Hypocrisy in Congress is outrageous, infuriating
Trying to get a straight answer out of Republicans and Democrats is impossible these days.
The lack of sincerity in Washington, D.C., was palpable Tuesday. Over and over, I could not get a single elected official I spoke with, neither Republican nor Democrat, to give me even one idea for cutting spending right now. Not one.
I made tons of suggestions that could be implemented Wednesday.
Why do we have huge military bases in Japan and Europe? These are just leftovers from another era. There are whole defense projects that not even the Defense Department wants.
How about farm subsidies? Ethanol subsidies? Nope.
How about Medicare negotiating with drug companies? Nope. I heard from one poll that the drug companies might move elsewhere. Where? We are the only country that lets them gouge us. I heard that the drug companies wouldn't feel compelled to spend money to develop new drugs. I wanted to scream: Did you ever hear about patent cliffs?
Outrageous.
The Republicans were absolutely no better than the Democrats. In fact, they were worse. When I stipulated that I am not interested in talking about raising revenues because they say over and over that the issue is spending, they still talked about raising revenues. When I insisted that they talk about what they say they insisted on talking about, they wouldn't. They simply wouldn't.
I could never get away with that level of hypocrisy.
Ever.
Infuriating.
I came away thinking that there is nothing the Republicans won't do to be sure that the 2% don't pay more, including throw people out of work and make everyone else pay, which is what's going to happen if they don't compromise.
And the president? He has no serious plan to cut spending either -- but at least he is willing to give something that helps balance the budget (read on TheStreet).
I am going to repeat this so it is really clear: NO Republican offered me anything to cut spending in the near-term. Not one.
If you are serious about spending cuts, you have to be able to offer one.
My conclusion: Republicans aren't any more serious than Democrats are, but at least the Democrats are asking someone to help solve the deficit, the cohort that got the big break on taxes when things weren't so hot.
Jim Cramer is a co-founder of TheStreet and contributes daily market commentary to the financial news network's sites. Follow his trades for Action Alerts PLUS, which Cramer co-manages as a charitable trust.
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I (GOP Pariah Name) do solemnly swear to obstruct the economy and vitality of America through a terrorist style blockade of progress and jeopardize the nation. I further swear to allow America to lien my entire existence as well as that of every lobby, lobbyist, PAC and PAC contributor that funds my swayed vote and positions; for an equal share of our entire National Debt. Since I vote along a Party Line that completely resembles a Terror Operation and do not vote consistent with the recommendations of my voters, I release voters from having to repay a share of the National Debt. Should I not survive full repayment, I pass my obligation on to my heirs, including the illegitimate ones my spouse doesn’t know about. I authorize America to use my Trust, Secret Trust, Offshore funds and the cash I stashed but didn’t tell my spouse I had. These assets are to be frozen and employed in repayment before any other use. I agree to stand firm on new tax increases and no longer accept pay derived from tax revenues because I believe one should support the Pledge all the way off the edge of the Cliff. Finally, I realize that very few people are actually supporting my positions who aren’t corrupt, cruel, greedy, self-centered and a sociopath or psychopath like me. I wave any form of insanity plea at my trial and agree that America won’t pay a dime for my subsequent incarceration. I believe that the most important job on Earth is a useless pariah bureaucrat, which is why I dedicated my life to it instead of anything useful, relevant or constructive. These things I pledge, even as we stall the nation over the edge and compromise it by fiscal demise.
Signed and Sealed by (GOP Pariah Name)
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Americans cannot handle responsibility of freedom.
Eric Fromm said about Nazi Germany that Germans were tired of their freedom. They wanted someone else to take care of them. If someone can make them feel good they are happy not to think. They got the leader they wanted and world paid the price.
We have gutless congress who do not want to pay their bill. We have President in WH who was never taught in Law School what leadership is all about. He thinks it is getting elected. He is coward who is unwilling to get his feet wet. He is gutless leader who is afraid to tangle one on one and find the way. In the battle field President will be dangerous man for the troop. He is dangerous man for us. Our misfortune or what we got what we asked for>
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