Do you think the GOP wishes it took the "Grand Bargain" now?

[BrentWil]

I don't know how many of you have seen this, but this document provides what the administration offered the GOP as its final offer. It is amazing what the President Obama offered. Cuts in Medicare, Social Security, Tricare, etc. I wonder if the GOP wishes it took it?

I would also say, if this is how far he is willing to go, there really should be a deal by the 31st.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Since Social Security does not contribute to the national debt, then

why is Obama cool with cutting benefits by 10% or more?

Working Americans: Bend over and prepare to be Grand Bargained.

[BrentWil]

2. Well..

Changing the index that cost of living adjustments are tied to would in fact save money. It is all one big pot of money, in reality. Rather SS saves money or loses money doesn't mean that indexing it to the CPI wouldn't cut the cost of the program.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. I was wondering whether this was a monumental bluff on Obama's part.

He offered piles of Republican goodies, in exchange for raising some tax rates on wealthy folks. But he knew they were beholden to the Norquist pledge and the Teabaggers and could not bring themselves to accept it. So he ended up giving away absolutely nothing, and got to show the Republicans as the obstructionists they are.

[BrentWil]

5. Obama wants a deal and a long term solution on the debt...

In that I support him.

That being the case, I am glad the deal will be made on his terms not theirs.

[emulatorloo]

6. Pretty much my take. Bluff showed the people that Republicans weren't serious

at all about deficit reduction even though they endlessly squawk about it. They only give a shit about their wealthy friends taxcuts.

[IL Lib]

9. +1 Exactly n/t

[Fence rider]

4. I bet

They started screwing up the day Obama took office. Now they have Karl and Grover to thank for their guidance! Just say no to anything he says or does and we will surely reign victorious in 2012.
Now he has them by the shorts and can put the screws to them and i sure hope he does! Meanwhile Karl, Grover and the whole gang are going nuts wondering how they could fuck it up so bad.
Hopefully he will pull back some of his proposals and push these assholes to do the job they were elected to do and not be patsies for the far right. I think some of these guys that are up for reelection in 2 years should do some soul searching and realize they could be out on the streets if they don't do their job.

[bluestate10]

7. The GOP is trying for the $1 million and above tax increase.

I say fuck them. Let all tax cuts expire and let the country go over the fiscal cliff. Then negotiate with those bastards.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

8. +1000 nt