It is true the Republicans could go after this “sacred cow” to get something they want more.  But there is nothing they want more. “No new taxes” isn’t an aspect of the Republican party platform, is it now essentially their entire brand. If the Republican party supports raising taxes so a Democrat can reduce the deficit, what would be the pitch the GOP uses to win over non-religiously conservative upper middle class voters?

I’m not sure he’s said this quite so clearly before this morning.

Whether you think the insistence on a big deal that would include cuts to entitlements is a tactic or sincerely felt, it’s clear that the President believes strongly in getting it done. He echoed Bob Dole’s comment about everybody getting in the boat so it doesn’t tip over. He is clearly willing to be unpopular among his party in order to get a deal done, which is says is a component of how to improve the economy, although not the only part. “We should eat our peas,” he said, adding that “I have a stake in John Boehner successfully persuading his caucus that this is the right thing to do. Just like he has a stake in me persuading my caucus.”

The New York Times hits on a major reason for why the economy has struggled over the past several months. Government assistance has faded, turning the stimulus into anti-stimulus. While extended unemployment benefits will last until the end of the year, other stimulus-era programs to beef up government benefits, 20% of all compensation in the US, are slowly being pulled away, and as a result, consumer spending decreases and businesses see less sales. And it will only get worse.

Usually it is the politicians who use euphemisms to try to conceal the impact of their policies. However, the Washington Post decided to help them along in a front page article when it twice referred to Social Security “changes” that could be part of the budget agreement.

Of course “changes” don’t reduce the deficit unless they are cuts. President Obama and the congressional leadership were discussing plans to cut Social Security. These cuts are likely to be very unpopular, so it is likely that they would rather have the public not realize that they were debating cuts to Social Security.

• I already know it: cuts and no tax increases.
• Krugman nails it, as always.
• Willard, the job creator killer.
• Sign of the times.
• Gerald Ford weeps.

Rick Santorum takes a novel approach to why he should be elected…”I’ll sign anything as long as it is stupid”

OneRepublic–Good Life and Allison Krauss & Union Station – Another Day, Another Doller

We queers tried to tell you: having President Fierce Advocate on your side wasn’t a winning play.

This Act may be cited as the Start Doing Our Damn Jobs Act of 2012.