E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSFrom msnbc.com’s Carrie Dann: With the spotlight blazing onto the 73-page Republican 2012 budget resolution unveiled Tuesday, the plan's author is framing the sweeping changes to federal spending as one side of a "choice" for the American people in the next election
AP
House Budget Committee member Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., looks on at right as committee committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis. touts his 2012 federal budget during a news conference on Capitol Hill today.
“We have a moral obligation to our country, to our constituents, to at least give them a choice,” said House Budget Committee chairman Rep. Paul Ryan in remarks Tuesday at the American Enterprise Institute. “So if we don’t get agreements in the intervening time because [of] politics, at least in 2012 they’ll have a real choice.”
The GOP budget plan – which would cut about $5 million from the federal deficit and overhaul entitlement programs Medicare and Medicaid – offers a daring solution to extract the nation from under a mountain of debt but risks facing a backlash from voters who may see it as a threat to federal health care services essential to older and poorer Americans. Compared with Obama's budget, the GOP plan would cut $6.2 trillion over 10 years.
The plan's transformative changes to health care spending and (yet-to-be-proposed) changes to Social Security are not countered by any revenue-increasing mechanisms that might be favored by Democrats, making the full plan all but politically unviable in the short term.
Ryan argues that, without a preemptive overhaul to prevent a debt crisis that would lead to “European-style austerity,” the same reforms would have to be jarringly implemented in the future rather than responsibly introduced now.
"Members of Congress who understand this believe that the smart best thing to do, the compassionate and humane thing, is to fix this now on our terms in a sensible way than punting and seeing more pain later,” he said.
Democrats came out swinging in response to the Republican plan, painting the GOP-backed proposals as devastating to the elderly.
Ryan’s Democratic counterpart on the House Budget Committee, Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen, accused Republicans of “shift[ing] the entire risk of rising healthcare costs to seniors” with the proposal.
"House Republicans should be honest with the American people and repeal giveaways to the oil companies and tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy before forcing seniors to clip coupons if they need to see a doctor," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel in a statement. "Seniors who are paying a lifetime into Medicare deserve to count on the system they have."
Despite Israel’s reference to current Medicare beneficiaries, the summary of Ryan’s plan presented on the House Budget Committee website said his proposals would apply only to new Medicare beneficiaries starting in 2022, in other words, only to people who are now under age 54. “There would be no disruptions in the current Medicare fee-for-service program for those currently enrolled or becoming eligible in the next ten years,” the plan summary said.
Ryan dismissed Israel’s blistering characterization as knee-jerk politics.
”Here's the deal. Is this a political weapon? Of course it is. but you have to say things like that - which are distortions and demagogueries, no two ways about it - in order to score any kind of political points.
“Shame on him for doing it,” he said.
While Ryan’s fellow Republicans have been supportive of the Wisconsin lawmaker’s willingness to lead the GOP charge on difficult spending choices, those who would like to bear the party’s standard in the 2012 election have not – so far – specifically embraced the details of the plan.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty praised Ryan's "leadership" and noted that the "budget is going to be debated for several months to come."
"With over $14 trillion debt already, we should not allow Washington’s big spenders to put us further in the hole. We must get our fiscal house in order with real spending cuts and with real structural reforms that stop the spending spree before it bankrupts our country," he said in a statement."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he is"on the same page" as Ryan and said that the GOP chief is "setting the right tone" for controlling spending. "I applaud Rep. Paul Ryan for recognizing the looming financial crisis that faces our nation and for the creative and bold thinking that he brings to the debate," he said.
Leave a Comment:
Ok I read it - it is FULL and I do mean FULL of giveaways for the corporations that actually run the GOP. This isn't about America or our budget or taxes or spending - it's about the republican attempt to fundamentally change America. They want to obliterate the middle class. They want a few hundred people and companies to get huge, unjustified tax breaks while very poor people pay an increasing percentage of their meager income to support the government. In this plan, millionaires get $100,000 tax breaks. Over ten years - this plan gives the average millionaire - that's right - ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Who pays for that? Everyone else. You lose Head Start. You lose PELL grants. You lose all sorts of programs that the poor depend on so millionaires can become richer. This is the most cynical, un-American, dasterdly thing the right has ever concocted and that's saying something given their track record. PLEASE read this thing - see what's in it. If you can vote for these people after that - well then you are voting against yourself.
From start to finish, this budget is a smoke screen obscuring a dangerous far-right agenda. America must recall all Repuks, support unions and all workers and citizens rights.
Yeah, amazing, isn't it? The government is broke, and now programs have to be cut, and people like Claudia don't like the plan that is presented. That's fine, the Democrats now have an opportunity to come up with their own plan. Or is it the Democrats plan to continue to borrow and spend, and burden todays children with higher taxes when they become the taxpaying adults of tomorrow? Just doesn't seem fair, does it? At least not to the children. Do you care about the children Claudia?
I'm impressed - at least this one has actual numbers in it! LOL
Instead of aiming to balance the budget off the backs of the working poor, where are the CUTS to the farming & big oil subsidies along with defense spending?
Don't even get me started on an additional 15% tax cut - when taxes are ALREADY the LOWEST they've been in 50 years!
We are in the current debate because the democrats in the 111th Congress did not pass a budget. Say what you will, but at least the republicans presented a budget. I like Paul Ryan's plan. It is time that members of Congress start making the hard decisions and stop worrying about being re-elected.
Well Libbies, if you don't like Mr. Ryan's deficit reduction plan, you can always refer to the Democrats and Obama's deficit reduction plan and maybe find some things in those plans that you like.
Oh wait . . . . . .
claudia,
did you REALLY read it or are you using talking points you heard from un-educated hacks like bill press or ed the head?
it always amazes me when LIBS like claudia attempt to propagate the LIE and MYTH that Conservatives wish to "obliterate the middle class". WOW, couldn't be further from the truth. EVERYTHING the Republicans do directly or indirectly designed to give opportunity to the middle class as well as to give the poor a chance to develop themselves to JOIN THE MIDDLE-CLASS.
it's easy to see to Americans that are paying attention that the DEMS would rather keep the poor on welfare and the middle-class hand-cuffed with bureaucracy and regulations. this is done to ENSLAVEN the masses for a permanent voting sector.
Vote Republican for PAYCHECKS; Vote Democrat for Welfare Checks! IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!!!
David - In two words....Bu** Sh**.
david-1102226
Conservatives may not wish to obliterate the Middle Class, however that is what their policies have accomplished.
10% of the people in this country earn three quarters of the entire country's wealth.
The gap between rich and poor hasn't been this wide since the 1920's.
In Maine, our governor forced public workers, who retire on an average pension of $19,000 a year, to take pay and benefit cuts in order to give those making over $350,000 a year a $2,700 tax cut.
"Millionaires Become Richer!" ...... the ole liberal class warfare mantra.
Guess what Claudia, millionaires get richer regardless, whether they hide their money in government bonds where they make less than investing it in a business, move it or whatever. They are not stupid.
It is pretty much that simple Claudia, yet you chose misery for all - "its fair."
Liberals love the poor - they create more of them everyday.
BTW - Has Obama created one new net job with his liberalism? Sure are lot more on assistance though.
Voted either funniest or most delusional post I have EVER read here on First Read.
Just for starters, I need to know EXACTLY how eliminating Head Start or Pell Grants is calculated to "give the poor a chance to develop themselves to JOIN THE MIDDLE-CLASS."
And just in case you really believe this, David ... IT'S NOT WORKING.
Sounds like it to me.....middle class becomes peasants for the new kings so...that we can overthrow them in the future!! YAY!!
It's not a budget problem, but instead a revenue problem. Raise the taxes where they need to be raised. The Clinton era tax rates would work just fine. Republicans- Tea Baggers, quit playing these games.
I love it!! You are so so right about them. They are dictators really - Their way or the highway, but if its left up to the Republicans, we would still be on dirt roads all over the country. Nothing against dirt roads I grow up with some. How much is their salaries??? (TOO MUCH) we are paying them too much and their buddies are getting richer and richer. Why should we pay taxes and other don't. They can give me all the funds I've put into Social Security all my working life and I will be happy. We pay these people when they leave office, and their families aren't hurting, they get Healthcare even if their in office for only for two years. What's that about?
What the Left fail to mention is that the average poor person with kids in America gets anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 in when they file their income taxes, so they'll probalby get that for next 20 years. Not including the long lines they create at Walmart with their food stamp card; and the long lines they create at the convenient store to buy lottery tickets also known as the poor man's tax. Wake up America we are broke!!!! Stop watching Jersey Shore and read a book, the Left can start with by reading the Consitution.
The cuts are coming, probably not until 2012, but they are coming! Inflation has hit us and is not going away, it is going to get worse and will drag the D's and their free spending ways out of office. Libs, your day in the sun has come and gone! The Taxpayers (notice I didn't say citizens) have had enough and are tired of supporting you and your assanine programs.
Entiltlements should only be distributed to those people who have earned them. Did you know that Social Security is paying out disability benefits to dope addicts, alcoholics and other social rejects? Hell, we even pay SS benefits to 63 year old illegals who never payed a dime into the system!
Job1, you need to update your talking points, they are out of date. It is a spending issue.
Tax as % of GDP - http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/current-tax-receipts
Notice how it's pretty static?
Now spending as % of GDP - http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/us_20th_century_chart.html
Notice how it's growing year after year?
Stop with the bull crap talking point about it being a revenue problem. Your are propagating a lie.
GoUSA, do you happen to remember WHY the 111th congress did not pass a budget? It was deemed passed by the House, but the Senate was unable to bring it to the floor because of the Republican filibuster threat. You can blame the Dems if you want, but the Repubs are the ones who filibustered everything. That was done so people like you could criticize the Dems because they didn't pass a budget.
The sad thing is that the conservative voters fall for the Republicans' con and don't realize until after they have elected all those Repubs, that the policies they actually want to enact are detrimental to their own self interest and by then it is too late. That is what will happen if this budget is passed. By the time they realize what they have lost, they won't be able to get it back. I guess that's what the Repubs count on. Look at Wisconsin. Wake up, people. Don't wait until it is too late. Vote Dem in 2012.
Back of the envelope math. Bush tax cuts cost approximately $4T over 10 years so around $400B per year. We are currently running a $1.6T deficit. You're still $1.2T short.
Yes that's how bad the number are.
Now we will see who's serious about changing Washington;
Those Democrats who say "This will at least provide a basis for discussion" are the ones with an open mind.
Those that say "This is just going to punish the (old, poor, sick, etc- take your pick) and help the 'rich" are the ones that want to play partisan politics as usual, and will use empty rhetoric to demonize their opponents and keep us heading for that cliff.
Ryan is right in saying that "This will give people a choice". Will we choose to try to live within our means, or will we pile so much debt on our children and grandchildren that they will be little more than indentured servants to foreign debt for their entire lives?
Sadly, since almost half (47%) of families pay no federal income taxes, but they do get to vote, and since the debt is 'someone else's problem to pay', their attitude will be "Make someone else pay for it, but leave my 'free' benefits alone".
ROY-- LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS? The Middle Class' BUDGET KEEPS GETTING SMALLER and has been for the last 10 YEARS. Increased fuel cost--when we don't have a choice--we have to drive to work--increase in food prices--increase in ALL Insurance--health, life, auto, short-term disability, long-term disability, nursing home insurance, home--no driving vacations--no vacations at all etc etc etc etc etc. We can't live within our means. IF YOU aren't living within YOUR MEANS, then don't hurt the working 53+ MILLION people in this country to FORCE YOU into cutting back.
It is NOT that the government doesn't have enough REVENUE. They just want to make sure OUR MONEY becomes THEIR MONEY.
Heartlight,
I believe the "threat of a Republican filibuster" reason for not passing the budget last year is simply a talking point that's going around suddenly. The truth is, I believe, that the budget wasn't even brought to the floor because the Democrats were waiting for the President Obama's deficit commission to present their ideas. It was never brought to the floor. It was intentionally delayed by the Democratic Majority in the House.
Click below on the lower right-hand corner if you want to VOTE OUT and/or RECALL members of the REPUBLICAN TEA PARTY.
@Amy from Portland: But they do want to destroy the middle class. The uber rich despise democracy unless it has a price tag on it. I personally believe we're doomed. Money has turned our government against us. The Supreme Court is corporate. The 2012 election is very important to these oligarchs. The election has nothing to do with the presidency. Its about the Supreme Court and only the Supreme Court. Oligarchy governments use the laws against the people to hold power. Revolution, hard revolution is the only way to stop them.
Heartlight - Candace is correct. The only budget was the proposed budget. NOTHING was ever sent out of committee other than Continuing Resulutions. Without an actual budget - it's harder to guage whether you are spending to much, too little. This gave democrat candidates the ability to say they didn't vote for the budget or it's deficit in November 2010. Without a plan, there is no way to pin someone down on what they did or didn't do.
Damn Roy, even you aren't as zealous in your support for this plan as you usually are when the GOP rolls out a bill.
Given that, I'd have to surmise the moderate Republicans are recoiling in horror and very seriously considering defecting to the other side. Which they should considering how you right wing nutjobs declared war on them and have been trying to force them out of the party for being RINO's and unamerican.
Yeah, this is going to be seen as a choice in '12, when America knows that the GOP majority in the Congress, Senate, and White House will mean this plan will become law.
And that means pretty much guaranteed Democratic control of the three.
Jesus, are you sure Ryan isn't a Democratic plant to sabotage your party, cause that's what he's doing.
OBAMA: "Note to self, get the budget done on time".
This should have been done last year. So now the Republicans are trying to pick up the ball and the Democrats are trying to knock it out of their hands. It's all about the fumbles and recoveries. Unfortunately, what gains are made on the field are quickly lost time and time again.
I don't understand why the Democrats think they can continue to spend money America doesn't have while ignoring their constituent's desires for them to cut spending.
Jesse-Az
Did you read your Heritage chart? It's not static..its at a historic low. And yes, spending has increased, much of it on 2 wars, plus the unfunded medicare benefit passed in 2003, plus in a recession, the government always spends more...its the only way to keep the economy from getting worse.
DUDE-875416
OBAMA: "Note to self, get the budget done on time".
This should have been done last year. So now the Republicans are trying to pick up the ball and the Democrats are trying to knock it out of their hands. It's all about the fumbles and recoveries. Unfortunately, what gains are made on the field are quickly lost time and time again.
I don't understand why the Democrats think they can continue to spend money America doesn't have while ignoring their constituent's desires for them to cut spending.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First off, Obama sent a budget last year...it never made it through the Senate.
Second, the Repubs have never and never will be concerned about a deficit. Even Ryan's plan adds 8t to the deficit over 10 years, and keeps us is in a deficit until 2040. Plus it places a greater burden on the middle and lower class, which means less of their money goes back into the economy.
Unless you mix tax increases with spending cuts, there is no discussion.
Candice, Bartlett, IL
Heartlight,
I believe the "threat of a Republican filibuster" reason for not passing the budget last year is simply a talking point that's going around suddenly. The truth is, I believe, that the budget wasn't even brought to the floor because the Democrats were waiting for the President Obama's deficit commission to present their ideas. It was never brought to the floor. It was intentionally delayed by the Democratic Majority in the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In June Hoyer did say that, but it passed the House later in the year. The Senate did not have the votes to pass a budget, so Repubs and Dems agreed to put it out to this year.
Jim M-2801763
I corrected your statement in bold text. Yes, it is transparently clear the Democrats could have resolved our budget issues last year when the budget was due. Since all three branches of government were controlled by the Democrats, with good leadership, it should have been a walk through the park. If the Democrats did their job in the first place, there wouldn't be ANY threat of our government briefly shutting down.
Could you share links supporting the figures you are claiming regarding Ryan's plan? I am not aware of any CBO estimate having been prepared. Was there one?
I want to hear what Bill Clinton has to say, because this thing with Medicare is exactly what triggered the shutdown by the Republicans during his term.
Representative Ryan has been pitch perfect on the release of this plan. He's explained what the problem is, why it's important both in the near and long term, and what the details are on what is to be implemented. He's kept it concise so that most people can understand it, and he's offered it as choice to the American people. There are many things in his plan that present hard choices that must be made, but he also explains in stark terms what happens if these problems are ignored or not confronted. In short, Paul Ryan is providing the necessary leadership to define and resolve the economic problems facing the nation.
And the Democrats response is to sling mud.
Doubt anyone supports it...I do not!! Obama 2012!!
It is a starting point, but that's all it is. Embracing things before you take the time to work through the details is how most candidates for president wind up looking foolish.
Ryan's plan is as ideologically odious to liberals as HCR is to conservatives, adopting many of the recommendations of the Simpson Bowles commission while ignoring the commission's conclusion that tax cuts and tax increases are both necessary to achieve long term stability.
http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/news/cochairs-proposal
The reality is that unless the burden and pain are SHARED by all, no budget proposal from either party will be accepted, and unless the two sides can drop the overheated rhetoric and work TOGETHER on the hard choices that both sides must be willing to make, we will continue on the current path. Ultimately our legislators will either put down their bullhorns and share the sacrifice for the good of the nation, or they will be forced by circumstance to make those choices when the wolf is at the door...
I commend Rep Ryan for being the first to have the guts to put something out there. He has framed the debate, but the debate is just beginning.
I haven't seen any evidence that Republicans know the meaning of the word "compromise". Don't hold your breath waiting for bipartisanship, unless your definition of "bipartisanship" means Dems give in to whatever Repubs want. That seems to be the way it works these days.
This is in response to Joanna:
Gee, whiz, Sweetie. Those damn Democrats just won't plan nice and engage in an orderly debate over priorities. Sound familiar? Oh, that's right, its the same sh*t the Republicans pulled for 2 years. Short memory ya got there.
Spoiler alert: When the American people begin to understand what exactly is being proposed here, good luck to the Republicans to hang onto the House in 2012. Oh and that ringing endorsement the Ryan Plan is getting from his fellow Republicans, including the old Flip-Flopper himself, Mitt (The Healthcare Plan I Supported in Mass. Ain't Good Enough For the Rest of the Country) Romney, is a resounding silence.
There will be budget balancing, no doubt about it. It just ain't gonna happen on the backs of the middle class. We'll see to that.
Obviously Rep. Ryan has found the Dog Whistle of the Radical, Rabid Right.
You'll have to excuse the Democrats Joanna, see they actually think paying off the mess the corporate world, the wealthy, and Wall Street caused should be done in a balanced way with maybe those parties that were actually responsible paying a little more.
They see that cost being thrown entirely onto that middle class and below, while the wealthy get massive tax cuts as being a little unfair.
Silly them.
True American-2367375
Outstanding Joanna.......someone needs to lead and we all know that it's not going to be our President!
I hope anybody out there who is considering running for President is smart enough to embrace this bill and embrace it quickly!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking at what it cuts and privatizes...as well as add to the deficit, why would anyone embrace it quickly?
Simply cynical.........you must be drinking from the same pot of tea as your Wisconsin governor.
Paul Ryan, the GOP/TP's scapegoat. What Ryan proposes in his master plan is nothing short of highway robbery of the middle class and poor and the money transferred to the Corporate Welfare beneficiaries. Now, the big plan is out there, care to take bets on how many days it takes before the GOP tells the public they don't really support what Representive Ryan proposes; and then proceeds to do everything it can to implement it. Bait and Switch, that's what republicans have been doing for decades.
@Jody. What money of the $1.6T deficit would be transferred to Corporations?
R-(E+TC)= $1.6T
where R= revenue
E= expenditures
TC=extension of Bush tax cut
So to answer your disingenuous question, TC is what was transferred to Corporations and/or otherwise rich people. It's pretty clear that the deficit would be smaller where it not for TC.
For those who claims that there is no such thing,as the"Southern Strategy"guess what!
They have already obliterated the working midle class. They have reduced hard working, skilled, educated, proud,and trained Americans into STRESSED, DEPRESSED, OVER DEBTED, worrying, and mistrustful people that used to be the back bone of not only their families but the country as a hole. Republican politics are masked as Moral issues and conservative issues and God issues and fiscal responsibility. But I truly feel that they view this as a MONEY GRAB that belongs only to the ones that pass the Republican test for patriotism and Godliness, when they are as GREEDY, DECEITFUL, SELFISH and intolerant of people that don't eat what they eat and worship just like they worship and drink this special kind of TEA. That my friends and fellow countrymen is not what the founding fathers wrote about when they fought sometimes with each other to build a UNION that accepted all people that came and followed regulations to become US citizens. They are flabbergasting and decieving people into thinking they are so strong and pure and the only option to righteousness. BULL $#!t!
I agree with you. Have these people forgotten that Republican President Bush didn't put the two wars in his budget and this President did. That's one reason why the deficit is the way it is! Bush could do no wrong and they try to be all over President Obama and he's trying to work with them! STOP IT MR. PRESIDENT! Get out and vote these Corporate, Wealthy Loving people OUT!!! TAKE IT TO THE STREETS!!!!!!!
This is all about giving corporations the "tax holiday" that they talked about a few weeks ago. A trillion dollars here and there. The "little people" will pay for it. Immigration reform through attrition. Slash the programs and they'll leave. After all, this is "war" and the enemy, as has been so eloquently stated by so many politicians and pundits, is your neighbor that you do not even know. Syphon economics has worked great so far. The only problem is that in a few years there will be nothing left in the bottom of the tank to syphon out.
When we, the voters, become objective enough to reject the manipulative, emotional appeals to our self-concern and just see the reality of what this country needs and the emptiness of the self-serving positions taken by the Tea Party (the current 'hired gun' of the 'ultra-conservatives') and of those taken by the Republican Party over the last ten years, then we will be able to force government to be conscientiously responsible, truly bipartisan, honestly centrist and to work to solve the problems for the benefit of the majority. We really don’t ever want a too 'liberal' government but to allow ourselves to be manipulated into accepting 'more of the same', Bush-Cheney style, (and even worse) that has already cost us greatly and always proves to benefit only Special Interests and the powerful, influential and extremely wealthy few (those ‘pulling the strings’), will just continue to widen the gap between those wealthy very few and everyone else (including the total middle-class). Rationally looking at everything, including what has transpired, the drastic costs experienced, the real deception in the rhetoric, the stubborn avoidance of responsible action and the arrogantly continuing benefit sought for only the few, really clearly exposes the hopelessness and the bias of their (non-)solutions. To now be blind to the con of the Tea Party and of the ‘ultra-conservatives’ will just render us victims again.
Here Here Rgiles!
Great Post ....
So the millionaires have their tax cut and now the GOP proposes to take away Medicaid from the poor to pay for it. That's the true GOP values. take from the poor and give to the rich, because the rich deserves the reward more than anyone else.
And the moment anyone quietly suggests that it might be fair to take something back from the rich to give to the poor, they are branded socialists and accused of hating the rich and engaging in class warfare...
He is clear about one thing, this is a choice, a choice between the corporate pigs at the trough getting even more from Ryan and the GOP or taking even more from the working and middle class in this country. Hum, let me think which one do I choose, OK, I'll stick with those that work and have built the country, thanks Ryan but you can go Butt Kiss the KOCH BROS some more, take your dog and pony show with you.
Another attack on the middle class and the poor. Lower the Tax Rate for Corporations, make the Bush Tax Cuts permanent and extend Corporate Welfare for Big Oil and Companies that Outsource Jobs and utilize Offshore Tax Havens. What gets me is Rep Ryan acts like this is something new. Not one new revenue source when Tax Revenue is the lowest it has been on a percentage basis since the 1950's. What is alarming is that there are people in here posting who are in favor of this lunacy. Prediction: in 2012 the GOP is going to lose a lot of seats.
@Rick: Don't bet on the R's losing a lot seats. Supreme Court (some of them) are against us. You read some of the posts. Karl Rove's philosophy of divide and conquer is working. The nation is divided against itself. And the very small minority who accumulate more wealth in one day than the average American could earn in a hundred years is sitting back with a smile while American democracy slides into American Oligarchism. Have heart. Their time is coming and they won't like it. Faint hearted need not apply.
Educated. Sophisticated.
None of this means a thing. Peter the Great. Catherine the Great. Two leaders who wanted to bring Russia in line with all the other European countries. They were tired of being "backward". They were "enlightened".
Berlin was a beacon of intellectualism. Munich. The best minds in the world at one time. And then a leader came along and said they got screwed after WWI. And of all a sudden, the middle class forgot their inherent decency.
America. Took the Enlightenment to its fullest potential in the American Revolution.
Yet slavery continued when we became a nation. Barbarism remained a staple under Peter and Catherine. And Berlin? Munich? Cruelty everywhere. Inhumane cruelty.
And now the GOP. Once again, as has happened throughout history. The gutless must do the bidding of the wealthy. Of the powerful.
And once again. Everyone suffers. The middle class in America were told by R. Reagan that they could have it all. As long as they had a good education, health insurance, good wages with good working conditions, affordable homes, their parents would be taken care of. Of course, unions helped attain these goals.
But we have turned the clock so far back that now the middle class is waking up and saying - what? This isn't want I bargained for. The poor could go without and no one would care. Just scare the middle class. That's all that needed to be done. Whether it be by blaming the blacks, the unions, the Russians or now the Muslims. Or even President Obama. It never ends. And never will, because people with all their so-called sophistication and education, still like to blame everyone but themselves when all it is is a plain lack of being informed. It's that simple.
Now it's everybody that is a target.
While America Slept. For 30 years.
France. Where the Enlightenment flouished. Yet they they Napoleon who wanted to conquer the world.
How to grow jobs, energy, the economy, remain competitive, and eliminate the deficit:
1. Legislatively remove the anti-trust exemption for insurance, The McCarran-Ferguson Act. Then Repeal Obamacare as unnecessary.
2.. Legislatively restrict the wetlands definition of "navigable waters of the United States" in the Clean Water Act.
3. Fund and begin construction of power generation and water supply projects necessary to meet future population and industrial demands.
4. Remove all geographic restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling, and use the power of federal money transfers to the States to prevent States and local governments from interfering with drilling.
5.. Remove environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for all infrastructure and utility construction for the next 10 years.
6.Cut Federal budget by 10% excluding defense, starting with those duplicative items identified in the 3/1/11 GAO report and Presidents Debt Commission, however, maintain current spending for infrastructure construction, repair and upgrade for the next 5 years. Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act.
7. Reduce corporate tax rates by 50%. Reduce Corporate tax rates by 70% on private utilities and transport companies.
8. Reinstitute significant tax and assistance payments for residential and commercial alternative energy instillations, particularly focusing on residential solar. Use Commerce Clause to force all electrical utilities to be reverse metering.
9. Subsidies the further development of electric and hybrid electric cars. Provide significant tax breaks and incentives for the purchase of same, particularly when combined with the purchase of a residential solar instillation within two years of one another. This is no longer a simple market issue, but one of national security as the time to substitution is longer than the economy can withstand when confronted with a supply side shock
10. Eliminate the Ethanol subsidy for any and all processes using foodstuffs. Redirect monies to nuclear and coal. Streamline regulation of new construction of nuclear power plants and provide incentives for same. Open Yucca Mountain as originally agreed.
11. Eliminate any power of the EPA to regulate Carbon.
12. Use the power of the Federal purse to eviscerate Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005) and Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council, Inc. v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 535 U.S. 302 (2002),
13. Repeal the Community Reinvestment Act.
14. Hold congressional investigations into the roll of the Community Reinvestment Act, Freddie and Fannie in inflating demand and thus prices resulting in the collapse of the real estate market.
15. Build a wall embedded with sensors and toped with razor wire along both our borders, beginning with the southern one. In the name of national security remove all environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for the construction of same.
16 Pass legislation that all jurisdictions receiving federal monies of any sort are required to enforce all of the laws of the land, including enforcement of federal immigration laws.
17. Restrict the collective bargaining power of State civil service unions in line with the 1978 Federal Civil Service Reform Act
18. Scrap the tax code and adopt a flat-tax that will build the size of the pie (and thus tax revenues) for everyone instead of the Obama class warfare of trying to redistribute a shrinking one.
19. Revisit New York Times v. Sullivan and remove the "actual malice" requirement to improve the quality, objectivity and accuracy of media reporting,
Isn't there a Tea Party you should attending somewhere?
All I see is a bunch of unfunded mandates. Go back to the dark ages.
This doesn't sound any more workable now than it did all the other times you have posted it.
@Newmalthus: I got a better idea. Some of your (long) post is relevent. However, lets cut the crap. How about auditing all war funding from 2001 to present. Arresting all Americans who were (and still are) involved in market manipulations. Auditing all insurance companys involved in health care. Auditing every oil company suspected of market manipulation and war profittering. The slime under the rocks are many. There are a few in oil, insurance, Wall Street, and military who have committed treason. The nation's problems are not many, there is a select few who have brought us here. The time is now.
wow! from above...
and yet ryans plan, in part...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42420994/ns/politics
Seems that the democrats have no plan!!
@American: You are mistaken. Ryan's plan is nothing more than another wealth transfer to the top. The way 'workers' is used smacks of a permanent, powerless lower class. The democrat's problem is that they believe in democracy and work within the confines. Unfortunately, they have yet to understand that the ideals they believe in have been sold. Oligarchy Democracy walks among us.
barry - it is still a plan regardless of any warts. It is now up to pelosi and company to debate and offer alternatives. Wouldn't you agree?
It is what the Progressives have been saying in Wisconsin for a long time about "Richie Rich Ryan." He is not a political/economic friend of unions, the elderly, the disabled, the working poor, and the Middle Class. So my fellow citizens. Are you now reading the fine print of "Richie Rich Ryan's" budget yet?? He is not going to economically negatively effect the very rich, large corporations, Wall Street Bankers, and the large insurance companies. The tax breaks for the very rich are going to be biggeer, and the tax loop holes will be even be more inviting. "Richie Rich Ryan" is in the same poltical, economic, and social philosophies of "Crazy Conservative Crap" of "Whacky Walker." The Progressive groups in Wisconsin, have been following the connection between these two political pukes. America! Are you listening now??
No need for death panels when you deny basic health care to the elderly and poor.
Salt Grass
I thought the same thing!
It is the ultimate cure for homelessness, poverty and unemployment. Do not have a job and get cancer, so be it. Mentally ill on the street, one less mouth to feed. Need a transplant and have no insurance, well there is no waiting list for you. Miscarriage in your home, no plan parenthood.
So you solution is to simply bankrupt America and allow us to go the way of Greece, Ireland, and Portugal...
Great idea......way to look at the long term solutions...NOT
WOW! Maxwell, way to put words in Salt Grass' mouth. To the best of my vision, I didn't see him offer any plan, yet you give him your version of his solution. Amazing.
Yes, no need for government death panels. The right-wing continues to bring up this zombie lie of "death panels" supposedly installed within President Obama's Health Care Reform Bill, a federal law that the Republican Tea Party said it is their number one priority that they want to see it killed off by hook, or by crook.
We do have insurance industry death panels. Its called rejecting chronically-ill American people in need of life-or-death medical care, based on their "pre-existing conditions." I've seen a few Republican-paid TV political adverts and billboards demanding power be returned back to the insurance industry, in the name of, "free market choices."
"Vote Republican for PAYCHECKS; Vote Democrat for Welfare Checks! IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!"
I AGREE.
Poor people from third world countries come to the US so they can have a chance, an opportunity to work hard and better their lives. We should warn them that the Democrats will expect them to demand welfare and vote Democrat !!
Leona, poor people form other countries are deported.
Okay LEONA, paychecks require JOBS.
How is firing all public workers in the middle class creating jobs, or paychecks? After they're out of work, how do you expect them to feed their families? With the goodwill of the Republican Tea Party Ideology?
The welfare rolls in the hardest-hit states grew because of this crap of eliminating teachers and defunding public education, thus creating a greater tax burden, deeper state deficits... and a lot more undereducated citizenry!
Instead, how's about this saying as told to me by one of my online friends?
"DEMS CREATE JOBS, AND THE GOP OPPOSES THEM TO CREATE MORE POOR TO FEED THEIR WEALTHY."
rradiko, I throw the B.S. FLAG. Barry gave the States multiple stimuli in the tune of BILLIONS for Teachers,Police and Fire. Barry also gave welfare a 33% raise. I on the other hand as a Disabled Vet get 0% for 2 years. Shove that crap back up where it came from.
Leona I vote to cut "ALL" Corporate Welfare including all tax breaks to corporations who are outsourcing jobs. Why should they received "ANY" taxpayer money if they are not creating jobs here or investing in America? Oh and by the way Red States take more federal funding they put in its past time for all those Red States to start paying more explain why Blue States have to make up for the Red States revenue loss. IMO those "conservative" Red States should not be receiving more then they give back.
huffingtonpost.com/robbie-gennet/bush--not-obama--enacted_b_678682
GOOD JOB RYAN!
We need to roll back the spending...no matter how much the Left opposes it, we simply cannot keep spending like this!
Let's start with the spending on the tax breaks for big corporations that send jobs overseas.
I have a few suggestions. How about the pay for the politicians, why should they get alot more then the police or fireman that put their lifes on the line everyday. Also why should the politicians be able to keep their healthcare & salary after they leave office, even if they are only in one term. Raise taxes on the rich & corporations, if they want to give a tax break on corporations, make sure they only get it if they don't outsource. I would go with a flat tax, but it would have to have a couple levels with the rich paying the most, no loopholes you make x amount that is what you pay, don't matter if you are married, single, with children or without. Cut Military spending. Why won't they start there in cutbacks, I 'm sure that would help.
Maxwell when will he address Corporate Welfare that is also government spending? It's time to massively cut spending to them as well especially record number profits. Or is it in your opinion corporate welfare is off the table and should never be touched to increase the revenue of this country.
Just asking.
So, the Greedy Oligarch Party (GOP) has a new poster boy: Paul Ryan.
Ignoring approximately two trillion spent on no-win wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a GOP initiated 700 billion bail-out of greedy and incompetent financiers, and the enormous audit-free spending down the black hole of national defense, Rep. Ryan obsesses about reductions of relatively small sums directed at education, medical research and Social Security benefits!. Even a one percent income tax increase on the oligarchs is out of the question!
The arrogance and conceit of one man abusing his position to hold the nation hostage to government shut-down unless his 10-year plan to cut 6.2 trillion from the national debt is passed is unconscionable. Even if such a grandiose scheme somehow got accepted, it would not be long before it was revised as so many grandiose plans were revised or abandoned time and again by a Congress that faces reelection every two years.
Given the reduction in the budget from the prior fiscal year, the nascent recovery from the Great Recession that tends to reduce the need for social spending and gradually to replenish the Treasury, the movements of the U.S. fiscal policy and economy already are in the right direction. Draconian measures are not required to turn the corner; we are going around the corner now.
But these self-absorbed ideologues in politics are unlikely to yield no matter how many people get hurt. So, stay tuned, folks, and see what a spastic anal sphincter can do to the body politic.
Looks like the Republicans are handing the next Presidental Election to the Democrats. Romney can forget about it. He looks Sleazy to me. I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog. If I had a dog.
Congressman Ryan's big mistake today, was not first apologizing to the American public for the past several decades of budget and deficit spending by the GOP, then addressed what the GOP now wants to do to correct those mistakes. Then, and only then, I would listen more closely. He blew it.
Why do the democrats forget about the "stimulus" money payed to the big banks by OBAMA that put us in such bad shape. The banks greed got them in that position, not the taxpayers. And then the big banks got those big bonus payouts from us taxpayers. So wouldn't it be the democrats that feed the wealthy and not the republicans? Why should we have to pay welfare and social security to drug addicts that dont want to be middle class? Or people that are happy being poor? You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make them drink. It seems to be common sense, if they want to be poor, let them. If they want to be middle class, they will find a way...I did.
GoTParty:
I think you said "stimulus" when you meant the TARP program. That's the program that bailed out the big banks...not the "stimulus" program.
As information, in case you'd like to deal in facts instead of wild misstatements, the TARP program has been a success. Of the $700 billion authorized for TARP, only $475 billion was actually dispersed. Of that $475 billion, it is estimated that all but $66 billion will be repaid.
http://www.housingwire.com/2010/08/23/tarp-losses-recalculated-to-66bn-as-gse-outlook-improves
OK, $66 billion is a lot of money, but it's a loss of less than 10% of the funds originally at risk.
That's crazy, isn't it? Why, then would the GOP oppose the financial reform legislation? Oh yeah. Those bankers deserve those bonuses, right?
If you're going to use "TeaParty" in your name here, you should do a better job of citing facts. Until you do, you'll confirm the speculation that most of the Tea Party types don't have a clue what they're talking about.
goTeaParty. consider the following past posts:
--------------------------------------
Spanky-
That's my girl Feisty - they are crazy, but Obama and the government blowing through $223 billion last month is totally sane.
Ain't that right Fiesty - no problem with the current path, full steam ahead on the debt train?
13
Vote for this comment.
!
#1.1 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:34 AM HST
--------------------------------------
ray medeiros
Actually Spanky, We are still paying for the Reagan DEBT. Reagan increased the DEBT from 907 billion in 1980 to 2.6 TRILLION in 1988.
Reagan was our first TRILLION dollar President, then there was Bush, and then Junior.
So please, hearing a conservative talking about the DEBT is like listening to Paris Hilton talking about abstinence.
52
Vote for this comment.
!
#1.3 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:39 AM HST
--------------------------------------
ray medeiros
Ok Spanky, 7.43 TRILLION dollars in DEBT accumulated by Reagan,Bush 1 ,Bush 2,
Jimmy Carter ( 32.5% of GDP was the debt)
Reagan- (53% of GDP was the Debt)
Bush 1- (66% of GDP was the debt)
Bush 2 - (83% of GDP was the Debt)
13
Vote for this comment.
!
#1.17 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:13 AM HST
--------------------------------------
poetic justice
@Spanky -- to properly do the math on Obama's spending, you'll first have to remove the costs he inherited for 2 wars (and their interest), his Republican predecessors' rampant debt building (not technically spending when you give tax breaks, but same difference to the bottom line), and what else was there? Oh yes, the amount he, McCain, Palin or Rush Bigdaddy Limbaugh would have had to put up in order to keep that little house of cards we call the world economy from really bringing a load down on our heads.
For everybody else: you need to worry FAR more about the unsustainability of healthcare-related entitlement programs, namely Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prescription Drug benefit/big-pharma giveaway from Bush II and his Republican majority congress. They DWARF everything else, including our current debt and interest on that debt.
Look at the math: our TOTAL federal debt is almost equal to 100% of our GDP...and it's payable over 30 years. What does that sound like? Hmm...a mortgage? So if YOU owed 100% of your GDP (yearly earnings) on your home mortgage, would you be in trouble? No, of course not -- most people owe far more than that and manage the principal and interest just fine. BUT -- if you'd also committed to funding your parents' and your in-law's long term healthcare and assisted living costs, and perhaps those of a few of their friends (regardless of whether they could pay this for them themselves), then you'd be in a bit of trouble.
Of course, you could get around this (as a nation) by means testing for any and all "social insurance" benefits...ALL of these programs are meant to be insurance. The INSURANCE is the entitlement, not guaranteed payments, not unlimited use of medical resources no matter how dubious their efficacy.
Hint: single payer health insurance would go a long, long way...I know it sucks to admit that some FOREIGN idea might actually make sense but hey, sometime go look at the DATA -- I know that's kind of like water to the wicked witch with you guys, but if you don't study it you're just left shouting idiotic, baseless slogans in the street.
Republicans and Tea Partiers want to show you've REALLY got America's interests at heart? FIX THIS.
Oh, but, um, then you'd lose your base faster than a conservative hatemonger who gets caught nailing the hot young male page who's been helping him hang anti-gay posters at the local churches. Not that that would ever happen.
2
Vote for this comment.
!
#1.33 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:11 AM HST
--------------------------------------
Smc31569
Now... WHO are the "spenders" again ??? Let's see.
Since 1981 REPUBLICANS have INCREASED the National Debt by 50.9%. YES....let me repeat FIFTY POINT NINE PERCENT !!! If you average out Clinton's SURPLUS and Obama's DEFICIT you get Dems raising it by 0% over the last 30+ yrs. Hmmmm....REPUBLICANS 50% .... DEMOCRATS 0%. WHO are the "BIG SPENDERS" ?
Ronald Reagan Increased Debt by +11.3% 1981-85 Beginning Debt 32.5%
+ 9.3% 1985-89 Ending debt 53.1%
George HW Bush +15% Beginning Debt 53.1%
Ending Debt 66.1%
Bill Clinton -0.7% 1993-1997 Beginning Debt 66.1%
-9.0% 1997-2001 Ending Debt 56.4%
Shrub + 7.1% 2001-2005 Beginning Debt 56.4%
+20.0% 2005-2009 Ending Debt/GDP 83.4%
Obama Beginning Debt 83.4%
+10% Current Debt 93.4%
You wouldn't be bitching and moaning about a 10% increase in the National Debt if Obama was Clinton's successor now , would you ??? HYPOCRITES.
5
Vote for this comment.
--------------------------------------
dzaffina
jim in houston is a reaganomic, you know STARVE THE BEAST and TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS .
it was started over 30 years ago so we should be seeing the effects any day now.
1
Vote for this comment.
!
#5.8 - Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:42 PM HST
Ryan should be ashamed of himself!! The Republicans have bankrupted this country & now he wants to profit more on behalf of the middle class. Have the rich pay their fair share of taxes & the economy will improve. LEAVE MEDICARE ALONE! The citizens of the Medicare group are responsible for the freedoms we enjoy today & these Republicans are responsible for trying to hurt them. Stop OUT-SOURCING!!!! TAX THE RICH NOT THE MIDDLE CLASS!!!!!
Goteaparty you mean that same TARP and Stimulus which started under that Republican White House and Congress you refused to acknowledge? Just asking.
It's interesting how many of you on the right love to bring up "Obama Stimulus" and in the same breath refused to acknowledge it started under a Republican White House and Congress. Or refuse to acknowledge a Republican White House with a Republican Control Congress was handed a balance budget. Also love to call Democrats free spending and in the same breath will explain how all these so called fiscal responsible Republicans kept off the country budget the cost of 2 wars, how they budgeted for both Bush tax cuts, how they budgeted for Medicare Care Part D Drug Plan, the American Embassy in Iraq. All of you should remember that one in 07' the estimated cost to build was 592 million, however the final cost according to reports was 700 million with a cool billion dollars cost to the taxpayers to maintain and the list goes on and on.
So to all these so called fiscal responsible Republicans and Tea Partyer's if the country had a surplus when you were handed the checkbook how is it when your party turns over the checkbook there is a huge deficit problem? Care to explain your "Free Spending"
Bank Bailouts started with the Bush Administration
huffingtonpost.com/robbie-gennet/bush--not-obama--enacted_b_678682
Republicans that controlled all three branches did the Bank Bailouts and recommended they continue when the next administation came into office which was
and
ndependentObserver:
"Congressman Ryan's big mistake today, was not first apologizing to the American public for the past several decades of budget and deficit spending by the GOP"
Really?? and who will APOLOGIZE for Obama's quadrupling the DEBT ??
LEONA,
Read the above posts, especially the one posted up by "bilweeler" in reply to, "goTeaParty."
AND If anyone apologized, I recall it was members of Wall Street brokerage firms that were investigated by Congress for the economic meltdown that started under GW Bush's watch, and continued into the Obama Administration where it became full-blown for all the debts incurred by the cost of the wars that Bush and Cheney started. And read your history...every recession was ended by spending money into necessary programs that stimulated the economy.
I also recall the architects of Reaganomics Trickle Down in the late 90's that also announced "Mea Culpas" for the failure of their conservative economic experiments. Fast-forward to today. The right-wing didn't learn their lessons from history, it seems, still demanding more tax cuts for their wealthy as if it will create jobs. A leading economist, Alan Blinder of Princeton University, came out and declared that it wouldn't. And, in contrast, FactCheck.Org found that "Obamacare" would actually create jobs...a lot of jobs.
Obviously you failed math. Going from $10 tril, to $14 tril is really bad,,,, but it's nothing like quadrupling it.
DEMS & GOP, Dog and pony show for the sheeple. Wallstreet and NY banksters are running the show, INSIDE JOB
Welcome to the new order get used to it.