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2012? What about 2011?
Author: Raine
Date: 02/17/2011 13:51:21
There is much talk about the FY 2012 budget. It's painful, it's belt tightening and as I have previously said -- no one likes it. That is completely understandable. I think, however we are getting ahead of ourselves. Why? There is no budget for Fiscal year 2011. We, as a nation, are currently running on 2010 spending levels. So what is congress doing about it?
Take a look at H.R.1, also known as The 2011 Continuing resolution, it already has over 400 amendments attached to it. Think Progress has done the heavy lifting here, and took a look at some of them. Specifically they focused on those that address climate change. It isn't pretty. Here is a sample: This list doesn't include the current GOP assault on women's rights. , which includes defunding women's health clinics. Keep all this in mind as I tell you that we are already 5 months into fiscal year 2011. The GOP has had control of the house for little more than a month. At this rate, I wonder if we'll have a budget by the end of the fiscal year. While it is important to be concerned with the Presidents budget proposal for 2012, we are faced with a very serious issue with a radical agenda that is poised to destroy our climate, hurt children and decimate a woman's right to choose.
LIHEAP and PELL grants are important, and I understand why people are upset about the proposed cuts, we need to be concerned with what is happening now. For example, The GOP's cuts to the PELL grant program are far more devastating than any the President proposed in his budget for 2012. There is a very real chance that if this resolution is passed as it is now, it will be vetoed. The President has indicated that he would do so. According to Think Progress, 'One need look no further than the federal government shutdown of 1995 for proof. During the nearly four-week shutdown, Social Security checks were not mailed and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements were disrupted. According to a Center for American Progress report entitled “The Big Freeze,” the shutdown ultimately “cost the American taxpayer over $800 million and rattled the confidence of international investors in U.S. government bonds.” Keep in mind, that was 800 million dollars in 1995, 16 years ago.
It's rough trying to juggle so many critical issues, but for myself, I am far more concerned about this continuing resolution. It's devastating to the American people. and even more so, it doesn't do anything to stimulate the economy. It actually hurts it.
and 
Take a look at H.R.1, also known as The 2011 Continuing resolution, it already has over 400 amendments attached to it. Think Progress has done the heavy lifting here, and took a look at some of them. Specifically they focused on those that address climate change. It isn't pretty. Here is a sample:
– Eliminate the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Special Envoy for Climate Change, the Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, the NOAA Climate Service, the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, National Science Foundation K-12 funding
– Block US funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Global Environment Facility
– Suspend enforcement of fisheries laws and construction and conservation acquisition programs of the National Parks and Department of the Interior
– Block rules for cement plant pollution, coal ash, industrial boiler pollution, water quality, climate change pollution, climate change adaptation, energy-efficient lighting, mountaintop removal, atrazine, and water conservation
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) this week introduced an amendment to the continuing resolution, which funds the government, that would prohibit any federal money from going to Planned Parenthood of America for women's health services, gynecological exams, access to birth control, HIV testing, private care, or infertility counseling. The continuing resolution proposed by Republicans also slashes or eliminates funding for many programs crucial to women's health: it would completely eliminate the Title X domestic family planning programs, and would also dramatically cut, by $758 million, the Women Infant Children (WIC) program, which provides food for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. The Republican CR proposal also includes a $210 million cut in Maternal and Child Health block grants.
LIHEAP and PELL grants are important, and I understand why people are upset about the proposed cuts, we need to be concerned with what is happening now. For example, The GOP's cuts to the PELL grant program are far more devastating than any the President proposed in his budget for 2012. There is a very real chance that if this resolution is passed as it is now, it will be vetoed. The President has indicated that he would do so. According to Think Progress, 'One need look no further than the federal government shutdown of 1995 for proof. During the nearly four-week shutdown, Social Security checks were not mailed and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements were disrupted. According to a Center for American Progress report entitled “The Big Freeze,” the shutdown ultimately “cost the American taxpayer over $800 million and rattled the confidence of international investors in U.S. government bonds.” Keep in mind, that was 800 million dollars in 1995, 16 years ago.
It's rough trying to juggle so many critical issues, but for myself, I am far more concerned about this continuing resolution. It's devastating to the American people. and even more so, it doesn't do anything to stimulate the economy. It actually hurts it.
and 
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:11:45
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:11:45
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:23:16
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:23:16
One of the more interesting things about the GOP cutting WIC? They actually have offices ON military bases.
Comment by 
BobR on 02/17/2011 14:26:35
BobR on 02/17/2011 14:26:35
It would be nice if "progressives" spent as much time criticizing the Republicans for their budget proposals as they do President Obama
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:30:25
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:30:25
Quote by BobR:
It would be nice if "progressives" spent as much time criticizing the Republicans for their budget proposals as they do President Obama
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 14:35:15
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:35:15
As if he needs to be encouraged to brag about Boston, Tri has another one!
HALFWAY around the world from Tahrir Square in Cairo, an ageing American intellectual shuffles about his cluttered house in a working-class Boston neighbourhood.
His name is Gene Sharp. Stoop-shouldered and white-haired at 83, he grows orchids, has yet to master the internet and hardly seems like a dangerous man.
Few have heard of Sharp, but for decades his writings on non-violent revolution - most notably From Dictatorship to Democracy, a 93-page guide to toppling autocrats, available for download in 24 languages - have inspired dissidents around the world.
When Egypt's April 6 Youth Movement was struggling to recover from a failed effort in 2005, its leaders tossed around ''crazy ideas'', said Ahmed Maher, a leading strategist. They stumbled on Sharp while examining the Serbian movement Otpor, which he influenced.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:55:35
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:55:35
ummm hey dunderhead, protest IS a sign of politcal discord
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 14:56:19
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:56:19
Protesting in a completely American thing.
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 14:57:07
Only ok if it republicans protesting.
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:57:07
Quote by wickedpam:
ummm hey dunderhead, protest IS a sign of politcal discord
Only ok if it republicans protesting.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:57:15
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:57:15
this guys a idiot
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:58:08
exactly
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 14:58:08
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
ummm hey dunderhead, protest IS a sign of politcal discord
Only ok if it republicans protesting.
exactly
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 14:59:03
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:59:03
Tea Baggers aren't protesting? Seriously?
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 14:59:33
Raine on 02/17/2011 14:59:33
Being intellectually dishonest, that is what Billy is doing.
Comment by BobR on 02/17/2011 15:00:09
That is just about perfect
BobR on 02/17/2011 15:00:09
Quote by Raine:
As if he needs to be encouraged to brag about Boston, Tri has another one!HALFWAY around the world from Tahrir Square in Cairo, an ageing American intellectual shuffles about his cluttered house in a working-class Boston neighbourhood.
His name is Gene Sharp. Stoop-shouldered and white-haired at 83, he grows orchids, has yet to master the internet and hardly seems like a dangerous man.
Few have heard of Sharp, but for decades his writings on non-violent revolution - most notably From Dictatorship to Democracy, a 93-page guide to toppling autocrats, available for download in 24 languages - have inspired dissidents around the world.
When Egypt's April 6 Youth Movement was struggling to recover from a failed effort in 2005, its leaders tossed around ''crazy ideas'', said Ahmed Maher, a leading strategist. They stumbled on Sharp while examining the Serbian movement Otpor, which he influenced.
“If you fight with violence,†Mr. Sharp said, “you are fighting with your enemy’s best weapon, and you may be a brave but dead hero.â€
That is just about perfect
Comment by BobR on 02/17/2011 15:00:59
Intellectually absent
BobR on 02/17/2011 15:00:59
Quote by Raine:
Being intellectually dishonest, that is what Billy is doing.
Intellectually absent
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 15:18:20
Raine on 02/17/2011 15:18:20
this looks so violent:
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 15:20:07
Raine on 02/17/2011 15:20:07
What source is that?
(what jim is talking about)
(what jim is talking about)
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 15:23:17
Raine on 02/17/2011 15:23:17
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 15:54:28
Raine on 02/17/2011 15:54:28
Mala and Liv, you guys might be able to help out with this one. A Friend on FB is asking this:
I spent about 15 minutes trying to find something, but I can't either.
Does this sound familiar?
Does anyone other than me remember the saturday morning commercial growing up that had Don Quioxte lunging at windmills with a toothbrush????? I am trying to find it on you tube or the web and cant find it.
Does this sound familiar?
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 15:55:21
Raine on 02/17/2011 15:55:21
With a 2.0 GPA, Walker was a pretty shitty cheater... Just sayin' 
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:05:11
I'm confused what's the point of doing this? I mean maybe I can see on a federal level when it comes to make federal law but state and local seems very out of bounds. Isn't that what state AG's are for?
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:05:11
Quote by Raine:
Here we go:
Issa issues first Subpoena.
I'm confused what's the point of doing this? I mean maybe I can see on a federal level when it comes to make federal law but state and local seems very out of bounds. Isn't that what state AG's are for?
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 16:10:33
He's going after congresscritters. Remember that Chris Dodd was one of the beneficiaries of these kind of mortgages. I suspect he think there are a lot more out there like that.
It's purely partisan.
Raine on 02/17/2011 16:10:33
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Here we go:
Issa issues first Subpoena.
I'm confused what's the point of doing this? I mean maybe I can see on a federal level when it comes to make federal law but state and local seems very out of bounds. Isn't that what state AG's are for?
It's purely partisan.
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 16:14:49
Raine on 02/17/2011 16:14:49
I loves me some Faiz Shakir. One of the best bloggers out there.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:16:52
I vaguely remember that - probably for Crest or one of those public service commrcials they had in the 70's
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:16:52
Quote by Raine:
Mala and Liv, you guys might be able to help out with this one. A Friend on FB is asking this:I spent about 15 minutes trying to find something, but I can't either.Does anyone other than me remember the saturday morning commercial growing up that had Don Quioxte lunging at windmills with a toothbrush????? I am trying to find it on you tube or the web and cant find it.
Does this sound familiar?
I vaguely remember that - probably for Crest or one of those public service commrcials they had in the 70's
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 16:18:51
Back to the search.
Thanks for that nugget.
Raine on 02/17/2011 16:18:51
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Mala and Liv, you guys might be able to help out with this one. A Friend on FB is asking this:I spent about 15 minutes trying to find something, but I can't either.Does anyone other than me remember the saturday morning commercial growing up that had Don Quioxte lunging at windmills with a toothbrush????? I am trying to find it on you tube or the web and cant find it.
Does this sound familiar?
I vaguely remember that - probably for Crest or one of those public service commrcials they had in the 70's
Back to the search.
Thanks for that nugget.
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 16:31:43
OMG. I don;t know if we got better or worse as a nation.
Raine on 02/17/2011 16:31:43
OMG. I don;t know if we got better or worse as a nation.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:42:39
wickedpam on 02/17/2011 16:42:39
lol - I forgot about popcorn bears -the carebear with the pop-o-matic on their face 
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/17/2011 17:03:55
Scoopster on 02/17/2011 17:03:55
Mornin' all.. 
Busy day at work, plus I'm fighting Tea-diot fires on a few different message boards over this plan to kill workers rights.
Busy day at work, plus I'm fighting Tea-diot fires on a few different message boards over this plan to kill workers rights.
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/17/2011 17:18:07
livingonli on 02/17/2011 17:18:07
Good day everyone. I am off to a slow start today.
Comment by BobR on 02/17/2011 17:18:16
rapping Barney Rubble? oy...
BobR on 02/17/2011 17:18:16
Quote by Raine:
OMG. I don;t know if we got better or worse as a nation.
rapping Barney Rubble? oy...
Comment by livingonli on 02/17/2011 17:19:38
That's how the teabaggers and bushbots think.
livingonli on 02/17/2011 17:19:38
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
ummm hey dunderhead, protest IS a sign of politcal discord
Only ok if it republicans protesting.
exactly
That's how the teabaggers and bushbots think.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 17:51:09
Ah, the good old days where you actually had to find someone who could speak fast rather than letting a computer do it.
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 17:51:09
Quote by Raine:
OMG. I don;t know if we got better or worse as a nation.
Ah, the good old days where you actually had to find someone who could speak fast rather than letting a computer do it.
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 18:04:50
Raine on 02/17/2011 18:04:50
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 18:19:15
That proves it, Obama's a Seekrit Muslin.
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 18:19:15
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WOW.
I wasn't sure if they would actually do it. Wow, indeed.
That proves it, Obama's a Seekrit Muslin.
Comment by livingonli on 02/17/2011 18:32:11
That's what the average Fox News viewer will say.
livingonli on 02/17/2011 18:32:11
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WOW.
I wasn't sure if they would actually do it. Wow, indeed.
That proves it, Obama's a Seekrit Muslin.
That's what the average Fox News viewer will say.
Comment by livingonli on 02/17/2011 19:00:57
livingonli on 02/17/2011 19:00:57
Comment by BobR on 02/17/2011 19:04:09
That's a shame - I like Borders better than either one of those. I just don't buy books much anymore.
BobR on 02/17/2011 19:04:09
That's a shame - I like Borders better than either one of those. I just don't buy books much anymore.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/17/2011 19:07:13
Last few books I've bought have been at Borders since there's one right in Providence. In fact, not even two weeks ago I picked up a copy of People's History of the United States partly because they had an ENTIRE bookcase (five shelves, top to bottom) devoted to it in a sea of right-wing trash in book form. It was a damned impressive sight that you'd NEVER see at Barnes & Noble.
Scoopster on 02/17/2011 19:07:13
Quote by BobR:
That's a shame - I like Borders better than either one of those. I just don't buy books much anymore.
Last few books I've bought have been at Borders since there's one right in Providence. In fact, not even two weeks ago I picked up a copy of People's History of the United States partly because they had an ENTIRE bookcase (five shelves, top to bottom) devoted to it in a sea of right-wing trash in book form. It was a damned impressive sight that you'd NEVER see at Barnes & Noble.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/17/2011 19:39:06
Scoopster on 02/17/2011 19:39:06
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 20:32:29
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raine on 02/17/2011 20:32:29
Quote by Scoopster:
WI Senate Dems have left the state, preventing a quorum and blocking ANY legistlation from being passed.
FUCK YEAH!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:54:52
So will the Rethugs do like they did in Texass and send the police after them?
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:54:52
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WI Senate Dems have left the state, preventing a quorum and blocking ANY legistlation from being passed.
FUCK YEAH!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
So will the Rethugs do like they did in Texass and send the police after them?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:56:17
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:56:17
Oh, even though there still 2 1/2 feet of snow in places that didn't drift, it's 65 outside right now. If this keeps up through Friday a good amount of this crap will be gone. Need a nice slow melt so things don't flood.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/17/2011 20:58:23
They already tried, which is why they left the state.
In fact get this shit - the new WI Senate & Assembly Majority Leaders are brothers, and the new state police chief that Walker appointed is their father! It's like a whole new level of nepotism!
Scoopster on 02/17/2011 20:58:23
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WI Senate Dems have left the state, preventing a quorum and blocking ANY legistlation from being passed.
FUCK YEAH!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
So will the Rethugs do like they did in Texass and send the police after them?
They already tried, which is why they left the state.
In fact get this shit - the new WI Senate & Assembly Majority Leaders are brothers, and the new state police chief that Walker appointed is their father! It's like a whole new level of nepotism!
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:59:45
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 20:59:45
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WI Senate Dems have left the state, preventing a quorum and blocking ANY legistlation from being passed.
FUCK YEAH!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
So will the Rethugs do like they did in Texass and send the police after them?
They already tried. In fact get this shit - the new WI Senate & Assembly Majority Leaders are brothers, and the new state police chief is their father!
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 21:00:20
Livin: 
Raine on 02/17/2011 21:00:20
Quote by Raine:
Mala and Liv, you guys might be able to help out with this one. A Friend on FB is asking this:I spent about 15 minutes trying to find something, but I can't either.Does anyone other than me remember the saturday morning commercial growing up that had Don Quioxte lunging at windmills with a toothbrush????? I am trying to find it on you tube or the web and cant find it.
Does this sound familiar?
Comment by Raine on 02/17/2011 21:01:38
Raine on 02/17/2011 21:01:38
Comment by livingonli on 02/17/2011 23:27:31
Doesn't ring a bell. I do remember the cavity creeps. I probably watched more Saturday Morning TV in the 70's most of my 80's cartoon viewing was weekday afternoons as the toy commercial cartoons drifted the good stuff over to cable.
livingonli on 02/17/2011 23:27:31
Quote by Raine:Livin:Quote by Raine:
Mala and Liv, you guys might be able to help out with this one. A Friend on FB is asking this:I spent about 15 minutes trying to find something, but I can't either.Does anyone other than me remember the saturday morning commercial growing up that had Don Quioxte lunging at windmills with a toothbrush????? I am trying to find it on you tube or the web and cant find it.
Does this sound familiar?
Doesn't ring a bell. I do remember the cavity creeps. I probably watched more Saturday Morning TV in the 70's most of my 80's cartoon viewing was weekday afternoons as the toy commercial cartoons drifted the good stuff over to cable.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 23:56:47
trojanrabbit on 02/17/2011 23:56:47
I don't know how I feel about this.
Barring some major catastrophe I wouldn't think there would be much of a primary challenge to Obama, so this more affects the Repukes, so at first glance I'd say, YEAH If they want a primary, make the RNC pay for it. It's not our fault they can't field decent candidates.
But we're losing a little bit in our say as to who ultimately makes the final election.
Barring some major catastrophe I wouldn't think there would be much of a primary challenge to Obama, so this more affects the Repukes, so at first glance I'd say, YEAH If they want a primary, make the RNC pay for it. It's not our fault they can't field decent candidates.
But we're losing a little bit in our say as to who ultimately makes the final election.
Comment by Raine on 02/18/2011 01:00:14
What?
I think this is bull.
That said, can I ask a serious question? Are states responsible for primaries? I know the DNC and the RNC are private enterprises. I am going to do some more research into this. Thanks for the info, Rabbit.
Raine on 02/18/2011 01:00:14
Quote by trojanrabbit:
I don't know how I feel about this.
Barring some major catastrophe I wouldn't think there would be much of a primary challenge to Obama, so this more affects the Repukes, so at first glance I'd say, YEAH If they want a primary, make the RNC pay for it. It's not our fault they can't field decent candidates.
But we're losing a little bit in our say as to who ultimately makes the final election.
I think this is bull.
That said, can I ask a serious question? Are states responsible for primaries? I know the DNC and the RNC are private enterprises. I am going to do some more research into this. Thanks for the info, Rabbit.