Schrader on 'cliff' deal: We just 'kicked the can down the road'
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PORTLAND, Ore. – The late night vote Tuesday on the fiscal cliff deal split the House Republican leadership, but it also drew opposition from some Democrats; in fact, lawmakers in both Oregon and Washington did not vote like the rest of the country.
The House vote 257-167 followed the Senate in passing a bill to avoid massive spending cuts and tax increases that would have hit most Americans.
Sixteen of the 167 votes against the fiscal cliff deal came from Democrats, including three of Oregon's four Democratic representatives Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader.
"(We) basically just kicked the can down the road, which is something we said we weren't gonna be doing," Schrader told KATU News in an interview Wednesday. "We didn't do any spending reform. No entitlement reform. The entitlement programs are in big trouble. Medicare in particular (is in) big, big trouble."
Before the vote, Blumenauer tweeted "a poor stop gap plan is worse than the 'cliff.'"
traveling to Washington, where a poor stop gap plan is worse than the "cliff", which would force the tax and program reform America needs
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) December 30, 2012
On Wednesday, Blumenauer said, also in an interview with KATU, the deal represents the least lawmakers could have done under the circumstances.
"I'm really disappointed. This was an opportunity for us to do something major in terms of changing how we do business. An opportunity for meaningful tax reform," he said.
DeFazio called the details of the deal "dumb" saying, "This 'deal' hinders our ability to deal meaningfully with the deficit and burgeoning debt and puts in jeopardy Social Security and Medicare in the coming confrontation over the debt limit."
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici was the only yes vote from Oregon's Democratic delegation. She said the bill wasn't perfect, but the alternative was worse.
And Oregon's only Republican, Rep. Greg Walden, also backed it, saying it was crucial to avoid large-scale tax increases on middle-class Americans.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, whose district is in southwest Washington, also voted for the bill. Washington's three other GOP representatives did too.
New York and Pennsylvania are the only other states with multiple Republican House members who backed it.
The fiscal cliff deal passed by the House tonight neither tackles the largest drivers of our deficits, nor says we will do so in the future
— Rep. Kurt Schrader (@RepSchrader) January 2, 2013
I believe the super elite BANKERS are really running this country, and lot letting any one play good politics.
Well, Congressman Schrader, you got that right. Playing "Kick the Can" is no way to solve the mess we're all in.
As that is what you will do again in a couple of months.
What is with the weird phrases??? "we just kicked the can down the road" Â Â "fiscal cliff". Can't these politicians speak plainly and clearly??? Obfuscation to the max (that means 'a great amount of deception').Â
There is give and take in the government, and sometimes you have to take the lesser of the two evils. Hopefully, someday down the road where that can was kicked, the politicians can pull their heads out of dark places and actually see the value in coming together and making things work for AMERICA, and not just for their own pocketbooks and IRAs.Â
 @washcomom ~  Had to kind of laugh sadly at  "...and sometimes you have to take the lesser of the two evils."   We-the-voters have been doing that for DECADES, each time there's an presidential election...
There is some hope yet with these Democrats getting it. Historically it is rare for Democrats to understand finances.
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Since the Democrats are mostly responsible for getting us to this point, with the help of Reagan, Bush 1 and Bush 2, they need to take responsibility and get us out of this mess, if that is still possible. Democrats have been in control of the congress over 75% of the time in the last 60 years and congress is the ones to pass the budget.
I guess I missed the Oregon Democratic Delegation Debt reduction and Tax & Entitlement Reform Bill of 2000 whatever or maybe these three clowns are just blowing gas again
Nice to see some democrats using their brains for a change.  Even though I don't care for these three politicians, they voted correctly.  Of course, the deadbeats think they are traitors.  The deadbeats who got obama elected are afraid they might lose some of their handouts, otherwise they  would be happy in the way these three voted.  Too bad the idiots Washington state elected didn't use what little intelligence they have.  Nothing positive is going to come out of this.  Kicking all of them out of office is a good start, but this has been said for many years and it never happens.  Corruption, greed, power, egotism, is what being a politician is all about.  If they don't have it when they are elected, they will fall in line shortly and become just like the ones they replaced.
Both the president and congress have violated our trust. How much longer are we going to take it? are we the American People so inept?
$331 million to railroad operators, and $222 million for Puerto Rican Rum.
really? kicked the bottle of booze more like.
IMHO, its pretty clear this group of knuckleheads in DC are completely incapable of  any meaningful  legislation  with regards to any effort to rein in spending.Â
It will take a major crisis to do this whether it be  China  refusing to finance our debt or  a serious downgrade in our credit rating.  Until then...... the asinine spending will continue.
Anyone want to bet this won't have a permanent resolution before the mid term elections?
That way they can all campaign against each other on the issue.
And if anyone thinks the administration is going to give any serious effort to cutting spending then I have a bridge or two to sell you.
 @Jack_Bauer  I highly doubt there will be permanent resolution before the end of B HO's next term.  Bronco Bamma is a pathetic leader and really only has two goals, stick it to the rich and spend as much as possible.  His lips may say he wants deficit reductions..... but his actions say otherwise.Â
When you elect a clown for president you have to be prepared to join the circus.
 @rozeguy The house is Republican dominated, is that the circus you refer to ?
@dougrpdx @rozeguyÂ
 IMHO,  its a three ring circus..... congress, senate, POTUS
Politicians and political decisions are crisis driven. Rarely does government take action to prevent a problem or chart a better future. Only when forced are the major decisions made. Congress is notorious for kicking the can down the road so this should be no surprise.
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It is time to kick their can down the road at the next election and hope that dramatic change will bring out some real statesmen who will do what is right for the country.
 @I812 Unfortunately that did not happen at the last election.Â
@rozeguy No, but we should all make sure it happens at the next one!
@poopstainmonkey @rozeguy Read my original comment. I said "statesmen," not politician.
 @I812  @rozeguy You think that any politician is the right one? Really?
Let's all just sit around an wait to see what tomorrow will bring, OK? We need someone to tell us all what to do is my guess. It don't matter if politicians make huge salaries and get a huge pension because it has always been that way at our expense as we went about our merry way with no real thought about it. Well, we got something to say now that the 'fish' has slapped us all in the face!!!
I hope something gets posted as to how much money they got paid to vote 'no', smells bad.
Someone should kick Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader's asses down the road.  I wonder how much political money they took to vote against it.  Who are the wealthy in Oregon?  One comes to mind with a big company HQ'd in Beaverton.  Smells pretty bad.
Dear Mr. Shrader.....I have had enough of you and your "ilk". I will be devoting the next four years of my time to vote all members of the house and senate out office and replacing you with candidates who are willing to do the job we send you to do. Not a single one of you are up to the task.....so it's time to "kick your cans" down the road.....!!!!
The "can" will continue to be kicked as the people see no reason to do press for a solution. Unless people see a clear danger, nothing will be done. If people wanted future problems to be avoided, Social Security would have been fixed years ago.
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Besides, so many celebrate the kicking that it's become a sport of sorts. Call the brinkmanship a stimulus package for the media.
 @JTesla Good one!  Stimulus for the Media :)
A big thumbs up for our Representatives in Oregon who voted against this sham....
 @B Smizzle Your apparently a total loooooser.
 @RandyH  @B Smizzle No you and all of us have become the losers because of this.
And do any of you believe this? Politicians flip flop at the drop of a dollar and will tell you what you want to hear and do the opposite. Wasn't the last 4 years proof of the complete incompetence on all sides?
 @oops More like 16 years...  it goes back waaaay farther than 08.
Time to start kicking some politicians down the road.
 @JohnQ.Public LOL
Of course you kicked the can. You are cowardly idiots.
Has the President done any of the following impeachable Offenses?
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Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution says, "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
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In his report, Independent Counsel, Starr accuses President Clinton of committing eleven acts for which he could be removed from office by impeachment. Are any of those acts "Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors?" Well, that's up to the members of the House of Representatives. According to Constitutional Lawyers,
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"High Crimes and Misdemeanors" are
(1) real criminality -- breaking a law;
(2) abuses of power;
(3) "violation of public trust" as defined by Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers. In 1970, then Representative Gerald R. Ford defined impeachable offenses as "whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history." An excellent definition, Mr. Former President. In the past, Congress has issued Articles of Impeachment for acts in three general categories:
Exceeding the constitutional bounds of the powers of the office. Behavior grossly incompatible with the proper function and purpose of the office. Employing the power of the office for an improper purpose or for personal gain.
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 @lee986321 You're over 14 years too late on the Starr report. Would you like us to humor you and discuss the Clinton years? The House gets to start the impeachment process, and trust me, Obama has enough people there that don't like him that if they could find something they would pursue it.
Why Did people re-elect Obama? I wonder who regrets voting for Obama?
 @lee986321 And you think that today Robme would have done better ? Really... So you make over 450g's a year? because if this were robme he wanted to reduce the tax on the 1% and raise your taxes.. Can you read ?
 @lee986321 In time anybody with any sense will regret voting for obama. He will go down in history as one of the worst Presidents ever. Right next to Jimmy Carter.
I'd like to kick a can into these politician's head!!! Â
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Our lack of leadership is what is harming this country, and the top leader spent the last year campaigning for his re-election while not doing nothing for this country, only himself!
 @portlandborn83 Let's give that a  WHATEVER !
Man, Maybe I aught to become a politician, make lots of money doing..Nothing but chat and look like were working..Man I really want that job..And so what if every one complains, at least I will have a nice warm house, fancy car o, wait make that three.. It would be a waste not to have a Ford, Volkswagen and a Toyota oh better make that for, i have to have a fiat to keep Itally happy...I mean having one car would show that I am biased; and a beautiful yard..all paid for by..the People.
Time to yank some freaking paychecks.
What the hell are the green Bicycle for? and how much did each one of those lapel pins cost us tax payers?
Reality check: Republicans, in particular the tea party far right-wing, got rolled on this deal.
 @browntown It's the American people that got steamrolled. Congress and the prez did absolutely nothing. Just delayed dealing with the real problems. But this is typical. Since Obama became president, there has not been a federal budget that was finalized. Continuing resolutions, one after another. Most of this "historic" deal just gives our elected "leaders" a few more months to try to do something. But it is a lost cause. A good share of the problems they "solved" were temporary legislation to begin with and all they did was delay it more. I haven't been big on the fire them all philosophy but we need people who will take the courage to actually do something, not just put it off for later.
 @Nobody  @browntown If a budget has never been finalized, the government shut down years ago. Or perhaps you skipped school on that portion of civics?
@poopstainmonkey @Nobody @browntown  Actually the Feds have gotten by without formal budget. and they do that with whats called "Continuing Resolutions" ...... apparently you were flinging poo that day in civics class and missed that in your notes.
wouldn't need $1.1trillion in CR's if there was ever a budget passed.
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/appropriations/132777-house-passes-11-trillion-continuing-resolution
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From the article " failing to pass a budget resolution at all for the first time since 1974"
I share your sentiment, but at the end of the day, this particular deal is not about you and me, bud. This is about breaking the back of the Republican party, one piece of legislation at a time, over the course of the next four years to further diminish the GOP's standing in the eyes the American people and (hopefully) shift the House back to D control so we can really get back to fixing this country. We'll see a lot of theater, a lot of shrill cries from the right (and the left -- as cover), but the real deal is this is about big picture things and generational control of government for the good team.
 @Duvie23  @browntown Oh, so it was OBAMA who started 2 un-funded wars.....  thanks for that clarification.  Â
@Duvie23Â Â """"""""Dems have shown no sign of smaller government and fiscal control,""""""""
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That is because they DO NOTÂ want a smaller govt, or give a rats arse about fiscal control.
IMHO, browntown is an honest D..... they do want to crush the R's, they do want to run our lives....... and sadly browntown does believe that Govt knows best and has all the right answers
IMHO....... browntown = brown for brains :)
 @Duvie23  @browntown Duvie, you are right on. This guy is a moron
 @browntown And you actually believe this...amazing
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@browntown You my friend are totally clueless....Dems have shown no sign of smaller government and fiscal control, they will not have the poltiical will to tinker with SSI or Medicare because those are the people they pander to the most.....Heck Obama has racked up the highest 4 year tally to the debt in history....acouting for roughly 1/3 of it in 4 years....projected 8 year total is to be 8 trillion which is more than where it was for all of the presidents combined up before GW........I am sorry but you are a M-O-R-O-N if you think the dems will fix anything.....I see acceleration to the actual bottomless crater we are heading for.
 @browntown Yep, pretty much. I'm not a Democrat, but, that's certainly the way it looks to me.
 @Playanekes It'll only get better, too. Obama will welcome every single one of these budget/deb fights over the coming years. It'll create great leverage for future elections and provide fuel for the further dismantling of the GOP.
 @browntown  @Playanekes Yep, just more and more of that great success that obama has been showing us. What a joke.