget, released Tuesday, estimates that the 2009 deficit will be $1.58 trillion, which is $262 billion less than officials predicted earlier in the year. But the 10-year projection rose to $9 trillion, while the Congressional Budget Office estimated the 10-year deficit at $7.1 trillion.
FOXNews.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
In a reflection of how colossal Uncle Sam's credit card balance has become, two top budget offices on Tuesday gave long-term deficit projections that were $2 trillion apart.
The discrepancy underscored how difficult it is to peg the path of the U.S. economy. But with a $2 trillion margin-of-error, it also showed how unwieldy the figures have become.
The Congressional Budget Office predicted deficits over the next decade will add up to $7.1 trillion, nearly $3 trillion more than previously projected. The White House Office of Management and Budget earlier increased its 10-year-budget projection to more than $9 trillion, an increase of about $2 trillion.
However, the CBO offers budget projections using a different standard, and an apples-to-apples comparison would show that the White House numbers were actually more optimistic than the Congressional Budget Office's.
The White House blamed its gloomy forecast on the economic crisis and the practices of the previous administration.
But both offices warned that with higher deficits leading to higher national debt, in turn increasing the federal government's interest payments on that debt, the economy is in serious trouble.
"Whatever their cause, the administration is very concerned about these out-year deficits, and getting those deficits under control is a top priority of the administration," budget director Peter Orszag said.
The discrepancy underscored how difficult it is to peg the path of the U.S. economy. But with a $2 trillion margin-of-error, it also showed how unwieldy the figures have become.
The Congressional Budget Office predicted deficits over the next decade will add up to $7.1 trillion, nearly $3 trillion more than previously projected. The White House Office of Management and Budget earlier increased its 10-year-budget projection to more than $9 trillion, an increase of about $2 trillion.
However, the CBO offers budget projections using a different standard, and an apples-to-apples comparison would show that the White House numbers were actually more optimistic than the Congressional Budget Office's.
The White House blamed its gloomy forecast on the economic crisis and the practices of the previous administration.
But both offices warned that with higher deficits leading to higher national debt, in turn increasing the federal government's interest payments on that debt, the economy is in serious trouble.
"Whatever their cause, the administration is very concerned about these out-year deficits, and getting those deficits under control is a top priority of the administration," budget director Peter Orszag said.
It seems to me that all they want to do is blame others instead of taking responsability for what they are also causing. Just call it the blame game.
By: 2TheExtreme
Friday, August 21, 2009
Like Other Nations
Obama Guarantees Health Care Reform Passage
Congressional Democratic leaders are preparing to go it alone on legislation, although in the Senate bipartisan negotiations continue among the so-called Gang of Six.
AP
Friday, August 21, 2009
Congressional Democratic leaders are preparing to go it alone on legislation, although in the Senate bipartisan negotiations continue among the so-called Gang of Six.
AP
Friday, August 21, 2009
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama pitched his ambitious plan to both talk radio listeners and his own liberal supporters in the face of steep resistance from opposition Republicans and decreasing support in the polls.
Liberals were on the verge of revolt as Obama refused to say any final deal must include a government-run insurance option, while Republicans pressed their all-but-unified opposition to the White House effort. Obama, who leaves Washington on Friday on vacation, said reason would prevail and it was no time to panic.
"I guarantee you ... we are going to get health care reform done. And I know that there are a lot of people out there who have been hand-wringing, and folks in the press are following every little twist and turn of the legislative process," Obama told a caller to Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish during a broadcast Thursday from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room.
"You know, passing a big bill like this is always messy."
Obama is struggling to regain the momentum on a comprehensive bill that would extend health coverage to nearly 50 million Americans who lack it and restrain skyrocketing costs. The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a comprehensive national health care plan for all its citizens.
Liberals were on the verge of revolt as Obama refused to say any final deal must include a government-run insurance option, while Republicans pressed their all-but-unified opposition to the White House effort. Obama, who leaves Washington on Friday on vacation, said reason would prevail and it was no time to panic.
"I guarantee you ... we are going to get health care reform done. And I know that there are a lot of people out there who have been hand-wringing, and folks in the press are following every little twist and turn of the legislative process," Obama told a caller to Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish during a broadcast Thursday from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room.
"You know, passing a big bill like this is always messy."
Obama is struggling to regain the momentum on a comprehensive bill that would extend health coverage to nearly 50 million Americans who lack it and restrain skyrocketing costs. The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a comprehensive national health care plan for all its citizens.
Why does President Obama want us to be like other nations. I would think that us being The United States of America we would want to be bigger and better than anyone else and do things the right way THE AMERICAN WAY...
By 2TheExtreme
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Obama Struggles
Obama Struggles to Strike a Health Care Deal Palatable to All Sides
President Obama finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, going round and round in a dizzying cycle of give and take that doesn't seem to be advancing his top domestic priority.
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
President Obama finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, going round and round in a dizzying cycle of give and take that doesn't seem to be advancing his top domestic priority.
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
For President Obama, striking a deal that satisfies all the parties involved in the health care debate may turn out to be harder than overhauling the health care system itself.
The president finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, going round and round in a dizzying cycle of give and take that doesn't seem to be advancing his top domestic priority. As soon as he makes a concession to one group, he loses support from another.
And throughout the process, the stakes remain high: About 50 million Americans currently have no health insurance. The government provides coverage for the poor, the elderly, military veterans and many children, but most Americans rely on private insurance, usually obtained through their employers.
But not all employers provide benefits, and not everyone can afford to buy them. And with unemployment high, many Americans are losing their benefits when they lose their jobs.
Three House committees and one Senate committee have voted out health care reform bills. A group of lawmakers on a fifth panel, the Senate Finance Committee, continue to negotiate on a version of the legislation.
Here are all the different groups that have a stake in the debate, what they're after and what they're willing to give.
Liberals -- They insist that a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option," that will compete with private insurers is essential to health care reform. The Obama administration initially championed this plan, but it is now backing away to win support from conservative Democrats and Republicans, who fiercely oppose it. Administration officials say they can live with nonprofit cooperatives as a substitute for a government-run option. But liberals, including several House Democrats, are refusing to accept a co-op alternative because they say it will not have the bargaining power to negotiate prices and keep private insurers honest.
This week, more than 50 House Democrats issued a letter saying, "Any bill that does not provide, at a minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates -- not negotiated rates- - is unacceptable."
The president finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, going round and round in a dizzying cycle of give and take that doesn't seem to be advancing his top domestic priority. As soon as he makes a concession to one group, he loses support from another.
And throughout the process, the stakes remain high: About 50 million Americans currently have no health insurance. The government provides coverage for the poor, the elderly, military veterans and many children, but most Americans rely on private insurance, usually obtained through their employers.
But not all employers provide benefits, and not everyone can afford to buy them. And with unemployment high, many Americans are losing their benefits when they lose their jobs.
Three House committees and one Senate committee have voted out health care reform bills. A group of lawmakers on a fifth panel, the Senate Finance Committee, continue to negotiate on a version of the legislation.
Here are all the different groups that have a stake in the debate, what they're after and what they're willing to give.
Liberals -- They insist that a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option," that will compete with private insurers is essential to health care reform. The Obama administration initially championed this plan, but it is now backing away to win support from conservative Democrats and Republicans, who fiercely oppose it. Administration officials say they can live with nonprofit cooperatives as a substitute for a government-run option. But liberals, including several House Democrats, are refusing to accept a co-op alternative because they say it will not have the bargaining power to negotiate prices and keep private insurers honest.
This week, more than 50 House Democrats issued a letter saying, "Any bill that does not provide, at a minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates -- not negotiated rates- - is unacceptable."
Conservatives -- All of them are opposed to a "public option," saying it will lead to a government takeover of health care because private insurers will be unable to compete. The reason they don't want a government-run health care system is because they believe it will lead to rationing of care.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin fanned the flames by popularizing the term "death panels" to suggest that Obama's plan will allow government bureaucrats to make end-of-life decisions. In fact, the House health care bill requires only that Medicare pay for voluntary end-of-life counseling sessions. But Sen. Chuck Grassley said the provision was stripped from the Senate Finance Committee's version because it was open to misinterpretation.
Some conservatives also say they won't support cooperatives. The Senate's second-ranking Republican, Jon Kyl of Arizona, dismissed co-ops as a "Trojan horse" leading to government control of health care. Some Democrats believe conservatives have made a strategic decision to oppose any type of health care reform plan for political gain. If Obama is unable to pass health care reform, the argument goes, then Republicans can use that failure to win seats in next year's midterm elections.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin fanned the flames by popularizing the term "death panels" to suggest that Obama's plan will allow government bureaucrats to make end-of-life decisions. In fact, the House health care bill requires only that Medicare pay for voluntary end-of-life counseling sessions. But Sen. Chuck Grassley said the provision was stripped from the Senate Finance Committee's version because it was open to misinterpretation.
Some conservatives also say they won't support cooperatives. The Senate's second-ranking Republican, Jon Kyl of Arizona, dismissed co-ops as a "Trojan horse" leading to government control of health care. Some Democrats believe conservatives have made a strategic decision to oppose any type of health care reform plan for political gain. If Obama is unable to pass health care reform, the argument goes, then Republicans can use that failure to win seats in next year's midterm elections.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Who They're Blaming Now
White House Passes Blame on Unsolicited Health Care E-Mails
The White House suggests third-party groups are to blame for unsolicited health care e-mails.
FOXNews.com
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The White House suggests third-party groups are to blame for unsolicited health care e-mails.
FOXNews.com
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The White House for the first time Sunday seemed to acknowledge that people across the country received unsolicited e-mails from the administration last week about health care reform, suggesting the problem is with third-party groups that placed the recipients' names on the distribution list.
In a written statement released exclusively to FOX News, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said the White House hopes those who received the e-mails without signing up for them were not "inconvenienced" by the messages.
"The White House e-mail list is made up of e-mail addresses obtained solely through the White House Web site. The White House doesn't purchase, upload or merge from any other list, again, all e-mails come from the White House Web site as we have no interest in e-mailing anyone who does not want to receive an e-mail," the statement said. "If an individual received the e-mail because someone else or a group signed them up or forwarded the e-mail, we hope they were not too inconvenienced."
The White House previously would not answer questions on how the e-mails landed unsolicited in so many inboxes. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Thursday said he couldn't give an answer until he saw who received the e-mails because he doesn't have "omnipotent clarity."
Yet the White House ignored repeated offers from FOX News to share with the administration such e-mail addresses, to help determine how the recipients ended up on the White House distribution list.
In a written statement released exclusively to FOX News, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said the White House hopes those who received the e-mails without signing up for them were not "inconvenienced" by the messages.
"The White House e-mail list is made up of e-mail addresses obtained solely through the White House Web site. The White House doesn't purchase, upload or merge from any other list, again, all e-mails come from the White House Web site as we have no interest in e-mailing anyone who does not want to receive an e-mail," the statement said. "If an individual received the e-mail because someone else or a group signed them up or forwarded the e-mail, we hope they were not too inconvenienced."
The White House previously would not answer questions on how the e-mails landed unsolicited in so many inboxes. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Thursday said he couldn't give an answer until he saw who received the e-mails because he doesn't have "omnipotent clarity."
Yet the White House ignored repeated offers from FOX News to share with the administration such e-mail addresses, to help determine how the recipients ended up on the White House distribution list.
I guess President Obama and The White House is filled with mistakes, or is everything they do a MISTAKE. How they love to blame others for their so call Mistakes.
By 2TheExtreme
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Obama Can't Get His Facts Straight
Obama Claim of AARP Endorsement 'Inaccurate'
President Obama went too far when he said the seniors lobby had endorsed the legislation pending in Congress, the group's chief officer said Tuesday.
AP
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
President Obama went too far when he said the seniors lobby had endorsed the legislation pending in Congress, the group's chief officer said Tuesday.
AP
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A group usually seen as one of Barack Obama's allies in the health care debate -- AARP -- says the president went too far Tuesday when he said the seniors lobby had endorsed the legislation pending in Congress.AARP is sensitive to the issue because polls show that Medicare beneficiaries are worried their health care program will be cut to subsidize coverage for the uninsured.
At the town hall in Portsmouth, N.H., Obama said, "We have the AARP onboard because they know this is a good deal for our seniors." He added, "AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare."
But Tom Nelson, AARP's chief operating officer, said, "Indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."
Like Obama, AARP wants action this year to cover the uninsured and restrain health care costs, but the organization has refrained from endorsing legislation. Nelson said AARP would not endorse a bill that reduces Medicare benefits.
A spokesman said the Medicare cuts that have been proposed so far would not affect benefits.
Obama assailed "wild misrepresentations" of his health care plan Tuesday during the town hall, taking on the role of fact-checker-in-chief for his top domestic priority. It's a strategy he will employ at two more town halls this week in Montana and Colorado, and on the White House Web site.
How do we know President Obama knows what he's talking about if you have AARP saying that the President statement about them was inaccurate.
By 2TheExtreme
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Obama's Town Hall Meeting
Obama Braces for Health Care Town Hall in N.H.
The president is prepared for possible disruptions, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a televised interview. Obama will "probably ask them to be civilized," he said.
The president is prepared for possible disruptions, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a televised interview. Obama will "probably ask them to be civilized," he said.
AP
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is altering his message on his overhaul of the U.S. health care system, readying a fresh pitch designed for those who already have insurance.
The White House is retooling its message amid polling that shows Americans -- especially those who already have coverage -- skeptical of the Democratic proposals to expand coverage to millions. Instead, Obama will use a potentially boisterous town hall-style meeting in New Hampshire to highlight how his proposals would affect workers whose employers provide their health insurance.
The shift also is a potential blueprint for lawmakers' August recess. Critics of the president's plan have grabbed headlines by disrupting town hall meetings, and the White House expects that Tuesday's event may be bumpy.
Obama is prepared for possible disruptions, said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
"I think what the president will do is turn to that person and probably ask them to be civilized and give them an answer to their question," Gibbs said Tuesday on CBS' "The Early Show."
The town hall tradition is to give people information, he said, "so they can make a decision about policy that impacts their lives and I think that's what this town hall meeting will do today and I know the president is excited about engaging the public again."
Concerns over Obama's proposal are heating up meetings, chat rooms and radio shows, driving his poll numbers down and threatening the future of his top domestic priority. While Congress is in recess for the month of August, lawmakers are hearing from constituents worried about divisive issues such as the government's role in health care and the costs of an overhaul.
"There's a lot of fear out there," said Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a New Hampshire Democrat.To calm that fear, Obama plans to spend the month highlighting the upside of health overhaul for Americans already with insurance, starting in a state with 89 percent of its residents enjoying health coverage.
The White House is retooling its message amid polling that shows Americans -- especially those who already have coverage -- skeptical of the Democratic proposals to expand coverage to millions. Instead, Obama will use a potentially boisterous town hall-style meeting in New Hampshire to highlight how his proposals would affect workers whose employers provide their health insurance.
The shift also is a potential blueprint for lawmakers' August recess. Critics of the president's plan have grabbed headlines by disrupting town hall meetings, and the White House expects that Tuesday's event may be bumpy.
Obama is prepared for possible disruptions, said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
"I think what the president will do is turn to that person and probably ask them to be civilized and give them an answer to their question," Gibbs said Tuesday on CBS' "The Early Show."
The town hall tradition is to give people information, he said, "so they can make a decision about policy that impacts their lives and I think that's what this town hall meeting will do today and I know the president is excited about engaging the public again."
Concerns over Obama's proposal are heating up meetings, chat rooms and radio shows, driving his poll numbers down and threatening the future of his top domestic priority. While Congress is in recess for the month of August, lawmakers are hearing from constituents worried about divisive issues such as the government's role in health care and the costs of an overhaul.
"There's a lot of fear out there," said Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a New Hampshire Democrat.To calm that fear, Obama plans to spend the month highlighting the upside of health overhaul for Americans already with insurance, starting in a state with 89 percent of its residents enjoying health coverage.
How many different ways can you tell us that you want to control us and that you're going to screw us. I think they need to understand that it's our lives not theirs and we can make decisions for our selves.
By 2TheExtreme
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Obama's Violations
White House Move to Collect 'Fishy' Info May Be Illegal, Critics Say
The White House has been under fire since posting a blog on Tuesday that asks supporters to e-mail any "fishy" information seen on the Web or received electronically.
FOXNews.com
Friday, August 07, 2009
The White House has been under fire since posting a blog on Tuesday that asks supporters to e-mail any "fishy" information seen on the Web or received electronically.
FOXNews.com
Friday, August 07, 2009
The White House strategy of turning supporters into snitches when they see "fishy" information about the health care debate may run afoul of the law, legal experts say.
"The White House is in bit of a conundrum because of this privacy statute that prohibits the White House from collecting data and storing it on people who disagree with it," Judge Andrew Napolitano, a FOX News analyst, said Friday.
"There's also a statute that requires the White House to retain all communications that it receives. It can't try to rewrite history by pretending it didn't receive anything," he said.
"If the White House deletes anything, it violates one statute. If the White House collects data on the free speech, it violates another statute."
Napolitano was referring to the Privacy Act of 1974, which was passed after the Nixon administration used federal agencies to illegally investigate individuals for political purposes. Enacted after Richard Nixon's resignation in the Watergate scandal, the statute generally prohibits any federal agency from maintaining records on individuals exercising their right to free speech.
The White House has been under fire since it posted a blog on Tuesday that asked supporters to e-mail any "fishy" information seen on the Web or received electronically to flag@whitehouse.gov.
"The White House is in bit of a conundrum because of this privacy statute that prohibits the White House from collecting data and storing it on people who disagree with it," Judge Andrew Napolitano, a FOX News analyst, said Friday.
"There's also a statute that requires the White House to retain all communications that it receives. It can't try to rewrite history by pretending it didn't receive anything," he said.
"If the White House deletes anything, it violates one statute. If the White House collects data on the free speech, it violates another statute."
Napolitano was referring to the Privacy Act of 1974, which was passed after the Nixon administration used federal agencies to illegally investigate individuals for political purposes. Enacted after Richard Nixon's resignation in the Watergate scandal, the statute generally prohibits any federal agency from maintaining records on individuals exercising their right to free speech.
The White House has been under fire since it posted a blog on Tuesday that asked supporters to e-mail any "fishy" information seen on the Web or received electronically to flag@whitehouse.gov.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What Freedoms Do We Have Anymore
Critics Accuse White House of Playing 'Big Brother' in Health Care DebateThe White House posted a blog Tuesday that asked supporters to report "fishy" information they come across about the health insurance debate. That plea for tips raised a slew of privacy questions.
FOXNews.com
Thursday, August 06, 2009
A new White House tactic to control the message on health care reform has critics accusing the Obama administration of playing "Big Brother" and threatening the privacy of average Americans."No one expects that when they exercise their First Amendment rights to ask questions or complain about a proposed government program that they're going to be listed on a database in the White House," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told FOX News Thursday, saying the White House effort raises serious privacy concerns. "You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to see the potential for serious abuse."
On Tuesday, the White House posted a blog that asked supporters to report "fishy" information they come across about the health insurance debate. The appeal was made at the end of the blog, which showed a video that countered a set of online clips that made it look like Obama wanted to eliminate private coverage.
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there," the blog concludes. "Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we're asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
Now doesn't this sound like our freedom of speech is being taken away. How much control does President Obama want.
By 2TheExtreme
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
President Obama Needs To Be Stopped
Mob Rule or Democracy in Action? Health Care Debate Focuses on Opponents Over Substance
Democrats are stepping up their campaign against opponents of health care reforms, depicting town hall audiences protesting a Democratic-sponsored bill as angry mobs duped into hostile actions by special interest groups.
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Democrats are stepping up their campaign against opponents of health care reforms, depicting town hall audiences protesting a Democratic-sponsored bill as angry mobs duped into hostile actions by special interest groups.
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
The Democratic National Committee released a Web video and e-mail on Wednesday blasting opponents of the 10-year, $1 trillion plan.
Titled "Enough of the Mob," the ad warns that the "right wing extremist base" is back after losing the presidential election, a series of legislative battles and the confidence of Americans.
"Now, desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs -- just like they did during the election," the ad said. "Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November."
Titled "Enough of the Mob," the ad warns that the "right wing extremist base" is back after losing the presidential election, a series of legislative battles and the confidence of Americans.
"Now, desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs -- just like they did during the election," the ad said. "Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November."
I agree on that President Obama needs to be STOPPED. Yes the American voted for change, but I think they wanted change for the better not the worst, and I don't think they thought that Obama was going to try to control and own everything.
By 2TheExtreme
Monday, August 3, 2009
Taxes?
Obama Officials Don't Dismiss Possibility of New TaxesObama may have to break his campaign pledge and raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for public health care and the growing deficit.
FOXNews.com
Monday, August 03, 2009
President Obama may have to break his campaign pledge and raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for public health care and the growing deficit, an eventuality that administration officials touched lightly on Sunday as they promoted an economy emerging from recession.
With an expected deficit next year of $1.8 trillion, and spending still being planned for a $1 trillion, 10-year health care reform, officials say something will have to be done to prevent further erosion of the economy.
"We will not get this economy back on track, recovery will be not strong and sustained, unless we ... can convince the American people that we're going to have the will to bring these deficits down once recovery is firmly established," Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said on ABC's "This Week."
Asked point blank whether it was right to suggest it is a matter of when, not if, taxes will be raised, Geithner responded, "It is absolutely right."
With an expected deficit next year of $1.8 trillion, and spending still being planned for a $1 trillion, 10-year health care reform, officials say something will have to be done to prevent further erosion of the economy.
"We will not get this economy back on track, recovery will be not strong and sustained, unless we ... can convince the American people that we're going to have the will to bring these deficits down once recovery is firmly established," Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said on ABC's "This Week."
Asked point blank whether it was right to suggest it is a matter of when, not if, taxes will be raised, Geithner responded, "It is absolutely right."
When are we going to wake up and see that President Obama is filled with nothing but lies and he really doesn't know what he's doing. He is bankrupting America and wants us to pay for it...
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