Why is there no line item veto for the president, and why hasn't that been a proposition? It would completely dismantle partisan bickering. I mean sure it wouldn't be good for the media industry, but if you think about it, it would SOLVE every problem we have with congress. If anything it would be nearly impossible for them to not get along, they would have to in order to get what they wanted. Its like this debt debate, anything republicans loaded up into the bill would have been irrelevant, the bill would have landed on the presidents desk and he could have passed the debt ceiling portion, and vetoed the rest if he didn't like it. People may say its to much power, but its really only as much power as congress grants the president by passing certain bills.

I've always had a lot of respect for Mr. Simpson because he is very plain spoken, you never have to wonder what he said, but my respect for the guy went up 100% after what he said today. I wish some of his Republican friends would listen too him.

I just can not fathom why any elected official has to sign a pledge with Satan who elected this brain They do not have to worry about being defeated in the next election This Congress has been such a disgrace using racial slurs and then saying that they did not know it was one Going on their many vacations and leaving more people in turmoil over how they are going to live,dragging on and on one subject at a time so they do not have to do the hard work Longterm Unemployment Discrimination,the FAA and more people in turmoil,Maybe the problem is once they get into office they get all these perks how many vacations,the best healthcare,etc All this needs to be adressed they no longer live in the real world and quite frankly I am sick and tired of the main goal is to make the President a one term President of which I hope blows up in their face I hope all of my sacrifices and anxiety pays off in the end We Americans need to UNITE and do not be FOOLED by these insensitive selfish people who were sent to Washington to represent us not Grover Norquist If you vote Republican or Tea Party you just signed your soul over to the DEVIL He should not speak over the constituents of these Republicans Right now we need leaders not followers If we keep going down this road we will be in oblivion

I agree with Simpson on everything he said especially about Norquist. I have wondered how he is allowed to have such power over the oath the Republicans took when taking office. The only thing the thugs have in mind is bring down this country and all the people who do not toe the line with their beliefs. Peel Norguist back and find the dirt underneath and I am betting we find plenty then be a little more careful who you vote into office to make decisions for you and the rest of us and put this country at risk all for power and money. I am so dreading all the dirty and nasty ads running in the next up coming election that will seem like it will go on forever. Please do not fall for all the shiny ads that will blanket all us. Help get people to the polling place.

Why do we have to raise revenue to cover increasing healthcare costs? I thought Obamacare solved that problem. Perhaps not.

A few reasons Canada is doing much better than the United States:

The United States has long prided itself as being a global superpower, and consequently, celebrating all that comes with that title. Which is namely, being able to claim you’re the best at most things.

But it looks like Canada can now confidently say it is finally better than the U.S. in one area (besides winning gold medal Olympic hockey games): economic management.

On Monday, the LA Times ran a piece on why Canada’s economy is defying the nearly ubiquitous trends of economic malaise afflicting the developed world. And it explains why the U.S. is still struggling to recover from the global recession while Canada has almost shrugged off its effects.

“We did a lot of things right going into the financial crisis,” Glen Hodgson, senior vice president at the Conference Board of Canada, told the Times.

It all started in the 1990s, when Canada could have easily been a contemporary member of Europe’s “PIIGS” — an acronym referring to Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain, countries with bloated debts and sputtering economies. Canada too had a massive debt load in the early ‘90s. It also faced credit rating cuts across the board, and saw borrowing costs spike as a result.

But Canada responded with deep spending cuts to fix what many economists saw as a ticking economic time bomb. The federal government introduced harsh austerity measures that every Canadian felt — social programs were gutted, civil service pay was cut — as Canada attempted to decrease its massive 70% debt-to-GDP ratio.

In the end, after slowed growth and thousands of lost jobs, it worked. By 2008, Canada went into the global recession with a debt-to-GDP ration of just under 20%.

That meant Canada was better prepared than the rest of the developed world to face the effects of the recession. This year, for example, the country’s fiscal deficit is forecasted be $33 billion, well below the 3%-of-GDP threshold that economists consider manageable. Compare that to the U.S.’s 9.2%.

But that’s not the only thing Canada has done better than the U.S. The Times for instance points out that Canada’s banks were heralded as beacons of stability after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the start of the credit crisis in 2008. Banks here are relatively conservative compared to their American counterparts — exposure to sub-prime loans was low and home equity lines, which contributed to the credit crisis in the U.S., are recent offerings in Canada.

Another interesting facet of Canada’s economic success is attributed to the handling of immigration. The Times says that while Canada admits 60% of its immigrants as “economic immigrants” — that is skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors — only one in seven such immigrants to the U.S. match that criteria.

And that might not change anytime soon. Because illegal immigration is such a dominating topic in the U.S., making changes to the country’s immigration system tend to take a back seat in policy discussion. That means Washington will likely continue to emphasize bringing in family members of current immigrants over targeting highly-skilled workers. Which is simply counter-intuitive, since such people are so crucial to today’s knowledge-based economy.

So will the U.S. wake up and adopt Canada’s best practices? Although all of the above issues have been discussed (and extensively debated) in Congress, it seems unlikely. The immigration issue doesn’t look like it will be tackled anytime soon, considering Arizona’s new immigrant law has pushed illegal immigration to the forefront now more than ever before. Meanwhile, austerity measures haven’t gained much traction in the U.S., and banking reform faces significant opposition in Congress.

Whatever the U.S. ends up doing, one thing is for certain: when it comes to economic management, Canada reigns supreme. And that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

If you look at what is working instead of listening to these talking heads misleading you with an agenda that is contrary to your future security as a free American, you may see the light. Otherwise, sheep is what sheep does. Just trying to save us all. We need intelligent research to protect us from deceit. We're on the path going down the road to the slaughter house, if we don't accept the fact we can't continue to spend more than we make. Anyone with any common sense should be able to figure that out. Sorry folks, but the rich are already paying a pretty fair share of the taxes paid in this country, like 37%.

The latest data show that a big portion of the federal income tax burden is shoul­dered by a small group of the very richest Americans. The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 per­cent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent—those below the median income level—now earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes. These are proportions of the income tax alone and don’t include payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare.

Now what is fair share. It sounds like you want everything for free. I've found the people that are complaining the most in this country don't pay any taxes at all. In fact, they often get a nice check each year for not working, even when there were plenty of jobs. Get some brains.

Alan Simpson: Please run again in Wyoming!

The FBI should have the 240 plus members of Congress and Grover Norquist investigated for violating the Racketeering, Influence and Corruption of Organizations federal statute known as RICO. Usually when one reads this, their head snaps back in righteous indignation, as their first reaction is that certainly these stellar members of society would not violate federal law. They would argue their relationship with Norquist and the non-binding pledge is no more than a public proclamation of their principles. Consider a few facts and the rudimentary logic I have applied to this theory.

1. A member of Congress has a responsibility and commitment to the Congressional body that does not allow a surrogate to cast a vote for an elected member, if he or she is unable to cast the vote. Occasionally this unique authority to cast a vote and serve the constituents who he/she represents is so solemn that members have been wheeled into the chambers to cast important votes. Te Kennedy, Robert Byrd, and Strom Thurmond come to mind as examples of those of infirm members showing up for such votes, in wheel chairs or using other types of aids to help their mobility. Casting a vote is fundamental tenet of our Democracy.

2. With that sacred power of voting is an expectation that elected members sent to Congress are not encumbered or beholden to anything other than their duties under the United States Constitution. While Alan Simpson was outraged by the apparent control that Grover Norquist has over members of Congress that signed his organization's pledge of "never voting to raise taxes under any circumstances." I believe that pledge illegally controls the outcome of certain duties members of Congress have sworn to do without a priori conditions or encumbrances, similar to the pledge and its consequences.

3. Briefly, I have heard Grover Norquist , during interviews on television, threaten members of Congress who consider performing their duties without regard for the pledge. While people will argue that it is anon-binding pledge, he warns members that should they violate the pledge, he and his organization will do anything and everything to have that member fired. Given that his organization has some responsibility for getting Feingold, Wisconsin, Bennett, Utah, and others fired, I would argue that his organization is no different than any other that uses threats, intimidation or fear, to ensure a certain behavior. Basically, his conduct is no different than a group of thugs insisting that a person pay the group $100./week to ensure his or her safety. This offer would not be in a binding agreement. However, when one person refuses to pay on "principle," insufficient money for that service, or any other reason, there may be unspoken and unspecified consequences. For example, only being able to pay $95. during week 57 and surprisingly show up at work one day missing a hand.

4. I understand many may laugh off at first consideration of such a preposterous idea. However, I would be interested in hearing the logic of why Grover Norquist's unified and financially supported threat against Congressional members is any different than paying the thugs $100,/week. I think this is one of the simpler accusations a person could suggest to the American people as a possibility based on the simplest logic available.

Thank you for receiving my thoughts.

Hi Lawrence,

Great interview with Alan Simpson. After watching your interview, it made me realized, in all recent crisis, where are the President's MEN? Where is POTUS's Cabinet Members, Why are they not making those types of inquiries referenced by Alan Simpson, in regard to Grover? And the last thing I like to learn from your show is, why hasn't the President's MEN been defending The POTUS's public image, and clarifying the 'crisis' to the American public or the World? I can't even remember who are the President's men... And doesn't The Office of The President have a duty during and after a 'crisis' to explain from the Oval Office, of the 'crisis' which occur? ....

The thing that I worry about is simple. I remember the '60's, and have no desire to live through riots, protests and assasinations again. That being said, one does have to wonder exactly how long some of the Republicans, Grover Norquist, and the Tea party set can continue to hold this country hostage before people who cannot afford these acts of terrorism strike back. Before anyone thinks or says "It cannot happen here", I am sure that Mubarak thought that same thought in Egypt, as well as K-daffy, and a few others. Sarah Palin and the Tea party set states that its time to take our country back, but, the country does not belong solely to them, and Grover Norquist does not have the right, or responsibility to control the country's system of revenue. Grover Norquist and the Tea party needs to be examined, thoroughly and closely before he and they destroy the country completely.

It seems to me that the Teapublicans and Grover Norquist are getting greedy. Just as any and everything else, there comes a point where you need to back off a bit, lest you get something you neither need nor want. Of course, when you get to that point, it is too late.

A while back when George Washington's Masonic Apron was 'found' in a Masonic Lodge in Shepherdstown, WV, news stories reported a revival of sorts of Masonry and members were encouraged to share Masonic principles hoping to attract new, younger members.

At that time prominent younger members were named; one being Eric Cantor of Virginia. So now seems like a good time to remind Representative Cantor that the core principle, the heart of Masonry, the Holiness in Its Midst is the Code of Service. This code of service is exemplified throughout Masonry worldwide by the health care it provides to those who can not afford it.

There may be some logical explanation, yet undetected, for Representative Cantor's seemingly turning away from this important code of service, which he is in a position to greatly manifest, toward the egosim of oaths and pledges to mammon.

Representative Cantor's true and real oaths are made to the ideal of America, as well as, the Fraternity of Brotherhood, Unity, Harmony and Light. We would like to see Representative Cantor demonstrate these principles of Leadership and turn away from further debasement of himself by his fascination with the 'shiny balls' of those with material wealth.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind Representative Cantor that, because of the hatred it evokes, no man can serve two masters.

We will continue down this road to establishing ourselves as a third world country as long as Fox News continues its education of the laziest of our population. Without intellectual curiosity and a modicum of knowledge, Fox will prevail. Thirty second soundbites, continual daily beating of the drum, day after day after day, - it's a PR machine, and in effect, a re-education machine. Backed up by all of its right-wing associations with Karl Rove and his organizations, Dick Armey and all of the Tea Party associations, it is a 24 hour assault on the brain, skewed and presented in such a way as to make it seem reasonable and plausible. It's frightening to me to realize just how intellectually lazy and easily led a great majority of our people are.

I love this man, Alan Simpson...he is exactly right. I think Obama needs to be more forthcoming with the people as to the true nature of these teabagger/repubs whose whis is only to bring down Obama and nothing more

Why does the debt level keep going up ? The government should stop giving money to other countrys when we need it here.The war was for a good cause but should be over now and our troops should be home with there familys.If there needs to be cut backs anywhere maybe our elected officals shouldnt be making 100's of thousands.Homeland security is a great concept but has anyone ran into some one from that department? They are rude as hell and treat hard working taxe payers like crap.And most importantly why is it when our government owes money they can take what ever time they want to send it out but when we owe them they are on us like locus?lets raise the debt cap so we can spend more money we dont have.I dont think that we need just a new president but a whole government.Maybe some people who care about the country and not how much money will line there pockets for dumb ideas.Face the fact that there will be a lot of decisions made that will upset people but it will have to be done to fix this mess.Sorry i was all over the place with this one.

I think the collapse of the DOW pretty much proves the point PROGRESSIVES where trying to make when Obama conceded CONSERVATIVES in both parties had a point in their debt ceiling negotiations. How about that 15th dimensional chess now? President Obama's answer is to listen to conservatives when this nation needs strong progressive medicine. I heard someone finally spoke up at his "Veil Pen" meeting but it is a little late for that, huh? THANKS FOR NOTHING FOURTH ESTATE you ENABLED this along with Obama's strange passivity, or "Yes We Can! (but I don't want to)" style of governing.

Norqusit is NOT KING Nor are GOP greedy lying Tea Baggers Tell your Republican reps NOW www.congress.gov

Obama / www.whitehouse.gov Demand End to all wars faster

NOT 2- 3 yrs MUST End ALL Bush tax cuts End corp loopholes- subsides

Remove the SS tax cap @ 107 K That will save trillions

Leave education- disabled, old and sick on medicaid alone !!

Pilotshark

Yes, handshakes. Vietnam 06/1968-02/1970. Never had the pleasure or priviledge of working with the 7th, though.

It is time that the Democrats grow a spine, and refuse to go along with these hairbrained schemes the Republicans, and their masters want. Remember what the Republicans and the Tea party has done and is doing to this country come next election.

It seems that those congresspersons who signed the Norquist pledge, and have followed its mandates, violated their oath of office which compells them to support the Constitution.

"2012" BAG THE T-PARTY.... WE WANT FUNCTION NOT DISFUNCTION. Any congressperson that has signed Norquists pledge, let's try to remember them come election time!!!!

Grover Norquist fancies himself as the conscience of the Republican party, but he is actually a shill for the super rich. He has a grudge against the universe based on the trauma caused when his mother named him “Grover”. He sells the idea that it is right and proper that the tax system should favour the rich, and the rich should have to pay no more tax than they feel like. As it is, the official federal income tax rate in the USA is 35% for people who earn more than $374,000. Because of all the loopholes, with a good accountant, the rich need pay no tax at all. Nobody pays the full 35%. With an especially good accountant the rich can get money back, a sort of negative income tax or a subsidy to reward them for existing. Corporations have similar loopholes. Fabulously profitable oil companies all get billions from the government every tax time. The rich and the corporations bribed/contributed to the right people to insert the necessary loopholes into law. The bottom line is the rich don’t pay their fair share of the tax pie. They are sponges — parasites. What really burns me up is when these deadbeats look down on working people. They are the leeches. And they use Grover Norquist to sell the idea that these loopholes should never be closed. Only the way Grover puts it is “no new taxes”. Since the deadbeat rich pay more tax when loopholes are closed, Grover figures he can pass that off as a “new tax” which nobody likes. He wants to fool the people into thinking he is trying to protect them from new taxes, yet he works to effectively raise them by advocating reducing benefits to the middle class. His prime directive is to ensure the rich can continue to sponge off everyone else. This is the same goal that Mitch McConnell and John Boehrner exhibited in the debt ceiling extortion. Norquist is a professional liar. He deserves none of the respect he is given.

I pledge allegiance to my leader and master Grover Norquist, and my promise to not raise taxes ever,  I will not cash my government check, nor use my subsidized health-insurance,  I will not ride on interstate highways, nor eat food and buy products that used interstate highways ,nor fly in planes inspected and organized by the FAA, nor use any fuel carried through a national pipeline system, we are many states divisible by 50 under no obligation to one another, I will follow blindly without any thought to whom I represent, the United States of America. 

To John in Texas-3114519

Maybe they have gotten a raise. Who do you think gave it to them. I mean there is a private room in the White House reserved for GE, isn't there?

SUMMARY OF FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DATA, 2010

Based on a previous 500+ survey study on Financial Samurai in 2009, about 80% of readers are in the Top 25%. Good to know that many of you are doing well. The table also tells us a number of things about equality or inequality, namely that the Top 1% of tax payers pay 38% of all income taxes. You can also see that the Top 50% of tax payers pay practically all of the nation’s taxes (97.30%), which once again shows that 40-45% of American income earners pay zero taxes.

For the life of me I can't divide 1,685,472 millions by 8,426,625 millions and come out with 34%. It comes out 20%. Your right it's not 19% of total income in this country earned by the top 1%. It's 20%, it appears, but not 34%.

Anyway:

Based on the Internal Revenue Service’s 2010 database below, here’s how much the top Americans make:

Top 1%: $380,354

Top 5%: $159,619

Top 10%: $113,799

Top 25%: $67,280

Top 50%: >$33,048

Of course the very rich that make much more than $380,354 pay much more taxes than the person making $380,454 does.

What about that bottom 40-45%? The top 50% pay 97.3% of the taxes paid in this country. Maybe there's something wrong with your calculator. Did you buy it a Democratic Convention? Oh, I don't need any sympathy. I'm in the top 50% and not rich by any means. I do work 5, 6 or even 7 days a week to better myself. I find the people that complain about this country the most usually are receiving a check from the government. In a lot of cases, they don't work at all. They didn't work when the job market was great during the Reagan, Clinton and Bush years, before the Senate was taken over by the Democrats in 2006 and Congress was taken over by the Democrats in 2007 and spending has doubled our national debt under there leadership. Obama inherited a economy from a president that was a lame duck for two years during his last term, but the spending started to go crazy in 2006 and 2007. You know the cash is alloted by Congress and not the president, at least back then. Of course the unemployment rate was 6%, during his term, not the 9% plus it is now and we all know it is really much higher in reality. Maybe you should study the entry I put in as to "Why Canada is doing much better that the USA". It states they are doing exactly opposite of what this leadership is doing. Try spending more than you make for awhile and see what happens. Don't be fooled by this deceitful talking heads. Get some brains.

Forgot to put this info in there if it works:

SUMMARY OF FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DATA, 2010