Blue Cross

[Annie]

Who comprises "everyone"? The voices in Annie's head??

You really thought that Geithner and Summers misspoke?

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/07/edi_543521.shtml

Either taxes will go up or not...
Obama White House issues wildly contradictory statements
Friday, August 07, 2009
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner -- who has trouble paying his taxes on time -- reportedly lashed out profanely at top financial regulators in a meeting last week, saying in no uncertain terms that the Obama administration sets policy, not them.

OK. Let's look at that.

On Sunday, Geithner and Obama economic adviser Larry Summers both said tax increases on the middle class were a possibility.

That's interesting, since Candidate Obama promised that those earning up to $250,000 would not pay a dime in new taxes under his presidency.

On Monday, Obama's spokesman said the promise stands -- and we are apparently left to conclude that the Treasury secretary and close economic adviser to the president don't know what they're talking about.

It's certainly not the first time the administration has talked out of both sides of its mouth. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently seemed to leave the door open to a nuclear-armed Iran, saying the defense we'd employ against it would be scary, scary. Immediately, Clinton had to backtrack and say that the United States is still opposed to and will work to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

So which is it on nukes? What is Iran supposed to think?

And which is it on taxes? What are middle-class Americans supposed to think?

The truth is we just don't know. Economists increasingly are warning that the country's spending spree must be paid for at least in part by higher taxes on most Americans. But Obama's promise was clear: 95 percent of Americans will not see any tax increase.

"Geithner," reported the Associated Press, "said (Sunday) the White House was not ready to rule out a tax hike to reduce the federal deficit; Summers said Obama's proposed health care overhaul needs funding from somewhere.

"'There is a lot that can happen over time,'" Summers said, adding that the administration believes "'it is never a good idea to absolutely rule things out, no matter what.'"

Uh, excuse us, but didn't Candidate Obama pretty much do that himself?

The truth is, he's painted himself into a corner, much like the first President Bush did with his "read my lips" promise.

And to have key Cabinet members and advisers saying the opposite of what the White House is saying hardly adds any clarity or sense of security.

Lots of other currencies have lost their values these days. But you ought to be able to take a president's word to the bank.

From the Friday, August 07, 2009 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

 

[Onceler]

"You really thought that Geithner and Summers misspoke? "

The White House almost immediately backed off their statements.

Obama has already gotten near-constant criticism, as well as a few parties in his honor, for raising middle class taxes.

It just seems that people should actually wait for something to happen before ascribing blame for it.

 

[Damocles]

"You really thought that Geithner and Summers misspoke? "

The White House almost immediately backed off their statements.

Obama has already gotten near-constant criticism, as well as a few parties in his honor, for raising middle class taxes.

It just seems that people should actually wait for something to happen before ascribing blame for it.

It seems to me that it would be much like preventative medicine, attacking the idea before it comes to fruition is a good thing. Even you have to recognize a trial balloon. The quickness of the backing off just shows how vehement people are that he keep this particular promise.

 

[Onceler]

It seems to me that it would be much like preventative medicine, attacking the idea before it comes to fruition is a good thing. Even you have to recognize a trial balloon. The quickness of the backing off just shows how vehement people are that he keep this particular promise.

I've said before that I think it was a trial balloon.

That said, the definitiveness of the reply certainly gave me cause to believe he won't raise them during his tenure. He understands the consequences of breaking a promise like that.

If he does raise them, he will certainly warrant the criticism he will get...

 

[Topspin]

something will pass, a few key features removed.
Dems and neocons will claim victory.
then it's on to cap and scheme

 

[PostmodernProphet]

You really thought that Geithner and Summers misspoke?

apparently some think that dropping the public option was "misspoken"

Administration Official: "Sebelius Misspoke."

An administration official said tonight that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius "misspoke" when she told CNN this morning that a government run health insurance option "is not an essential part" of reform. This official asked not to be identified in exchange for providing clarity about the intentions of the President. The official said that the White House did not intend to change its messaging and that Sebelius simply meant to echo the president, who has acknowledged that the public option is a tough sell in the Senate and is, at the same time, a must-pass for House Democrats, and is not, in the president's view, the most important element of the reform package.

A second official, Linda Douglass, director of health reform communications for the administration, said that President Obama believed that a public option was the best way to reduce costs and promote competition among insurance companies, that he had not backed away from that belief, and that he still wanted to see a public option in the final bill.

"Nothing has changed.," she said. "The President has always said that what is essential that health insurance reform lower costs, ensure that there are affordable options for all Americans and increase choice and competition in the health insurance market. He believes that the public option is the best way to achieve these goals."

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/08/administration_official_sebelius_misspoke.php

WASHINGTON — Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean is arguing that there can be no meaningful overhaul of the health care system without a public option for coverage.

A leading player in the party's liberal wing, Dean said in a nationally broadcast interview Monday he thinks providing a government role in insurance coverage is fair. He likened it to Medicare and the Veterans Administration, which he called "two very good programs."

Dean discussed the situation on NBC's "Today" show amid indications the Obama administration is backing away from its insistence on a public option in the face of vocal opposition. Referring to the public health option, the former Vermont governor said, "You can't really do health care reform without it."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5irPOJsLck6oxp2-eAE8h9-xaJcZQD9A4JPDG1

 

[RockX]

You must have the wrong post office. I get my mail every day and the stamp sends a letter cheaper than anything offered by the competition.

LOL

The post office is government-protected monopoly, and has no competition for first class mail service.


AUGUST 5, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Postal Service Wednesday posted a net loss of $2.4 billion for its third quarter and said it expects to lose more than $7 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

The rising tide of red ink could leave the Postal Service with a potential cash shortfall of as much as $700 million by its fiscal-year end on Sept. 30, when it must pay as much as $5.8 billion to prefund retiree health benefits. Postal Service officials hope Congress will pass legislation that would provide temporary relief, including an increased ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury Department and changes in retiree-health-benefit payments before the bill comes due.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124948194775607851.html