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Subscribe to RSSFrom msnbc.com's Tom Curry: “We agreed it’s 78... The number was 78…. There’s no question about the number... the number is 78. It was agreed upon last night.” So said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Friday afternoon at a press conference describing an agreement that he said he, President Obama, and House Speaker John Boehner had reached on Thursday night to cut spending for the remainder of this fiscal year.
Reid calls it a $78 billion cut.
But why do news stories use the figure $38 billion as the amount that the negotiators have agreed to cut?
The different numbers are simply the result of two different ways of measuring.
First of all, keep in mind we are now in the middle of fiscal year 2011, which began on Oct. 1, 2010.
The cuts being discussed would affect fiscal year 2011 spending.
Compared to what President Obama proposed way back in January of 2010 when he issued his fiscal year 2011 budget blueprint, the deal Reid is describing would spend $78 billion less.
But measured another way, the deal would amount to $38 billion being cut from current spending levels.
For many federal agencies, current spending levels are the same as in fiscal year 2010. That’s because since last September, the Congress has passed and Obama has signed into law a series of interim spending bills, which essentially keep spending at the same level it was at in fiscal year 2010.
But saying the cut amounts to $78 billion makes it appear to be bigger – and that presumably can help Reid make his case that Democrats are making big sacrifices by agreeing to painful cuts in spending.
Or as Sen. Patty Murray, D- Wash., said at Reid’s press conference, “Difficult as it has been, we have compromised and compromised, and we are at a number that some of us are going to have to swallow darn hard, knowing the consequences of that.”
So how big a cut is $38 billion?
It is relatively small in the grand scheme of things. Since projected federal spending this fiscal year will be about $3.7 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office, a cut of $38 billion would amount to a one percent reduction.
The government spends roughly $11 billion per day, so $38 billion would be less than four days’ worth of spending.
The number that some House Republicans campaigned on last year was $100 billion in spending cuts. Again that’s measuring against Obama’s fiscal year 2011 funding request and Democrats aren't the only ones to use the measure of the proposed Obama budget when convenient.
When the House Appropriations Committee OK’d its spending reduction bill in February – a bill later rejected by the Senate—committee chairman Rep. Hal Rogers, R- Ky., said, “This bill is a monumental accomplishment for each and every American who believes that their government is spending too much. It dramatically scales back the size and scope of domestic government programs (and) eliminates $100 billion in spending compared to what the President asked for last year.” The actual figure compared to actual 2010 spending levels is closer to the $61 billion commonly reported.
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Oops, MSNBC slipped up, they arent supposed to mention the inconvenient fact there was no budget adopted last year...Shhhhh...dont want anyone to know Obama and the Dems totally voted "present"
You're a dope - like it's some big secret the Dems held off voting a budget till after the election so everyone could see the type of cuts Rethugs would make. Showing their true colors by going after a $300mill for planned parenthood - instead of cutting $6 BILLION from their farm buddies and the failed ethanol program.
Tim - So you are saying that just like in Wisconsin, Democrats refused to do their jobs to create a media circus? What kind of "true colors" are those?
P.S.
"But saying the cut amounts to $78 billion makes it appear to be bigger – and that presumably can help Reid make his case that Democrats are making big sacrifices"
Dems intentionaly distorting numbers to fit their agenda? What a surprise.
I am still waiting for anyone to criticise the double, triple and quadruple pensions that many ex-government employees get. Finish 6 years in the army=pension; 20 years at Police=pension;10 years in government GSA=Pension and ON and ON and ON! No wonder we are broke!
The "big, bad Democrat supermajority" was a myth, or rather, right-wing corporate-funded propaganda to hide their actions.
Remember the GOP threw up every roadblock, filibuster, dirty trick and secret hold they could think of so that EVERY bill had to have a 60-vote margin to pass.
So let's take a look at that "super-majority", shall we:
January 3, 2009 - 111th Congress sworn in. 55 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 2 vacant.
January 15, 2009 - Roland Burris sworn in to Barack Obama's seat. 56 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 2 vacant.
April 30, 2009 – Arlen Specter changes parties. 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
July 7, 2009 – Al Franken seated. 58 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE DEMOCRATS HAD A SHOT AT A 60-VOTE MAJORITY.
August 25, 2009 – Teddy Kennedy dies. Kennedy had missed 97% of the votes in 2009 and over 90% in the last half of 2008. 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
September 25, 2009 – Paul Kirk appointed to Teddy Kennedy's seat. 58 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DEMOCRATS HAD A SHOT AT A 60-VOTE MAJORITY.
February 4, 2010 – Scott Brown sworn in to replace Paul Kirk. 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents.
June 28, 2010 – Robert Byrd dies. Byrd had missed over 90% of the votes in 2010 and almost 50% in 2009 due to illness. 56 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
November 29, 2010 - Mark Kirk sworn in to replace Roland Burris. 56 Democrats, 42 Republicans, 2 Independents.
So that "huge, overwhelming super-majority"? It existed only for a total of 6 months AND only during two periods when Teddy Kennedy and/or Robert Byrd were unable to vote AND required them to get the votes of every Democrat plus BOTH independents.
Let's put the blame for this mess where it's due.
Thank you for giving some context to this discussion.
that because of the chief blockers(GOP) of the century blocked every thing. it doesn't matter when the budget was supposed to have being done. it matter what is done now and what is being done now is social war wag against the working class
Realamerican - How many times are you going to repeat that nonsense? The dems FAILED to write a budget last year because they just didn't do it. It had nothing to do with republicans. The dems FAILED to do their job. I'm sure it was because they knew they were going to get their butts kicked in November and they could berate the republicans. And that is EXACTLY what is happening. They don't care about you or me, they just want to be in power and when they are not they act like children or in the case of some states democrats they act like scared chickens and run. Tell those azzwipes you adore so much to get to work. Quit making excuses for them.
Just because there was no budget enacted last year does not excuse the GOP from turning this into an attack on the environment and women's health. They are playing brinkmanship with the livelihoods of federal employees just so they can look tough for their TP and corporate backers. People who have been paying attention have predicted the GOP would do exactly this since at least October. All the while the GOP said "No, no, no, that would be irresponsible. We would never play brinkmanship with the federal budget. No one wants to shut down the government." They were given this opportunity to do the right thing and instead have taken the opportunity to be obtusely partisan and devisive.
These people are not in this for America. They are in it only for the wealthy, the corporations, and the evangelical TPers.
If they were really serious about cutting the budget they would be happy with any arrangement that met their bottom line, but no, they are only willing to make huge cuts in progressive and environmental programs. We all know they have campaigned against science and women's issues for years and now they are holding federal workers hostage to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class. They are trying to slash and burn through environmental protections that most Americans take for granted and many have fought hard to earn. They are doing this because the CEO's who hold their leashes want to pocket more money.
Why are the billions in oil subsidies not on the table when oil companies continue to rake in record breaking profits? Why are tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy defended when we are in a deficit, but the poor have to give up programs that put food on their tables and give them access to medical care?
These gop Congressmen are @!$%#ing insane!
@!$%#ing
Insane
This is about taking advantage of the situation. However, the Democrats should remember that the best negotiation is one that one can always walk away from, especally if both started from common grounds. The cuts are small in $, however huge toward the social impact toward the # of US citizens. In addition, it appears that none of the corporate handouts were cut as well. Given that the corporate donation record has severly tilted to the right, their political contribution or buy of lobbysts and politicians was well worth it.
For Republicans . . . It is all about women and the environment and healthcare and, oh yes, making Obama look bad. However when the shutdown occures it is the Republicans that will be held accountable since it is "always" the Republicans that refuse not compromise. Vote 2012. Volunteer and Vote.
Pelosi passed the budget last spring it was voted on in the senate and filibustered by the Republicans as late as October last year. Nice try rewriting history but it is a fact. Recorded by video and in writing.
Look I'll say this again...your lunatic friends decided last year that it was more important to destroy the Obama presidency than to fix the mix that their fearless leader Bush and Co. agreed to over the past 8 years. Ever hear of the filibuster. Listen if this happens, be careful what you wish for. Women throughout this country will rise up and vote these lunatics out once and for all. They will never see the inside of a capital building. I will spend every day of my retirement speaking out about these anti American politicians. Certainly these are not public servants, they are the slime of the earth. I'd call them worms, but worms do a job and do it well. These jerks don't.
Many on this site have asked in conversation for changes in the tax code, the deficit and the size of government. I suggest you actually read the Republican proposal, not the party talking points.
I give credit to Paul Ryan for actually sticking his political neck on the line for tax reform Read what he has proposed. It really is a roadmap for reducing your tax dollar, the services you will actuall receive, and the stop of the loss of tax dollars that companies like GE don't currently pay.
Chuckie Schumer and other Dems are attempting to spin this proposal with all sorts of allegations that are just bold lies. The democratic agenda is what? Have they a proposal or are they the New Party of NO?
Read the fact people. Don't rely on the spins of the various groups tempting you with their spins. If you don;t read the facts and analyze them for yourself, then you deserve what you receive.
JBH, you don't get a pension for 6 yrs in the military.
I just read the ''pathway to prosperity'' by Mr Ryan, and it is a bunch of partisan conjecture based on long held and disproved assumptions. Not facts, all spin.
They print the review from the Heritage Foundation, which is already backing away from some of the demonstrably incorrect claims.
He claims a whole lot of things but does not provide any specific information.
If as he says, he wants to end corporate welfare, why not cut the oil company subsidies from the current budget?
It sounds good to say they will change the tax code to require large corporations to actually pay taxes, but I just don't believe they will actually do it.
RealAmericansFirst - cute post. You assume that a super majority would have somehow either solved or led to blame.
How about compromise? Among other things, the democrats locked Republicans out of the health care debacle, which we are now finding out will not only not save any money, it will be the biggest fiscal disaster in American history when fully implemented.
Sorry "real", your idiots squandered what little respect they might have earned when they had power, but instead proved they were just like their leader who famously said "We Won", and "Sit in the back" like a little immature school boy.
How about everyone stops talking about last year's budget--there's plenty of blame to go around for both parties, and this doesn't get anyone anywhere going forward. Also, there's plenty of blame to go around in regard to numbers, because the GOP/TP kept moving the goal posts, and don't forget cuts have been made in prior temporary extensions.
The important things now is to focus on this years budget. Let's hope ideology (religion) is kept out of it, and sacrifices are shared by everyone including millionaires and companies like GE and Exxon Mobile. Let's hope the GOP/TP doesn't keep wasting congressional time trying to repeal laws like HCR. It ain't gonna happen so move on!
you people keep forgetting that last year the reason that no budget was not passed was not because the Democrats did't try it was because of the party of no( REMEMBER)it was no to everything in the senate . the filibuster . now you remember . why we had no budget .don't blame the DEMOCRATS . put the blame where it belongs . just like the national debt. President did not add 6 trillion to the debt like FOX news says they no it ,they have to change every bodies story when they are on as guest. when President Obama took office we were spending money at a very enormourus spend
Uhhhhh, Harry - $.43 of every dollar is borrowed.
You added $5 billion in interest yesterday.
You'll add at least another $300 billion in March.
Try harder you moron.
Spanky. nice try--- no cigar. NONE of this would be happeneing if the last 3 GOP presidents hadnt pushed thru their tax cuts for the wealthy and signed TWENTY deficit riddled budgets that added over $11T to the national debt!! The GOP's goals was to "STARVE THE BEAST"--- deliberately create a debt/budget crisis so they could privatize ALL social entitlement programs. Perhaps that is why the GOP is receiving MOST of the blame all across the internet on various news media sites. ( cept for Fox of course--<giggle> )
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm http://www.lafn.org/gvdc//Natl_Debt_Chart.html
http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/06/tax-cuts-republicans-starve-the-beast-columnists-bruce-bartlett.html <=== CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/1037783-109.stm <=== NOBEL PRIZE-ECONOMICS!
Democrats would have passed a budget last year when they had the chance if not for the previous 3 GOP presidents? Thank you for the most delusional comment of the day.
Tom, did you miss the part where Obama did the exact same thing?
Why do you disagree with Obama - he said the tax cuts were a good thing.
Oh and by the way Tom, regardless of the past, or perhaps because of it - $14 Trillion is the debt.
Now surely you see that is a problem, right Tom? Oh and say Tom did the dems in congress during the Bush and Reagan years vote to approve those budgets?
Silly huh?
SPANKY...... again, nice try, no cigar. President Obama did NOT do the same thing! The GOP forced the extension of tax cuts for the wealthy, which added to the debt!
I guess you didnt read the parts of "starve the beast" that I posted which shows the GOP pursued a policy of running up the debt. Grover Norquist BRAGS about it! This debt crisis was a deliberate creation of the GOP so they could try to eliminate/privatize SS, Medicare etc! And you KNOW that! So, turn off Fox News and do some reading! The proof of all this is out there and pretty easy to find!
Hey TOM!! You have know facts or figures just a stupid A$$ bunch of democraps who only want to spend into oblivion. You sure don't have the first clue about anything at any given time. Where in the world do you get that told load of BS. And by the way spank is right Ojacka$$ did do what he said go look it up O great self richous one!!!!
Republican's are great at breaking things, and unfortunately, Democrats suck at fixing things... soooooo.. we're all F@#$ed!
Obama never said the tax cuts were a good idea. He said it was a good compromise. That's a skill leaders of diverse peoples should have. Boehner and his TPpuppets do not want to compromise one iota with the rest of the country. They are demagoging, self righteous, pompous, puppets of international corporations who don't want to pay taxes in this country, want subsidies, and want to send jobs overseas.
DMAC, Republicans run up deficits. That is the way it has been since Reagan. Trickle down also didn't work then and it won't work now.
Those of us reasonably smart, get it. Considering these are General Cuts and We The People Have Not Been GIven A Specific List Of Cuts, it's really just a number. We fully expect a Specific List of cuts because Republicans are Playing with Other Peoples Money, Ours To "Win"
Hate to disagree with the "reasonably smart" statement. But it is not the Republicans playing with other peoples money--it is the democrats--who love to spend money they don't have. When your party learns to come up with a budget--which they haven't and learns to quit spending more than they have, then you can be deemed "reasonably smart". But defending people like that-well it is kind of like calling the GOP the Taliban.
Just reasonably smart? I doubt even that, June.
June, most of the cuts involve cuts in services various entitlement programs. There is also this partial list of the 60 "Policy Riders" in the budget bill!
http://www.ombwatch.org/files/budget/OMB_Watch-HR1_Policy_Riders.pdf
The GOP deliberately created this debt/budget crisis so they could privatize the entitlement programs. They call the plan "starve the beast". And the GOP are Teahadists!!
I disagree with both sides. Republicans and Democrats both make a lot of promises and spend a lot of money every chance they get. The two sides just want to spend the money in different ways. They place their personal power above America every time. If the American people just woke up, I'd think they'd find more in common with each other, liberals and conservatives alike, than they would with Republicans or Democrats.
Too Much" only ONE party pushed thru trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy. Only ONE party had it's last 3 presidents sign TWENTY deficit riddled budgets resulting in over $11T in debt. Only ONE party had a strategy since 1981 to "starve the beast" That is to cut taxes and spend enough to cause a debt crisis so they could call for the elimination/privatizing of SS, Medicare etc! Only ONE party pushed thru extensions of tax cuts for the wealthy, adding even MORE to the debt!
THAT party is the REPUBLICAN PARTY!
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm http://www.lafn.org/gvdc//Natl_Debt_Chart.html
http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/06/tax-cuts-republicans-starve-the-beast-columnists-bruce-bartlett.html <=== CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/1037783-109.stm <=== NOBEL PRIZE-ECONOMICS
I believe you are right Tom. Republicans certainly appear to be the Party of Middle Class Destruction. They had 10 years to do something and turned a 4 trillion Deficit into a 12 Trillion dollar deficit but I guess that is OK with republican voters. They are all un-American. SHAME on you repubicans... shame and damnation.
I believe the tax cuts were for everyone, not just the wealthy. Did they not lower the tax rates for everyone? Yes? Then stop saying it was "for the wealthy." Because I am not wealthy, and I benefitted from those said tax cuts.
$4 trillion? I thought you liberals claimed there was a surplus when Bush got in? Now its $4 trillion?? Are you guys just pulling numbers out of thin air or what?
For the record all you liberal smartypants, I dont think we ever had a $12 trillion deficit, or $4 trillion deficit for that matter. The deficit is $1.6 trillion this year. The debt is over $14 trillion.
AZ: yes, a bone was thrown to the lower classes. However, nearly 80% of the financial benefit of Bush tax cuts went to those making more than $250K/yr. Many analyses have been done. The overwhelming conclusion was that the GOP tax cuts of the past 30 years were severely tilted toward the rich. The middle class in this country has basically stagnated during that time while the rich got SUBSTANTIALLY richer.
And I think JB meant debt. In 1980, the debt was less than $1T--- at then end of bush's last budget, FY 2009, it was $11.9T http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm And they did it DELIBERATELY--- As I posted previously---WITH documentation! I think average Republicans are in for a HUGE shock when they find out just how much they've been lied to by the GOP and their supporters! Try researching "starve the beast" and "tax cuts for the rich" and you'll get a LOT of information from reputable sites!
Dick Morris:
"When John Boehner and Eric Cantor sit down to decide whether to take a deal or not, here are the stakes:
If they take a deal below $61 billion, they will split their party, alienated their supporters, trigger a mass of primary fights, lose their ability to strike deals over the debt limit or the 2012 budget, and terminate the revolution of 2010. And Obama will be re-elected.
If they reject such a deal and shut down the government, they will galvanize their supporters, paint Obama into a liberal corner, force the Democrats to accede to their budget cuts, and win the fights over the debt limit, Obamacare repeal, EPA, NLRB, and the 2012 budget because the Democrats will be too petrified to weather another shut down. And Obama will be defeated."
Dick Morris. Dick Morris??
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.....did I drink those Buds already??
Dick Morris, Hooker Boy!! Great source, you guys never fail to amuze me.
Dickless Morris? HAHAHHAHAHAHAHH!
But hey, now that Beck is gone, Fixed News has to go to the bench for their next frothing malcontent.
So in other words, don't SOLVE any problems, just hold out to beat the President because its more important. Got it. Sounds like Harry Reid is right
Games of political philosophy by the Tea Freaks indeed.
have you seen this video from 1/11, David Remnick on President Obama?
No. How do I make it play?
If the government shuts down, both parties will become very unpopular, and voter turnout for the next election will be low. A low turnout favors the incumbent.
Both parties were unpopular last year and voter turnout was pretty healthy. No matter what happens, one party will get more blame than the other (even if just slightly more blame).
To reject the deal is the way to go. Then we shall see how wrong you are Dick Morris. I hope you save this to your file to see just how wrong.
Lee Brand
Last week it was $30 billion and rising. Most were settling on $33-$34B. If it's $38B, it seems that the Dems have all but capitulated on the numbers. Since much of that $100B Obama budget was meant to fund HCR, Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Protection Agency - just where is that money going to come from? This isn't promising going into the 2012 budget. At some point the Dems have conceded so much in spending - it won't matter about the policy riders - there won't be the money to fund cutting the lawn at the White House.
Did FR change their format again?
No turnout will favor a party who chose to ignore it's own budget commision and common sense to continue unsustainable spending and who failed to pass the budget when they had control of the House and Senate.
Shut this baby down for god's sake. Government shutdown "countdown" clock. That's embarassing. I hope you political gladiators are having fun. You should, people are starting to laugh at you.
Bob-1887910
"When John Boehner and Eric Cantor sit down to decide whether to take a deal or not, here are the stakes:
Dick Morris the turncoat; Please if it wasn't for FOX NOISE he would have his sweet illegal deals.
SUMMARY: Fox News repeatedly allowed Dick Morris to solicit donations for a conservative political action committee to fund an ad attacking Sen. Barack Obama.
Don't forget Dennis Miller the other turn coat; he'd be unemployed too if he wasn't telling jokes to amuse Bill O'Reilly.
They can all bash and paint the President now; but what are they gonna do when the gig is up; come back to the dems to bash republi-clowns ?
I am still waiting for anyone to criticise the double, triple and quadruple pensions that many ex-government employees get. Finish 6 years in the army=pension; 20 years at Police=pension;10 years in government GSA=Pension and ON and ON and ON! No wonder we are broke!
Maybe $40B is their stealing limit, no, it's got to be a lot more.
We need to cut spending PERIOD!
What is so hard about it? INPUT should be > than OUTPUT
FOR YEARS input is way less than output then what is so difficult to understand? A law degree? An international degree? A NOBEL?
Come on. Say you love your country then show it. Let cut now and feel the pain now then have a nasty cancer for later generation (I DONT PUT GENERATIONS)....
Lets see where this takes us as a nation. We have a 14 trillion dollar debt facing us right now. Spending is out of control. Obama has proposed adding an additional 9.5 trillion dollars in deficit spending over the next 10 years. We borrow 40 cents of every dollar the federal government spends. This is not sustanable for too much longer. Interest rates will increase and the debt service will become massive. There will be cuts in everything and tax increases to pay the bills in order to avoid a total collaspe. If the spending is not reduced now and we wait for no choice but to make cuts, everybody will pay the price in one form or another. That is where we are headed.
Let the gov. shut down. If the GOP gives in the Tea Party will remember. We are tired of baby killing liberals, minority entitlements, and gay groups like funding the arts. We hate the department of Education that is working hard to make us a multiethnic country. We don't care about these issues. We just want our country back. We will stand with Boehner if he doesn't blink. If he agrees with the leftest, socialists, communist leaning, demolition-crats America will fall. Let them shut the damn government down and keep it shut down until we can return an American to the whitehouse. This time birth certificates first!
All of you people need to quit "crying" about this party or that one. There should be NO party affiliations as it is ignorant to do so. God gave us a brain and a conscience...hey I have a novel idea...why not try using them next time to vote instead of being a bleating sheep and following a "party"...it saddens me so deeply to come here and all I ever see is endless banter with NO reasonable solution, other than to blame the other party...ENOUGH ALREADY.!!!
Think about this... Let's say your uncle, Sam, makes $50.000 a year (that's his total revenue). Let's say he needs all of it to maintain his life style, but also adds a large amount to his charge card every year, and, by now, he owes $135,000 on his charge card. He has a couple of friends, one named Dem, says he should pay $800 per year to reduce his debt, and the other, Rep, says that's too small, he should pay $1,600 per year. Multiply these numbers up to the scale of the US national figures, and they still fit, relatively speaking. So you can see from this that all three of these people are idiots. Sam is going down the tubes no matter what he does!!
Willie White & Happy, are you really such a bigot? Entitlements are agreements with specific parts of society in order to get a deal for the government. Native Americans: take the land, pay the monthly payment and in some instances services in lieu of money. The minorities that receive recognized consideration in hiring, education and other services - because it was proven (not implied subjectively) that there was forceful action taken to prevent them becoming full citizens. They all contribute through their taxes. Social Security: an agreement with now Elders to work for a lesser wage with a contribution toward a retirement. We need to look at our past agreements/arrangements with society and honor those agreements. Preventing any portion of our society to be productive citizens is a no win situation; we all need to contribute. I hope that your history of receiving some societal help has not been spit upon.
WOW - A whopping 1% cut in spending. That's 1 cent of every dollar and people think that's way to much. HOW ABSURD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
It is so simple for the Republicans to obtain their big cuts. All they have to do is reduce the Defense budget about 150 billion. That amount would just about equal all the construction costs we, as a Nation, have used to rebuild what we tore down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that makes sense since it was wasted tax revenue any way.n Just imagine if that money was used to rebuild our failing infrastructure on American soil for American citizens. And while they are it, they could eliminate all the CORPORATE tax cuts and benefits and we could probably pay off our National debt in 5 years. While crying foul about our high CORPORATE tax structure, the Republicans failed to tell the people that 78% of ALL American CORPORATIONS pay ZERO (0) in taxes. Now that sounds like something we should be screaming about.
I would say 38 billion or 1% of this years fiscal spending could easily be pulled out of defense spending alone without having any noticeable affect on national security. The federal government is going to shut down to argue over a lowsy 1% spending reduction that will have no real impact on our massive debt? This is nothing but political grandstanding.
I'm a fiscal conservative and concluded years ago that after 2000 the Federal budget became totally meaningless. Any plan for spending $$ that didn't show costs for 2 wars was a farce; a fact that the MSM, GOP fact-spinners and approx 50% of Americans conveniently ignored. I've read the posts up to this point and realized that they are divided into three camps: GOP trolls using every artifice to conceal what the current budget reality IS; various and assorted posters citing fact after facts, referencing factual data and reports by the GAO supporting the factual statements being made, attempting to cut through all the persiflage, disingenuous statements from GOP leadership, GOP shills and GOP pundits pontificating in true Orwellian double speak then the incoherent, opinion based blathering of the remaining posters who refuse to consider any factual data, refusing to fact check anything, pro or con but united in their ignorance and steadfast in opposing 'so called tax dollars supporting abortion' because of some media shill used the 'Big Lie' propaganda technique to scare them into ignoring that Title X funding is Federal Law, and that cutting off funds for women's health services is discriminatory and actually violates part of the US Constitution guaranteeing equal rights for all.
DUH, What happened to rational thinking? What happened to the American political process that used to use compromise a tool for producing 'acceptable' public policy for all Americans? How did we end up with a very small tail of crazed ideologues attempting to use the budget process to deny half of American citizens equal rights and control of their health care? Where is the outrage, by all Americans, by supposedly by elected representatives of American voters over this overweening abuse and arrogance by the GOP leadership solely for their political agenda?
Your progressive diatribe belies your "conservative" thoughts. You have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness given to you through the Constitution by God. Life when a single heart starts beating, liberty to say and do what you please as long as it doesn't harm another, and pursuit of happiness to strive to take individual skills developed over a lifetime and make something of your life. Duh, a RIGHT to health care falls short of the mark. Go back to your Obamamama.
Fuzzy math again!! It's inconceivable that the idiot from Nevada thinks people believe $78B is on the table. When $78B is taken away from what was spent last year we can start believing he and his cronies are serious about reducing actual spending. He is a disgrace and should step down from his leadership post.