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The Water Cooler
See other The Water Cooler Articles

Title: Republicans Plan $100 Billion Budget Cut as Early Act If They Take Power
Source: Bloomberg
URL Source: http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aC2d4ldgeio8
Published: Oct 27, 2010
Author: Patrick O’Connor
Post Date: 2010-10-27 15:39:57 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 31748
Comments: 60

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Republicans plan to try to slash $100 billion from the federal budget as early as January if they wrest power from Democrats in this year’s midterm elections, setting up possible early showdowns with President Barack Obama on taxes and spending.

A Republican House takeover would thrust new committee heads, such as Representative Dave Camp on the Ways and Means panel, into the spotlight within weeks -- or days -- of seizing their gavels in early January. They would confront quick political tests that could alienate independent voters and Tea Party activists alike, analysts said.

“The major issues are going to be fiscal, and fiscal issues are always contentious,” said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California.

Carrying out spending cuts that Republicans have pledged to seek -- which would amount to 21 percent of the government’s so-called discretionary money pot -- could prove politically difficult. Reducing funds for programs such as college loans for low-income students or medical research at the National Institutes of Health is harder than promising to do that on the campaign trail.

‘Political Repercussions’

Republicans “will quickly find out that across-the-board cuts have political repercussions,” Pitney said.

A lame-duck session of Congress convening two weeks after the Nov. 2 elections will try to fund the government next year and deal with Bush-era tax cuts expiring Dec. 31. Prospective Republican House control could be an obstacle to Democrats in finishing that work before adjourning. Camp and other Republicans would then need to grapple with those tasks as they take over, even as they push their promised budget cuts.

The backdrop is a federal deficit that the Congressional Budget Office said totaled $1.29 trillion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. At 8.9 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, it was the second-biggest shortfall since 1945.

The following reviews the battle lines likely to be drawn in top House committees under Republican rule, and looks at the potential panel leaders who would preside over the fights:

Appropriations

If Democrats fail to fund the government through September 2011, the end of the federal fiscal year, this committee would be the stage for that fight in the new Congress. And settling on the panel’s chairman would be one of the initial tasks facing Republicans.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, his party’s speaker-in-waiting, called for the $100 billion budget cut on Sept. 23 as part of a governing agenda aimed at wooing voters. The cuts, which weren’t specified, would come from the $477 billion Congress allocated in 2010 for non-defense domestic discretionary programs. Social Security and Medicare are among the programs excluded from the proposed 21 percent reductions in discretionary spending.

Obama’s request for $73.4 billion for the Department of Education in the 2011 budget, including $23 billion for Pell Grants to help low-income students afford college, offers one example of the tough choices the Republicans would face. A 21 percent cut across-the-board would take about $15 billion from education. A 21 percent cut in Pell Grants would subtract almost $5 billion from the program.

HHS Budget

Obama asked Congress for $76.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services. Almost half that -- $32 billion - -is for NIH, which includes the National Cancer Institute and other research facilities. A 21 percent cut would slash NIH funding by more $6 billion.

The question of which Republican would lead the Appropriations panel is complicated by the six-year limit the party placed on how long a lawmaker could serve as its leading member on a committee.

Representative Jerry Lewis, a California Republican, reaches that limit at year’s end. He has said he will seek a waiver to allow him to take the committee’s helm.

Lewis, 76, initially balked when Boehner pushed House Republicans to embrace a moratorium on lawmaker-sponsored projects, known as earmarks. Lewis reversed his position last year, gaining favor with Boehner.

Representative Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican, would be the likely committee head if Lewis fails in his bid. Rogers, 72, is known for steering funding for road improvements and other projects to his state and district. The Lexington, Kentucky, Herald Leader once dubbed him the “Prince of Pork.”

Financial Services

Representative Spencer Bachus of Alabama has two years left as the leading Republican on this panel, putting him in line for the chairmanship. Boehner’s staff tried to oust him two years ago for his handling of negotiations over the Troubled Asset Relief Program -- they thought he agreed to a deal that they’d rejected. At this point, it looks like Bachus, 62, will avoid another challenge.

Still, the panel’s Republican membership, currently dominated by small-government, free-market advocates, could be reshuffled. Some of the 29 Republican members are expected to move to Ways and Means, particularly if their party wins the majority. And as the majority, Republicans could fill at least 12 additional slots on the financial services panel. It would be a plum assignment for freshmen who might face a tough contest two years from now, since the committee has become a good place to raise campaign cash.

The panel would be the scene for any move to revamp mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Republicans want to limit the government’s exposure to their loan portfolios.

While some Republicans talk of trying to repeal the president’s financial-markets overhaul, the party may resist that, given the virtual certainty of an Obama veto.

Ways and Means

Camp, of Michigan, typically favors policy debates over political sniping. He has the closest thing to a chairmanship lock on any of the so-called “A” committees -- which include Appropriations and Energy and Commerce.

Should the lame-duck Congress end up deadlocked over extending the income tax cuts enacted under former President

George W. Bush, Camp’s panel would be at the center of resolving the impasse. Republicans want to extend the cuts across the board, contending that would aid a U.S. economy struggling to grow after the longest recession in seven decades. Democrats want to limit the extensions, continuing the lower rates for individual income up to $200,000 and up to $250,000 for couples filing jointly.

Camp, 57, has advocated making all the cuts permanent.

Budget

One of the few Republicans offering concrete proposals for cutting federal spending has been Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who would take the helm of the Budget Committee.

His “Roadmap for America’s Future” would establish a voucher system for Medicare, scrap the current tax exemptions for employer-sponsored health benefits in favor of individual tax credits, and let workers under the age of 55 steer a portion of their Social Security taxes into private accounts.

The plan elevated Ryan, 40, from an up-and-comer to a full-fledged political star. It also became a punching bag for Democrats, and some Republicans distanced themselves from its proposals, concerned they would be viewed as too extreme by independent voters. How vigorously Ryan promotes his ideas in committee should provide early clues of how much sway the Tea Party push for significantly limited government has gained.

Energy and Commerce

Representative Joe Barton of Texas is term-limited as the top Republican on this panel, leaving three others likely to vie for the chairmanship: John Shimkus, 52, of Illinois, Cliff Stearns, 69, of Florida, and Fred Upton, 57, of Michigan, whose seniority on the committee gives him an edge.

The panel oversees the Department of Health and Human Services, which would give it a primary role in any bid to “repeal and replace” the health-care overhaul Obama got enacted this year. The committee could also keep a spotlight on the law -- and make changes to it -- through hearings on new rules the department will be writing to implement it.

Additionally, the panel has authority over the health-care industry, the energy sector, the telecommunications industry, and commercial products, including tobacco.

Upton, a journalism major at the University of Michigan, worked in the Office of Management and Budget under former President Ronald Reagan. He has taken some positions, such as supporting stem-cell research, that put him at odds with most of his Republican colleagues.

Oversight and Government Reform

Chairmanship of this panel would give Representative

Darrell Issa of California subpoena power over the Obama administration in a Republican House, handing him a political tool he has said he would use.

Issa, 56, said he wants to work with Obama aides to probe the Minerals and Management Service and its cozy relationship with the industries it oversees.

Bipartisan comity might be tough to muster, though, if Issa also demands testimony from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about government bailouts of Wall Street and the auto industry, or pushes to subpoena White House officials about job offers made to Democrats who challenged incumbent senators in primaries.

Judiciary

Any overhaul of immigration laws must go through this panel, which Representative Lamar Smith of Texas would preside over. Smith, whose first House race in 1986 was run by Republican political strategist Karl Rove, wants to shelve any discussion on such matters as a boost in visas for legal immigrant workers and a pathway to legal permanent residency for some of the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to focus solely on securing the border with Mexico.

“I’m still of the mind that we have to secure the border first,” said Smith, 62.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Obama has made infrastructure spending a priority, proposing a public-private fund to invest in roads, railways and an updated air-traffic control system.

Representative John Mica of Florida would likely head this committee for the Republicans. Mica, 67, supports focusing high-speed rail construction in the Northeast and opposes lines in Ohio and California that Obama has proposed. Mica also wants to speed the approval process for federal road-building projects.

Armed Services

Congress continues to grapple with whether to overturn the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which allows gay and lesbian soldiers to serve on condition they don’t reveal their sexual orientation. Under a Republican majority, Representative Howard P. “Buck” McKeon of California would oversee this panel’s debate on the issue.

McKeon, 72, has opposed previous efforts to kill the policy, most recently saying no change should be made until the Pentagon issues a report in December on attitudes within the ranks on such a move.

Foreign Affairs

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-born Floridian who in 1982 became the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, would head this committee. The issues facing it include whether to impose future sanctions on Iran.

Ros-Lehtinen, 58, is a staunch supporter of Israel. In an Oct. 20 speech, she said “extremists target Israeli citizens and seek Israel’s destruction. The UN isolates and demonizes the Jewish state.”

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#1. To: Brian S (#0)

that will leave them with only another $1.1 trillion or so to cut next year to balance the budget.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   15:43:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: go65 (#1)

that will leave them with only another $1.1 trillion or so to cut next year to balance the budget.

You oppose deficit reduction.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."

WhiteSands  posted on  2010-10-27   15:45:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Brian S (#0)

21 percent of the government’s so-called discretionary money pot

Peanuts.

The U.K. government just slashed TOTAL spending by 19%. Some programs were cut by as much as 25%. Other programs were cut less, like defense (8% cut).

Everything was cut.

Social Security is now running deficits. Over the next decade, Medicare is even in worse shape (in part because of the GOP's Medicare part D). The U.S. government has troops in over half of the countries on earth. We are borrowing money from China to defend other countries from China. WTF??? We are borrowing money from Europe to defend rich Europe against who???

Who is going to stop the madness? Obama? Boehner? McConnell? I don't see it.


"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson

jwpegler  posted on  2010-10-27   15:51:35 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: jwpegler (#3)

Peanuts.

The U.K. government just slashed TOTAL spending by 19%. Some programs were cut by as much as 25%. Other programs were cut less, like defense (8% cut).

Everything was cut.

Social Security is now running deficits. Over the next decade, Medicare is even in worse shape (in part because of the GOP's Medicare part D). The U.S. government has troops in over half of the countries on earth. We are borrowing money from China to defend other countries from China. WTF??? We are borrowing money from Europe to defend rich Europe against who???

The GOP isn't going to touch Medicare, Defense or Social Security, and they've committed to both undoing the medicare cuts passed by Obama and extending the Bush tax cuts. So in order to balance the budget, they have to cut $1.2 trillion from $421 billion in discretionary spending. I am looking forward to their math exercise.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   17:05:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: WhiteSands (#2)

It took four years for Pelosi to blow 5 trillion more onto the national deficit.

Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.

Badeye  posted on  2010-10-27   17:10:13 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: go65 (#4) (Edited)

The GOP isn't going to touch Medicare, Defense or Social Security

I agree.

Boehner and McConnell have certainly said that that the entitlements are off limits, which is unfortunate because there has to some changes just to keep the programs afloat until the baby boomers die off.

The GOP "leadership" is completely out to lunch of defense. We could cut the military budget in half and still spend twice as much as Russia and China combined. All of this extra defense spending is not making us more secure. It's making the military more wasteful and bureaucratic, which makes us less secure.

Again, my view is that we'll see what happens with the vote to raise the debt ceiling. That will tell us what to expect for the next two years.


"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson

jwpegler  posted on  2010-10-27   17:18:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: go65 (#4)

On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

Are you opposed to deficit spending?

-----------------------------------------------------------
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."

WhiteSands  posted on  2010-10-27   17:20:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: jwpegler (#6) (Edited)

The GOP "leadership" is completely out to lunch of defense. We could cut the military budget in half and still spend twice as much as Russia and China combined. All of this extra defense spending is not making us more secure. It's making the military more wasteful and bureaucratic, which makes us less secure.

Again, my view is that we'll see what happens with the vote to raise the debt ceiling. That will tell us what to expect for the next two years.

yep. But even if they were to touch defense the basic problem is that you can't cut spending and increase job growth in a recession. If they try and institute massive spending cuts next year, it will only exacerbate the job losses we're going to see from the reverse stimulus that is forcing large cuts in state/local government budgets (did you see the article I posted yesterday about Texas being $25 billion in the hole?) If we start to see unemployment climb again next year while the GOP screams about more spending cuts, you might see a 45 state sweep for Obama in 2012.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   17:59:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: WhiteSands (#7)

Are you opposed to deficit spending?

Whitey, I've answered this question about a dozen times or more in past discussions with badeye and jwpegler. If you are too lazy to go back and look up my responses, there isn't much I can do about it, but if all you have time to do is keep asking me the same question on every thread, you'll be on my filter very soon.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   18:00:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: go65 (#9) (Edited)

Whitey, I've answered this question about a dozen times or more in past discussions with badeye and jwpegler.


Are you opposed to the Obama and Pelosi economic plan desire to reduce the deficit?

Can you cite an instance in which you answer if you agree with the stated desire of Oabam and Pelosi to reduce the deficit?

Just one.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."

WhiteSands  posted on  2010-10-27   18:17:12 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: go65 (#8) (Edited)

the basic problem is that you can't cut spending and increase job growth in a recession.

I usually follow what you are saying even though we disagree a lot.

On this point, I don't understand. At all.

Perhaps, maybe when the economy was more static one could argue that defense spending actually helped. No longer.

The economy is so diverse and so dependent on innovation that no one can control it and direct it, even the government.

If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest country in the world behind China and India. What government agency could have invented this?

ditto for Google. When I was in high school, we had to go to the "library" to research anything. Now a very large part of the all of the information in the world is at my fingertips and referencable on Google, Bing, and other internet services. Good bye Dewey Decimal system (and thank god for that). What government agency invented this?

Yes, the world went through an centralized "industrial" phase. Now we're out of it. Of course, the rotten government that was created in the 20th century doesn't want to let go.

We have to make them let go. That is the challenge in a nutshell.


"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson

jwpegler  posted on  2010-10-27   18:25:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: jwpegler, go65 (#11)

the basic problem is that you can't cut spending and increase job growth in a recession.

He feels Obama's and Pelosi's economic plans are wrong.

Pelosi: Obama’s Budget a ‘Blueprint for Economic Stabilization’ for America, Designed To ‘Reduce the Deficit’

-----------------------------------------------------------
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."

WhiteSands  posted on  2010-10-27   18:56:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: jwpegler (#3)

Social Security is now running deficits.

You apparently don't know how SS works.

There is a $2.3 trillion surplus so even if what is currently collected is less than what is paid out in a given year, it is still not in deficit.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-27   19:12:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: go65 (#4)

VooDoo economics for the 21st century.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-27   19:13:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: lucysmom (#13) (Edited)

You apparently don't know how SS works.

I have already responded to your same EXACT statement on another thread. I will no longer repeat myself to brain dead idiots.


"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson

jwpegler  posted on  2010-10-27   20:14:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: jwpegler (#11) (Edited)

On this point, I don't understand. At all.

Perhaps, maybe when the economy was more static one could argue that defense spending actually helped. No longer.

My point is that massive cuts in federal spending will lead to more job losses. Again, note that in the most recent jobs report, government sector jobs were down by nearly 160,000. This will get a lot worse just because state governments don't have stimulus funds anymore. Add in hundreds of thousands of job losses that federal cuts will add and you are making a dire unemployment situation worse.

Perhaps, maybe when the economy was more static one could argue that defense spending actually helped. No longer.

We can debate defense cuts till the cows come home, but you and I both know that the GOP will NOT propose any cuts in defense.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   20:32:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#17. To: WhiteSands (#10)

Are you opposed to the Obama and Pelosi economic plan desire to reduce the deficit?

Can you cite an instance in which you answer if you agree with the stated desire of Oabam and Pelosi to reduce the deficit?

Just one.

Sorry, you have me confused with someone who cares about your posts.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   20:34:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: jwpegler (#15)

I have already responded to your same EXACT statement on another thread.

And you STILL don't get it.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-27   20:38:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: go65 (#16)

We can debate defense cuts till the cows come home, but you and I both know that the GOP will NOT propose any cuts in defense.

In fact the GOP has specifically said they will not include the DoD is spending cuts.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-27   20:59:57 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: lucysmom (#19)

In fact the GOP has specifically said they will not include the DoD is spending cuts.

Right, they are going to cut $1.2 trillion out of $421 billion (and cut taxes again!). Not that it matters though, if they tell folks they've balanced the budget, and Fox/Limbaugh repeat it, many will believe it.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   21:08:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#21. To: go65 (#8)

the basic problem is that you can't cut spending and increase job growth in a recession.

Come on don't be dumb.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   21:13:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#22. To: go65 (#20)

Not that it matters though, if they tell folks they've balanced the budget, and Fox/Limbaugh repeat it, many will believe it.

As long as he gets to keep his tax cut, Limbaugh will say anything.

Skip Intro  posted on  2010-10-27   21:13:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: lucysmom (#13)

There is a $2.3 trillion surplus

They spent it already. There is no surplus. Just an empty treasury with IOU's. And you supported the defecit spending. If not tell me what you would have cut. I would cut everything by 50 percent. Maybe less on defense.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   21:15:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: go65 (#16)

My point is that massive cuts in federal spending will lead to more job losses.

Good. Less govt workers means more freedom. Means more people have their own money. Means they spend it on stuff that is useful and creates real jobs. Not paper shuffling and I'm going to tell you what to do jobs.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   21:17:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: A K A Stone (#24)

Good. Less govt workers means more freedom. Means more people have their own money. Means they spend it on stuff that is useful and creates real jobs. Not paper shuffling and I'm going to tell you what to do jobs.

Except that in 1937 in the U.S. and more recently in the Baltics and Ireland, government austerity led to reduce economic activity, which reduced tax revenues, which off-set the spending cuts, which meant that the budgets were essentially back where they started in terms of deficit.

Those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   21:30:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: go65 (#25)

Those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it.

Yes you should study history sometime. You might learn something. But first you have to take off your liberal shaded glasses.

The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest we become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. -- Cicero , Rome 55 BC

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   21:34:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: A K A Stone (#26) (Edited)

The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest we become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. -- Cicero , Rome 55 BC

Th reality is that there is only $421 billion to cut by $1.2 trillion.

The GOP isn't going to cut defense, Medicare, or Social Security, and it isn't going to raise taxes.

So tell us how they balance the budget.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   21:36:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: go65 (#27)

Th reality is that there is only $421 billion to cut by $1.2 trillion.

The GOP isn't going to cut defense, Medicare, or Social Security, and it isn't going to raise taxes.

So tell us how they balance the budget.

You have to start somewhere. Obamas record debt isn't the answer. Why do you think that most American Hate Obama? It isn't because he is black.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   21:40:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: A K A Stone (#28)

You have to start somewhere. Obamas record debt isn't the answer. Why do you think that most American Hate Obama? It isn't because he is black.

Most Americans don't hate Obama.

Most Americans are however upset over the economy, cutting government spending right now will only make things worse. No matter though, you'll get your wish next year, just don't complain when unemployment goes over 10%, the deficit is still over a trillion dollars and the GOP continues to insist that eliminating taxes on income over $250k is necessary, while it also proposes defense spending increases.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   22:02:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: go65 (#29)

Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending. Or they wouldn't have, and continue to support Wars that will add trillions to the Debt.

Iraq will cost the United States over 3 trillion dollars. How many Tea Bagger candidates will admit it was a mistake? How many will stand up against future wars?

Rhino  posted on  2010-10-27   22:11:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: Rhino (#30) (Edited)

Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending.

Liberals don't care about national security and justice, they'd prefer getting on their knees and kissing a tyrant's ass rather than kicking it.

Ibluafartsky  posted on  2010-10-27   22:27:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: go65 (#29)

Most Americans don't hate Obama.

Most Americans strongly dislike Obama. In the heartland. Most were willing to give him a chance. But he blew it big time.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   22:37:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: Rhino (#30)

Most tea baggers don't really care about deficit spending. Or they wouldn't have, and continue to support Wars that will add trillions to the Debt.

Some do some don't. Rand Paul.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-27   22:38:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#34. To: A K A Stone (#32)

Most Americans strongly dislike Obama. In the heartland. Most were willing to give him a chance. But he blew it big time.

there's a new poll out today showing that most americans plan to vote for republicans, but like Democrats better, and another showing that most americans want government to do more to ensure insurance coverage but want health care reform repealed.

You figure out it out because I sure can't.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   22:57:20 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#35. To: A K A Stone (#33)

Some do some don't. Rand Paul.

Paul has gone back on his anti-war rhetoric, his Dad hasn't.


On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.

go65  posted on  2010-10-27   22:58:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#36. To: go65 (#20)

Not that it matters though, if they tell folks they've balanced the budget, and Fox/Limbaugh repeat it, many will believe it.

They'll just recycle the "grow our way out of debt" lie and the faithful will believe it.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-27   23:41:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: A K A Stone (#23)

They spent it already.

When you deposit money with your bank what do you think the bank does with it?

Just an empty treasury with IOU's.

Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

And you supported the defecit spending.

I supported a balanced budget and paying down the debt when that was a real possibility.

I would cut everything by 50 percent.

Only a brutal dictatorship could pull that off. Is that what you want, a dictatorship?

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson

lucysmom  posted on  2010-10-28   0:03:07 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: go65 (#35)

No he hasn't. He only said we should have all options on the table. That is correct.

A K A Stone  posted on  2010-10-28   0:09:20 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#39. To: Ibluafartsky (#31)

Liberals don't care about national security and justice, they'd prefer getting on their knees and kissing a tyrant's ass rather than kicking it.

As though Dubya Bush "cared" about national security? Justice?

Is that why he'd left the Mexican border a sieve since 9/11? Invited Muslims to immigrate to the US?

And what of the "justice" of making American pay for a 20 million-strong invasion of Mexican La Razas? Ordering BP Compean and Ramos arrested and jailed for enforcing the border?

You seem also to forget how Dubya got on his knees and kissed the tyrannical azzes of Teddy Kennedy, Bubba Klinton, Vincente Fox, and the Saudi Prince.

Liberator  posted on  2010-10-28   0:59:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#40. To: go65 (#34)

there's a new poll out today showing that most americans plan to vote for republicans, but like Democrats better...

What's to "like" about Commie-Democrats who routinely commit fraud, cheat, lie, steal, murder babies, spit on the Founders' graves, and sell out America? Oh, that's right - they "redistribute" the wealth. Got it.

Btw, SOME-body's doing HUGE bong hits. NO body I know "likes" Dem-RATS. Except the neanderthals in the Unions, gubmint drones, socialists, and the lazy sloths.

Liberator  posted on  2010-10-28   1:05:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#41. To: Liberator (#39)

As though Dubya Bush

Booosh wasn't a conservative, he isn't POTUS nor has he been for the last two years.

Ibluafartsky  posted on  2010-10-28   1:15:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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