Also asked today by NBC's Brian Williams which government program the U.S. government could do without, John Boehner responded that he couldn't name one off the top of his head.

*Oh SNAP*

'Speaker Weeper' no 'quicker on his feet' than the rest of the inmates now running the asylum...

They sure do a mean 'tap dance' though when pressed for answers... LMAO!

He was smart enough not get pinned into a corner and at the same time not give the left any openings. I guess thats why you had to start with the name calling. You didn't have a sound argument to make so start the Ridicule.

Also asked today by NBC's Brian Williams which government program the U.S. government could do without, John Boehner responded that he couldn't name one off the top of his head.

Don't answers like this fan the flames of fear that Republicans WON'T deliver on their promises to limit and reverse run away government growth and spending?

He wouldn't answer so you're gonna channel him, huh? Greeeeaaaatt!

Wouldn't want any education in this country would we? We're doing just fine with knuckle dragging buffoons like you running around here!

He was smart enough not get pinned into a corner and at the same time not give the left any openings.

I'm sorry, but if I'm not mistaken a couple of their campaign promises were 'transparency' & 'having all the answers'...

Is it too much to ask if they would finally SHARE them?

Let's recap shall we?

8 page budget plan that contained ZERO numbers and who can forget all of their ideas for HCR even though as of today NO ONE has heard them...

The first problem is: Does anyone give a sh!t what Boohoo Boehner says? The man is bipolar, well so is McCain and most Republicans.

Let's take the first day out. Boehner is already spewing lies about how health care destroys jobs. Prove it a-hole! And this coming from the same Boehner who was tagged for the biggest lie in 2010 by Politico entitled:

The 'Government Takeover' of Health Care, and Other Whoppers

My advise to Teapublicans -- It's too late. You lost yesterday. So just shut up and mover out of the way. And most of all, stop with the usual lame excuses, like "gotcha" interviews. If Teapublicans had half a brain, the interviews would showcase their brilliance. They have no one to blame but themselves for incompetency.

"I think we have a responsibility as a people to help those who can't compete. But do we have a responsibility to help those who won't compete? I would have serious doubts about that." Would be interesting to know just who this guy considers not competitive and who should they be competitive too ? The wealthy and big business who these other folks work for ? Maybe the vets..who have fought for this country...I know, the disabled...you can however bet on one item..not one idea this guy or any other politican, republican or democrate, will cut anything that helps in any form the wealthy..who hand out thousands of dollars to get what they want..and as all ways..the cost is passed to the tax payers.

FR: Also asked today by NBC's Brian Williams which government program the U.S. government could do without, John Boehner responded that he couldn't name one off the top of his head.

You tell each cabinet member of the administration "Each of your departments is being cut 15%. It's up to you to priortize what stays and what goes." The administration and Congress then have open hearings and they start making choices. After that Congress passes the budget for each department to make it so. That is what job of Congresses should have been all along, but instead they got used to writing checks, checks they couldn't cover.

A real Adult Moment is coming to Washington. Choices are going have to be made and Congress is going to have to start making those very real choices. And this is only for the discretionary spending. The real works starts with entitlement reform.

True

Let's take the first day out. Boehner is already spewing lies about how health care destroys jobs. Prove it a-hole!

I just love your objectivity!

Here you go ... I'm a small business owner. I could hire but right now I don't have enough economy in front of me to overcome the uncertainty of this Health Care act and the regulations. Simple fact ... if it weren't for that I'd be hiring with what work I have on the books.

My opinion as a small business owner ... the sooner that particular incarnation of socialism goes down the better. What we need is a better HC act.

... but then you always did like this particular plan.

Actually, the first thing that should go ought to be the health care coverage for all members of Congress, particularly those who would vote to repeal the recent health care overhaul.

are you really a small business? or are you incorporated as an SCorp to avoid some taxes? I ask because if you have less than 25 employees,...you aren't required to offer health care.

And NO we don't like HCR. Any National plan that doesn't offer a PUBLIC EXCHANGE or OPTION does NOT address the problems. I personally don't think medical insurance should be tied to employment AT ALL. People should have the opportunity to buy in to any plan they are eligible for. Earning discounts for making healthy lifestyle choices, until the only pool left might be underwritten by Federal dollars (much like medicaid currently operates)

I am pretty fed up with people 'construing' my dissatisfaction with HCR as a NO vote. I don't think it went far enough to change the paradigm. But that does NOT mean I want it repealed.

Spending cuts will be deflationary. Prepare for the mother of all crashes. Deficit spending is funding 50 million jobs. Unemployment will skyrocket once Uncle Sam stops spending.

I have to laugh at some of these comments. I saw no "laughing" at Obama when he danced around all of the tough questions during his campaign for President. I wonder whatever happened to all of those 'promises' Obama made? My what short memories people have.

Your partisanship is showing.

PS - Why should it be necessary to cut entire programs to save money? Just cutting back on many of the existing programs would accomplish the goals. Obama increased spending by almost 20% in his first year (almost $600 Billion). I suspect there is plenty of fat in those program increases that could be cut.

Thank you Roy.

Clara KCMO

are you really a small business? or are you incorporated as an SCorp to avoid some taxes? I ask because if you have less than 25 employees,...you aren't required to offer health care.

I am both a small business and incorporated as an S-Corp (and yes you can be both). That said, the fact that I'm not required to offer health care is independent of whether I do. In my trade you need to keep good people and you do that with good wages, benefits, and opportunities. My employees are fully covered just in case you ask that next. You see not all capitalist are ogres in spite of what you hear on this site.

but thank you very much for asking.

Since the republicans and tea party dislike health care, then they should stand up and refuse the government health plan they enjoy. They can buy their own insurance on the private market. That would save some money for the government and teach them what happens in the real world. The republicans are trying to blame everything on the workers and the unemployed, so let them live on what the unemployed receive. The republicans in office are all very rich, and have no idea what it is like to work for a living.

Here you go ... I'm a small business owner. I could hire but right now I don't have enough economy in front of me to overcome the uncertainty of this Health Care act and the regulations. Simple fact ... if it weren't for that I'd be hiring with what work I have on the books.

Sure, we believe you. I'm sure you're also a rocket scientist, a pro football player, have an IQ of 200 and are married to a supermodel. After all, it's the Internet, you can claim to be anything you want.

I think the short article and video below may give some perspective on what the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner, means when he say's the House or Representatives under his/Republican leadership with be "The People's House". This article was written before the last election:

Some may call it a distortion of the facts, but the man who did it has fessed up. We've all heard the story about the day in 1995 when the Republican leadership handed out checks from the tobacco lobby to members of Congress on the http://dotcommonsense.blog-city.com/john_boehner_handed_out_checks_from_tobacco_industry_on_the_.htm">floor of the House of Representatives. And handing out checks was the then number four ranking Republican.

Today he is the House Minority Leader, and has designs on the Speakership should the Republicans take the House in November. What http://dotcommonsense.blog-city.com/john_boehner_handed_out_checks_from_tobacco_industry_on_the_.htm">John Boehner (R-OH) did in 1995 was entirely against House rules, but it didn't stop him from passing out checks from Big Tobacco when a vote was considered to end tobacco subsidies.

To no one's surprise, the subsidy was saved.

In the video below Boehner admits he passed out checks on the House floor, and offers an explanation.

See the video here:

http://www.zimbio.com/John+Boehner/articles/0cA4itXxoCh/Own+Words+John+Boehner+Handed+Out+Tobacco

No child left behind is the cause of great consternation and has adversely affected the quality of education. To main steam all children together helps no one. Teachers only teach so many hours of the day, the rest of that time it is up to the parents to tech their children how to comport themselves and how to work and learn as each is able, we are not all the same and do not all learn in the same way, yet the federal government is mandating without paying for such instruction. No wonder the test scores have dropped.

Feisty Redhead re your comment about how you have not heard any ideas from republicans on HCR. How about that meeting that Obama called for when he issued that famous (infamous) comment, We won. It was televised. How about some, just some of Paul Ryan's ideas. Tort reform (can't do that, lawyers) purchasing insurance across state lines (more competition). Some parts of Obamacare are good, and have been floated for years. The whole is a disaster and will hurt healthcare. Public option never would have passed (thank god) Obamacare throws multi billions onto the states (medicaid) than they can pay. Is that a saving the CBO talks about. Why don't you clean up Illinois before you hoist your ideas on the rest of us. Ill. Ca. Mich. Ohio have been in the tank. 3 of the 4 have gone to Republican governors. Sorry, 2 of 4. Kasich was the one who caused the Fed govt to run a surplus, not Clinton. Clinton said could not be done would ruin economy. Obama's deficits for the next decade would make us Greece.

Obamacare

When you are capable of speaking in something other than Repubican't 'CODE' words... someone might engage in conversation with you.

By the way, you left out 'job killing'...

Until then you come across as an uneducated Beckerhead!

Have a Nice Day!

fiesty, i find it considerable amusing that you are here everyday writing your bias opinion while blindly ignoring the clear and open failures of your party's ability to run your state. Aside from CA, you are the worst run state in the country but those facts completely pass you by because admitting it would mean also admitting you’re a hypocrite and bitter. do us all a favor, if you are not going to openly and evenly evaluate the situation across the board then keep your opinion to yourself. one-sided arguments and emotionally charged statements only fgo to further muddy the water... but i guess that is how you guys like it... completely distorted and disorienting. at least that way you can do and say whatever you want because there is no point of reference to follow... just what you want, when you want it regardless of consequences.

before you begin your... "im a rethuglican" and childish name calling, I will openly admit i am a republican. i am from philadelphia, pa where we are having a terrible time right now dealing with the corruption and closed door deals within the local government. Our school system is completely screwed, led by a tyrant of a superintendent. the housing authority is under investigation for improper use of government fund with regard to both a sex scandal and the board of directors. we also have voter fraud and intimidation problems here. we have issues with just about everything here and it is all being allowed by both parties, maybe one more than the other, but they are both responsible for the monumental deterioration of Philadelphia as a whole.

anyway, i would truly enjoy the opportunity to openly discuss issues with you but since i have been coming to this site to understand "your sides" point of view on the issues at hand, i have realized you do not actually want to discuss anything which would require you to take a step back, look at your position and realize maybe you need to do a little more work on being an american and not a democrat.

and once again, i will do you a favor and admit, the republican party has not done what is in the best interest of the middle class but i can also admit that the democrats have not done what is in the best interest for anyone not on the public dole. both sides are playing the class warfare game but it is us, the regular citizens, who have let it go this far and ultimately it is our duty and responsibility to change that not just sit back and complain about it with bias.

i look forward to talking to you, but i seriously doubt you will.

Calvinius

Sure, we believe you. I'm sure you're also a rocket scientist, a pro football player, have an IQ of 200 and are married to a supermodel. After all, it's the Internet, you can claim to be anything you want.

Thank you kindly for all you think I am. Unfortunately, I am not any of those (although I would be foolish to acknowedge in public that my wife is NOT a supermodel ... to me she is). Just a small business owner that makes a living. It amazes me though, now that you bring it up, how any position other than that of the Left MUST, by definition, be fallacious and contrived by some mean Republican "thug" (assuming that ONLY Republicans have ownership of "Thuggery").

Don't think so, my friend.

bdgndnjd

Read about Beohner handing out checks from the Tobacco Lobby just before the vote on eliminating tobacco subsidies in 1995. How can a political party talk about the evils of socialism and "family values" and take money from the tobacco lobby, obviously designed to get them to spare subsidies for their cancer causing industry? Sorry, but we can't have it both ways.

So joanne what program(s) would you cut?

Quick reminder- JoAnne in PA is not one of our electetd officals. Why doe she have to cut any program(s)? She also has not been running her mouth in public about how she's going to cut all these deficits.

On the one hand, Boehner seemed more analytical and smarter than I'd give him credit for. On the other hand, he's been in Washington damn near two decades. Other than working on his tan and finding all the good happy hours, what the hell has he been doing?

Quick reminder- JoAnne in PA is not one of our electetd officals. Why doe she have to cut any program(s)? She also has not been running her mouth in public about how she's going to cut all these deficits

Still laughing at this response ( too funny )

This is why we need serious people in Washington and not just great public speakers or slogan-talkers. Americans want a lot and it all costs money.

Saying "No" to everything isn't the answer.

Saying "Yes" to everything isn't the answer.

Saying "Yes" to my party's interests isn't the answer either.

And if you claim you can do something, then get it done - otherwise keep the slogans to yourself

In this case , Bohener claims he wants to and will cut the deficit. So...whatcha gonna cut..specifically?

To the conservatives: Listen to your own, few remaining right-wing experts like Ben Stein. With William F. Buckley gone, Ben is about it now that the GOP, FOX and Hate Radio has dumbed down and duped the Tea Party/Republican base. The Teapublican campaign promises were lies:

• There will be no spending cuts beyond a few token efforts.
• The debt ceiling will be raised.
• Revenues will be increased, probably through an increase in the tax base (removal of tax credits), and Bush's tax cuts will not be extended in 2012.
• Repeal of health care will not happen, if for no other reason than it is now law and must be funded, and changes will never pass the Senate, and if anything could be passed in the Senate it would be vetoed by President Obama.
• President Obama will not be impeached. He IS a citizen, and has not committed any crimes or misdemeanors.

So just stop with it, get over it, and let's focus on the economy and job creation.

If conservatives really want to cut spending, they should support the end of the wars, the end of "too big to fail," and the end of the rich getting richer at the expense of the middle class--and if they are true Christians they would stop attacking the poor and elderly too.

I would reduce Defense spending. I would start charging the countries we protect (while they invest in infrastructure, education, health care) who want our troops nearby a fee for those services. The GOPTP took defense spending off the table. They could find half their $100 billion cut promise in redundant, outdated, unneeded programs--why do we build two engines for every one needed (for one plane, we buy 4 engines); a few spares, yes, but either it is a badly defective engine or we just like to buy two when we only need one--let's see isn't that in Ohio where they're built.

thank you jody, hadn't considered overseas expenses, well done!

Still waiting joanne.

Drive by - this is a public forum for discussion, if one wants to present sarcasm, it is rather obvious that they also have an opinion on where to cut the budget. Why not ask and why not reply? What good are opinion polls then? Why not present your opinion publicly?

true patriot - Spending cuts beyond token ones - depends on house democrats, the senate and obamas veto power.

Debt ceiling to be raised - not if enough spending cuts can be made to make it unnecessary within available time constraints.

revenues increased - In 2010 it would have been political suicide by any politician to suggest raising taxes. As for 2012 this is a no brainer as it will be shown that cuts alone won't reduce our debt enough.

healthcare may not be repealed but funding is currently not available to implement many aspects of it as the plan stretches into 2016. BTW - laws can be changed or modified. Even our constitution can be changed.

Impeach obama? why?

Basic political practices dictate that an effort be made by the politician to show his/her supporters that a legitamate effort was made to address ones campaign rhetoric.

american 2051576

I would cut the corporate welfare, and the welfare to rich farmers. I would continue to help the small farmer but not the large one. Take the money away from the oil companies that get every year from tax payers. Repeal the tax cuts for the wealthy. Cut the wages of senators and the congress. If revenue goes up then the debt will be paid down.

american, all of them. Take spending down to 2006 levels, before Pelosi and Reid took over.

True Patriot. The House funds programs. They can (and will) defund parts of Obamacare.

At least some of the muscles in his face still work !

A hug, or a 'jug'??

Where is that psych-guy that throws the box of kleenex at the guy and says something about namby-pamby land when ya need him?

Well I agree to the extent that the government should be a safety net for the americans who are not able to "compete" as he put, though I think I would disagree heavily with how he and his cronies think that safety net should work

forrestoak. Then what was all that talk about reducing benefits, raising the retirement age, privatizing social security--most of it was from the GOPTPers. Privatize means giving it to Wall Street so they can gamble with the money, charge a fee to gamble with it, and possibly lose it ala 2008--thanks but no thanks.

Speaker Boehner (nice ring to that, no?) said nothing was sacred from being cut, B.Williams should accept that as a legitimate answer. The details of what is cut is done with the Congress having open meetings, none of this nonsense of closed door hidden meetings like ex-Speaker Pelosi (nice ring to that, no?) did in her 4 years and $5 trillion dollars of deficit spending, and deciding what stays and what goes. That's "heavy-lifting" that should have been being done all along.

Now B.Williams needs to get his butt over to the White House and start asking Obama, and not some spokes-liar, the same questions. Maybe for once the media will actually start doing it's job and hold these elected officials accountable, on both sides of the aisle.

Starting to feel the Change Libs? Refreshing, isn't it?

jody - based on my age I am almost thinking that privatization is not such a bad thing as long as I control where I invest and not a wall st broker or govt. worker. The government (R, D or I) has consistantly shown that they suck at financial affairs. At least if I lose $$$ it was my and my advisors decision.

As it stands now I am just hoping that my monthly check will cover the cost of a 12 pak and munchies.

JoAnna, this is all about the promises the Republicans made to the electorate last November.

At that time they promised they would make cuts in Washington. They said they could cut $100 billion. Were they lying then or are they lying now?

And Brian Williams is asking his questions in the right place as it is the House of Representatives that formulates the laws and budgets, not the White House.

fielden: And Brian Williams is asking his questions in the right place as it is the House of Representatives that formulates the laws and budgets, not the White House.

But fielden, Obama is one third of the legislative process. If he doesn't agree he can veto, and if there aren't super majorities in Congress to override that veto all this talk by the Speaker is just that, talk. So Obama is very much a partner in the process. His opinion matters above all others, and it would be productive if the media bothered to ask the same tough questions to him that they do to the newly elected Speaker.

fieldon - what part of boehners responce didn't you understand?

But there is no part of this government that should be sacred.

Before Nov 2 2010 there was no way to really say who the new members of congress would be. Seems that the only consistant issue the republicans wanted to take issue with was the economy.

JoAnna: it would be very convenient for Boehner if Brian asked the question of Obama, because then Boehner could duck responsibility for actually making decisions on specific cuts. Republicans have been whining about lack of power, now they have it and it is time they stepped up rather than just say "No" all the time.

Social Security was never a Ponzi scheme. If members of both parties had not ripped off the surplus (going back to the 60's) the program would be virtually solvent. This is one way the government found not to run deficits. They took from the SSI coffers to cover off-budget items including budget overages caused by the Vietnam War. SSI was once a simple idea, you got back what you pay in. That surplus was designed to account for the baby boomers. It never should have been touched.

But this insanity that it is only government that cannot be trusted and that we should put our total faith in American private enterprise is absurd. One need to go back only to the Saving and Loan scandals, Enron and Worldcom and of course the economic collapse of '08 caused by banks recklessly gambling with depositors funds. And those are but the most public examples.

Man is horribly fallible. That's the problem.

The republicans are playing the same old game that they played when George Bush was president, nothing new. They still believe in the trickle down theory, garbage that Reagan started . The theory that does not work, it did not work then and it will not work now. It was just a way to give the rich more money. If revenue decreases the debt increases, if revenue increases then debt decreases.

It absolutely worked. Revenues doubled. Democratic congress tripled spending

"Off script, Obama's 'ums' are nerve wracking- but I cannot remember a single instance where they wer presented in an article." I don' t know about any articles, but you must have never listened to Hannity or Rush. They made a HUGE deal out of 'em. Not that that makes it right, though....

So speaks the woman that list cites that have absolutely nothing to do with what she claims.

One difference there, regarding the umms and uhs: Obama at least has the wherewithall to not start a sentence with an umm or an uh, it is an indicator of a bad liar is most cases. Now I am not calling Boehner a liar, but he is a politician, and as with any politician, their credibility is dubious at best, regardless of party affiliation.

What if you start your sentences with a *sniffle...sniff...sniff*? Does it mean you are a softie, or a little hung over??

just trying to get the sympathy vote as well.

Rich S, You may be right about yourself, but for me it always been a competitive world and I believe it’s that way for at least 60% of the people in the US. In the world of marketing someone is always try to close that next deal to win the monthly contest for this or that. In the area of Sports, speak for themselves. Where it is no longer competitive is in the world of Union Workers, and those areas of our people are in early stages of a painful 15 to 30 adjustment period.

I like games and sports, but very few people get to do that for a living. Sports teams don't really compete - they need each other to succeed which is why they are run as cartels. Marketing always seemed to me like a fairly useless byproduct of capitalism. It doesn't surprise me that it is run in a dumb way.

Unions are about power. Some feel that management should have all the power in a business. Some feel that people who spend their lives working for a company should have some leverage too. Unions have become a scapegoat for those who think workers should be kept poor and hungry.

Rich S I have been at all levels of our work world. I retired in 1999, but still work part time because I like to work and see the outcome of the firm’s completive efforts. But it’s a fact that most of our employees are very completive in trying to be the next one to get the higher paying position when it comes available. We do have a few that are happy to just get along and normally don’t get worried promotions. The ratio of our people was the basis of my 60% number.

But it takes some of all kinds.

How much did that reading-the-constitution-out-loud stunt cost the taxpayers? An hour and a half of paying congress and their staff to do nothing useful. Great start on Republican's so-called fiscal responsibility.

"emidiatly"? And you would have him scrap Dept. of Ed.? Learn how to spell before posting.

pat - It seems that no matter how much $$$ we try to spend on k-12 education our global ranking is still in decline.

So yes, since $$$ hasn't helped drastically reduce the federal dept of education. Let them develop universally consistant and viable programs that can be turned over to the states dept. of education. Stop the duplication of efforts between the states and feds.

He doesn't care about poor people, just the rich. He is very rich, he lies. Social Security is solvent and it can continue to be solvent, just raise the cap. Sargent that leads the tea party has wanted to destroy social security for years. As Alan Grayson stated, the republican health care is don't get sick, but if you do, die fast. I have voted for republicans in the past, but never again. I am so sick of their lies and hate.

read the article sfilutze? Obama probably uttered the words "allah ahkbar (sp)" in his youth due to his fathers influence. Does that make him a liar today as well? I think not! Nor does it imply that he is a muslim.

Politics has always been about compromise.

Sorry you didn't get an invite to any of your local festivities.

The only people the weeper will go after are the middle class, the poor and the seniors. All the seniors that are in the tea party. how is that working for you? Are you ready to give up your social security and medicare? The real death panels are republicans, look at Arizona.

Don't cry, there was an article on MSNBC saying it's not sexy. They had researchers and all. Just get a tub of popcorn and enjoy this year, because next year we will have those wonderful ads brought to us by Corp. A, B, C and XYZ.

:)

And yet obama has embraced a wall streeter to be chief of staff. How ironic that obama favors a wall streeter and possibly even JP morgan.

And to think that just last year it was still an all rich peoples house and unions as well! Lmao!

saying obama can't bring a respectfull tear to someones eyes??

patHuntingtonNY

"emidiatly"? And you would have him scrap Dept. of Ed.? Learn how to spell before posting.

So you correct someone on their spelling........And then........

I hope he don't cry during the State of the Union...Biden better bring some extra tissues for Mr. Weeper.

You show that your use of grammar is no better.

Thise that live in glass houses..........

Thise that live in glass houses..........

Please tell us YOU did that on purpose! Funny as Hell, either way you look at it!!

I'm fine with sensitive men. Where would you have been with a weeping Nancy Pelosi? Could a woman get away with this, or would we hear all this "time of the month" crap?

Nancy Pelosi could never have cried in public. It would have been the end of her career .

Hillary Clinton knows she can't cry either.

Just as Obama knows he has 'emotional' constraints that are applied to him as well.

It's a wonderful world ain't it ?

I completely agree with the new Speaker. We have a moral obligation to help those who CAN NOT help themselves, but I don’t think we are required to help those who WILL NOT help themselves. We all know who we are referring to here. I live near East St Louis, Illinois. Since the mid 60s on any given day, you can find people there that refuse to help themselves. Its easier to sit on your rear and collect a welfare check. They have done it for generations. President Clinton did a good job with welfare reform but he didn’t go far enough. Just like corporations, these people can find loopholes to get what they want. I am personally tired of working everyday to pay my bills to just get by, yet you see it everyday, people using LINK cards for food yet they are driving a brand new car, have the most up to date phone, etc. I can’t afford that kind of stuff.

janet you are certainly a breed of delusional. There are just as many Republicans sucking the government teat as there are Democrats. And I assure you that what is paid out in true WELFARE to individuals cannot even come close to the amount of largesse that the Corporatists are making off with. Just consider the number of congressional members who received grants from the Department of Agriculture. Ask Michelle Bachman about it,...there are many INDIVIDUALS who get government handouts and it doesn't have to be welfare. But by ALL means, blame the poor and down trodden. I mean how DARE they suck your oxygen and litter your Utopic landscape.

Just a reminder. Jesus was a poor man when he walked on earth. Would YOU have scorned him and called him LAZY?

I think your vitriole is completely misplaced. If you are just scraping by,...then you should really examine the legislation that Republicans put forth from 2000-2006 that helped the average American working person. I think if you lifted the veil of venom, you'd be surprised to see how little the Republicans think about you and how they manipulate you with invectives of the 'welfare state' when the truth is that Corporate raiders have taken MORE of our tax dollars than any poor man or woman could possibly carry.

No we do not know "who we are referring to here"; it's just "I'm OK and you're not" BS until we see his opinions enshrined into a bill for all to see. Sounds like playing God to me, a Republican Death Panel; some get pensions, some die in the streets.

I wonder when Boehner was practicing medicine, how many patients did he turn away? Because they had no insurance.

feel that if you get any type of government assistance, you should be required to take a mandatory drug test........wake up people, you don't have to be right wing, left wing or a moderator to understand there is abuse in the system. there probably always will be, but we can try to stop some of it.

Tom - IRS has already stated that they will no longer mail out forms. Either go online, public library or wherever ther local offices are. Don't mind cutting accross the board except for SS payments to our seniors. We have all paid faithfully into the system while the politicians have consistantly raided it since the 60's. BTW - Revenues into SS still exceed outflow and the recent lame duck tax bill has already affected SS.

Wait, wait, wait, wait wait. You do realize NASA has a very minimalist budget in the first place, and cutting anything science related in general is a very bad idea to begin with, right? Keep in mind that science is responsible for everything we have now, and NASA, and the DoD, are largely responsible for many of our current technological innovations. Cutting the budget for education, interior, and postal service is a bad idea also(I personally prefer the postal service over Fedex or UPS, and their budget problems are a result of Nixon's restructuring in the 70's), a better idea would be a restucturing for better efficiency, rather than budget cuts, then use the excess to wards improvements in individual states, particularly where education, and infrastructure is concerned. I have a better idea: Cut out unnecessary projects from the DoD, restruction SSI to be on an as needed basis(by that I mean the people who need it get it, the people who do not needed don't get it. Have it based on retirement assets, and local cost of living, and make it flexible), start an incremental tax increase, institute at least 2 new tax brackets(everybody making $1 million and up should have their own). Or better yet, restructure the entire tax code, for a more effective progressive tax system. As for the aides, don't necessarily cut them, make the position more like an internship for every extra aide that said member of congress has over a set amount, I agree with pay as you go, worked well in the 90's, rather than an across the board employee cut, first start with eliminating redudant positions, then on an as needed basis, and definately agree with the tanning machine, and also make him pay for the spray on stuff out of his own pocket.

Eric - give me back the money I contributed to SS and medicare then. SS was only meant to be a supplement to retirement. BTW - revenue into SS still exceeds outgo.

Good point on the benifits we have derived from the DoD and NASA. Makes me wonder about why obama cut funding to NASA.

Cutting the federal dept of education is a good thing. they should be planners of a national education system that the states dept. of education can implement. Besides, to much duplication in effort exists between the fed and states education departments.

Our educational goals have consistantly declined over the last 20 years or so. Sputnik fired us up about math and science in the late 50's. What is firing up our youth today?

Across the board cuts are just another trite expression. Show some judgment, choose which programs pull their weight and which don't. If you are too lazy to choose, then shut up and sit down, you're useless.

opinion perhaps, but definitely on point.

Oh Denny Boy, no need to wait, Somalia could use a strong patriot such as yourself!!