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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The Federal Government is the chains we put ourselves in by demanding more help from them.
Better roll it back or there will ultimately be fewer states in the union. You see, no one has to follow federal regulations once they perceive it has gone to far. That's why we have the second amendment; to keep the power clowns in check.
Let's get down to basics. We have a politically corrupt congress (I see no difference between parties) that listens only to special interests. We have a Gorilla in the room that everyone in Congress ignores. A overly costly healthcare system that treats the symptoms of a nutritionally defunct American lifestyle. Fix the nutritional system, take out the excess medical palliative treatments from the healthcare system and get this country back on track. We have a shift to lower energy costs coming that will re-energize the economic base of this country, if the politicians would only take action and stop the wasteful spending that they refuse to address. Cramer...keep the dialog going. You are on the mark! Thomas Braun Rph
Founder Health Education Institute
MAY I remind you Clinton knew exactly where Bin Laden was and did NOTHING ?
For years?
Finally killed a few Camels AFTER numerous attacks on US interests
RING ANY BELLS BIMBO ?
How about Benghazi ?
RING ANY MORE BELLS ?
You know , our Dear Leader watched 4 Americans die , live - then LIED about it for 2 months (Still lying)
RING ANY MORE BELLS ?
Wake up America
If the president gives into any of the outrageous demands from the Republicans
In their implacable obsession to make the rich, richer on the back of the middle class, many of us, friend, relatives, neighbors that are hard core Democrats are saying we will for ever lose our Democrat Base for ever. Its also obvious the Rolling Over one more time on the ridiculous, insidious, and inflexible demands from these fastidious people, wanting more bartering in their favor, will terrible undermined the changes of Mrs. Clinton to run for president in, and gain the presidency in 2016! We have suffer enough economical stagnation for many years now from the dismal political, and socio-economical policies of Bush, and their dismal abuse of the people, in wars, unpaid taxes, and disastrous economical expenditures that had brought us to this present fortuitous situation, this living travesty of the present Fiscal Cliff. The loud voice from all the Democrats around here is that, we nearly lose the country to Bush economical debacles of 2008. We are ready to suffer some more, not to tolerate any more further the abuses of the House of Representatives Tea party, and Republicans in the relentless the discard from the people’s hunger, and their perpetual discord putting our USA in chains to against our wishes for food, and jobs any longer! This time it be much better, to win than losing our honor one more time.
THEY ONLY ONES LYING ARE DEMOCRATS! OBAMA BLAMES REPUBLICANS BUT HE NEVER
PASSED A BUDGET HE WASTED BILLIONS IN STIMULUS AND BAILOUTS HE SHUT DOWN
CHEAP ENERGY TO PUSH A FAILED GREEN AGENDA AND PELOSI LIKES UNEMPLOYMENT
INSTEAD OF JOBS AND THEY WANT ALL TAXES RAISED TO SPEND MORE ON THEIR LIBERAL
AGENDA! REPUBLICANS ARE FOR FREEDOM, JOBS, LOW TAXES AND SMALLER GOVT.
IT'S THE DEMOCRATS HOLDING UP PROGRESS FOR THEIR LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE GOVT!
AND NOW WE'RE SEEING THE RESULT OF OBAMACARE! SERVICES CUT HIGHER RATES
FEES AND TAXES!!!!! SO HE CAN GET TO HIS SINGLE PAYER GOVT DEATHCARE!
I agree with you, there is so much waste that could be cut. But the reps silence (meaning "not in my district" or "not anything that cuts federal contracts for those who donate money to my re-election") is the driving force. Solution: term limits. In the mean time, we need to vote these cowardly casper milktoasts out.
Jim,
It should be obvious to all americans at this point, if a republican votes for a budget or a spending cut, they will be hammered by the media and you. If the democrats propose raising taxes on anyone other than the 1% or zombies they will be hammered by the media and you. We are a nation of children and special interests, thanks to the media and you. Sadly the fiscal cliff is about as good as this president is capable of. Everyone's sacred cow is gorged, blame republicans for Clinton tax scheme, of course, blame democrats for spending cuts and defense sequester of course.
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