Boehner and Obama meet on "fiscal cliff"

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, met at the White House Sunday for their first face-to-face meeting on the "fiscal cliff" in weeks, indicating that negotiations are continuing despite a public stalemate over the requirements for a deal.

The two have spoken over the phone as recently as Wednesday but on Friday, Boehner held a news conference to announce that "no progress" had been made.

While details of today's discussion weren't disclosed both Mr. Obama's and Boehner's spokesmen released the same exact statement to reporters, revealing some coordination - even if it's just how to talk to the press.

"This afternoon, the President and Speaker Boehner met at the White House to discuss efforts to resolve the fiscal cliff. We're not reading out details of the conversation, but the lines of communication remain open," Boehner spokesma Brendan Buck and White House deputy press secretary Josh Earnest separately emailed.

The "fiscal cliff" is a series of automatic spending cuts and tax increases that are set to go into affect at the beginning of the year unless Congress passes an alternative proposal. Most economists say the jolt to the economy would harm any recovery, and could throw the country back into recession.

Both sides have laid out their demands. Republicans are adamant that spending be greatly reduced, especially for entitlements. Democrats, however, are demanding that tax rates increase for the wealthy, something that some Republicans, including Boehner, have indicated is up for discussion.

[John6388]

This is silly. When top earners were paying a higher rate under Clinton the economy boomed. When they paid a lower rate under Bush the economy crashed. Those are the facts and any opinions will never change these facts, period. The tax rates have little effect on the economy. When businesses pay workers nearly as much as executives' pay themselves the economy not only thrives it grows like mad. Ask Henry Ford who doubled his workers' pay why he did it.

[bobw101]

dj_chi replies:

Bob - why did most people want the war? Because the fake intel Cheney's alternate intel group came up with. Remember the legit intel people complaining how Cheney's people badgered, hectored and kicked them into interpreting the intel the way THEY wanted instead of how they read it? Remember Powell listing all that intel before the UN that he later regretted because he felt dirty for what amounted to a tall stack of lies?

THAT'S why so many people supported the war - lies, misinformation and manipulation.

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You just proved my point, most sane people who are not blood thirsty warmongers (very few, 25% of America) protested and were labeled as peaceniks, anti American and even traitors. So what did Powell do, he stood before the world and lobbied for preemptive war, what did congress do...They voted for war, and the rest as they say is history.

[tmn]

The ONE thing we DO know - a lack of action on part of Congress WILL result in the elimination of the Bush Tax Cuts on 1-1-13.

A bill to restore those cuts for middle-class Americans will be introduced by Democrats within a very short period following. If Republicans fight the restoration of the middle-class cuts, the 2014 mid-term election will provide an unforgettable historic shift in the House of Representatives.

[johnlockesghost]

Let's go over the cliff and see how things go for awhile instead of making rash decisions that we might regret. Restoration of the tax rates that prevailed before bush began screwing up the country sounds like a good idea.

[Ubeensuckered]

It all going to crash and I don't care I have pland ahead and will be fine can all you say the same

[rp44_63]

Ya know - let's just go over the "clift" which most, if not all, real economists are saying is more like a "slope". At least that way I'll know the ultra rich are paying a much larger portion than I will be and the programs that are important to working class Americans will remain mainly intact. Tea bagger republicans will never truly compromise on new revenue and they will demand life saving programs be changed beyond recognition. Any down turn in the economy will be short lived and will return stronger than ever - so let's just roll down the sleeves - tighten the belts - and - hold on for the ride!!!!

[bobw101]

thechooch1 replies:

peter_o I think it is the House that creates the spending bills, not your President. Did you forget the "enormous amounts of Chinese money" used to finance the optional war of lies?


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You mean the war that 75% percent of the blood thirsty American populace wanted? The war that 58% of democat senators voted for? The war that 39% of democrat house reps voted for? Is that the war you speak of?

[jmn122736]

The very fact that America had just experienced another "pearl Harbor" (911) and were lied to about numerous times about the "Mushroom cloud" threat from Saddam and yet only 58% of democrats voted for the invasion speaks for itself.

The Bush/Cheney lies have so tainted the office of the president that America will require decades, and several actually honest presidents, to ever regain their trust and respect for that office.

Unfortunately, racism will not allow president Obama to contribute to that end regardless of how honest he may be.

[nearl451]

Sill, we have to pay for it regardless.

[stuwerb]

I don't know what to worry about more -- the Fiscal Cliff or the end of the world on 12/21. Any advice?

[thechooch1]

Wait until after 12/21 as our elected officials probably won't do anything until after then anyway.

[Ewiak]

Where are we going? An ancient vision says: "And [the king of the north] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [1945]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant [state atheism]; and will act [it means activity in the international arena]; and turned back to his own land [1991-1993. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Russian troops returned to their country]. At the appointed time [he] will return back." (Daniel 11:28, 29a, literal translation) The return of Russia in this context means crisis, which will eclipse the Great Depression. Not only the eurozone will break up, but also the European Union and NATO. Then many countries of the former Eastern block will return to Russia's zone of influence. Russian troops will be stationed here again.

All the details of this vision are being fulfilled from the time of ancient Persia, in chronological order. It is true that this vision is variously interpreted. As one can see, it has a lot of details. Therefore the insightful person is able to detect any error or sophistry. (Daniel 12:10)

In 1882 British troops occupied Egypt. Great Britain then took the role of "the king of the south". Around the same time, Russia expanded its influence in the region, which previously belonged to Seleucus I Nicator, and took the role of "the king of the north". (Daniel 11:27)

[macbootx]

It seems to me that in this country that is supposed to follow a DEMOCRATIC process, a decision would be made that would favor 98% of the wage earners. It astonishes me how much power the 2% (read the wealthy and powerful) have that Boehner is throwing the democratic process out the window. I wonder what the outcome would be if the people voted on this. Hmm, seems like a no-Boehner to me.

[libbieclu]

Boehner ran unopposed in his re-election last month. Tells something about the Ohio district that he comes from and the highly influential monies that support him. For the Country, Boehner is a discredit to his office.