Comment of the day:

“I want to know how much money will be saved by ending Iraq and Afghanistan AND what will be done with the money that would have been spent on those activities.” - Vendetta22

Eating peas and ripping off Band-Aids

Despite continued disagreements across the aisle, President Obama talked tough during a press conference Monday morning, insisting that a deal to increase the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling will be reached before the August 2 deadline. If the president and congressional leaders fail to reach an agreement, Treasury officials have warned that a partial default could be triggered, which could lead to skyrocketing interest rates and a plummeting dollar.

During his press conference, President Obama said it's time to "pull off the Band-Aid" and "eat our peas" while the GOP continues to insist on no tax increases.

People who commented on the CNN.com story mainly agreed with the president and raised other concerns.

BLindfAitH said, “A default by the United States will destroy vastly more jobs than a three-point increase on personal income tax EVER could. If Republicans were actually concerned about jobs, they would agree to raise the debt-ceiling (as they did seven times when Bush was president). They would wait until later to start trying to slash Medicare for the elderly while easing the tax burden for bank presidents.”

barfy2000 said, “Where are the jobs? They said keeping taxes low would create jobs. They said if you voted Republicans in they would work on jobs.” goodyweaver responded, “The jobs are in China and India – and the companies who shipped them there receive tax breaks and credits for every single job they create overseas, as well as a mountain of corporate welfare.”

rtgunlimited said, “Companies are holding cash because there is a lack of effective consumer demand, not because they have uncertainties about taxes. If they would invest that cash into creating jobs – consumer demand would increase.”

An0nyn0us2u said, “Companies are holding cash because of the uncertainty with the tax code.” Realist92 said, “Lol. Who the hell wants to invest and hire in an economy with a currency that continues to lose value from runaway spending? Low taxes are nothing if inflation (same as raising taxes) continues.”

camty said, “According to Republicans, tax cuts for the wealthy, destroying unions and no government spending are the answers to all of our problems. If this is true, why did the economy collapse in 2008 after two rounds of tax cuts?”

astralplane1 said, “The GOP would rather see a reduction in Social Security and health benefits than give up tax breaks for the very rich and famous! For 95% of the American people, that's YOU.

InDeepEndnt said, “Sure are a lot of people fixated on this 'top 5%' problem. Has anyone done any math to see how much debt reduction can be achieved by removing the tax cuts on the 'rich'? Last statistic I saw was $40 billion out of $4 trillion, and that's assuming the numbers are static. ONE percent, folks. Every bit helps, but how about the other 99% of the debt? Let's start by talking about the 45%+ of Americans who owed ZERO federal taxes on their 1040 last year. Are any of you one of that 45%? See, it's always OK to increases taxes as long as it doesn't affect 'ME.' "

haditone said, “They are both fixated on getting rid of a retirement system. We will all work until the day we die.”

Debbb said, “If Obama keeps caving in to the Republicans, trying desperately to get Boehner to like him, what difference does it make if he gets re-elected or not? We'll have a Republican president either way.”

Trouble ahead for Netflix?

Last month, hundreds of Sony movies vanished from Netflix’s “watch now” catalog, which could foreshadow the company’s streaming future. In 2008, when Netflix struck a deal with Sony and Starz for streaming access to the channel’s movies, demand was relatively low. Now that Amazon, Google and Hulu have entered the market as demand continues to increase, it is likely movie studios will increase Netflix content licensing costs in 2012 — and even accelerate negotiations.

Most people who commented on the CNN.com story weren’t happy about the prospect:

Corrupter said, "Of course, just like in the past ... the studios are going to kill the goose laying the golden eggs. Fools. They will never learn. Where are they getting their business advice; from the record industry?"

icrabidppl "It's the consumers who ultimately lose. Every time a novel company jumps into the fray and is swallowed whole by the big fish, it means the average consumer will pay more and more for the same product (in some cases, tripe).”

AngryDeuce said, “It amuses me how these movie studios think we need their permission to stream their titles online. Take them off of Netflix, I go to one of the hundreds of streaming sites out there and stream them from there, and the studios don't get a penny. I really don't give much of a crap either way .. .yeah, it's illegal, but I WON'T be caught, so in the grand scheme of things, it's jaywalking.”

Rcroeder said, “Netflix currently has 29,7% of the U.S. Internet traffic. I am sure that the studios will try to grab as much money as they can, but with that they will kill the ‘legal’ streaming market. The only way this model will survive is by volume of business, rather than make one $100 sale to one customer make a $1 sale to a thousand customers.”

JeffSchall said, "Doesn't this mean that more people will be prone to steal movies (via pirating), instead of paying outrageous costs? Don't the movie studios end up biting their noses to spite their faces?”

Iammorality said, "So what I'm getting from some of the comments is, they better not stop making goods movies, but I'm not going to pay for them ...." And Asgardshill said, "Gotta love the comments here. 'We won't pay you a plug nickel for your product, major movie studio!' which is inevitably followed by 'But we MUST watch everything you produce! And we want to do that for free!' "

British invasion?

When newlyweds Prince William and Catherine visited the United States last week, they met with military veterans, helped raise money in a charity polo match and painted with artists on Skid Row. They also held court with Hollywood elites, like Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks and Reese Witherspoon.

Their visit to U.S. soil sparked some mean comments from CNN.com readers, which were challenged by other readers.

Tbggr said, “You royalty worshipers do realize that the only thing they’ve done is being born into the right family (or marrying into it, as in her case). Other than that, how are they better, or more important than anyone else? They’ve earned nothing. They stink when they go to the bathroom, just like anyone else!”

ruprechtdd said, “Yeah, I don't feel sorry for him. Poor wittle PRINCE William having everything handed to him since birth – boo frickidee hoo!”

But chamdog said, “Will didn't ask to be born into his situation, but has done the very best anyone could do in it, though he lost his mother to it. He's not a playboy like Albert of Monaco who's fathered two illegitimate kids, he's not into drugs, he finished school, joined the military, has one longtime mate. If the Brits vote out the monarchy he'll probably be relieved."

Babbette said, “Oh for Pete's sake! They're damned if they do and damned if they don't. What have any of us done for the poverty-stricken lately? Those who are doing something aren't on this site taking cheap shots at others.”

rtgunlimited said, “There might be less poverty-stricken people were it not for 'royalty' feeling entitled to tax the wages of everyone else for their own benefit.”

keysersoze09 said, “To the minority of negative comments: Prince William and his brother Harry are serving military officers who have put their lives on the line for the British and Allied forces in Afghanistan. Duchess Catherine raises a phenomenal amount for charities without getting paid. Like most Americans, I am proud and honored by their service."

Biggirl71 said, “The British Royal family is being ushered into the 21st century by the perfect people. William and Catherine are great examples of young, vibrant, professional, caring people who happen to represent the monarchy.”

Some comments edited for length and clarity.