DeFazio explains the "chained CPI" and Gang of Six Plan

[madfloridian]

There is more at Digby Hullaballo on the topic.

Fiscal Cliff Notes

A few weeks ago, the Obama administration was firm that they wouldn’t budge on tax rates for income above $250,000 and that they wouldn’t budge on the debt ceiling. They’ve since budged on both. Republicans increasingly think the White House will concede more now, and that if they don’t concede more now they’ll definitely give Republicans a better deal if threatened with debt default. Whether or not that’s true, it pulls Republicans — and Boehner — to the right, as it makes it harder for Boehner to argue for a compromise now

Meanwhile, the White House has problems within their coalition, too. Their allies are disappointed to see an old dynamic reasserting itself: The president makes concessions, thinking he’s close to a deal, and then the Republicans pocket those concessions, offering nothing but renewed threats to blow up the talks in return.

“This fight is not going to be won by the president taking a step towards Boehner, Boehner taking a step toward the president, the president taking a step toward Boehner, Boehner taking a step toward the president and so forth until they meet in the middle,” says Damon SIlvers, policy director at the AFL-CIO. “That hasn’t worked before. Boehner doesn’t take the steps. It will be won by the president clearly siding with the American people on tax fairness and preserving the safety net from benefit cuts.”

[Stargleamer]

1. Well as Sam Cooke would say. . .

". . .that's the sound of the men working on the Chain Gang. . ."

[madfloridian]

2. Apt comparison

It has the same feel about it..the elderly being exploited so the rich folks get what they want.

[99th_Monkey]

3. I love DeFazio. One of the few real Democrats. ~nt

[Dustlawyer]

4. I knew it! Obama had 2 ways to go, 1.) play hardball, he has a mandate and no further elections for

himself; or 2.) continue like he has the 1st term. Unfortunately, he picked 2.

[dotymed]

5. Same shit, different day.

Americans are too preoccupied, dumb, scared...? To take to the streets in vast numbers. That is the big difference between America and other 1st world nations...in other countries the politicians know that the people will rebel against tyranny,they are afraid of the vast number of citizens taking to the streets and demanding change.
In America the politicians know that our under-informed electorate will do nothing..