Clearly Obama is willing to work with the congress

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:21 pm

Obama: Republicans blocking middle-class tax cuts

Published - Dec 08 2012 06:07AM EST

MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures as he speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, to discuss the pending fiscal cliff. Boehner said there's been no progress in negotiations on how to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts and called on President Barack Obama to come up with a new offer. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Saturday that Republicans in the House are blocking a bill that would prevent a tax increase on the first $250,000 of income earned by all Americans.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has approved the measure, but Obama said House Republicans have "put forward an unbalanced plan that actually lowers rates for the wealthiest Americans." Obama supports a plan to raise taxes on families earning more than $250,000.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said "the math just doesn't work" on the GOP plan.

Obama's comments mark the fourth time since his re-election that he has used the radio address to push for middle-class tax cuts as part of a plan to avert a looming fiscal cliff — and his most sharply partisan tone.

Obama said his plan to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans should come as no surprise to Republicans or anyone else.

"After all, this was a central question in the election. A clear majority of Americans — Democrats, Republicans and independents — agreed with a balanced approach that asks something from everyone, but a little more from those who can most afford it," Obama said.

His plan is "the only way to put our economy on a sustainable path without asking even more from the middle class," Obama said. It also is the only plan he is willing to sign, the president said.

Obama's comments came as House Speaker John Boehner said Friday there has been no progress in negotiations to avert the "fiscal cliff," a combination of automatic tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect in January.

Boehner said the White House has wasted another week and has failed to respond to a GOP offer to raise tax revenues and cut spending. Obama and Boehner spoke privately by phone on Wednesday. Boehner described the conversation as pleasant, "but just more of the same."

Obama said in his address that he stands ready to work with Republicans on a plan that spurs economic growth, creates jobs and reduces the national deficit. He said he wants to find ways to bring down health care costs without hurting seniors and is willing to make more cuts in entitlement programs such as Medicare.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said in the Republican response Saturday that tax increases will not solve the nation's $16 trillion debt. Only economic growth and reform of entitlement programs will help control the debt, Rubio said.

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:37 pm

The only way we are going to see cuts in entitlement programs is not only to go over the fiscal cliff but to jump off the cliff. The only thing Obama has cut is military spending while we are war. Going over the cliff is the best thing that can happen – we would put more people back on the taxes rolls plus we would have an automatic 10% off all departments.

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:15 pm

I think with things the way they are. I would rather go over the cliff.

Kinda want to see what Obama trys to do with the increased taxes. I dont think He or congress will really use it to pay down anything.

Maybe as a down payment on more.