Here's an idea no one has discussed.....

Most of Congress, Democrats or Republicans, do not want to increase taxes on anyone – wealthy or otherwise. However, if Republicans are so confident that the wealthiest of Americans are truly those who create jobs, and that taxing the wealthy more will hurt job growth, when it is obvious that the wealthy having a growing and disproportionate amount of America’s wealth have not contributed to net job growth in the past decade, then the Republicans should “put their money where their mouth is”.

That is, the President should allow a deal to go through whereby the wealthy are not taxed at this point, with the genuine hope that we will see employment growth. However, that deal should also include a provision whereby, if within a specific time period (say 9 or 10 months), the unemployment rate has not decreased by, say, 1 or 2%, and thereby confirming once again the wealthy are not using their enormous wealth to grow the economy or create job growth, then the Bush tax cuts shall be discontinued at the end of that same period, and those same wealthiest Americans will then have their taxes rise to the previous tax rates.

By considering this option, and the wealthy actually use their wealth to increase job growth, we all win … Less taxes and greater economic growth. However, if the wealthiest American’s do not create jobs and use their wealth that has been accumulated, much of which was gained at the expense of everyday Americans, then it’s time to force the wealthiest to do what they won’t otherwise do for the good of everyone.

@ Reaction to the debt break down once again Lawrence you tried to tell the audience that the President is so skillful in deceiving and manipulating the American People.  This is so counter productive and I don't really understand why you want us to see the POTUS such a "great" villain.

The Newsvine had this statement.

"Nearly all congressional Republicans have pledged not to raise taxes, although lawmakers quibble about what that means. Many tea partyers say itine bars any action that would lead directly to a net increase in tax revenues. The Senate is almost certain to reject that definition."

The GOP took an oath on the Bible to uphole the Constitution (14 amendment) but they chose to uphold the pledge they signed for Mr Norquist and the Tea Party (2%) rather than keep their promiss to the 98% they are suppose represent.

Question? Did the members of congress that signed the no tax pledge break there oath to the office they were elected to serve and to the constitution of th U.S., and thus became traitors to the country? Thanks for an answer. Logan.

I love my President Obama. He has taken on the biggest clean up effort after the Bush/Republican destruction of this country. FOr years I have watched as the Democrats fought to get our heads back above drowning economics and debts developed by the Republicans anal efforts. I pray for our President Obama who is doing everything he can think of to still take care of all of us. And willing himself to take a cut in pay. Never have I heard the Republicans offer to do that. And I doubt I ever will.

Leave the poor and the elderly benefits alone. End the war. Bring our soldiers back home thus ending spending to further finance it all. Cut back on politicians pay to the average americans minimum wage. Open free clinics all over the country not needing Insurance. Stop the high cost of medical services and rediculous charges they demand. Develope more farming to secure food for everyone. Develop more railways for transport of product to eliminate fuel demands. Thus adding more jobs for the building of these railways. And their maintenance. More 'Green housing' developed and made more economically available in both recycling, home, and transportation development. A back up system be formed in the event of computer loss for now as well as future world inhabitants. THe credit system has ruined lives. The country could file bankrupsy and start over with a clean slate regardless of it's "credit approval' to the rest of the world. If we change the way our country is run, we wont need credit. We can be self supporting. And if a company hires over seas companies to develop their products, then they should live them selves 'over seas' and not in this country. And their products should stay in the country it was developed in. President Obama has not failed in his efforts. If a teacher tries to teach a class, and they walk out the door doing nothing, it is not the teachers failure to achieve his goals. It is those who willingly walk out the door and ignore the possibilities the teacher pointed out as a solution to the problems.

If Grandma or Grandpa don't get their Social Security check, if the veterans don't get their check, if the soldiers don't get paid, if the disable don't get check,then all those who put John Boehner and the Tea Republicans in control of the House in 2010, I want you to get a mirror, look into that mirror and you will see who's fault it is. You will see who is the blame for all this bull crap which is going on right now with this debt ceiling. The Progressive Left who talk about being so disappointed in the President, because he hadn't done what they wanted him to do, so they listen to folks like Ed Szhultz and the others out there who encourage them not to vote in 2010. Then there is those Independents who went for the Tea-Republicans this time. Well we all are to quick to blame President Obama, or Boehner. Me I ask the question, who put Boehner and those unreasonable radical Tea-Republicans in control of the House? Alot of people knew what these Tea-Republicans stood for, but still they put them in control of the House. Alot of people knew that these Republicans would only fight for the rich. So to all those who help put that spinless John Boehner and those radical Tea Party members in the control of the House, if no checks go out August 3rd, look in the mirror you will see who's really to blame.

I keep hearing that everybody needs to have skin in the game.Ihad skin in the game for 50 yrs,paying my share of medicare and SS.And now they want to skin me alive.

lets all play a drinking game where we take a swig everytime a republican on fox news promotes the phony "cut, cap and balance" pledge bill by saying those words, and that it is the only right way to move forward to fix the deficit and debt.

When is the News Media going to call out the REPUBLICANS for BAILING out the rich people and corporations over middle class and poor people. Seems to me thats what the Republicans are always saying about the President and democrats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People like Sarah Stupid Palin hone in on calling the the President "lame duck President". Who the hell does she think she is? She is the "Quitting Governor"! She knows nothing and does nothing except give opinions no one wants to hear. Republicans/Tea party people keep listening to people like her and Michele Airhead Bachmann and they are going down on this whole debt ceiling issue. Our President is trying to act like the adult here and they are acting like children crying if they don't get their way they aren't going to play. They raised the debt ceiling during the Bush yrs 7 times and they didn't play these games. This shows me how irresponsible, have no common sense and childish they are. How sad that our country is going through this because Republicans are selfish. greedy, inconsiderate @!$%#s.

Hey Lawrence: Get the stepford wife off the air. She's useless to the discussion.

 Mr O I am truly curious as to why you brought Marcia, Marcia Marcia onto your show tonight? She is rude inconsiderate evasive. She confabulates and has not a clue as to when to shut up. Her behaviour was horrible, her answers at best inaccurate and again her inability to respond was most evident when she went on a tirade to filibuster your other guest who deserves an apology to my way of thinking.

This is the oath of office the Representatives and Senators swear to:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of office on which I am about to enter; so help me God."

Now am I missing something? Doesn't "purpose of evasion" sound like maybe signing Norquist's tax pledge would be an "evasion of purpose"? Wouldn't signing such a pledge preclude the fact that you are going to "bear true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution? Am I way off base to think that the Congress people who signed this pledge, to the tune of 236 Representatives and 41 Senators, are in violation of the oath of office that they took? Is that an impeachable offense? And why would these pledges even be legal?

Am I the only person who would love to hear the speech Norquist gives the congress person before they sign?

Any comments out there in cyberland?