Occupy Pittsburgh is pretty big. (college, gated, tax credit)

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I think both parties are equally showing themselves terrible at leading.

One party proposes legitimate compromises (in fact very favorable compromises for the other side). The other party refuses to compromise. Hence, we get nothing--no meaningful cuts and no tax increases (although as a sidenote, if they truly do nothing, under current law we will get both, which isn't a bad scenario).

So it really isn't an equal situation. And it is only enabling those blocking compromise to insist their behavior should be blamed on both parties equally.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Hence, we get nothing--no meaningful cuts and no tax increases (although as a sidenote, if they truly do nothing, under current law we will get both, which isn't a bad scenario).

Brian, I thought the automatic austerity measures did not include tax increases. Are you referring to the expiration of the payroll tax holiday, which will happen this December?

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by ML North

Brian, I thought the automatic austerity measures did not include tax increases. Are you referring to the expiration of the payroll tax holiday, which will happen this December?

Yes, but I think he's referring to the Bush-era tax cuts that are still set to sunset in 2013 (i think)? There are many of those tax cuts that effect the middle class that Democrats are attempting to extend, but so far no luck. The GOP wants to make all of them permanent, but if Congress does nothing at all, between the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts and reversion of the tax rates, the deficit situation gets much better, although it's far from an ideal way to get there, economically more than politically.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by Lobick

Yes, but I think he's referring to the Bush-era tax cuts that are still set to sunset in 2013 (i think)? There are many of those tax cuts that effect the middle class that Democrats are attempting to extend, but so far no luck. The GOP wants to make all of them permanent, but if Congress does nothing at all, between the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts and reversion of the tax rates, the deficit situation gets much better, although it's far from an ideal way to get there, economically more than politically.

Ah, yes. I was listening to a related story on the radio this morning, too.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ML North

Brian, I thought the automatic austerity measures did not include tax increases. Are you referring to the expiration of the payroll tax holiday, which will happen this December?

Yep, I was actually referring to the expiration of the Bush tax cuts (I'd prefer the payroll tax holiday be extended).

[Sealtite]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I was just running through the city and was surprised how big "Occupy Pittsburgh" is. Tents are crowded together all over the place. I don't think it is gaining steam or anything like that, but I was surprised they are still there. Kind of an odd thing considering how great we all have it.

It just goes to show you that in every major city in the country there's a fresh supply of dreadlocked stoner 20-somethings willing to protest just about anything at a moment's notice. "Occupy San Diego" is pretty big too, and the crowds look the same. Filthy hippies who haven't bathed in weeks, sitting around smoking pot. The guys are in-the-flesh incantations of Shaggy from Scooby-doo, and the chicks are all nasty and nappy with hairy legs. Not a one of them can actually describe just what exactly they're "occupying", aside from obviously occupying a sidewalk or grassy park area or whatever. It just goes to show you that hippies are so eager to be in an uproar and protest something, that they no longer need a definitive "thing" to actually protest. Being pissed off about capitalism seems to be sufficient reason for them to lay in the street for months, smoke dope, and have the media cover the whole damn thing.

Must be nice to be able to hang out, play the guitar, smoke weed, and party for months on end in a park free of charge. I must be a total sucker for working my ass off everyday. Shame on me.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by Sealtite

It just goes to show you that in every major city in the country there's a fresh supply of dreadlocked stoner 20-somethings willing to protest just about anything at a moment's notice. "Occupy San Diego" is pretty big too, and the crowds look the same. Filthy hippies who haven't bathed in weeks, sitting around smoking pot. The guys are in-the-flesh incantations of Shaggy from Scooby-doo, and the chicks are all nasty and nappy with hairy legs. Not a one of them can actually describe just what exactly they're "occupying", aside from obviously occupying a sidewalk or grassy park area or whatever. It just goes to show you that hippies are so eager to be in an uproar and protest something, that they no longer need a definitive "thing" to actually protest. Being pissed off about capitalism seems to be sufficient reason for them to lay in the street for months, smoke dope, and have the media cover the whole damn thing.

Must be nice to be able to hang out, play the guitar, smoke weed, and party for months on end in a park free of charge. I must be a total sucker for working my ass off everyday. Shame on me.

Are you consciously trying to come across as a stereotypical square from a 1960s movie for comedic value or does this absurd humor come unintentionally?

[tread102]

For all those clamoring for tax increases you do realize that the federal government is spending over 3 trillion dollars a year. There is so much waste in the budget its not even funny. taxes don't need to be raised. They just need to spend less, and have people start relying on themselves instead of the government. Over 45 percent of the population receives some sort of government benefit. That's way too high. You want to talk about the top one percent fine. talk about the people in the middle milking the system that shouldn't be!

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by tread102

For all those clamoring for tax increases you do realize that the federal government is spending over 3 trillion dollars a year. There is so much waste in the budget its not even funny. taxes don't need to be raised. They just need to spend less, and have people start relying on themselves instead of the government. Over 45 percent of the population receives some sort of government benefit. That's way too high. You want to talk about the top one percent fine. talk about the people in the middle milking the system that shouldn't be!

I agree with this post, except for the bold part. There are no "people in the middle" milking the system. The middle class is the only economic group that is still doing any meaningful work in this country. It's the people on either extreme of the scale that are screwing the honest workers in the middle class.

The 1% have the most blame because they have all of the money and power and therefore the responsibility to not screw over people that don't have as much of those things. Instead, they have gradually taken more and more away from the middle class through every way imaginable and have transferred more and more power away from the people in government.

Until someone important and powerful has the balls to stand up to these people, things will only get worse in the long run.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by airwave09

The 1% have the most blame because they have all of the money and power and therefore the responsibility to not screw over people that don't have as much of those things. Instead, they have gradually taken more and more away from the middle class through every way imaginable and have transferred more and more power away from the people in government.

I like where this is going. Continue.