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Loose Canons
Jordan’s Trillions
Obama will compromise only if cornered — and a rising Ohio congressman’s House Republican Study Committee knows it.
(Page 2 of 2)
But as ideologically important as those cuts are, the big money lies elsewhere. They get to $2.5 trillion by reducing non-defense federal spending to 2006 levels and — with many more Federalist-type cuts included — by reducing the federal bureaucratic workforce by 15% and freezing federal workers’ pay for five years. They also save $1 billion per year by repealing the Davis-Bacon Act which requires federal building contractors to pay union-set wage levels, hugely increasing the price of construction projects.
Just how radical the proposals are was outlined by Dana Milbank in Saturday’s Washington Post. Milbank believes it’s just those awful conservatives hitting the liberal eastern elites with some payback. He wrote, “The cuts they did spell out were relatively small — $330 billion over 10 years — but their choices left little doubt that they were trying to stir up cultural and political mischief…Those eastern elites, in addition to losing their NPR, PBS and other cultural offerings, would have to part with their Amtrak subsidies and their money to fight beach erosion. Greens would lose funds for the National Organic Certification program.”
The liberal elitist Washington Post columnist has come close to the right conclusion missing by one quantum of reasoning. The DeMint-Jordan proposal is not a payback aimed at causing personal pain to liberals. But it is payback of a sort, seeking to roll back a lot of their worst initiatives that placed the government in control of parts of our economy and culture from which it should be banished.
In the next month, the debate over whether to increase the federal debt ceiling will reach a high pitch. Republican leaders on both sides of the Hill should insist that the spending cuts proposed by Jordan and DeMint be included in the legislation.
They should refuse to bite on Obama’s phony “moderation” bait, and demand that the Federalist approach that Jordan and DeMint offer be included in any deal. For the Republicans, it’s either that or follow the example of young Sasha Obama and start learning to speak Chinese.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (56) | Leave a comment
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Deborah D | 1.24.11 @ 6:39AM
Mr. Babbin -- Thank you. We need some "radicals" like Jordan and DeMint to take our country back from the brink of destruction. It's time for all Americans, not just sleepy Republicans, to wake up. This is our country we're trying to save here -- there is no time left for business as usual. Our children will become slaves to China if we don't get our act together and cut, cut, cut. And, cut the corporate tax rate and all the regulations tying our businesses down, then watch the American spirit rise along with the economy. Then we'll be able to address the entitlement weight around our children's necks, once and for all.
richard ryan| 1.24.11 @ 10:13AM
Well said, Deborah. These are not radical ideas at all. I get so tired of hearing Bill O'Reilly talking about the "loons on the left and the right." I want to know exactly what harm the far right would do to this nation. Drastic spending cuts, maintaining a strong defense, tax cuts for businesses? Protection of the right to life? No more compromises, the conservatives are correct, the left is just plain destructive.
Alan Brooks| 1.24.11 @ 8:23PM
And don't forget to run an empty-suited 'compassionate' (big spending) Bushclone for president next year.
politricks is the art of compromise.
old white guy| 1.27.11 @ 5:56PM
congress has one chance and only one chance to control spending. a failure to freeze the debt ceiling will result in the continuation of rapid deficit spending and the country is done.
Deborah D | 1.24.11 @ 6:43AM
I was just thinking about the very first sign I held at the first Tea Party event I attended on April 15, 2009 in Atlanta. My sign said: "Congressional spending enslaves our children to the Chinese" on the other side it said: "Congressional spending = all children left behind." I was right then, and I'm right now.
Alan Brooks| 1.24.11 @ 8:27PM
Yeah, right, that is why you keep nominating Bushes, Doles, and McCains every four years.
You were wrong then, and you are wrong now-- and you'll continue to make the same mistakes over & again..
Wayne | 1.25.11 @ 9:03AM
You know Deborah did nothing of the kind. Don't be a twit.
JKS| 1.25.11 @ 1:36PM
He can't help it. Most douche bags can't...
Pete| 1.24.11 @ 7:06AM
The Republican Study Ciommittee lead by Jordan is made up of 80-percent of the Republicans in the House. It is a force to be reckoned with.
Jeb made mention to the repealing the Davis-Bacon Act. That is needed, but the GOP should go further and push for federal right-to-work legislation, and thereby make Democrats and RINOs come out and take the side of union bosses over workers.
RTW will not pass in this congress but by voting on it could cost liberals many seats in 2012.
Alan Brooks| 1.24.11 @ 8:31PM
"Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush."
Geo. HW Bush was such a wuss he makes Obama appear like Charles Atlas. You backed a loser in '92, Babbin.
Alan Brooks| 1.24.11 @ 8:31PM
"Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush."
Geo. HW Bush was such a wuss he makes Obama appear like Charles Atlas. You backed a loser in '92, Babbin.
saleboter| 1.24.11 @ 7:17AM
As for me I'm learning Manderin
Mattled| 1.24.11 @ 7:44AM
Jeb,
Without the complicit treasonous help from the media, this Marxist would be back in IL voting "present".
The "media" will be in overdrive covering and non-reporting from here on out. Forever. Unless we do something about it.
How about a billboard with Obama on it and: "Please send Barack a thank you for $4 a gallon gas".
Or:
A picture or Rev. Wright standing next to Obama with "Barack, I support you for 2012, signed Rev Wright your pastor for 21 years."
We need to get crafty and clever. Call the media anchors out. In public. Embarrass them in full view of the public. Let THEM respond for once in their lives. We have plenty of sites devoted to exposing them. But you have to go to these sites. Put up a billboard along an interstate......that is a different story.
John Navratil| 1.24.11 @ 9:44AM
Seen along Beltway 8 in Pasadena...
Are you better off now than you were $4 trillion ago?
Mattled| 1.24.11 @ 12:42PM
Love it! Need more of these.
When I saw a news story that the NAACP were demonstrating at a gas station for high gas prices (note to NAACP: It's Obama's fault)-----I thought a picture of Obama waving on a billboard with "Hope y'all love my $4/gallon gasoline! Yours, Obama".
donserge| 1.24.11 @ 8:12AM
The budget cut of "reducing the federal workforce by 15%" may be too low a starting point . In my early 20's while in the USAF Security Service I worked at NSA and saw first hand how the federal workforce could be reduced by at least one third and would probably operate more efficiently. This was in the early 60's. In this day and age more than that could be cut from our bloated bureaucracy.
Redstateboy| 1.24.11 @ 8:29AM
Either we are facing a crisis - needing a Revolution - or we are not! Millions of us believe we Are! This is no longer a joke or an intellectual exercise - this Country is on the brink of becoming a Greece. We either solve the challenges now - while we have the opportunity - or doom our Children and Grand-children to a Nation of the most mean mediocrity.
russel| 1.24.11 @ 9:29AM
Yes , the state controlled media must be neutered . Far too many gullible , ignorant voters ( public opinion ) still take them at their word . Radio news is everywhere at every level and it's all liberal , Fox no exception . Hey , do as Rush says . Pass the law and say " You have to read it to find out what's in it " . Use to old keep em in the dark ploy .
Stammon| 1.24.11 @ 9:37AM
"Just how radical the proposals are was outlined by Dana Milbank in Saturday's Washington Post. Milbank believes it's just those awful conservatives hitting the liberal eastern elites with some payback. "
Mr Babbin you and Milbank both miss the point. Anytime you cut unnecessary or counterproductive Government programs you are ipso facto cutting Liberal Democrat programs.
Richard Baker| 1.24.11 @ 9:39AM
The lefties see the Constitution as an impediment to their "Brave New World" which is as it should be. Poor babies, the proles are rebelling against the "smart people."
Paul Kotik| 1.24.11 @ 9:43AM
As Kurtz's meticulously researched Radical In Chief makes plain, Barack Obama is firmly rooted in the "stealth socialism" sector of the Left, which explicitly makes deception the cornerstone of its strategy for regime change. One is struck by the strategic congruence with the Islamic 'taqqiyah', the judgement that lying and deception are commendable if in the service of advancing Islam. Stealth socialism fits Barry like a glove, though like OJ he pretends it doesn't.
Joe Oliva| 1.24.11 @ 9:46AM
Why is it that we have to wait for the debt ceiling vote to come due before we take any action? Why not start initiating cuts right now and let the President know that the debt ceiling will not be raised? Are we being duped once again by the RINOs or did we send to Washington Patriots ready, willing, and able to make the tough choices NOW?
It is starting to sound like Yogi Berra's deja vu all over again, or more precisely, Einstein's - "Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result", which was how he defined insanity!
The crap needs to stop right now! Cut spending, cut spending, and then, cut spending!
John Navratil| 1.24.11 @ 9:47AM
So now we have the government upset with the slow pace of drug development "investing" $1 billion into a new research facility. Brilliant!
davelnaf| 1.24.11 @ 9:48AM
My hat is off to those Republicans willing to brave the liberal-media storm-to-come over making deep cuts in Federal programs. Of course Liberals will soon be screaming in hysterics and will try, in turn, to whip up a similar hysteria among their rank and file. In the very near future we might see the latter marching through Washington, waving a lot of red banners and everything; very visually and vocally expressing the hate-filled sentiments that their media friends once attributed to the Tea Party, but could never show proof of and finally had to invent. I hope the dems' union buddies don't leave too much trash scattered all over the place this time.
And all this before Republicans even begin to tackle entitlement programs.
Mimi| 1.24.11 @ 9:52AM
Back on early 2009....I called the "O", "The kid in the CANDY SHOP"....He had a TRIL of newly passed STIMULUS money..and on a wild binge, helping out his BUDDIES....from then on the spending went out of control !
Now, we are hearing a NEW narrative...." WOOPIE..I'm changing" Yea, right...! " I need some money for investment...a...er...a..and infrastructure "
How in Gods name are we going to trust this GUY ?? A adolesencent crew just grew up?.....Now we're going to act like GROWN-UPS ?
is the new-talk.....UNBELIEVABLE....these people can learn for 1000 yrs and still not " GET-IT. America , .......BE ON GUARD..... for your country and childrens sake!!!
mames| 1.24.11 @ 10:12AM
I would add that in presenting these fixes that Jordan NOT take the high road of civil discourse. Be direct and do not try to cozy up to the media. If he and the committee make this happen he can attend all the parties he wants here in the heartland and away from empty BS to be had at all the beltway cocktail gatherings. Fail to do so and he will not be reelected.
335blues| 1.24.11 @ 10:13AM
Mr. Jordan you and your like-minded conservatives in Congress have a chance to save America from obama's marxist "fundamental transformation". I believe the urgency is so high that I liken you to that amazing group of citizens about 235 years ago who rose up and said ENOUGH! But this time the threat is worse: the perversion of the Constitution and the destruction of liberty by a megalomaniac who believes himself to be king. Mr.Jordan, you and the rest of the congressional conservatives have a chance to be remembered by history in the company of those great men by saving the freedom in this land. Do not let the chance slip by. We may not get a second chance. Do whatever is necessary to save America from obama's attempt to impose a marxist system. The majority of Americans are prepared to endure the economic pain necessary to get the job done. Do not compromise. Do not fall for obama's ruse. Stay the course.
SuffolkVA| 1.24.11 @ 10:21AM
How about reallly getting radical in our return to federalism and getting the feds out of that which is not in their purview under the Constitution. We could start by closing the Dept of Education and returning this function to the states where it belongs!
mike daniels| 1.24.11 @ 10:37AM
The Department of Education is a great start. How about repealing the take over of the student loan program by the government? These loans are not "free", contribute significantly to the irrational tuitiion increases that continue unabated, and allow Uncle Sam to dictate course content at the universities who "qualify" for student loan/grant money.
Carol | 1.24.11 @ 10:48AM
There is a Jim DeMint in Congress?
Thank God. I shall remember the name Jim Jordan.
I hope the RINOs get out of the way for the spending cuts to happen.
It's going to hurt and I hope it hurts big time.
JUST DO IT!
P.S. -
Mr. Babbin: Do you know any conservatives that will be sitting near Reid and Durbin tomorrow night? Your idea of a ventriloquist yelling out "YOU LIE" would make my week.
Peppermint Tea| 1.24.11 @ 10:49AM
Excuse me, but cutting 2.5 trillion over 10 years (250 billion) when the annual deficit is 1.3 trillion? Don't these pols understand there is a crisis happening now?
I guess not. Business as usual. Hyperinflation will press the reset button.
Oldefarte| 1.24.11 @ 11:39AM
Jed's editorial is PURE GOLD and TRUTH, especially his painting of Obama as a non-changing idologue. This current attempt to camoflage him as a centrist should not be re-interpreted as was done previous to 11/08. He is not, nor has he ver been, a normal,average middle-of-the-road politician. Don't be once again brainwashed by the MSM's propaganda concerning him, folks. It's pure BULLEXCREMENT! Myself [and most of your here] simply need to aid, assist, and help these brave Republican souls [Dement, Jordan,etc] by GOING TO THE POLLS IN 2012 AND VOTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN VOTING TICKET [local, state and national candidates]!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grant| 1.24.11 @ 12:36PM
Pulling a straight republican ticket is just as ludicrous as a straight democrat or socialist ticket. Vote with your mind, not your heart!
David T| 1.24.11 @ 1:37PM
Except who in his right mind would ever vote for a Democrat or a Socialist? If you want lower taxes, less spending, less regulation, and more conservative judges, you're probably better off 95% of the time voting straight "R."
Oldefarte| 1.24.11 @ 3:06PM
Voting 'with your mind' for the radically extreme socialists within the current Democratic Party is NOT ONLY 'LUDICROUS', BUT ASININILY STUPID AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Navratil| 1.24.11 @ 4:21PM
I don't vote straight ticket. It often just works out that way. I'm not happy about it.
martin j smith| 1.24.11 @ 12:51PM
Yes Obama compromised because he knew that if taxes went back up HE would be found guilty. So he "compromised". No he tried to save his A-----s.
His words must be translated. Invest =spend. As an example. But more importantly the American people must be told the truth. Our deficit will and is killing us. Jobs means actual true jobs not "saved". Jobs means the unemployment numbers must go down significantly. And, Federal regulations on energy etc, must be removed.
Here are the really big issues people will look at "
Repeal Obamacare.
The cost of fuel( gas pump prices )Food prices
Inflation rates..
Reduced employment rates.
Obama has no intention of expanding or improving the economy. He has no intention to "compromise" on his agenda ( Socialism )
and the SOTUS is theater that must be exposed and nothing more.
martin j smith| 1.24.11 @ 12:51PM
Yes Obama compromised because he knew that if taxes went back up HE would be found guilty. So he "compromised". No he tried to save his A-----s.
His words must be translated. Invest =spend. As an example. But more importantly the American people must be told the truth. Our deficit will and is killing us. Jobs means actual true jobs not "saved". Jobs means the unemployment numbers must go down significantly. And, Federal regulations on energy etc, must be removed.
Here are the really big issues people will look at "
Repeal Obamacare.
The cost of fuel( gas pump prices )Food prices
Inflation rates..
Reduced employment rates.
Obama has no intention of expanding or improving the economy. He has no intention to "compromise" on his agenda ( Socialism )
and the SOTUS is theater that must be exposed and nothing more.
james wilson| 1.24.11 @ 1:03PM
Conservatives who talk enthusiastically about cutting 250 billion a year out of this runaway budget and the omnipotent government it funds are useful idiots.
Flatulus Ancien| 1.24.11 @ 1:53PM
I have to agree with peppermint Tea.
2.5 trillion over ten years compared to a deficit of 13 trillion is not enough reduction in spending.
The cuts have to go much deeper.
I would like to see the government spending held to no more than 85% of the previous year's revenues. Use the 15% excess toward the national debt.
Anthony| 1.24.11 @ 2:12PM
Of course Obozo's "move to the center" is a complete fiction. The only idiots that fall for this crap are the LSM, conservative talking heads, and Washington Republicans who can't do enough to show their civility and bi-partiasnship.
David Gregory on MTP,GE's Obama mouthpiece media organ, went after Kantor big time on the Obama birth certificate, and did he stand with these "crazy birthers".
Gregory was relentless in his attempt at portraying those who question Obama's status, due to his own refusal to release his damn BC, as crazy right-wingers.
Kantor, like most of the Washington R esatblishment, can't talk his way out of a paper bag, and spent his entire time on defense and seperating himself from the R wing.
All Kantor had to do was throw this back in Gregory's face by simply saying:
"why does Obama let this issue continue to simmer, why doesn't he just release his birth certificate and get it over with once and for all. Afterall citizenship is a qualification under the Constitution. It would be so easy for Obama to end this."
But Kantor is too weak, timid, and too afraid to be a leader, he wants to remain politically viable and so he won't take any chances.
Our R leaders are still the same gutless wonders we've always had in Washington. Look for Obozo to wipe the floor with them these next two years, they have no balls.
s
Mimi| 1.24.11 @ 3:24PM
I didn't like the tone of the questioning....or the weak answer by Kantor. This told us a lot about the character of both men
BackToBasics| 1.25.11 @ 3:41AM
Agree totally. I often hear Repubs give answers that are deficient and I can immediately think of a better reply myself, just as your post mentiones.
Of course I'm not in the spotlight and so I do not know if some of this is due to nervousness on their parts or just lacking courage. I think it is lacking courage because the Dems feel no need to pull their punches. But the Dems are also more unified. They don't have the equivalent of the RINOs that the Repubs have. So it is more difficult for the more conservative voices to be as strong when they know RINO's will defect if they take the strong stand.
Bus though I try to understand what the causes might be, they should be strong just hte same and don't worry about the RINO's not backing them.
It would be better if the Repubs who are more conservative kust forget that we have RINOs; just speak the truth with conviction. A large enough majority of Americans would get behind them. This would more than make up the deficit caused by weak-kneed RINOs.
But yes, the Repubs on the talk shows answers are so weak so often. And, most of the time it is easier to think of better answers than what we hear them give.
PattyMor| 1.24.11 @ 3:24PM
I agree the Marxists/Communists are constantly reinventing themselves. Therefore spending = investment and equal opportunity = equal outcome (marxism/communism). Besides their "reinvention" of language, their biggest tool is lying. They can go on the "shows" and say with a straight face, the CBO says that Obamacare will save money. No one in their right mind would believe this drivel, but spout it they do and with all the sincere earnestness of a carnival barker.
Dan| 1.24.11 @ 7:31PM
Obama will say anything and do anything between now and the 2012 election. Anything that will get him re-elected. Once re-elected he will quickly move further left than any U.S.President ever. Without haveing to face the people again, this non citizen president will show his real anti American feelings. By 2016 this once proud nation will be a vassel of China and and the Muslim states.
Steve in Pittsburgh| 1.24.11 @ 7:36PM
It seems I'm the only con who likes riding Amtrak.
How much money has the gov't given to the airlines? I'm thinking of the Southpark episode where Mr. Garrison builds that one-wheeled contraption to compete with the airlines; but the gov't shuts his company down because it was taking business from the airlines.
Long Ben| 1.24.11 @ 8:02PM
And let us not forget , to zero out planned parenthood's 300 million .
proreason| 1.24.11 @ 9:12PM
Everybody seems to think cutting spending is hard. That's nonsense.
Just eliminate everything the government shouldn't be doing, other than the retirement programs seniors have been forced to pay into to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars for up to 50 years apiece.
We would run a surplus the first year, plus have the added benefit of snatching the bribery card from the marxists.
tonypal| 1.24.11 @ 9:48PM
I take a back seat to no one here regarding my devotion to federalism or my desire to carve up the federal budget. In my view, we could probably do twice as much with about half the budget we have now.
That said, those of you who are disappointed that this doesn't go far enough are missing the point. The GOP has absolutely no credibility when it comes to governance on the national level and are not yet positioned to go after the real problem, which is entitlement spending.
If they come out with a proposal to privatize social security, they will be annihilated by Obama and his most loyal constituency, the press. In any case, if you think it's a long shot that Obama signs off on what they've proposed, what are the odds that he will support something like personal savings accounts funded through the redirection of payroll taxes.
I think the republicans have come out with something that will resonate with a lot of people. It's as much a message as the Obamacare repeal vote. We know Obama will never go along with what's been proposed, but the bill seems to be calibrated to inflict maximum damage on Obama if he resists as well as give the public a reason to think that Republicans can be trusted again . He will have a much harder time successfully demagoguing this bill, as opposed to some giant overhaul of major entitlement programs. That would be low hanging fruit for Obama and his cronies. The republicans simply have to stay strong and educate the American people. Everyone knows the current course is unsustainable, even liberals. The question is who will win the argument. As I learned a long time ago, you can't win an argument if you don't have any credibility.
cali| 1.25.11 @ 6:30AM
Mr. Babbin, I can only hope that Jordan, and deMint follow throu with their plan, and continue to remove the overbearance of government even going so far, and remove DOE, most of all taking Epa's funding for their criminal overreach.
hope, and pray that the american people do not fall for this snake-oil-salesman again, he surely is good reading a speech from the promptors.
It almost reads as he repeats the same demand for another stimulus, since the first one worked so very well!
Wayne | 1.25.11 @ 1:36PM
"Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) have precisely the right idea at the right time: to cut $2.5 trillion off the federal spending tree over the next ten years. "
Why are we praising this? We would still be expanding the National Debt by 10 trillion dollars. The deficit is now more than 1.5 trillion per year. That would only knock off about .2 trillion per year.
We need to reduce the deficit by 15 Trillion dollars over the next 10 years. The Republicans still are not getting it.
tonypal| 1.25.11 @ 10:46PM
Wayne, please refer to my post 2 spots above you. If the republicans propose your plan, they will get slaughtered by Obama. We all want deep cuts, but why do something that is guaranteed to hurt you in both the short and long run.
Adidas | 8.11.11 @ 4:51AM
is good
العاب | 4.11.12 @ 3:44PM
I have to agree with peppermint Tea