Thursday, November 29, 2012

'Fiscal cliff' - time for Obama to lead - SFGate

'Fiscal cliff' - time for Obama to lead - SFGate 

Both sides must act. Good read.

Bring $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade Mr. Obama.
The GOP will meet with pre-Bush era tax revenue for the 2%.

GET 'ER DONE.
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgENcVo5
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgENcVo5
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgENcVo5
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgENcVo5

'Fiscal cliff' - time for Obama to lead

Published 6:50 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012
  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28:  (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff.  (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF
    WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF

With the nation's economy just a month away from the "fiscal cliff," the impasse between the White House and Congress appears to be hardening. President Obama, and now Republicans, have gone into campaign mode - the distressingly wrong direction for a nation that needs its leaders to start making tough choices on difficult issues.
Mr. President: The campaign is over. You were elected to lead. It's time for you to do so.
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgEG4ou5

It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgENcVo5

'Fiscal cliff' - time for Obama to lead

Published 6:50 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012
  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28:  (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff.  (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF
    WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF

With the nation's economy just a month away from the "fiscal cliff," the impasse between the White House and Congress appears to be hardening. President Obama, and now Republicans, have gone into campaign mode - the distressingly wrong direction for a nation that needs its leaders to start making tough choices on difficult issues.
Mr. President: The campaign is over. You were elected to lead. It's time for you to do so.
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgEG4ou5

'Fiscal cliff' - time for Obama to lead

Published 6:50 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012
  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28:  (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff.  (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF
    WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 28: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. The president met yesterday with small business owners and today with the chief executives of major corporations in ongoing talks about the looming fiscal cliff. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick-Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool, Getty Images / SF

With the nation's economy just a month away from the "fiscal cliff," the impasse between the White House and Congress appears to be hardening. President Obama, and now Republicans, have gone into campaign mode - the distressingly wrong direction for a nation that needs its leaders to start making tough choices on difficult issues.
Mr. President: The campaign is over. You were elected to lead. It's time for you to do so.
It's easy to blame both sides equally for the stalemate, because neither has offered much in specifics on what it would do on spending. The Republicans who are refusing to consider any increase in tax rates are clearly an obstruction, but their ranks could thin quickly if the White House put forth a credible package of spending cuts as an alternative to the robotic machete that would slash programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years if Congress fails to act. Several prominent Republicans already have signaled their willingness to break their no-tax pledges as part of a deal that includes meaningful cuts.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Fiscal-cliff-time-for-Obama-to-lead-4078904.php#ixzz2DgEG4ou5

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Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012

Sunset, Venice 12/20/2012
I've been thinking some about the Winter Solstice, the Mayan end of the 30,000-year-cycle on 12/21/12.

What if in fact the world did end? Even though this probably will not happen, to live consciously it is honest for us to take a bit of an inventory.

Am I happy with how I've lived my life? (Yesterday, I thought mostly yes, with some areas for improvement, as below.) Are there changes I would make?
Would I have tried to forgive those that were hostile or disappointing to me?
Would I spend more time with those I loved the most, telling them that, feeling that more?
Would I be happier, grateful for what I have, what I've experienced, the joy, the beauty in this world?

Maybe the answer is yes to all of the above.
So this time can serve as a point of rebirth for all of us. If we think about it.

Because somewhere along the line I realized I think maybe mankind deserves it. !
The way we are killing each other, killing the planet.
How selfish we are, and snotty to those around us. Petty, competitive. Why is this? Do we have to behave this way? (I say no, it greatly detracts and misdirects energy from the full-time celebration in which we could engage, the great multi-cultural, multi-rhythmic dance we can sustain here.)

Maybe God or the Great Universe is fed up, and will pull the rug out from under us.
Don't think I can say we could blame Him/Her/It.

But it probably won't happen. (Probably not! This time.)

Still we are finite on this ride.

It is a time to think, am I happy with how I've lived my life?
Hopefully most of us can say yes.

For the part of us that have a little worry, a little sadness....
This is the time to be present.
This is the time to be the person you want to be, that can die at peace, that can hope to every day be able to look yourself and the Universe in the eye and say, how beautiful, smiling, and thank you. Let's do that.

Antidotes to Violence, a.k.a., Take Charge of Where Your Head's At - here

Tell Congress to Strengthen Gun Control Laws NOW - here

Good News & Brain Food News -
Christians & Muslims Gather, for Peace here
Good News - Top RIO+20 Summit Posts here
The 'Busy' Trap - NYTimes.com
here