President Obama’s Complete Twitter Q and A Session
From the The White House on Twitter, here’s the complete question/answer session from today, as the President took questions from Twitter users on the fiscal cliff.
Introduction:
Good to see lots of folks on twitter speaking out on extending middle class tax cuts. I’ll answer some Qs on that at 2ET. Ask w/ #My2k -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
hey guys - this is barack.ready to answer your questions on fiscal cliff & #my2k.Let’s get started. -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On entitlement reform:
Mr. President, can you assure us that any “fiscal cliff” negotiations regarding entitlement reform will not hurt the most needy? #My2K
— Phillip M. McKenzie (@pmmckenzie) December 3, 2012
.@pmmckenzie we can reduce deficit in balanced way by ending tax cuts for top 2% + reforms that strengthen safety net & invest in future -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On the benefits of letting high end tax cuts expire:
Mr. President, why won’t keeping tax rates low across the board encourage more hires and therefore more tax revenue? #my2k
— Mike Vanderwyst (@mike5673) December 3, 2012
.@mike5673 high end tax cuts do least for economic growth & cost almost $1T. extending middle class cuts boosts consumer demand & growth -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On how the cuts benefit students and recent graduates:
@barackobama #My2k As a recent college grad w/o a full time job, these cuts wouldn’t help me, would they?
— Mandi (@dontbeaprat) December 3, 2012
.@dontbeaprat cuts w/out revenue = reductions in student loans; work/study & college tax credits expire. Bad for growth. like your hair! -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On deductions instead of high end rate raise:
@whitehouse what is your opposition to taking away deductions for the 2% rather than up the rate? Seems like a reasonable compromise #My2K
— Hunter Tredway (@huntertred) December 3, 2012
.@huntertred not enough revenue, unless you end charitable deductions, etc. less revenue=more cuts in education etc wh.gov/5rTh -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On reducing spending:
@barackobama Mr. President, Why not place more emphasis on reducing government spending, than on raising revenues? #My2K #WHChat
— David Osteen (@davidosteen) December 3, 2012
.@davidosteen (part 1) already cut $1T+ in gov spending last yr. Discretionary spending lowest as % of GDP since ike. #my2k
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
.@davidosteen (part 2) Open to more smart cuts but not in areas like R&D, edu that help growth & jobs, or hurt vulnerable (eg disabled) - bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On home-owner’s deductions:
As a home owner, I worry deductions for home owners are at risk. Is that the case? #My2k
— Emma Robertson (@soitgoesem) December 3, 2012
.@soitgoesem breaks for middle class impt for families & econ. if top rates don’t go up, danger that middle class deductions get hit - bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On a “minimum ratio” of spending cuts to revenue increases:
@whitehouse Is there a minimum ratio of revenue increases to spending cuts that you’re looking for, or simply a balanced approach? #my2k
— Jason Feinman (@jjfein) December 3, 2012
.@jjfein don’t expect 100% my budget; room to negotiate. if you incl $1T+ in cuts already made, rough balance b/w rev & cuts does trick -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
On da Bears:
Who will win it all first: Chicago #WhiteSox, #Bulls, or #Bears? #NFL #NBA #MLB cc: #My2k @barackobama @whitehouse
— Mica (@Mica4Life) December 3, 2012
.@mica4life da bears still gotta shot, despite sad loss this weekend! plus rose will return for playoffs!!! -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
The wrap-up:
Gotta go.Thx.Keep pressure on Congress. Call, email, tweet your Member & tell them what 2k means to you. Lets get it done. #my2k -bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) December 3, 2012
And an amusing postscript:
@mstevesmithjr OH MY GOD THE PRESIDENT ANSWERED ME! And he likes the purple hair I had a few years ago. I AM SHAKING.
— Mandi (@dontbeaprat) December 3, 2012
