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The Budget Battle - Large and Small
Author: BobR    Date: 07/20/2011 12:40:20

The ongoing debt ceiling battle will apparently run right up to the wire. We have less than a week before economaggedon, and the partisan posturing is more apparent then ever. Finally there is movement beyond talking, but the most recent movement has more in common with bowel than budgetary reality.

Last night, the Republicans passed a bill in the House that would raise the debt ceiling, but only if accompanied by $6T in cuts in Federal spending, and the floating of a Constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget. The vote - largely along party lines - was essentially symbolic, as the bill stands no chance in the Senate, and has been promised a veto by President Obama:
Defying a veto threat, the Republican-controlled House voted Tuesday night to slice federal spending by $6 trillion and require a constitutional balanced budget amendment to be sent to the states in exchange for averting a threatened Aug. 2 government default.

The 234-190 vote marked the power of deeply conservative first-term Republicans, and it stood in contrast to calls at the White House and in the Senate for a late stab at bipartisanship to solve the nation's looming debt crisis.

However, there IS a bi-partisan compromise proposal being considered as well, that is NOT symbolic. Put forth by the so-called "Gang of Six", the proposal has been praised by President Obama:
"The good news is that today, a group of senators, the gang of six, Democrats and Republicans... put forward a proposal that is broadly consistent with the approach that I've urged," Obama told reporters at the White House.

He said that under that new approach "we've got to be serious about reducing discretionary spending, both in domestic spending and defense, we've got to be serious about tackling health care spending, and entitlements in a serious way, and we've got to have some additional revenue.

"So that we have an approach in which there is shared sacrifice and everybody is giving up something."

Obviously, the Tea Party wing of the Republican party is not going to like "additional revenue", but they may be outnumbered by the realists in both parties. Naturally, progressive alarmists will read "tackling health care spending, and entitlements in a serious way", and start blathering about "cuts to Social Security and Medicare" without pausing to consider that the programs can be made more efficient without cutting benefits.

The alternative is to consider Minnesota. They've been without a government for 3 weeks. They finally approved a budget yesterday, and - mirroring what will ultimately have to happen at the federal level - no one was happy:
"While the budget agreement was not the most ideal to anyone, it was time to compromise, end the shutdown and put Minnesota back to work," Republican Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel said afterward in a statement.

The governor and legislative leaders had announced a tentative deal on Thursday, then worked out the details of what was estimated by nonpartisan staff at about $34.3 billion of spending for the fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

All three have said they were unhappy with the plan but believed they must support the compromise. It stripped out tax increases Dayton had sought as well as some social policy changes Republicans wanted. It also had higher spending levels than Republicans were seeking.

Yes - compromise. That is what governing is all about - the art of the deal. Absolutism has no place in higher office.
 

89 comments (Latest Comment: 07/21/2011 00:56:07 by Raine)
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Comment by Scoopster on 07/20/2011 12:53:44
Mornin' all.

Time for a power stretch! RAAAAWR!

http://static.finalfantasyxiv.com/topics/images/86/97/949_0.jpg


Comment by BobR on 07/20/2011 12:57:49
The blog is up.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 12:58:58
Morning mon peeps.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/20/2011 13:02:18
btw, are Republicans stupid or somethin'? You need 2/3 majority to pass a constitutional amendment, so this bill they "passed" really didn't pass shit.

Comment by BobR on 07/20/2011 13:08:15
This should be interesting: Lulz claims to have hacked NewsCorp emails

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 13:09:00
Quote by Scoopster:
btw, are Republicans stupid or somethin'? You need 2/3 majority to pass a constitutional amendment, so this bill they "passed" really didn't pass shit.



It is all about them going back to their districts and being able to say they stood up for America against Barak HoosanLeninStalinHilterMaoPolPot Obama's socialistcommunistfascist tyranny. Their fearful pig ignorant constituants will eat that shit up with a spoon. I full expect to get a missive from my useless congress critter about this very issue.

Comment by BobR on 07/20/2011 13:09:28
Quote by Scoopster:
btw, are Republicans stupid or somethin'? You need 2/3 majority to pass a constitutional amendment, so this bill they "passed" really didn't pass shit.

I think the bill means that a separate Constitutional Amendment will be floated and voted on separately. Of course - if it makes it out of the house, it will be lucky, and is sure to die in the Senate.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 13:10:12
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
btw, are Republicans stupid or somethin'? You need 2/3 majority to pass a constitutional amendment, so this bill they "passed" really didn't pass shit.



It is all about them going back to their districts and being able to say they stood up for America against Barak HoosanLeninStalinHilterMaoPolPot Obama's socialistcommunistfascist tyranny. Their fearful pig ignorant constituants will eat that shit up with a spoon. I full expect to get a missive from my useless congress critter about this very issue.



Oh I'm sure the loathsome Jack Kingston (R-GA 4) has already done this.

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:10:40
good morning!

Comment by TriSec on 07/20/2011 13:19:15
Greetings, comrades.

Do we still have the bank of fainting couches set up with the coffee IV racks?



Clorpenaramine Maleate...there is a reason the dose is only 1 pill.

<-- again.


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:19:23
The House has essentially passed an unpassable bill. More stalling and obstruction.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 13:21:07
Morning

Okay has anyone seen a new politcal ad for calling congress that refered to hearing Obama speak he was basically well spoken but they now regret their vote? I caught a glimpse last night, thought it was on CBS during NCIS I wasn't really paying attention, I was talking to a neighbor

Comment by TriSec on 07/20/2011 13:23:20
Wrapping up a loose thread from yesterday...

(pilot-in-command) Al Haynes and (training captain) Denny Fitch managed to use asymmetric thrust to put a crippled trike (DC-10) on final approach to Sioux City Gateway and gave everyone a chance, which is more than what they had when #2 blew up at cruising altitude and took out all the hydraulics.

Anyway...



Comment by Scoopster on 07/20/2011 13:27:01
More special election results...

WI Dem. State Senator easily turns back recall effort by the Teadiots.

There were two other recall primaries on the R side, the winners of which will move on to general recall elections against Dem incumbents on Aug 16. The batch of six recall challenges to Republican incumbents will happen on Aug 9.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/20/2011 13:27:30


Good morning, bloggers!! I hope all is well. I am checking in quickly before running some job hunting related errands.

I think that Minnesota shows us what could go wrong if the debt ceiling is not raised. Perhaps we will see a solution before we get that bad, but I would not like to see Minnesota's woes writ large on the nation. We might end up with a full Depression. (If the GOP is blamed, I would advise Obama to try to make his last term like FDR's first too and not care what the GOP thinks -- if thinking is the appropriate verb here.)


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:27:51
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Okay has anyone seen a new politcal ad for calling congress that refered to hearing Obama speak he was basically well spoken but they now regret their vote? I caught a glimpse last night, thought it was on CBS during NCIS I wasn't really paying attention, I was talking to a neighbor
Was it the one w/ a woman putting her daughter to bed?

I really have to start writing down the names of these groups.


Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 13:28:23
Quote by TriSec:
Greetings, comrades.

Do we still have the bank of fainting couches set up with the coffee IV racks?



Clorpenaramine Maleate...there is a reason the dose is only 1 pill.

:Thud: <-- again.



You could have said Clortrimeatron and we would have understood you

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 13:32:05
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Okay has anyone seen a new politcal ad for calling congress that refered to hearing Obama speak he was basically well spoken but they now regret their vote? I caught a glimpse last night, thought it was on CBS during NCIS I wasn't really paying attention, I was talking to a neighbor
Was it the one w/ a woman putting her daughter to bed?

I really have to start writing down the names of these groups.



I think so, I saw someone get out or going to bed out of the corner of my eye.

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:34:37
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Okay has anyone seen a new politcal ad for calling congress that refered to hearing Obama speak he was basically well spoken but they now regret their vote? I caught a glimpse last night, thought it was on CBS during NCIS I wasn't really paying attention, I was talking to a neighbor
Was it the one w/ a woman putting her daughter to bed?

I really have to start writing down the names of these groups.



I think so, I saw someone get out or going to bed out of the corner of my eye.
yeah -- that one is particularly awful. It's the one where it says we need to stop obama's blank check.




Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:39:07
Allen West is the worst bagger of the Day, even worse than Eric Cantor:
From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)


Comment by Scoopster on 07/20/2011 13:41:25
Jeez.. what a dickhead.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 13:42:44
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Okay has anyone seen a new politcal ad for calling congress that refered to hearing Obama speak he was basically well spoken but they now regret their vote? I caught a glimpse last night, thought it was on CBS during NCIS I wasn't really paying attention, I was talking to a neighbor
Was it the one w/ a woman putting her daughter to bed?

I really have to start writing down the names of these groups.



I think so, I saw someone get out or going to bed out of the corner of my eye.
yeah -- that one is particularly awful. It's the one where it says we need to stop obama's blank check.





Thats it! Blank check.

Just that little flash I saw was horrify! I mean really, it sounded just horribly racist, basically saying "he speaks well"

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 13:44:25
Quote by Raine:
Allen West is the worst bagger of the Day, even worse than Eric Cantor:
From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)



Alan West is a massive tool. He always has been. he is the go-to GOPer for "The Teaparty isn't racist, Alan West is one of us!" comments.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 13:44:48
Quote by Raine:
Allen West is the worst bagger of the Day, even worse than Eric Cantor:
From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)



OMG, I'd read the story but not the letter! He sounds just like my troll-like problem child neighbor

Comment by BobR on 07/20/2011 13:48:02

This should be resolved soon, because ... well - you know why if you read the blog.

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 13:48:33
He's a nasty bully. I saw the video. It was nothing out of the norm. I guess I shouldn't expect more from a man who was kicked out of the military the way he was.

Comment by velveeta jones on 07/20/2011 13:55:21
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Allen West is the worst bagger of the Day, even worse than Eric Cantor:
From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric
Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal

Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)



Alan West is a massive tool. He always has been. he is the go-to GOPer for "The Teaparty isn't racist, Alan West is one of us!" comments.


Morning all!

What an ASSHAT. Wow. "boo-hoooooo"

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 14:00:43
Raine, we needs to tweet Olbermann and nominate West as a Worst Person.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 14:11:14
great now I have Marcus Bachmann singing Defying Gravity stuck in my head!!!!! ARGH!

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:11:41
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 14:15:26



Yet people take this asshat seriously.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 14:16:25
This guy must have been listening to the guy who sat in for Bill Press this morning - the callers were calling the Pres the "Betrayer" and that Dante 9th CIrcle of Hell was reserved for people like Judas.

This is getting out of hand

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:16:47
Quote by Mondobubba:



Yet people take this asshat seriously.
That what I am trying to understand at this point. Seriously? the IRA???? that is SOOO 80's.


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:17:10
Quote by wickedpam:
This guy must have been listening to the guy who sat in for Bill Press this morning - the callers were calling the Pres the "Betrayer" and that Dante 9th CIrcle of Hell was reserved for people like Judas.

This is getting out of hand
Firebaggers.


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:24:08
How great would it be for Michael Moore to Punk O'keefe ala TV Nation or The Awful truth?

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 14:27:39
Quote by Raine:
How great would it be for Michael Moore to Punk O'keefe ala TV Nation or The Awful truth?



I'd watch that

Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 14:28:39
That's a t-shirt -

GOP working to make Lemon Pledge a food group.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/20/2011 14:30:36
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:



Yet people take this asshat seriously.
That what I am trying to understand at this point. Seriously? the IRA???? that is SOOO 80's.


Why don't the managers of these organizations send out a memo that says if an outlandisly dressed clown shows with an amazingly bullshit story tell them to fuck off O'Keefe lackey! Then have a outsized, glowering security guard throw them out?

Comment by BobR on 07/20/2011 14:37:09
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:



Yet people take this asshat seriously.
That what I am trying to understand at this point. Seriously? the IRA???? that is SOOO 80's.


Why don't the managers of these organizations send out a memo that says if an outlandisly dressed clown shows with an amazingly bullshit story tell them to fuck off O'Keefe lackey! Then have a outsized, glowering security guard throw them out?

Seriously - send his photo to every gov agency that might be targeted by him, with instructions on how to get him to say the wrong things that could land him in jail


Comment by TriSec on 07/20/2011 14:45:39
Say Raine, has that garden of yours gained sentience yet? I have "Cukezilla" about to take over the rest of my plants up here.



Comment by velveeta jones on 07/20/2011 14:47:35
The IRA is wearing kilts these days? Wow. They must be going through some sort of Madonna 80's craze? Weird....


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:53:54
Quote by TriSec:
Say Raine, has that garden of yours gained sentience yet? I have "Cukezilla" about to take over the rest of my plants up here.

My cukes and tomatoes are creating a new plant species.

It's scary, to be honest. I have 15 pounds of Tomatoes in the freezer --- once I get to 25 pounds, we get to canning *gravy*

I'm still trying to figure out which pickles to make from the 20+ cukes I have waiting.


Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:54:31
Quote by velveeta jones:
The IRA is wearing kilts these days? Wow. They must be going through some sort of Madonna 80's craze? Weird....
Who the hell admits they are from the IRA?

It's almost like admitting you are a pimp.


Comment by TriSec on 07/20/2011 14:55:49
Houston, we have an asschub.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/20/2011 14:57:09
Quote by Raine:
Quote by TriSec:
Say Raine, has that garden of yours gained sentience yet? I have "Cukezilla" about to take over the rest of my plants up here.

My cukes and tomatoes are creating a new plant species.

It's scary, to be honest. I have 15 pounds of Tomatoes in the freezer --- once I get to 25 pounds, we get to canning *gravy*

I'm still trying to figure out which pickles to make from the 20+ cukes I have waiting.



do you just get regular pickling spices?

Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 14:59:16
Actaully, I would agree with Jay Rosen from NYU:
News Corp. isn't a news company, but a global media empire that employs its newspapers (and Fox News) as a lobbying arm.
FOR this and this alone, yes, I would agree that if prosecuted, They should be labeled as such. They are not news. They are a lobbying arm of the company -- and the GOP uses them as much.


Comment by TriSec on 07/20/2011 15:01:40
Coincidence that the shuttle is up for the last time on the anniversary of this?

http://www.astronautscholarship.org/images/aldrin.jpg


Further reinforcing my opinion that this represented America's High Point. Now we have no meaningful space program, either.



Comment by Raine on 07/20/2011 15:04:54
Quote by Raine:
Actaully, I would agree with Jay Rosen from NYU:
News Corp. isn't a news company, but a global media empire that employs its newspapers (and Fox News) as a lobbying arm.
FOR this and this alone, yes, I would agree that if prosecuted, They should be labeled as such. They are not news. They are a lobbying arm of the company -- and the GOP uses them as much.
Mr. Rosen wrote this article to accompany this tweet.


Comment by velveeta jones on 07/20/2011 15:15:35
Hey everyone. When the shuttle lands, everyone in the world should dress up in Ape costumes.