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xchrom

(108,903 posts) Tue Oct 9, 2012, 11:26 AM Oct 2012

Group of Eight Senators Meets to Work on Deficit-Cut Plan

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-09/group-of-eight-senators-meets-to-work-on-deficit-cut-plan.html

A bipartisan group of eight U.S. senators is meeting this week to seek a way to avert a year-end “fiscal cliff” of expiring tax rates and automatic spending cuts.

The group will hold three days of meetings starting today at Mount Vernon in Virginia. Two Senate aides close to the group said the lawmakers will seek to identify broad areas of agreement on taxes and entitlement programs, without discussion of specific numbers or targets.

The meetings continue a series of gatherings by members of the U.S. Senate over the past year and a half. They include Democrats Mark Warner of Virginia, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Republicans Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Mike Crapo of Idaho.

When lawmakers return to Washington in November for a post- election session, they will have only weeks to avert more than $500 billion in tax increases and $100 billion in automatic spending cuts set to take effect in January. The group wants to have a series of options available after the election, the aide said.

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Group of Eight Senators Meets to Work on Deficit-Cut Plan (Original Post) xchrom Oct 2012 OP

Gee, Mount Vernon wouldn't be too convenient for protestors to get to. factsarenotfair Oct 2012 #1

Smoke and Mirrors SamHarris2012 Oct 2012 #2

Time to make cutting SS politically untenable. woo me with science Oct 2012 #3

but if we did that we couldn't elect Blue Dogs!11 xchrom Oct 2012 #5

Thanks for that link. Isn't it telling woo me with science Oct 2012 #10

i find the reluctance by the party of the 'left' to find and groom xchrom Oct 2012 #11

'entitlement programs' ?! Meh, another Catfood Commission leftstreet Oct 2012 #4

i'm feeling lazy -- but it would be interesting to see xchrom Oct 2012 #6

Group of 8 Senators meet to screw the middle-class.... kentuck Oct 2012 #7

... xchrom Oct 2012 #8

"Entitlement programs," my ass. 99Forever Oct 2012 #9

8 fuckers in a smoky back room Agony Oct 2012 #12

Absolutely! kentuck Oct 2012 #14

Gee, 4 republicans and 4 crazy right-wing republicans, What do you suppose is going to come out Egalitarian Thug Oct 2012 #13

factsarenotfair

(910 posts)

1. Gee, Mount Vernon wouldn't be too convenient for protestors to get to.

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 11:39 AM

Oct 2012

Such a lovely former slave plantation in a county with many estates belonging to the wealthy. Warner, Durbin, Bennet--who appointed them executioners of the last remnants of the Middle Class? Could Bernie Sanders invite himself???

SamHarris2012

(42 posts)

2. Smoke and Mirrors

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 11:53 AM

Oct 2012

Nothing will get done. This is all just for show. Even if these 8 did agree to something, the four republicans will just "vote no" to their own agreement.

They just want some kind of cool name like Gang of Eight. Its all just smoke and mirrors.

PS...why didn't they get together last year or the year before that? Conrad isn't even seeking re-election.

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)

3. Time to make cutting SS politically untenable.

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 11:58 AM

Oct 2012

This garbage needs to stop, and we have the power and the numbers to do it.

If here ever was a time to speak out loudly and clearly and to demand representation, it is now.

xchrom

(108,903 posts)

5. but if we did that we couldn't elect Blue Dogs!11

Reply to woo me with science (Reply #3)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 12:05 PM

Oct 2012

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021498137

who of course if elected would walk into office -- ready to drop cuts on the middle and lower classes.

musn't present a strong populist left wing message that would appeal to every ones self interest -- musn't bust the 'job creators' myth, or that we're broke myth, etc

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)

10. Thanks for that link. Isn't it telling

Reply to xchrom (Reply #5)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 12:18 PM

Oct 2012

that the Third Way, who claim ad nauseum to support the same goals and principles as the rest of us but always argue that it just isn't possible right now....

continue to preach passivity and resignation even on this issue, where morality, the economic reality, AND the clear support of the electorate are overwhelmingly on our side.