Conyers on Jobs: "We've Had It"; Lays Out Obama, Calls for Protest at White House

[alp227]

" we passed the first bill that allowed the government - in areas of high unemployment - to directly intervene and create jobs. Well, we've got the bill in here again and I've got nothing from the White House." - John Conyers

At a press conference held by members of the House Out of Poverty Caucus Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich), the second most senior member of the U.S. House, was pointed in his criticism of the White House regarding jobs and cuts to Social Security the President put on the table last week. "We've got to educate the American people at the same time we educate the President of the United States. The Republicans, Speaker Boehner or Majority Leader Cantor did not call for Social Security cuts in the budget deal. The President of the United States called for that," Conyers, who has served in the House since 1965, said. "My response to him is to mass thousands of people in front of the White House to protest this," Conyers said strongly.

Though the debt ceiling debate continues, many Democrats continue to say the real issue is jobs and unemployment. Yesterday, the PEW Research Center put out a study showing the wealth gap between whites, blacks and Hispanics is wider than at any time in history. Conyers focused on jobs and the White House throughout much of what he said.

"We want full employment as a matter of government policy," he said. "Which was passed in 1978 when I stood with Hubert Humphrey. We passed the first bill that allowed the government - in areas of high unemployment - to directly intervene and create jobs. Well, we've got the bill in here again and I've got nothing from the White House," Conyers told the audience. Several CBC members have called for targeted help for high unemployment in the black community.

full: http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=9381

[lbrtbell]

1. Here's the part that makes me ill

"We've got to educate the American people at the same time we educate the President of the United States. The Republicans, Speaker Boehner or Majority Leader Cantor did not call for Social Security cuts in the budget deal. The President of the United States called for that."

[Hydra]

3. Me too

It's astonishing that "Transcending party politics" supposedly translates into doing things that scare even Republicans.

[iwishiwas]

4. yes i know.

[snagglepuss]

6. How does Obama explain that?

[ClarkUSA]

7. Pres. Obama has explicitly come out against cutting Medicare & SS benefits but wants cuts to costs.

Read the text of his SOTU address where he outlines what he wants (i.e., cuts costs and eliminating fraud while not touching benefits).

[Dawgs]

11. What about raising the Medicare age to 67? In your mind, that doesn't count as a "CUT"?

:eyes:

[ClarkUSA]

16. When did President Obama ever say he wanted that? Quote?

[Dragonfli]

59. LoL I have seen you before...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqsd0WNl8u0&feature=mh_lolz&list=FLKXehyAT2wPA

[Dawgs]

63. Here's a quote from Carney

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/07/12/266334/white-house-confirms-obama-floated-idea-of-raising-medicare-age-the-single-worst-idea-for-medicare-reform/

REPORTER: In the spirit of rebutting this idea that it has all been smoke and mirrors, is the President willing to raise the retirement age for Medicare and Social Security?

CARNEY: A lot of the reporting about what has been under consideration has been accurate.

[SusanaMontana41]

58. Uh, anything that isn't explicitly C-U-T, apparently.

[Dawgs]

12. Deleted. Dupe.

[slay]

50. Same here

i don't think either party is trust-worthy - especially Obama.

[tblue]

2. Pres. Obama, please! LISTEN TO YOUR FREAKING BASE!!!!

WTH are you doing?!!!! What are you waiting for?!!!

[Hydra]

5. His billion dollars for re-election

I'm sure Goldman Sachs and a few others will provide that for him. Citizens United set the price for the Presidency.

[ClarkUSA]

9. What "billion dollars"? No one but MSM whores push that bullshit meme.

There's no way he'll raise that much by Nov. 2012.

As for Goldman Sachs, Romney beats Pres. Obama almost 2-1 on contributions from employees. What does that tell you?

[Hydra]

15. It cost $150 million to win the Presidency in 2008

You think it won't be easily be 10x that amount in play now that the restrictions are off?

[ClarkUSA]

17. No. And you have nothing to back you up your negative speculation.

[rms013]

51. a slight correction

You are off by $580,000,000.00. It cost, now President Obama a total of $730,000,000.00 to be elected president in 2008.

[ClarkUSA]

21. Um, a huge majority of Pres. Obama's base approve of his efforts.

It's amazing how many people think they know better than this President even though none of them have any executive branch experience. FYI, the President is standing firm against all GOP plans.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KeepItReal]

10. Which jobs initiatives did the GOP block?

More info please

[ClarkUSA]

18. President Obama's budget plan is the prime example. Read it.

[KeepItReal]

23. I see only $50 bil mentioned for infrastructure and some more support for SBA

Economists say instead of all this deficit reduction, the govt should be spending MORE on stimulative activity like infrastructure.

Those projects create jobs.

This makes more sense to me: the People's Budget http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70

[ClarkUSA]

24. "only"? That's a helluva lot better than the zero we're seeing now.

Nothing that makes "sense" to you or I will pass the Teabagger House.

[KeepItReal]

28. The house has only 60 members in the Tea Party Caucus

The President should use the bully pulpit to call out this minority and the ridiculous amount of leverage they are allowed to have in DC

The Progressive caucus has 83 members but get almost no visibility in the media or from our President

[ClarkUSA]

31. You're kidding, right? Do you really think their influence is restricted to that little caucus?

Why are you blaming the President? WTF doesn't Conyers and the Progressive Caucus get off their Democratic asses and get visibility in the media by themselves and attack Republicans?

FYI, the President has been using his bully pulpit but he can't do every goddamn thing. WTF is the responsibility of Pelosi and her lieutenants, much less the rest of the Democratic caucus to do their bit? No one is stopping them from grabbing a microphone on Capitol Hill. I'm tired of idiot media whores like Conyers looking to Daddy Obama to do everything they refuse to do for themselves.

When's the last time CONYERS said ANYTHING to attack the Teabaggers he serves with nearly every day of the week? Hmm?

[KeepItReal]

39. Wow. Guess I touched a nerve there.

The only answer to the media as a force multiplier for the minority Tea Party is the power and visibility of the Office of the Presidency.

The last guy in the WH got everything he wanted (except privatizing social security) by beating Dem and GOP congresses into submission. And yes he also had the media on his side, too.

[ClarkUSA]

40. No, it's some pretty basic questions. Which you haven't answered directly.

<< The last guy in the WH got everything he wanted (except privatizing social security) by beating Dem and GOP congresses into submission.>>

Apples and oranges. BushCo Republicans controlled the House until near the end of his second term in 2007 and rode off 9/11's coattails to increase GOP Congressional numbers in his first term's midterms.

President Obama, in the two years Pelosi was Majority Speaker, successfully passed more liberal legislation than any President since FDR.

I repeat:

Why are you blaming the President? WTF doesn't Conyers and the Progressive Caucus get off their Democratic asses and get visibility in the media by themselves and attack Republicans?

FYI, the President has been using his bully pulpit but he can't do every goddamn thing. I'm tired of idiot media whores like Conyers looking to Daddy Obama to do everything they refuse to do for themselves. When's the last time CONYERS said ANYTHING to attack the Teabaggers he serves with nearly every day of the week? Hmm?

[KeepItReal]

45. Nice try at redirection. My coversation with you is about Obama not Conyers.

You can work the Conyers angle in your other threads.

You wanna talk about Obama, his agenda and/or his being stymied by the Tea Party types, then holla back.

[rms013]

52. Are you sure?

If it isn't reported, it mustn't exist. We only hear what they (corporate media owners) want us to hear.
Kinda like Monsanto and the Bovine Growth Hormone danger in milk. Seems the story was never aired. It didn't suit the interests of the sponsors/owners. Or in comparison to the racist Pat Buchanan, how many times has Noam Chomsky been on the Sunday Political Shows?

[kelly1mm]

43. You mean his budget that got zero votes for it in the Senate? Not even 1 Democrat voted for it. nt

[Dawgs]

14. "The man is an idiot"

Okay. It's time.

Slowly step away from the kool-aid.

[ClarkUSA]

19. He is, indeed. It explains why he doesn't get that it's the Teabagger House that's the problem.

[tomp]

61. the teabagger house is obama's fault....

.....for being a suck ass president for the first half of his term. he can't use something he is responsible for as an excuse.

[pauldg0]

48. Amen....

...and a last minute narcissist too!!!

[Doctor_J]

64. What a dumb post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-conyers/republican-budget-bill-de_b_828490.html

http://democrats.judiciary.house.gov/press-release/conyers-republicans-continue-push-divisive-social-agenda-has-nothing-do-jobs

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x389857

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1393850

http://www.blog.warcraft-chaos.com/news/rep-john-conyers-republican-budget-bill-destroys-jobs-and-puts-americans-at-grave-risk-why-are-those-with-the-least-expected-to-give-up-the-most/

Conyers blasts Repukes more than any other Congressman. So your premise, that he only blames the president, is preposterous.

[Jefferson23]

13. Again, who the hell would think, similar to the recent statements by Bernie Sanders

that these two would feel compelled to say such things two years ago?

Listen up Obama.

[ClarkUSA]

20. So what? Bernie Sanders also endorsed Mitch McConnell's crappy budget plan.

President Obama was smart enough not to, because he's not interested in a short-term fix, where we'll face default AGAIN in six months. McConnell's plan also calls for the formation of a Catfood Commission on steroids. Obviously, Sanders is not an oracle of wisdom.

[Jefferson23]

22. You are well aware the ONLY part of that endorsement was specific

to "debt ceiling now and debate what to do about deficits during the 2012 campaign. "Let's take the case to the American people," Sanders told radio host Ed Schultz."

Yea, Sanders is a know nothing because he challenges Obama, and now so does Conyers, and that is in response to "So what?"


The longer Obama presents poor policies, the more you will see reactions like Bernie's and now Conyers, many may stay silent but not all.

You will need to come up with more than calling them idiots to reconcile the fact that these two do not possess ill will
for Obama and their unprecedented statements of late will not be forgotten.

[ClarkUSA]

25. Wrong. He endorsed passing McConell's entire plan with zero caveats.

President Obama isn't that stupid.

[Jefferson23]

26. You are completely wrong , Sanders words are specific whether

you like it or not regarding Mitchell.

July 26, 2011
Joseph Wyatt: Sanders’ proposal saves

In an odd turn from last year's breathless efforts to save grandma from death panels, Republicans in the Congress nudge her ever closer to the poorhouse by insisting on an end to her Medicare benefits.

Such hypocrisy aside, it is important to ask whether hidden in the rafters there are ways to attack the budget deficit and the accumulated national debt without cutting the Big Three of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Indeed, such remedies exist, if only we chloroform the notion, one that seems super-glued to conservatives, that we help the middle class by giving more money to the rich.

Like virtually all her GOP colleagues, Rep. Capito (R-W.Va.) continues to purvey trickle-down foolishness, evidently preferring an airy theory that renders her cozy to the wealthy to the evidence before her own eyes. Did the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts create jobs? Yes, they did, Rep. Capito, but the ones in India don't count.

According to firebrand U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is neither Democrat nor Republican but rather is an Independent from Vermont, without threatening Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security, we could cut the national debt by more than a third in the next ten years by over $5 trillion. That is more than any recent proposal to emerge from the U.S. Capitol's marble maze of machinations by Dems or Republicans.

But Sanders' proposal assumes that we eliminate numerous tax gifts to the wealthy. Sanders' plan preserves Medicare. No Paul Ryan vouchers. No requirement that grandma shop private companies for insurance. No additional $6,000 per year cost to granny either, as the Ryan plan would have required.

Sanders' plan would lop $1 trillion from the $14.5 trillion national debt by eliminating offshore tax shelters. Farewell Cayman Island PO box. Another $1.1 trillion would be cut from our debt with a 5.4 percent surtax on millionaires and billionaires, coupled with an end to the Bush-era tax breaks to the top 2 percent of Americans.

Closure of tax code loopholes that reward companies that move manufacturing jobs overseas, and a currency manipulation fee on China and other low wage countries would chop another $1.1 trillion from our debt.

In an odd turn from last year's breathless efforts to save grandma from death panels, Republicans in the Congress nudge her ever closer to the poorhouse by insisting on an end to her Medicare benefits.

Such hypocrisy aside, it is important to ask whether hidden in the rafters there are ways to attack the budget deficit and the accumulated national debt without cutting the Big Three of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Indeed, such remedies exist, if only we chloroform the notion, one that seems super-glued to conservatives, that we help the middle class by giving more money to the rich.

Like virtually all her GOP colleagues, Rep. Capito (R-W.Va.) continues to purvey trickle-down foolishness, evidently preferring an airy theory that renders her cozy to the wealthy to the evidence before her own eyes. Did the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts create jobs? Yes, they did, Rep. Capito, but the ones in India don't count.

According to firebrand U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is neither Democrat nor Republican but rather is an Independent from Vermont, without threatening Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security, we could cut the national debt by more than a third in the next ten years by over $5 trillion. That is more than any recent proposal to emerge from the U.S. Capitol's marble maze of machinations by Dems or Republicans.

But Sanders' proposal assumes that we eliminate numerous tax gifts to the wealthy. Sanders' plan preserves Medicare. No Paul Ryan vouchers. No requirement that grandma shop private companies for insurance. No additional $6,000 per year cost to granny either, as the Ryan plan would have required.

Sanders' plan would lop $1 trillion from the $14.5 trillion national debt by eliminating offshore tax shelters. Farewell Cayman Island PO box. Another $1.1 trillion would be cut from our debt with a 5.4 percent surtax on millionaires and billionaires, coupled with an end to the Bush-era tax breaks to the top 2 percent of Americans.

Closure of tax code loopholes that reward companies that move manufacturing jobs overseas, and a currency manipulation fee on China and other low wage countries would chop another $1.1 trillion from our debt.

Next, instead of the present 15 percent tax paid by those who don't work for the cash but who make fortunes from capital gains and dividends on investments, we would tax such income at the same rate as we tax the pay of people who make their money by working for it. That, plus an end to the tax breaks and subsidies to big oil and gas companies, and a progressive tax on inherited wealth of the multi-million variety, would save almost $1 trillion more.

Extension of Medicare to all Americans would actually save money. That, plus a repeal of the Bush-engineered law that makes it illegal for the Medicare agency to dicker lower drug prices for seniors, would save another quarter trillion. Finally, reigning in our escalating military budget, which has almost tripled since 1997, could save close to a trillion. An end to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would comprise a large part of those savings.

That's it. More than $5 trillion lopped off our $14.5 national debt in ten years. More savings than any plan lately put forth by either party.

Wyatt, a professor at Marshall University, is a Gazette contributing columnist.



http://wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/201107260821

[ClarkUSA]

29. Bullshit. Prove it. Sanders fully endorsed Mitch McConnell's crappy plan without caveats.

There is not a single quote by Sanders expressing any misgivings about the Catfood Commission II on steroids.

[Jefferson23]

32. You can't read your own posts you made on the subject in another thread?

Because Bernie's words can't be clearly understood, because he would draft his own proposal
which counters Mitchell's and then abandon ALL of it to embrace Mitchell's? LOL

I think most people can figure it out, good luck to you.

[ClarkUSA]

33. WTF are you talking about? You have no quote to back up your claims, I see.

Sanders was an idiot to endorse McConnell's crappy plan and nothing you conflate can take that stain away from St. Bernie.

[Jefferson23]

35. You need a quote or demand a quote to comprehend his intention?

Because Bernie is a sell out to Mitchell, he has a reputation for this behavior..sure thing.

Think about what that means, but good luck regardless, because I think you actually do get the meaning, completely.




..."debt ceiling now and debate what to do about deficits during the 2012 campaign. "Let's take the case to the American people,"

[ClarkUSA]

38. Yes. Because your claim is completely conflated to rationalize Sanders' endorsement of a crap plan.

[Jefferson23]

47. Still sticking to this nonsense I see. Your very own thread which

speaks to the excerpt you used has a link to the radio interview with Sanders and Ed.

I strongly suggest you listen to it.

I Agree with Mitch McConnell' As an Aug. 2 deadline neared, Sanders stressed the importance of raising the debt ceiling so the United States can continue to pay its bills and avoid default for the first time in history. In a phrase he probably never uttered before, Sanders embraced a proposal by the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to raise the debt ceiling now and debate what to do about deficits during the 2012 campaign. "Let's take the case to the American people," Sanders told radio host Ed Schultz. Listen to Thursday's interview.

http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=BC108D81-AB34-47C7-973F-E49F9BA0AC7E


You'll find that Sanders goes on at length about what is involved and what he agreed with. As I said, you are incorrect on just
about every level with your assertions about Bernie.

** We need to take Mitch McConnell up on his offer, McConnell said, let's take this issue to the American people, I agree with him.

[Jefferson23]

54. You should listen and or read what you post threads about before

you claim to understand the content.

Bernie Sanders

The radio interview: ....” a), we need to make sure this country does not default in as clean as way as possible, because
that would be a disaster for the country. Secondly, in my view, we need to take Mitch McConnell
up on his words. McConnell said, ya know lets take this issue to the American people. Let's debate
the issue. I agree with McConnell. What McConnell wants to do, what the Gang of Six wants to do
is make massive cuts in SS and lets be very clear what is in the Gang of Six plan. Ed if your 65 of years
of age..." ( and he goes on from there to explain their cuts, and the tax rates for the wealthy THEY want, reduced
to as low as 23% and bashes it....no endorsement...NONE.

He said the debate should go to the American people and they will be with us, meaning not a Republican plan.



http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=BC108D81-AB34-47C7-973F-E49F9BA0AC7E

then go to link marked, Listen to Thursday's Interview.

[NorthCarolina]

55. ..

[Hawkowl]

30. Conyers needs to grow up

He also needs to stop whining. Maybe he's fucking retarded and on drugs? The adult in the room is going serve him up some whirled peas. :sarcasm:

Obama appears to be hell bent on political suicide. Or he is just delusional.

[ClarkUSA]

34. Funny... general political AND public opinion of Pres. Obama's efforts is the opposite of yours.

It's Republicans were are "hell bent on political suicide." Even John McCain sees that.

Anyone who doesn't see that and can read poll results is "delusional."

[pauldg0]

42. He's ....

A narcissistic ASS......

. He's unapproachable.
. The press is uneasy around him.
. He never returns calls or even write responses to letters.
. He keeps a low profile.
. He's like an old doctor out playing golf and hardly in his office.
. I voted for him and regret it.
. He should just shut up!

[OwnedByFerrets]

62. Its that damned Washington bubble. Only a few can see outside it.

[xchrom]

36. recommend

[pauldg0]

37. Hey everyone.....

...I've written many letters to his office with no response. I am one of his constituents and I voted for him. My letters were good letters urging him to check into price gouging in the oil industry. They were professional with no profanity. I deserved a response !!

Folks, this man needs to clean-up his own house before criticizing Obama !!!

[bvar22]

41. Conyers has a great track record for Standing with The People.

Obama?... not so much.

I'll stand with Conyers on this,
because After the Fact will be too fucking late.



Who will STAND and FIGHT for THIS American Majority?
Conyers will!


Blue Link

[pauldg0]

44. Arghhh...

....you don't know what your talking about.....

. Ever hear of Monica Conyers, his wife.....
. Do some research pal.... He's got a table full already.
. he needs to retire and stfu!!

[pauldg0]

46. He comes out of his closet now?

...I have hardly heard one influential peep out of this guy in months.

He finally says something when were on near economic disaster. What a man!!!

[blkmusclmachine]

49. Last 2 1/2 years has been a monumental fuckup. So much has "gone wrong," that it seems intentional.

n/t

[rms013]

53. Occam's Razor

although an inaccurate translation it is most commonly used: "the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one".

[MadMaddie]

56. Hey I got an idea, Since the Republicans run the House and they

ran on creating jobs, why don't we blame them for not putting forth jobs bills? What....What's that you say...The President creates legislation...well....um....no....The House creates a bill pass/rejects it and then if it passes it goes to the Senate...pass/reject and then to.....the President.

Democrats have introduced bills and Boehner wouldn't let them get to the floor to debate.

We lost the House because people didn't vote and this is the result.

[emilyg]

57. k

[Lorien]

60. BOOM! There it is Obama fans: THE GOP DIDN'T CALL FOR THE CUTS TO SOCIAL

PROGRAMS, OBAMA DID! How much more evidence do you need to finally realize that Obama is a CONSERVATIVE!??