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Thom's blog
If they can't work this out, what will happen on May 15 when we hit our debt ceiling?
 A government shutdown at the end of the week looks all but certain now. Yesterday – a meeting between Speaker of the House John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid failed to produce a budget deal. Due to procedural rules in Congress – a deal needed to be reached by last night to allow for a vote before Friday when the government runs out of money.
A new number floating around is $40 billion in cuts – that’s higher than Democrats have been willing to go in previous negotiations – and a possible point of compromise for both parties – though it is still well below the mark that Tea Party Republicans have been calling for. House Republicans have posted a clock on their website counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the government shuts down. Senate Democrats are trying to pass legislation that would cut off the paychecks to Members of Congress and the President if indeed the government does shut down.
Unless a deal can be reached – and be reached very soon – then expect that come Friday night – most bureaucratic services in the federal government to grind to halt. That includes passport approvals, tax returns, new Medicare claims, new Social Security claims, also public parks and museums will be closed, and even trash collection in Washington, DC will cease.
Why are tax increases not on the table?
If they can't work this out, what will happen on May 15 when we hit our debt ceiling and are looking at an actual default?
-Thom
(What do you think will happen? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 9pm and 11pm... Who won't get paid if Government shuts down? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Need to Know: Who won't get paid if Government shuts down? With Ben Armbruster, Reporter/Blogger-Think Progress.org.
Budget buster... How much did you pay for the war this year? and Al Qaeda Makes Afghan Comeback) With Derrick Crowe, Rethink Afghanistan.
Screwed: Contaminated Japanese seafood coming to a market near you soon...should we be worried?? With Kevin Kamps, Radio Active Waste Watchdog - Beyond Nuclear.
The Best of the Rest of the News...
What's next for the war on Labor? With Robert Kraig, Executive director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin.
Crazy Alert: 16.4 million dollars cable bill.
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Read Thom's Book for Free!
Now you can read all of Thom Hartmann's " Unequal Protection: How Corporations Became 'People' and How You Can Fight Back" for free online. Truthout is publishing weekly installments over the coming weeks. Read the Chapter Four: The Boston Tea Party Revealed today. |
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The Daily Stack 
Quote: "When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive." -- Howard Zinn.
Guest host: David Sirota, Host of The David Sirota Show 7-10am MT on AM 760 Colorado's Progressive Talk / syndicated columnist / author of several books, latest is "Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live In Now"
Hour One: If "no child left behind" was such a disaster why can't we get rid of it? Education expert Dr. Diane Ravitch will be here...
War on democracy - Wisconsin Supreme Court election results with John Nichols of The Nation Magazine...
Hour Two: Who is Jim Messina and why should you care? He's the man charged with getting the President re-elected in 2012...can he do it? The Nation's Ari Berman shares his observations...
Hour Three: Racial profiling doesn't work with David Harris, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Research-University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Would you eat gray pickles or other food without color? with Marion Nestle, Professor of nutrition, food studies & public health-New York University / author of numerous books including "Food Politics" (her most recent book is Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat).
Crazy alert: "" by .
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Coming up Thursday on The Thom Hartmann Program
Guest host David Sirota and his guests discuss the issues of the day.
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program... your media support group for we the people.
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Thom's Poll
If Congress can't stop a Government shutdown - will Congress be up for the challenge on May 15 when we hit our debt ceiling?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Thom Hartmann: What if they had a protest and nobody...covered it?!
Thom Hartmann: NC wants a "public option" for Wi-Fi & Republicans say NO!
Thom Hartmann proposes his own budget bill for America and it's one sentence
or watch yesterday's full show...
4 5 11 Big Picture Edit
Thom Hartmann: Interview with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
Brunch with Senator Bernie Sanders - April 05, 2011
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 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? |
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Show Info
Call Thom on the show at 1-866-987-THOM (8466) (0870 974 9686 from the UK, +1 503 796 2324 from outside the US or UK).
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