The American Spectator : Budget Battles Demand Perspective

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Budget Battles Demand Perspective

By Quin Hillyer on 3.18.11 @ 6:10AM

Don't scoff at small victories.

There's nothing wrong with picking low-hanging fruit. Ground gained with position consolidated is always a good thing in battle. Incrementalism is not a character flaw. As Aesop's turtle proved, slow and steady can indeed win the race.

Impatient conservatives should understand these things when adjudging the House Republican Leadership's piecemeal advances against government bloat. Critics may quibble that the leadership hasn't been bold enough, but the disagreement is only about degree, not about principle.

Were there probably a few more cuts the leadership could have forced through in this past round? Perhaps. Could at least one or two "policy riders," like the one defunding Planned Parenthood, have survived a bout of brinksmanship? Maybe. Are conservatives wrong to want more, to push for more, and even to expect more? Not at all. Pressure for a good cause is a good thing.

Still, it is important that a revolution not eat its own. The adversary is the political left, not the Republican leadership. There is nothing wrong with making gains and banking them, and then going back immediately for more -- which is exactly what Speaker Boehner and company are doing. The abdication of leadership, if there is one, will not occur unless and until the leaders surrender without further advances -- and even then, it will not be abdication unless further advances were still reasonably possible. A stalemate after gaining all the presently gainable ground is an honorable stalemate, not a dishonorable one.

Sometimes what's needed, to be sure, is a Patton, gobbling up contested ground at impressive speed. But not even Patton could do such a thing if the ground were held by forces more numerous, better equipped, and positionally advantaged. Sometimes the best strategy is, to borrow a football analogy, to fight for Woody Hayes' "three yards and a cloud of dust."

If you've played a lot of the board game Stratego, you discover that bold attacks rarely win. Careful, steady pressure, while keeping key pieces amply protected, almost always wins the day. Don't attack an unknown opponent with your field marshal. Don't sacrifice your miners when bombs still protect your opponent's flag. And don't leave your spy hanging out to dry unless he's already made his kill.

Politics, especially in the multi-faceted constitutional system designed by James Madison and friends, almost always must be played like Stratego. American politics rarely allows for Patton-like advances. And it certainly does not allow for Patton, or even for a MacArthur-like Inchon landing, when the Senate, the presidency, and the establishment media is in adversarial hands.

Consider, as so many others have done, the lessons from the first Gingrich Congress of 1995-96.

On one hand, about 95 percent of this recent Newt Gingrich column is correct: The GOP fared far better in the 1995 budget battles than it was given credit for, meaning that boldness absolutely can bear fruit. On the other hand, most of this recent piece by Glenn Kessler is also true: The Republicans "lost" when (and only when) they got "hung up on the numbers" and failed to "accept the winning headline." The reality is, Republicans won the first shutdown of 1995, and lost the second one. And when they lost, they learned the wrong lesson by imagining they lost worse than they did -- so, as time wore on, they ended up no longer even fighting. One lesson is that any loss against the entrenched regime can be psychologically devastating. That's why John Boehner's current strategy of racking up small victories, one after the other, is anything but cowardly. While we conservatives might want him to press a little harder, the general approach makes good strategic sense.

Kessler accurately reminds us of this: "In 1995, the 73 freshmen Republicans, about half of whom had never held public office, had been particularly reluctant to compromise on issues such as a $245 billion tax cut. But budget numbers are quite squishy to begin with, subject to wide variation in the later years of a multi-year budget because of factors such as economic growth and inflation. In calling for a shutdown, Republicans had rejected Clinton's offer of an $81 billion tax cut as inadequate -- and then ended up swallowing a $91 billion tax cut in the 1997 balanced budget deal."

A similar thing, unfortunately little remembered, happened with proposed Medicare savings. (Note: My files are in an attic somewhere, and I am writing from memory, so the following numbers will be a little bit off, but I am certain they are well within the ballpark.) House Republicans were hell-bent on achieving something on the order of $265 billion in Medicare savings (over the course of however many years -- I think it was seven -- they were calculating in those days). The left loved to note that the proposed $245 billion tax cut was almost the same amount as the proposed Medicare savings. The GOP, said the Democrats with utter predictability, was taking money from poor senior citizens to pay for tax cuts for the rich. Unfortunately, the GOP positions played right into that narrative.

Staring the Gingrich brigades right in the face was a perfect answer, one suggested from the middle staff ranks but which was dismissed imperiously by the numbers-nimrods whose calculations showed that exactly $265 billion, not a penny less, was the right amount to save. As Kessler wrote about the tax cuts, so too with the Medicare cuts: Such budgetary exactitude in politics, especially with out-year projections, is sheer nonsense. Anyway, the perfect answer was this: Just two years earlier, Hillary Clinton's monstrous health-care overhaul had included proposed Medicare savings of about $190 billion. If Republicans had been politically savvy, they would have adopted the Clinton numbers. If it had been good enough for Madame Hillary, then by definition it couldn't be a heartless slashing of the very lifeblood of blue-haired old ladies living in derelict houses. So what if the Hillary numbers wouldn't produce green-eyeshade perfection: Such cuts would have been a huge step in the right direction, and they would have been relatively impregnable against leftist demagoguery. A few jiggles elsewhere in the proposed budget, and the whole thing still could have shown a projected "balance" in the designated time frame -- but without nearly the political risk.

As it was, Republicans were forced to accept Medicare savings far less than even the Hillary numbers -- below $150 billion, if I remember correctly. So, just as with the tax cuts, they lost the PR battle while not even coming close to achieving the numbers they were fighting for -- and, for that matter, achieved less than they might have done if they had asked for less up front but justified it more convincingly and cleverly.

Fast forward to today. Conservatives make a big mistake if they obsess about finding exactly $61 billion of savings in two-thirds of a year, from domestic discretionary accounts alone, when the annual deficit will exceed $1.4 trillion. Every dollar saved for the taxpayer is important, of course, but the big picture is more important still. The big picture is to position conservatives to balance the entire budget within a few years, and save a crushing debt burden from smothering unborn generations. A series of little victories, in one skirmish after another, can build a winning psychology, keep the pressure on the big-government bad guys, earn credibility with and trust from the public, reassure investors that big debts aren't necessarily forever, and save the taxpayers at least some money in the process.

To repeat: Nothing is wrong with pushing the leadership for more savings. Nothing is wrong with trying to stiffen leadership spines. But conservatives should keep calm as they work out these intra-party differences, knowing that the real energy should be spent defeating the left, not bashing their own leaders. The leaders, for their part, should not snipe back. Conservatives have every right to press their case, and it is utterly appalling that Kevin McCarthy and company are losing their cool at Mike Pence and his budget hawks. This sort of cannibalism is inexcusable.

Bashing leaders can be useful in the right place and time. When everything rides on the result, as it did with the Obamacare battle, critics have every good reason to let loose a fusillade against leaders who don't use every single arrow in their quiver to deny or further delay the left's victory. But these disputes over the Continuing Resolutions are not that sort of situation. It's not an all-or-nothing, do-or-die situation. Disagreements within the same team in these situations are fine, but they are nothing more than disagreements, not matters of sacred honor.

Save the vitriol, and the sharp knives (figuratively speaking), for use -- from a united front -- against the left. This is a long domestic war we're fighting, and not every hill is one to die on.

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (159) | Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.18.11 @ 6:21AM

You make some good points but the fact is the Republican leadership had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table by the Tea Party.

The actual battle is against the ruling elite inside the beltway who still haven't gotten the message.

When Speaker Boehner claims he has to listen to the other side and that qualifies as leadership, someone should point out that's how we got to where we are today. Some things should not be compromised. Look at Senator McCain. He's a compromise and he lost the compromise.

In the meantime just keep your eye on the debt ceiling. If it is raised the cuts are all meaningless because the government will continue on it's spending spree.

That's where the rubber meets the road.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.18.11 @ 10:17AM

Here's what you get with the current Republican leadership:
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-th.....al-on-hold
A sweeping proposal to add a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution has been delayed in the Senate after GOP leaders decided it should have unanimous Republican support before it moves forward.

The decision had some conservative lawmakers grumbling and asking questions about whether Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is seriously willing to consider the proposal, or is looking to quash it.

The call for complete unity forced backers of the amendment to cancel a planned Thursday press conference to unveil their proposal. The press conference was announced on Wednesday.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.19.11 @ 7:19AM

Another more pointed comment:

An article published Wednesday by The Daily Caller’s Jonathan Strong revealed that, behind the scenes, there is some dissension in the Republican ranks about which tack the party should take with its budget negotiations. That drew the ire of conservative talker Mark Levin. On his Wednesday evening radio broadcast, he blasted the Republican leadership.

“Boy, do we lack intelligent spokesmen in the Republican leadership,” Levin said. “All we get are these hair-dried, platitudinous politicians who have been around forever, honest to God.”

missbosslady| 3.19.11 @ 12:12PM

Amen to Levin!

There has been a communication problem with the Republican party for quite some time.

Many times I have pulled my hair out listenting to the garbled, milquetoast message from the Republicans.

This is exactly why Chris Christie has been so well received. Straight talk.

Just spell out your message clearly and concisely. If the Republican leadership thinks that they are on the right path and using the best method to achieve the goals, then find a way to explain to the people. If we agree with you, we will support you.

It really is that simple.

IzeHavitt| 3.21.11 @ 12:37AM

I have to disagree with our dear friend, Miss BossLady and agree with the author of the piece. This fiscal situation is so bad that , tactically speaking, incremental victories are pretty much all that's possible, especially when the POTUS, the Senate, and the MSM all "all in enemy hands".We need time to build momentum, and then achieve selected sweeping results. I'm glad to see Boehner taking it slowly. It is prudent. It is practical. His guiding hand is the result of the bitter experiences of the earlier, heady days of the initial Republican takeover of the Congress in '95 and following. And remember, too, that back then, that, while they had both the Senate and the House in Republican hands, they weren't necessarily CONSERVATIVE hands. That's a very big difference. It is prudent to be patient, while keeping the pressure on the enemy. Sooner than later, they're going to crack. In the meantime, let's not eat our own.

mames| 3.18.11 @ 10:23AM

Amen. This article sounds like a apologetic for timid behavior in the face of a sunami. We are being blasted by the high and turbulent waters of debt and the author would have us build sand bag barriers only to see them washed away when the next surge hits. No compromises, no equal time for Democrats, the Tea Party Republicans ARE EQUAL TIME in comparison of 70 years of unconstitutional socialism. Boehner is not up to the task and neither is Cantor both have already proven their predisposition to compromising away the fundamentals. These men too shall fall; tears and all.

Sheila| 3.18.11 @ 10:28AM

Yes - enough with the apologetics by these "seasoned," "reasonable" people. No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people. Decline and fall.

Wowee| 3.18.11 @ 5:30PM

My God, your arrogance knows no bounds.

Nevin| 3.18.11 @ 12:55PM

Not sure about the good points to which you refer.....

I don’t believe fighting cancer with Tylenol is a very good point……but then again, I'm not well versed in the underlying secrets of Stratego.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.18.11 @ 1:00PM

You got me there.

Warrior| 3.18.11 @ 1:42PM

Republicans should take small incremental victories. Words of left leaning moderate. While Tylenol may not fight cancer, but the Republicans would not even allow the Tylenol because the Obama appointed head of the FDA would not allow it to be prescribed.

darcy| 3.18.11 @ 7:47PM

Here's the thing: The establishment leadership caves in the face of liberal intimidation, whether it comes from colleagues or the media. And why do they cave? I'd say it's because of lack of nerve and lack of conviction; a less charitable reading would say that it is due to their having sold their souls for the progressive agenda, you know, seeing the "inevitability" of it and all, and that the opposition to that comes only from those retrograde patriot-types.

Read me as: THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED.

Alan Brooks| 3.18.11 @ 4:38PM

Notice how ample mention is made here concerning Gingrich in '95, but not Dole in '96.
Nor did the author go into Gingrich's conservative futurism, his "honeymoons in space will be common by 2020*" malarkey. Gingrich's beliefs are a witch's brew of Tofflerism and
Gingrichism.

* though one-way suicide-honeymoon tickets might be available by 2020

Alan Brooks| 3.18.11 @ 4:57PM

John Boehner: Weeper Of The House Of Representatives.
And well he should weep, America's skools aren't about the children, they are about the parents and the skools squabbling for turf.

Kenny| 3.18.11 @ 6:24AM

A lot of wisdom in this column like: "But conservatives should keep calm as they work out these intra-party differences, knowing that the real energy should be spent defeating the left, not bashing their own leaders."

The problem is that, heretofore, conservatives have been repeatedly sold out by the GOP leadership in Washington as those people tried to gain admittance into the ruling political class.

Are you saying that this time it will be different? I hope so, but I still will cut the GOP leadership very little slack.

mames| 3.18.11 @ 10:25AM

GOP with a BIG smile, TRUST ME. Ya, right, not again you losers.

Carol| 3.18.11 @ 6:36AM

I admit I have been disappointed in Boehner's actions. After witnessing 2 years of in-your-face-we-will-do-what-we-want-to-you-peons from Pelosi and Reid and Obama, hearing the little amounts the GOP are tackling sound so minute.

Boehner seems so willing to want to work with Obama. Why? Does he know how we feel out here?

And now he and others in the leadership are attacking the Tea Parties - the #1 group that were responsible for their historic pummeling against the Dems in November.

Out of sheer ignorance could someone help me out please.

If the House wants to defund something does everything need to go through the Senate and the President? Or can the House decide not to fund something.

I've have been trying to find an answer and am stumped.

Thanks for your help.

Sean| 3.18.11 @ 7:53AM

The House can defund a lot of this stuff just by not voting to renew funding. We don't need the Senate or President.

mames| 3.18.11 @ 10:31AM

Boehner is a statist and a wimp. There is nothing quite so evil as a man who pretends to be your advocate while stabbing you in the back. Boehner is the reason violent revolutions start. The Tea Party and all constitutionalist have reached a limit and were willing to give the GOP another shot, if they flunk out revolution to restore the constitution is the only process left. Balls to the wall for a Constitutionally Limited Republic, and Boehner ain't got the equipment to achieve that goal.

darcy| 3.18.11 @ 7:49PM

Amen to that, mames!

daveHG| 3.19.11 @ 4:52PM

You have hit on the weakness of the present Republican approach as exemplified in the vote to defund NPR which will fail in the Senate or get vetoed. Much better to simply not fund it in the appropriate funding bill and dare the Dems to sink the whole bill for the sake of NPR.

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.18.11 @ 6:53AM

Carol,
The way I understand it is that EVERY spending bill must originate in the House...period.

Carol| 3.18.11 @ 6:59AM

I understand that part. However, can something they want to defund stop there if they know there is no way the Senate and the President won't go along?

For example if the GOP House wants to cut $5 billion from NPR can it stop there since Reid and Obama won't go along? If this is the case the House is powerless.

Thanks again.

Spoonman| 3.18.11 @ 7:36AM

I believe that for any legislation to be enacted after the House approvesit, the Senate must approve it and the President must sign it. Even when it involves spending.

Wade Smith| 3.20.11 @ 10:33PM

If the House does not appropriate the funds then funds cannot be spent.

Mitch Angoop| 3.18.11 @ 8:05PM

KEN THE TEXICAN!
Is your second book finished yet? I have been waiting for months! Get 'er out here! You left us hnaging!

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 3.18.11 @ 7:26AM

I'm tired of hearing the Republicans saying, just wait until April to see our new "great" budget. April? Start putting out the numbers now!! Why wait? "Aesop's turtle proved, slow and steady can indeed win the race", well of course that's true, but in the old Bugs Bunny cartoon, the turtle had a jet engine hidden under his shell, that he turned on every now and again, and if I remember correctly, he beat Bugs Bunny bad. Slow and steady's nice, but be ready to pounce every now and then, we've got them right where we want them, let's take advantage of it. Three yards at a time Football, might win the game, but it's a bit boring too, go deep every few plays, it might work.

Wowee| 3.18.11 @ 5:43PM

LoL! Lessons from Bugs Bunny cartoons are apropos.

GavInTucson| 3.18.11 @ 11:38PM

Personally, I'm willing to wait until April to see the 2012 budget the Republicans produce. That's the big enchilada to me, not these 2 or 3 week CRs.

If the House version doesn't have some big cuts, I'm taking my ball and walking home. This is their one and only chance.

lm10001| 3.18.11 @ 7:27AM

The Democrats don't take Republicans seriously. Why should Conservatives? The Republicans have learned nothing and forgotten nothing. It's time to talk third party.

darcy| 3.18.11 @ 8:02PM

WOW! Excellent observation. Moreover, the country is going to h#ll in a hand basket -- and that, on steroids -- and all the repub wimps can do is take an inch here and an inch there while when the dems are at the helm it's full steam ahead. One MUST conclude that the repubs' hearts are just not in being the OPPOSITION. With dem house minorities we see tigers fighting to force their agenda; with repub house majorities we see wimps demanding kudos for NOTHING. The interest on the debt far exceeds any "cuts" the repubs lay claim to. They disgust me. Boehner: wimps cry -- strong men don't give in to emotion -- not when the very essence of our Founding is at stake. Grow some balls, for Pete's sake!

We need a third party: The Opposition Party. And if we lose, so what? We lose anyway by voting repub and getting nothing but a bunch of wimp, statist establishment-type hypocrites -- lying to us during campaign season and stabbing us in the back in the halls of congress.

blackwatch| 3.18.11 @ 10:24PM

I think it axe handle time and we have some wussy congresspussies to intimidate into resigning or into growing some manhood between their damn legs.

MR. SPEAKER AND HIS TEAM---TIME TO MAN UP and grow a pair! LEAD THE NATION ....OR RESIGN IMMEDIATELY SO SOMEONE ELSE CAN LEAD!!!!

GavInTucson| 3.18.11 @ 11:40PM

"The Democrats don't take Republicans seriously"

Well that may be true but they better learn to take the voters seriously, or the Dems will have another 2010 handed to them in 2012.

TennesseeVolunteer| 3.18.11 @ 7:48AM

Quin, overall I have thought the same things myself. BUT, our clock is ticking and we have little patience for any conservative politician who wavers on the goal.
Our goal is not bipartisanship, it is the saving of our republic through less spending, less taxing and more individual freedom.
As long as they lead with those three things and make continual progress, I am ok with that. Any talk of working "with my good Democratic friend from some Northeastern state" is a political death knell for that particular Conservative.

irish19| 3.18.11 @ 10:37AM

That sounds like a good policy.

Walking Horse| 3.18.11 @ 11:45AM

"Clock ticking", indeed. Incremental progress as a strategy assumes that there is not a time factor involved. We have run out of margin, both fiscally and institutionally. We are almost to the point of no return on indebtedness - some compellingly argue that we will *never* pay off $14T as it stands. Institutionally, the gallows represented by ObamaCare is being constructed while we play small ball - the unelected bureaucrats are fully funded, and there are contractors who will happily sell them the rope to complete the structure.

martin j smith| 3.18.11 @ 7:53AM

Here is my "new" take on this situation. First off: "OUR" first and most important goal in the near term is defeat the Democrat Socialist Party and of course Obama himself--his majesty. With that perspective in mind:

A large swarth of American voters are very SELFISH PEOPLE. This would include not only our Political Leaders many of whom are very wealthy--thank them very much--but many ordinary Americans who are Union members and get various benefits and other goodies that hour nation CANNOT AFFORD. And then there are those so called "moderates" or"Independents"
such as David Brooks or Frum and others. And then there are the ignorant and uninformed easily swayed by propaganda of the LEFT MSM.
With the above in mind two major things are needed:
A GET OUT THE VOTE MACHINE IS VITAL. The Unions will spend millions for their own political power and support Obama remember that. The MSM will be in Obama's camp, remember that. And the feckless types of voters noted above will vote for Obama and the Democrat Party, remember that. So--Getting out the vote is vital.
Second: A VITAL NEED FOR COUNTER PROPAGANDA AND EDUCATION FOR THE AMERICAN VOTER. There is ample evidence that Obama at best is incompetent at worst something way else. Look at his constant vacations. Look at his failure to lead. remember that !!!!!!!!!! DO WE WANT FOUR MORE YEARS OF THIS ?
SO, ONE really really important thing to do is to reveal the mythology of republicans being only for the rich. POINT OUT THE KIND OF MONEY DEMOCRAT SOCIALISTS MAKE AND THEIR VERY WEALTHY SUPPORTERS INCLUDING GEORGE SOROS AMONG OTHERS. AND, POINT OUT THE EXTREMELY COSTLY BENEFITS UNION CONTRACTS HOLD OVER OUR ECONOMY. AND POINT OUT THAT THE AVERAGE VOTER IS COUGHING UP MORE MONEY WHICH HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR POCKET BOOK MORE THAN THE WEALTH SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS. and POINT OUT THAT THE DEMOCRAT SOCIALIST PARTY FAILED TO PASS A BUDGET WHICH EXPLAINS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE. THEN SHOW THE GOON STUFF OF THE UNIONS AND THEIR TIES TO THE UNIONS. Meanwhile potkchey with the Democrat Socialists on the budget showing how "REASONABLE" WE ARE TRYING TO BE BUT TO NO AVAIL !!!!!!!!!!
IN OTHER WORDS, THROW THE CLASS WARFARE BOOK RIGHT BACK AT THEM.
That is how I see our situation. Rome was not built in a day and defeating a very wealthy powerful political machine will not be easy. Just do not get tied up in knots and forget what the goal is.

Jack| 3.19.11 @ 2:22PM

I couldn't agree more! I swear the left is pushing all this talk about creating a new political party. They are trying to create a division in our own ranks in order to make sure the Obummer gets another four years. We can't afford another four years. I am not sure we can survive this four years at this accelerated rate of decline. These acts by the Dems (Progressives really.. the true Dems have all been elimated) are treasonous and in a far less PC world would have got you a ticket out of the country at the least.

JP| 3.18.11 @ 7:54AM

Funny how the Democrats can be bold and we cannot. And even from a minority position, the Democrats always seem to find some procedure, process, RINO, or lie to see to it thier agenda reamins alive if not fully implemented.

I think the GOP's agenda should be saving our economy from obvious ruin. When we are borrowing $1 billion every 3 hours something will give -sooner rather than later. I don't think the President or his Congressional allies realize what is in store for this nation if things continue apace. Economic breakdown followed by a social upheaval no one has seen before is what is in the tea leaves. We're not talking about debasing the currency. We're talking about its destruction.

From that perspective, the GOP should get its collective act together. The voters need to realize what is in store. Of course, the GOP, like the Democrats, are suffering from a failure of imagination (a favorite term from the 9/12 Commission). They cannot imagine a financial meltdown a la 1932 painted across an even larger canvass.

While Rome burnt, Obama golfed.

RustyG| 3.18.11 @ 7:56AM

Lucy: Be Patient Charlie....this time will be different. If you just let me hold this ball, I promise you can incrementally run and kick it.
Charlie Brown: Good Grief

Dave| 3.18.11 @ 9:03AM

If there's any truth in the old adage "brevity is the soul of wit", then RustyG nailed it in his post. Fact is I was planning to write my own rant on Weepy John and his water boy Eric - but the Charlie Brown reference brought the current political image to life better than anything I could come up with today.

BINGO, Rusty!

Sheila| 3.18.11 @ 10:29AM

RustyG and Dave - excellent comments both.

KyMouse| 3.18.11 @ 8:05AM

A lot of people were surprised and disappointed to see Rand Paul (along with two other Republicans) join all of the Senate's Democrats in voting AGAINST the recent bill that would have de-funded Planned Parenthood, restored the "Mexico City Policy," and more.

Clint| 3.18.11 @ 9:46AM

Dr. Rand Paul Was Right.

The GOP “no” votes came from Senators John Ensign, James Inhofe, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Jim DeMint, Orrin Hatch, Jim Risch, Mike Crapo, and Mike Lee.

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Rand Paul (Ky.) voted against the latest continuing budget resolution brought before the U.S. Senate.

“The Democrats don’t seem to want to take any real action in balancing the budget, so I applaud the Republicans for moving a step further toward the needed cuts, however the proposals are simply not enough,” said Sen. Paul. “This resolution spends money at a rate that still adds $1.5 trillion to the debt, and at that rate we will never get our nation’s fiscal house in order. Unless we consider making cuts to every major piece of legislation, we will not come close to balancing the budget. Just since 2008, the deficit has grown by 200 percent, and this resolution cuts only 6 percent of that. This plan does not allow us to avoid the coming debt crisis.”

Still killing| 3.18.11 @ 11:20AM

And Planned Parenthood gets to keep using taxpayer money to kill babies and hurt mothers.

Clint| 3.18.11 @ 11:59AM

Duuuhhhh !
Do your Homework.
As far as this bill is concerned, Obama would veto it and it came nowhere close to cutting spending as people like Paul, Lee and DeMint were elected to do. This forces the Dems to face a shutdown and therefore no funding.

darcy| 3.18.11 @ 8:10PM

Do you really think, Clint, that what you describe is true about Paul's motivations? Or maybe it could be that Paul's libertarian instincts got the better of him. Which is it? I ask you, seriously, because I'm wondering if your take reflects reality or not.

Clint| 3.19.11 @ 10:31AM

Paul is opposed to abortion and supports a Human Life Amendment and a Life at Conception Act. He also opposes abortion in cases of rape and incest, but supports use of the morning-after pill.He opposes federal funding for abortion.He takes a states' rights position, favoring the overturn of Roe vs Wade and allowing states to decide on the legality of abortions without federal involvement.

Reality Bites| 3.19.11 @ 12:16PM

If he supports the use of the "Morning After Pill" then he supports abortion, and that makes him a flaming hypocrite.

Clint| 3.19.11 @ 2:07PM

Dr. Rand Paul opposes abortion in cases of rape and incest, but hasn't opposed the use of the morning-after pill in cases of rape & incest.

Rand Paul Cosponsors Life at Conception Act

Published on 24 January 2011:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Rand Paul will join Senator Roger Wicker as an original sponsor of the Life at Conception Act. This legislation declares that the unborn are persons, as prescribed in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
In a statement today, Sen. Paul shared his thoughts on today’s March for Life and on co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation.

“The right to life is prescribed to all Americans in the Declaration of Independence. Ensuring this is upheld is the Constitutional duty of all Members of Congress. I am doing my part by joining my fellow pro-life colleagues in sponsoring the Life at Conception Act, which will protect the sanctity of human life.

Protecting Americans – whether it’s balancing the budget or ensuring no child will be denied the right to life – is my priority now – as it has always been. As a medical student, I was one of a small group of students who opted out of learning abortion procedures. My regard for the sanctity of life has carried me throughout my career as a physician and I am proud to join my new colleagues to continue this fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans, born and unborn.”

The Anti-Paul Troll is back in the building.
Why don't ya tell The American Spectator Readers why you really hate The Pauls, Father & Son.
Why be a Sneaky Coward about it, Phoney Fraud Truth Teller ?

Reality Bites| 3.19.11 @ 4:06PM

He opposes abortion even in the case of rape or incest, yet he approves it if done by taking a pill. He's a hypocrite.

Will he also approve the Murder Pill for Federal funding?

The Libertarian hypocrisy mantra~ "As long as I'm fiscally conservative, that's all that counts".

As to me being a Troll, I've seen your horrible anti-Jew rantings here and it seems to me you have an agenda yourself but it isn't one of truth telling.

Clint| 3.19.11 @ 5:29PM

You're A Slandering Liar Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie & An Anti-Catholic,Anti-Everybody Religious Fanatic.

Now, tell all the practicing Jews & practicing Muslims where you think they go when they die.

You're Up Anti-Catholic , Anti-Everybody, Who Doesn't Asskiss The Fanatic Agenda of Apocalyptic Crank Lady Victor-Margie From The Church Of Margie.

Donna| 3.18.11 @ 8:11AM

What?? Are you kidding me with this piece?? It’s exasperating to know that a conservative writer thinks there’s time to deal with this mess. You have no understanding of the QE’s and the devastating impact this will have on this nation. All you reference is fifteen year old facts (if your memory serves your correctly) that are in no way applicable to this situation. There has been two years of irresponsible dereliction of fiduciary irresponsibility and over four years of criminal activity on the American people and their life savings. What are thinking? This piece is has no creditability and plays into the hands of the progressive left. THERE IS NO TIME TO MOLLYCODDLE THE DEMS.

Mimi| 3.18.11 @ 8:13AM

What bothers me the most about this.is the PUT-DOWN of Conservative and Tea-Party by staff of the top-dog members. That hurts and is gonna last! It is important we cannot divide ourselves...the devious LIBS are enough to contend with, we have to stay strong and UNITED! The leadership...must comminicate better. Right now the one to look to TRUST is PAUL RYAN...he knows the workings of the congress and he is the BEST at explaining it all. We WANT to see STRENGTH,PRINCIPLE, and BOLDNESS...The horrible mistakes of this DEMOCRAT administration has us all at risk...The events call for remarkable LEADERSHIP!!!

Anthony| 3.18.11 @ 10:06AM

I agree. I think Mark Levin should demand that Boehner and Cantor hold a presser and apologize to us, the folks who elected them and gave them their "leadership" positions, for these vile comments against us.
I'd give them until Monday, and if they don't, Levin should release the name of that snot nosed staffer, from apparenlty Cantor's office, who made these comments about us.
Run that runt out of town along with the rest of the sycophants being paid by us!!!!
We've had it!!!!

darcy| 3.20.11 @ 8:15PM

Anthony, you, especially, will appreciate this:
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.......html#more

And to Mr. Hillyer: Suck eggs.

Pelligrino| 3.18.11 @ 8:16AM

No, Mr. Hillyer. SLOW go doesn't cut it anymore.

$30 billion per week of new debt (and that is only what the wonks in D.C..will admit to)
$350,000 as annual salary for the Planned Parenthood Director. How many other 'fat' government salaries are out there? Every taxpayer in the US now indebted over $79,000. The galling tsunami numbers never end.

We've been lied to and stolen from for years and you want to say sagely, "People, we can be like the turtles."

This ain't no silly gameboard. Stuff that analogy.

Even if our national debt was half the over $14 trillion and our deficit this year were just $500 billion, THAT IS ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM.

The Problem: Our bloated government spends on things we don't need -- things not Constitutionally mandated. (And they lie to us about it -- weekly/daily)

And the GOP House of Reps. leadership reeks.

NO, they'd better be SPRINTING.

Brian Mc| 3.19.11 @ 9:18AM

Pelligrino,

The spending is the thing. It's a paradigm that has been reinforced by the media for years. We've heard the "grandmas eating cat food" attack against cuts for decades now. If congress isn't spending every time they vote affirmitively they're not doing their job of governing...this is the subtle lie that the 'average' voter has come to believe.

In that mindset lies the problem. "Bloated" is too kind a word for what is happening. What we need is just ONE bill that completely kills something the government created out of their so-called compassion. Only then will I have hope for this republic.

Louis Jenkins| 3.18.11 @ 8:18AM

A majority hit the House, enlightening to say the least. Yes, we are ready for those guys to do their dastardly work, cut the budget so we can save America. I really don't care if they cut it a dollar at a time, as long as the knives and scissors come out, and they get the job done. This nation cannot continue down the road of spending money we don't have, and taxation. Some folks are now pointing to a third party after the Republican leadership defamed the Tea Party, but if that's what it takes to get the budget down to managable levels, then that may be a course that cooler heads take. Work on Obamacare Boehner, and you'll reap rewards beyond comprehension. Don't go along and get along, we've got too much at stake.

Pelligrino| 3.18.11 @ 8:27AM

Hillyer, you don't get it, do you?

Our financial mess is our national undoing.

Your very existence is in peril. This isn't fear mongering.

Britain, Germany, Japan....all in dire straits. Canada, too. Australia, too.

All those nations and the minnows of NATO withering away in every facet of their existence.

Who is going to protect you when the Chinese come? Yes, they're coming. And they're laughing at us because we haven't beaten back islam or the Middle East threats -- while spending our treasure there and breaking our equipment.

They're delighted that we've broken the piggy bank on those things while not watching them close enough.

Our financial house is bust. We are corrupt and weak. We might have military technology but that won't save us.

We won't be able to mount any defense because we won't be able to afford it.

Who is going to protect you and your family, Hillyer?

The slow-go turtles?

Quin| 3.18.11 @ 9:44AM

It is precisely because I DO "get it" that I write this. The problem is not going to be solved by cutting $61 billion, rather than $45 billion or $52.8485758 billion or whatever, from discretionary spending in three months. The problem can only be solved by a BIG set of reforms and savings. Anything that sets us up politically to achieve the big savings is good; anything that sets us up to lose the main battle is bad. The country isn't going to go belly-up between now and October. But it might go belly-up between now and 2013 or 2014. Every single bit of savings we can muster in the short run is good, but the only way to win the big battle is to take the presidency and the Senate while holding the House in 2012. The system will not allow major reforms from the House alone. Madison didn't design it that way.

irish19| 3.18.11 @ 10:42AM

I believe the term is preparing the battlefield.

Len | 3.18.11 @ 12:19PM

Quin there's no guarantee that the country will not go belly-up this year. Maybe not, but I don't give us past next year.

simon templar| 3.18.11 @ 1:33PM

Quin...you are asking us to trust our "alcholic" representatives who have promised us they would stop drinking dozens of times and then go right back to it. Certainly you can see how difficult and disconcerting this is for most sane Americans who no longer will enable this behavior or trust them. We are particularly distrusting when they start calling us names and displaying behaviors that make us think that this is just show and they will be drinking again on the sly. But you are absolutely and insightfully correct in how they must do what they can, now that they only control the House. I believe their ( the GOP) biggest mistake, as always, is there inability to articulate to the country what is going on, who is obstructing, and their vision and ideas on how to fix it. I think this is what they need to be doing right now given their limits and restraints.

Warrior| 3.18.11 @ 1:51PM

Boehner is pathetic. He would rather use surrogates to attack the TEA Party than attempt any significant changes to our out of control government.

JP| 3.18.11 @ 8:30AM

The Planned Parenthood vote of course is symbolic. Planned Parenthood brings in over $350 million in non-govermental money every year in order to perform its murderous deeds. And the GOP feels compelled to keep thier association with this gang of butchering eugenicists. Why should anyone be surprised?

But, while the House debated hotly to continue the CR with a paltry $6 billion in cuts, the defecit grew by some $128 billion. Just to keep things in persective. Right. So yes. Let's pick all of that low hanging fruit. Let's celebrate the little things. And while we're at, we can take solace in the fact that not only is our government conspirators in butchery, but stealing the unborn children's future earnings to boot. And we thought Eichman was evil. To paraphrase Jonah Goldberg, our government is Eichman with a smiley face.

M R Glasgow| 3.18.11 @ 8:40AM

Someone's laughing, Lord, kumbaya (That would be the Democrats)
Someone's crying, Lord, kumbaya (That would be all of us trying to survive this great “recovery”)
Someone's praying, Lord, kumbaya (That would be me)
Someone's sleeping, Lord, kumbaya (That would be the Republicans)

Nice moment there Quinn, you almost had me weeping with joy like our fearless Leader Boehner. But in the end, it’s just another bunch of crap to make us feel good about going broke- both as individuals and as a nation. A third party is not the answer, but voting out of office every dithering Republican will do for a start.

JimP| 3.18.11 @ 8:42AM

Excellent column, Quin. Thanks for the perspective. We hear too little in this vein generally. I hope Boehner and company keep it up.

Mr ED| 3.18.11 @ 8:42AM

Just another RINO PR article, beseeching the ignorant rabble to understand and accept the fecklessness and ineffectual manuvers of the Republican "leadership" as they try and play footsie with the Libs, wink wink. Its all for the best, since the wise leadership knows that they don't have a chance in hell of actually getting real substantial cuts in government spending from the Dems and Obamesiah. Blah Blah Blah.
What the tea party types are looking for is someone who will do verbal battle with the statists, actually give voice to conservative principals, and tell the Lib MSM to stick it. Attempts at cleverness and compromise always means - always - that conservative principals are protrayed as "out-of-bounds" and the real work of implementing the continuing Lib disaster continues unabatted.

Redstateboy| 3.18.11 @ 10:11AM

well stated and I'm with you brother..! Enough of this BS! the very life of our country is at stake!! I say cut the budget, deficit - wh

JOE OLIVA| 3.18.11 @ 4:32PM

Exactly Right!

Old Soldiers| 3.18.11 @ 8:44AM

Sure, let's go slow. We don't HAVE to cut $61 billion this year.

I mean the deficit only went up by a mere $223 Billion in FEBRUARY! So lets not be too hasty about cutting a quarter of that amount for the entire year.

Pelligrino| 3.18.11 @ 9:34AM

Old Soliers, correct. Isn't Feburary 2011 now on record as our biggest deficit spending/debt accumulation month in the history of the republic?

As a relative pointed out, how is that possible with a month of only 28 days? (Wanna bet if March 2011 outdoes the $233 billion mark?)

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 10:37AM

Yeah, until we get through march, and then march 2011 will be the biggest spending month on record.

Redstateboy| 3.18.11 @ 9:14AM

I like the: "keep the pressure on is a good thing" bit.. and pressure's going to come. Lamar Alexander (r*) in TN. is up for re-election and we need a Marco Rubio instead of this pompous-I'm-a US-Senator-look-at-me Countryclub Republican

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.18.11 @ 9:15AM

Typical beltway-pundit crap. Headlines? How about this headline, "Congress makes six billion in cuts same day a deficit increases seventy-two billion." Stick your headlines where the sun don't shine, you have become a joke.

NVA Patriot| 3.18.11 @ 9:36AM

Quinn,

Good article. Let's remember what happened. Leadership decided the game is incrementalism. Conservatives mostly went along, but want more. LEADERSHIP VICIOUSLY ATTACKED conservatives. Leadership wants us on the team the aide who complained to the DC or whatever should be FIRED - PUBLICALLY.

Conservatives PUNCHED back, just like we did in WI, MI, OH, and other places. W're in no mood to have pee-pee running down our legs and have Leadership call it rain.

If peole want conservatives and Tea Party folks 'on the team' then they better play TEAM ball. This is a lesson lost on Mike Castle-NRSC republicans.

The old game is OVER. There are new sheriff's in town and the rules of play are going to change and ALIGN with the constitution; if they don't, there will be lots of primaries in 2011 and lots of upsets in 2012.

loulou| 3.18.11 @ 10:39AM

Leadership is stuck in the grovelling, grateful for small favors mode.

Their main concern is remaining in "power." Harry Reid has been allowed to wield the real power but our Sobbing Speaker doesn't realize it . What these petty GOP midgets don't understand is that true conservatives will not enable them any longer. THEY'RE the ones cannibalizing the GOP.

Anthony| 3.18.11 @ 9:42AM

Quin, you sound like a good company man spokesman. In addition to not taking on Obama care, Boehner and the boys have failed miserably in making their case to the American people.
They have once again allowd Reid and Obozo to set the narrative, especially the carnad of what a "government shut down" actually entails. Reid is out there with the usual crap about "taking away social security and the checks will stop being sent" bullcrap, not to mention cowboy poetry. How difficult is it to take on cowboy poetry?
Boehner, apparently, can't operate outside of the Washington bubble. He has the usual mini press "briefings" and utters the usual beltway platitudes and sound bites.
We need leadership. What is so hard in telling the American people the truth? What is so difficult in telling the American people a "shut down" does not include 60% of government functions, the ESSENTIAL ones. Is that so damn difficult?
Finally, why is it when the people who elected these gumbys to office take them to task, they immediately turn on us with vile and nasty comments? Why would they call us extremists, or the extreme wing of the R party? They sound like Harry Reid, who by the way, used that same language in describing us. Does that make good tactical sense to you Quin?
No Quin, the problem is not us, it's with Boehner and the way Washington does its business.We are sick of it, we want change, Boehner plays by the company handbook because he is wedded to the status quo.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 10:30AM

They at least made an attempt to repeal PPACA if I'm not mistaken. Pretty sure they voted in the house and Dingy Harry Reid wouldn't allow a senate vote on the repeal measure.

martin j smith| 3.18.11 @ 9:57AM

Let me add one more item--Lets go "slow" quickly. What I mean is this, continue to badger the Repub leadership by phone or e-mail (politely of course ) and let them know they are being watched closely.
What has to happen is Tea partiers and Conservatives and others need to PUSH REPUBLICAN LEADERS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND TO HECK WITH THEIR NAME CALLING.
BUT THREATEN PRIMARIES TO THOSE WHO "DON'T GET IT" The most important thing is to treat the current leadership as criminals on probation and by all means threaten to challenge in primaries those who can be challenged. But if Repub leaders play nice--well throw them a toy.

335blues| 3.18.11 @ 10:02AM

I am so sick of the "will you just sit down and shut up and let us handle it?" attitude. The arrogance of the beltway, insider, country club elites in the republican party and their Jacobin 'superior knowledge and virtue' attitudes are disgusting to the people who put them in office to serve. That's right, to serve. When are boehner, cantor, mccarthy, mcconnell and the rest of that bunch going to get it? You are supposed to be representatives of the people. You are supposed to vote the will of the people. Whose will is supported by funding obamaboehnercare? Whose will is supported by funding planned parenthood? What could possibly be the purpose of giving obama another $105 billion to further entrench and force his soviet-style healthcare system on the people you are supposed to represent? No, Mr. hillyer, we won't sit down and shut up. In fact, it's time for the people to double down and continue to defeat rinos and elect real conservatives.

martin j smith| 3.18.11 @ 10:03AM

Quin: I think I get your point. My main problem with the Repub leadership and this is a continuation from the 2008 election which was a disaster is their refusal to confront the truth about the Democrat Socialist Party and Obama specifically . This will have to change, At some point soon there will be an impasse and here are just two issues that MUST BE CONFRONTED. The Democrat Socialists refusal to seriously deal with the deficit--in fact a desire to deepen it. And second the Goon-thug tactics of the Unions. This is extremely dangerous for our political system and it must be stopped. There are others but that is enough for now.

big bob| 3.18.11 @ 10:05AM

In the world of strategy, your thesis is a non-starter. I only point you to the way the libs took the world by storm. Metaphorically speaking, they had stormed the beach, brought on reserves and were setting up retail by the time our side even knew there was an assault taking place!! The magnitude and depth of commitment are at issue here. Timing is everything. Not sticking to the $100Billion budget cut commitment says far more about what will happen in the battle for next year's budget than anything else....and the other side knows it. This is all about posturing and strategy. That Boehner is unwilling to confront the spending head on after our country sent conservative freshmen representatives to D.C. in record numbers tells the other side all they need to know. On top of that, he is bullying them into submission to his RINO mentality!! This IS a game of poker, and when Boehner laid all his cards on table by telling every one he was NOT going to shut down the government....what else was there left to do???

No, this is about the will to win, not to play Big 10 football out of the 60s like Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. Boehner needed to come out like Bret and throw a 60 yard pass on the first play of the super bowl to show these commies that we mean business. THAT is why we are upset. $5 Billion....$6 Billion. Heck, that's not even going to let us keep the ball with those sort of numbers!!

coal carrier| 3.18.11 @ 10:12AM

There has been some talk about rolling back revenue to 2008 levels. In 2008, according to the OMB, the federal revenue was $2.5 Trillion. Why can’t the government live on 2.5 Trillion in revenue per year? That’s $480 Billion per week, or $6.8 Billion per day.

The present tax revenue is estimated to be $3.5 Trillion. The offer from congress is $6 Billion in cuts.

Ladies and gentlemen, these people are not serious. This outrageous spending will not stop until all of the progressive socialists, on both sides of the aisle, are removed from office. If that is not done, the entire system is going to collapse and our nation will come to a grinding halt. What then?

George S| 3.18.11 @ 10:16AM

You had me hooked, but didn't finish the story: did the '95 Republicans actually save taxpayers 265 (or 150 whatever) billion from Medicare over any seven year period after 1995?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 10:25AM

Quin is right. ANYTHING is better than the status quo of constant spending increases.

However, I am one of the frustrated young people that is watching these old-timers in DC assuring that my generation and the next generations will never be able to accumulate any wealth in their lifetime.

All of these programs whose purpose is intended to eradicate poverty or provide something for someone who "can't afford it" are doing nothing but ensuring that EVERYONE will be in poverty and need it. Its a vicious cycle that must be broken.

Whatever happened to being responsible? Isn't that a part of liberty? Freedom + Personal responsibility = liberty.

Where is Patrick Henry when you need him?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 10:28AM

Can I please just make my own decisions and live with the consequences, King Obama?

Len | 3.18.11 @ 12:24PM

Ron Paul for years has fought the fight against the continued madness but a man like John "compromise" Boehner is the GOP leader in the house?

loulou| 3.18.11 @ 10:33AM

Bottom line: Did they or did they not defund Obamacare?

Steve A| 3.18.11 @ 12:32PM

If Obamacare was supposed to reduce costs, then why does it need to be funded?? I'm just askin.....

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 10:40AM

Maybe we're going about this all wrong.

Via the Declaration of Independence:

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

daboss| 3.18.11 @ 11:53AM

I am with Jason Lewis and Walter E. Williams ... states need the option of peaceful succession from the union - and be able to exercise that option if need be.

That is the only way the national government will wake up.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 1:05PM

I heart Walter Williams.

That being said. I was thinking last night, with all the talk about "rights" coming from the left, how about we start talking about the Bill of "rights"?

1st amendment: Fairness Doctrine
2nd Amendment: Gun control laws
10th Amendment: States rights? what states' rights?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 1:10PM

I would also add that I foresee the States drawing a line in the sand in the near future if the Feds continue on their current path.

TennesseeVolunteer| 3.19.11 @ 9:23AM

Individuals are already seceding. People are going Galt in one way or another already. Small businesses are getting killed. People can't get a new construction loan no matter how good their credit is since the cost of new materials is rising rapidly and existing appraisals are abysmal. Quin, as i mentioned before, I understand your point but we are very close to a crisis point in middle America. Responsible, tax paying people are seeing themselves lose everything incrimentally and don't understand why the RINO's don't understand that we can barely hold on any longer.
Quin, you are a good man but you are insulated in a part of America that is exactly opposite of the way the rest of the country lives. We aren't screaming because we are angry, we are screaming because we see ourselves not too different than the peopl eof Japan. The world is moving and we can't fix our situation. the problem is above us and way too big. We have cut our costs, quit going out to eat, cut spending and we see an economy and a country slowly spinning out of control We know in our guts what will fix it (Stop the spending!) but no one in Washington listens!

darcy| 3.20.11 @ 5:23PM

Passionate posting, TV: "Responsible, tax paying people are seeing themselves lose everything incrimentally and don't understand why the RINO's don't understand that we can barely hold on any longer."

Here's the thing, TV: the economic collapse is the final stage of the nation's collapse; what we've lost in the way of our freedoms to raise our children as we see fit is incalculable -- as that has been coming along for decades now via central gov't control of our schools, via CPS who are kidnapping children from good homes and operating ABOVE THE LAW, via federal failure to uphold DOMA, via creating dependencies on the gov't through the welfare state among the masses of single parent households, and more recently via the assault on the family coming from the actvist homosexual community who seek to undermine yet further the traditional family. Everywhere you look the intact and stable family is under assault, and it's ALWAYS being done cloaked in the language of compassion and fairness.

The bottom line is that the above assault on the family -- and its success to date in weakening our culture and the impulse to self-reliance -- are the CHIEF drivers of and also the chief reasons for OUT OF CONTROL spending.

Fix the family, restore the POWER of the 14th Amendment, pass S.99 (on Parental Rights) and get the damn state out of our lives, then we may, MAY, be able to return to fiscal health. But as long as our freedoms are eroding before our very eyes, comes with it the power of the central government to spend us into oblivion.

It's later than even you think.

darcy| 3.20.11 @ 5:29PM

You cannot possibly imagine, any of you, that the destruction of the family is not the single most important and powerful agenda item on the Marxist list of tactics to kill off the America of our Founders for good. And then we have that completely worthless Mitch Daniels saying we need a truce. What an absolute bozo, and that's a charitable assessment.

Ken in Tyler| 3.18.11 @ 10:54AM

The analogy has often been made that we were in the stew pot because of both the R's and D's and Barry just turned up the heat enough for us to notice. I submit that just turning the heat back down cannot do anything but ensure a slow and more painful death. Cut this, defund that- it's all eyewash.
If in fact this must be a process, can we at least have someone in leadership with the courage to tell the public that the objective must be returning the feds to Constitutional limits? Define the goal then work out the details. The current method only demonstrates the lack of courage and leadership within the Republican establishment. We might as well be pruning acres of Kudzu with fingernail clippers.

cicero| 3.18.11 @ 11:24AM

loulou asks the right question. What happened to Michelle Bachman,s proposal to defund the $105 Billion slush fund packed into Ocare? Everyone is focused on 3 bil or 6 bil, while 105bil is sliding down the track.

JOE OLIVA| 3.18.11 @ 4:38PM

The elite Republicans shot it down of course. How much longer folks can we put up with these idiots?

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.18.11 @ 11:52AM

Quin,
Points well taken.
Commenters,
points well taken.

Bottom line, let's shut it down and send the "non-critical" gubmint employees home.....for good.

blackwatch| 3.19.11 @ 3:55PM

bingo!

darcy| 3.20.11 @ 5:35PM

Bingo dittos. And I get to decide what is essential!

Oldefarte| 3.18.11 @ 11:55AM

As always, I'll defer to Quin longstanding political expertise on such matters, BUT as the political dynamics at play are that the Democrats [the enemy] control the Senate and the Presidency; SO what's drastically accompolished in the House will sometimes [until November of 2012] be a MUTE POINT. That said, WHY NOT GO FOR BROKE, ROLL THE DICE, AND SHOOT TO [well you know what I'm referring to, politically speaking of course]. Paul suggests $500 billion, but backed off to $200 billion; and Palin concurred [over a certain time frame]. Barbour suggest putting the GREEN SHADE to the Defense budget. Foreign aid and Medicaid should be seriously cut by both state and federal governments NOW [Mubarek is sitting in the Egyptian resort, Sharmel Sheik, counting his $billions of foreign aid furning by the American taxpayers]. While I understand the TEAM PLAY BALL agenda, I also am aware the the historical BASEBALL OF TAXES THAT HAS BEEN SHOVED UP TAXPAYERS' BACKSIDES URGENCY involved; and think that it may just be way past time to CUT BAIT OR FISH in this political budgetary situation!!!!!!!!!

loulou| 3.18.11 @ 12:19PM

Your suggestions would show BOLDNESS and that would be unacceptable to the GOP statists, don't you see? That wouldn't show the comity that these country club elitists value so much.

Boehner and Cantor must be challenged. They are unfit for leadership positions.

Oldefarte| 3.18.11 @ 12:53PM

True, agree, but I think that the extreme of BURNING DOWN THE BARN TO GET RID OF RATS approach is foolhearty also!!!!!!!

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.18.11 @ 1:25PM

Sorry AncientFlattulance, but when the budget barn is completely engulfed in flame the best thing to do is lock the doors and hope the rats burn up with it. Shut her down, “git er done.”

Oldefarte| 3.18.11 @ 4:24PM

Yeah, remember what happened to Napoleon and Custer???????????

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.19.11 @ 10:57AM

Napoleon's cause of death is up to debate but most certainly his mental condition at death was insanity due to Syphilis. Custer was clubbed to death by some of my ancestors. They were the first Tea Party people and they thought he was a politician.

Oldefarte| 3.19.11 @ 12:46PM

Yeah, my ancestors were mostly Mississipians and Irish, and they were dinged in a few fracases [whatever part of the anatomy that is] themselves!!!!!!!

Anthony| 3.18.11 @ 5:53PM

Sometimes a new barn is in order. Rot and termites do take their toll, and the rats are either made crispy or flee.
Sounds like a win win to me.

Oldefarte| 3.19.11 @ 12:50PM

Not when periodic pest-extermination is adequately performed by a licensed professional; and when the lack of same translates into asinine stupidity by the barn owner!!!!

darcy| 3.20.11 @ 5:40PM

May I quote you on that, Anthony? I'm stealing your first two sentences to employ elsewhere, unless you object.

Yosemeti Sam| 3.18.11 @ 12:03PM

I posted awhile ago that Boehner and by extension Cantor, and like, seemed to be the MONGOOSE bunch we've been waiting for to run decisive strikes against the COBRA democrats.

Turns out the 'moving force' electorate have empowered only a bunch of - EELS.

LK| 3.18.11 @ 12:21PM

How was the koolaid Quinn? A big part of leadership is communication. Even Geo W Bush, who was unable to speak in complete sentences, was absolutely eloquent compared to Boehner and the so called "leadership". What is their plan? Why aren't they daily talking up the core principles of Constitutional (ie limited) federal govt., and free market capitalism? Why aren't they speaking to the people about the perils of borrowing $4billion/day to maitain the status quo? Instead of leading they turn on their own base calling us "right wingers" and "music critics", and calling Michelle Bachmann "Queen Michelle". Mike Pence and Michelle Bachmann have been leading the fight for years and the weepy Mr Boehner has done nothing.
QH you are a big disappointment.

Len | 3.18.11 @ 12:26PM

"Why aren't they daily talking up the core principles of Constitutional (ie limited) federal govt., and free market capitalism? Why aren't they speaking to the people about the perils of borrowing $4billion/day to maitain the status quo?"

Um?? Maybe Boehner and most of the house republicans don't believe in those things.

OncealwaysaMarine| 3.18.11 @ 12:41PM

The episode provoked furious anger from advocates for the party’s line, with GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy angrily confronting Pence in a members-only meeting before the vote.

One GOP aide unloaded on the conservatives, offering a more colorful view privately held by many other Republicans.

“These people aren’t thinking clearly. Their logic doesn’t pan out. They have NO plan. What concessions were they going to get if it failed? They were going to shut down the federal government over Planned Parenthood?” the source said, “It was totally reactionary. These people got elected to lead. Instead they got jerked around by the political equivalent of music critics. If these people knew anything about governing, they’d be in Congress, not lobbing bombs from the cheap seats and sending out fundraising emails.”

Oh, yeah? Let's look at Kevin McCarthy's 'leadership':

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy was guest speaker at the March 8 Monitor breakfast in Washington, D. C. There, he explained the leadership's "plan" in advocating the need for another short-term bill to fund federal government:

"We are going to hit the deadline because they [the Democratic-controlled Senate] haven't acted.... Republicans will be prepared in the House to do another two-, three-, or four-week [continuing resolution for funding], but each time we are going to go at it, taking more bites, making sure we have [spending] cuts out there to make the economy stronger."

Makes sense....only if you don't know all the facts...which Mr. McCarthy conveniently leaves out of his rant.

Here's some of the facts from an article carried on the American Thinker a couple of days ago:

“The national debt jumped by $72 billion on Tuesday even as the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the government for just three weeks that will cut $6 billion from government spending.

At the close of business on Monday, according to the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Public Debt, the total national debt stood at $14.166 trillion ($14,166,030,787,779.80). At the close of business Tuesday, the debt stood at $14.237 trillion ($14,237,952,276,898.69), an increase of $71.9 billion ($71,921,489,118.89).

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2011--which began on Oct. 1, 2010--the national debt has climbed from $13.5616 trillion ($13,561,623,030,891.79) to $14.2379 trillion ($14,237,952,276,898.69) an increase of $676.3 billion ($676,329,246,006.90).

Congress would need to cut spending by $6 billion every three weeks for approximately the next six and a half years (338 weeks) just to equal the $676.3 billion the debt has increased thus far this fiscal year." –American Thinker

Now, what does that tell you?

Mr. McCarthy can rant all he wants about Mike Pence. Mike Pence IS trying to lead. It's McCarthy, Boehner, and Cantor who are not leading. McCarthy says of Pence and the Tea Party Caucus: "These people aren’t thinking clearly. Their logic doesn’t pan out. They have NO plan. What concessions were they going to get if it failed?"

Depends on whose perspective you're viewing this from, Mr. Quinn. The current rate of spending money we don't have does not lend itself to "continuing resolutions" to trim pennies off the dollar; it amounts to the appearance of doing something-- an empty appearance.

What "concessions" is leadership getting by kissing the Democrats' @sses? Seems to me, they're the ones not thinking clearly. Their logic - cutting $6 billion - to keep the status quo out-of-control spending going for another day - let alone 3 weeks - doesn't make sense to me.

I don't know what the hell has gotten into Boehner and the rest of these so-called "leaders", but they are reverting back to the same old-same old. They may not like the Tea Party freshmen, but The People have spoken. They'd better start listening!

~oam

Nevin| 3.18.11 @ 12:46PM

Excuse me Mr. Quin Hillyer, but have I missed something?

The last time I heard of someone going to the doctor for cancer treatment, the doctor didn’t smile and say “just take a Tylenol once a day, eventually you’ll be fine.”

Is the principle power of the House of Representatives not the power of the purse?

Are we not in a very serious spending crisis?........?

Sorry Quin, but in case YOU have missed something, we are looking at a $1.5+ trillion deficit in the current year, and a million little Tylenols aren’t going to do a damn thing. That money is taken out of your paycheck, my paycheck and my kids’ paychecks that haven’t even been earned yet. Please forgive us conservatives if we are a little annoyed with the house leaderships’ pathetic game of Statego.
I find it hilarious that you excuse this behavior by claiming it’s all part of some grand plan. In the House’s game of Stratego, you suggest that somehow Boehner and his boys have it all figured out, that they have the “slow and steady” strategy working for them. Lipstick on a pig?

I am not a Dr. of something, an academic, expert or genius – I’m just a regular guy. And at the risk of sounding just like a regular guy, might I suggest to Boehner (and you) that if he is going to engage some type of negotiating “strategy” that he might want to consider something called leverage?

You see, a strategy, whether it be at a fortune 500 company, a political campaign, or even when playing a game of Stratego, requires you to lever whatever resources you have available. The threat of shutting down the federal government was his ace in the hole…..but he decided to burn it. He could have levered his political resources by simply making the case to the American public – A government shutdown is the ONLY way to shrink a $1.5 trillion deficit, that is, if the democrats insist on it.

When a $6 billion cut is the result of their strategy on a day that the deficit grew by $72 billion dollars, we (the voters) call that a failed strategy, get it? You see Quinn, we voters have a strategy of our own – It’s called holding our elected representatives’ feet to the fire in an effort to salvage what little liberty we have left.

It’s interesting that people like you defend strategies that allow the American people to continue to get plundered. Which side are you on anyway?....The side that stands for liberty, or the side that stands for something else…..like sitting down for a pleasant game of Stratego while our society burns around us?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.18.11 @ 1:07PM

I would imagine Quin understands this as well as anyone, but what can you really do when you only control one of the 3 levers of legislation?

Nevin| 3.18.11 @ 4:25PM

Phil,

Does he though?

This point you bring up about only having control of one branch of the government is one that is heard often, and frankly, it’s beginning to sound more like an excuse to be gutless than an excuse to accomplish a goal. It is the Republican leadership which has self-imposed these weaknesses, not a limitation of power, let me explain:

The House has power. They have the power to stop appropriating money, even if it results in a government shutdown. They have an enormous stage from which they are able to explain to the American people what a government shutdown even entails, and who would actually be responsible for such an outcome. The LIES (or “misinformation” if you are more attune to liberal speak) that this Whitehouse and other liberal leaders are spreading about a government shutdown is proving to be an effective strategy because our House leaders refuse to respond!

I can assure you the liberals are fully aware that a government shutdown is important LEVERAGE in negotiating a conservative agenda, so it’s no surprise they have preemptively placed the blame on us. Make no mistake, it is the liberals that have the most to lose if non-essential government functions are paused – I don’t care what you site about 1995, the fact remains that we (conservatives) are selling a far, far superior product than liberalism….they just kick our asses in marketing and negotiation. Is that a “control-of-one-branch-of-government” problem or just an “idiot-behind-a-microphone” problem?

And so what IS the response from House leaders? Just tuck their tails in-between their legs and play straight into the liberal’s hand (Plus, I don’t think crying helps much either – but that’s another issue).

Maybe a better response to your point would be to consider the following scenario about the best course of action when you are "limited:"

Say Obama vows to the world that the US will never use its nuclear arsenal under any circumstance. A week later, Hawaii is nuked by some foreign nation. The following week California is nuked, and then Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The following week Texas is nuked, Kansas, and so on.

We fire back at our enemies with some missiles and bombs, but cause minimal damage compared to what our country has suffered. The attack persists while in the mean time we are being told by our military leaders that we are powerless……….but not to worry, because if we continue to pursue our very well planned out retaliation then over time we will be ok. And what if one military leader were to stand up and suggest that we explain to the American people the case for a nuclear retaliation despite the president’s wishes ? – How stupid would it sound for the man’s peers were to shout him down and call him an extremist? Pretty damn stupid in my humble opinion.

I can assure you Phil, along with all the other head-in-the-sand Republicans – we are losing this country, and our leaders are fighting fire with matches.

So stop with the whiny excuses and tell our “leaders” to grow a pair, or they will be destined to lose in November. Quite frankly, I've seen enough and hope they lose anyway.

Pat| 3.18.11 @ 12:56PM

There aren’t many more pitiful sights than a Republican apologist rationalizing failure on the part of his Party. A former “community organizer” with limited legislative and executive experience sweeps into power. Within an incredibly short time, he saves an entire labor union from oblivion, he rescues Wall Street Movers and Shakers from considerable financial pain - heck, he makes them even richer than before - and he forces his fellow citizens to take on an additional crushing debt just shy of one trillion dollars as a well-deserved reward to his political allies around the country. This part time basketball player with a nicotine addiction is the stuff of legends, like a mythical colossus he strides across the political landscape with the power, invincibility and majesty of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Conan the Barbarian.

When us taxpayers were no longer bedazzled, when we finally regained our senses, we put the Republicans in play expecting to see a return to sanity – get used to disappointment is all Hillyer can tell us. Quin flings the usual big numbers around but he has no real sense of exactly how much good his Republicans have accomplished to date, if anything – he hints it’s too soon to expect tangible results. Unlike Obama’s first frantic months in office, the Republicans are in no rush to save their loyal supporters, they’re still going over fabric swatches and paint chips as they slowly redecorate their new offices.

So, what message is contained within this scribbler’s backpack? Basically, it’s this. Democrats very bad, Republicans slightly less bad. We get it Quin, we really do. Within our Two Party system, Conservatives have no happy choices, we know the Democrats are hazardous to our health, and we know we can take two full doses of Republican penicillin twice a day until our prescription runs out in 2 to 4 years – and we can realistically expect, within a short time, to feel slightly better but it’s childishly naïve to expect a miracle cure – apparently that’s something reserved only for Democrats.

Doctor Right| 3.18.11 @ 1:21PM

Yes, Mr. Hilyer, there is something wrong with going after "low-hanging fruit", especially if you were sent to the orchard with specific instructions to bring back the biggest, juiciest apples you can find.

Looks like it's time to chop down the whole damn tree.

simon templar| 3.18.11 @ 1:35PM

martin j smith| 3.18.11 @ 1:57PM

After hearing about a Wisconsin court decsion to temporarily suspend the law passed to end Union Collective bargaining ( the judge being a LEFTY BTW ) leads me to conclude that this country is NOW in a state of lawlessness. That means the Socialist Democrat Party ignores court decisions --doesn't give a damn and WE are supposed to be nicey nicey--obey the 'rules' ? ENOUGH ALREADY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope Walker very nicely ignores the ruling just like BHO does.

Oldefarte| 3.18.11 @ 4:28PM

Agreed, this judge came out of his Democrat closet [where most of his profession hangs out]!!!!!

CalMark| 3.18.11 @ 2:39PM

Blah, blah, blah.

There comes a time to mount the barricades and make a stand. This is one of those times. You may not win today, but if your cause is just and the people are behind you (both are true) you will, eventually.

Anyway, what about the nasty way the GOP leadership is treating the Tea Parties. You know, the folks who PUT them in power? Contrast that with Democrats' loyalty to their (lunatic) base.

Sorry, not buying. Not this time. Too many promises broken over the years.

CalMark| 3.18.11 @ 2:46PM

P.S. To summarize my above: listen up, Beltway (including pundits) crowd: we "peasants" are angry and aren't gonna take it anymore. Ask the Tories what happend last time.

dorisindallas| 3.18.11 @ 4:05PM

"Stay calm", "Be patient". As a conservative I am tierd of waiting for republicans to stand up to the left. The Republican leadership have passed up a great chance to get something done, instead they are still accepting the bones thrown to them by the Democrates. The Tea Party and real conservatives got them back into power and they now mock them. It too bad we don't have some leaders on our side that have the nerve of the wicked witch of San Francisco.

Mike Gabel| 3.18.11 @ 4:16PM

I disagree. They left is ambitious, tenancious and urgent to the point where they exploit EVERY weakness and every show of good faith by conservatives.
The statists are prepared to die on every hill rather than give back their gains.

CalMark| 3.18.11 @ 4:17PM

We should show similar determination, or we will lose.

Anthony| 3.18.11 @ 5:59PM

In fact, the American Socialist Party is advocating for a revolution. We're not commie enough.
I say, hell yes, bring it on. Boehner can watch. Well, maybe he might get frightened and cry. Michelle Bachmann can hold his hand and wipe his nose.

Chuck| 3.18.11 @ 4:26PM

Will the Boehner/Cantor duet resist an increase in the debt ceiling? Everything else up to this point is applesauce. If not an open revolt will occur and the Tea Party will set themselves up as a viable third party. Are you listening GOP?

John Alexander| 3.18.11 @ 4:34PM

I,m an old marine and as such must say that many a battle has been won against far superior forces when the will is there . You must be bold and pick the right battles that will produce the right strategic gains. By continuing to extend the current budget, do we not continue the status quo with exception of the six billion or so of cuts. By extending the budget, doesn't this prevent us from addressing the one hundred and eight billion written into the bill for implementation and the longer we wait and the more implemented, the harder to reverse course? If you pick the the right battles and gain the right ground, you win the war. This is a battle to the death. Act as if this were so and make this understanding known to the American public. If we hesitate and do not make decisive and quick attacks against those who wish to transform America, it will be the death of America as we know it. I say full steam ahead. Vote against raising the debt level and force a reduction in spending and a return to fiscal sanity.

PCP Smoker| 3.18.11 @ 5:22PM

"There's nothing wrong with picking low-hanging fruit. Ground gained with position consolidated is always a good thing in battle. "

WOW. Talk about low fucking expectations.

Let's examine "position consolidated" for a bit. 62% of the nation is against Obamacare. It was hated when it was introduced, debated, corrupted, and passed. The GOP running on repealing and replacing socialist healthcare, won the biggest majority since the post New Deal era, and yet it's afraid to have a fight or to even mention the repeal of Obamacare. It goes to the point of FUNDING the darn thing.

There is no position consolidated here. Boehner, McArthy, and that little creep in Va proved they are weak. You can blind you eyes to it, but this is no different that when K Rove and GW went on the road preaching the greatness of Medicare part D.

NJK| 3.18.11 @ 8:19PM

This is not about the continuing resolution. Deceptively put in this was $105.5 billion to fund Obamacare. The Republicans claimed it would be agianst the "rules" to pull out this deceptively placed money by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. So they passed the resolution with the Obamacare funding in it. They didn't violate their own rules, but funded something that was ruled unconstitutional and something they repealed. It is ok to violate the Constitution? It is ok to fund this attack on our health care, but they can't violate the rule that they violated 123 times prior according to the Washington Times to remove other funding. Something doesn't smell right here.

We don't need lectured on this. We are right, they are wrong. They betrayed the people of this country with this.

We won't forget. It's shameful and showed extreme cowardice.

NJK| 3.18.11 @ 8:24PM

I'm starting to wonder if Boehner is being blackmailed and is on such an ego trip he won't step aside. The National Enquirer said he's had affairs? I know it's 50/50 they are telling the truth, but they were right with John Edwards.

If you're selling out the country for skeletons in your closet step aside Mr. Boehner. I don't want my future and that of my kids destroyed for skeletons in your closet. If you don't have the courage to stand up to this impostor Soetoro/Obama or whatever the heck his real name is, step down.

Yosemeti Sam| 3.18.11 @ 11:07PM

Hmmmm.

The crop of Tea Party boosted Republicans
who've won seats in the HR might consider voting PRESENT on future legislation - until further notice.

Mmmmm,mmmm,mmmmm!

Liberty4USA| 3.19.11 @ 2:50AM

The gist of what your saying is correct as far as making incremental gains and demoralizing the opponent. However, we hold the high ground when it comes to spending, or not spending. The history is, our dear GOP leadership keeps traversing into the muddy marsh in the middle... where they get slaughtered. The people see that we can outflank the opponents and there is nothing they can do about it... should the leadership be willing to act. I believe that is how Boston was retaken from the British when General Washington was able to take the high ground and move his guns under the cover of darkness in 1776.
I look at the 54 who voted NO and among them I see Col. Allen West who we know knows tactics and strategy better than most of us former Stratego players. I remember blue and red pieces engraved with silver and gold. Fitting colors. Regardless of the moves we have watched as both sides continue to cart off our hard earned silver and gold.
I hope you are right and the GOP has a new brilliant strategy that will pay dividends down the road in the upcoming election. But the sniping and snarky attacks on the tea party conservatives make this look like the same ole thing all over again. Our country cannot afford any timid leadership from our side. Sure our side needs to look strong, but more importantly, we need to be strong. That big juicy target sitting there just waiting to pulverized is the Obamacare funding, their latest super-weapon against Americas continued freedom. It's time for someone to give the order to blast it away! America will be grateful.

Pelligrino| 3.19.11 @ 8:12AM

Here's how you WIN. (Nevin, I'm with you.)

The US House of Reps can win on this entire battlefield. And, yes, this is all out war.

The GOP holds the gavel and agenda in the House. That's mighty and here's how it works:

1. Bring up whatever new gargantuan budget slashing measure you wish in the House.
2. Win it in the GOP controlled House of Reps. with an easy 60% - 40%.
3. Then roll out the monster of all monster PR machines to shame specifically targeted Senators of the week who'd likely vote otherwise when the same measure hits the US Senate.
4. Just like this: Minutes after the victorious GOP vote in the House, all GOP House Members from state __________ (take your pick) sit before the cameras and live webcasts/bloggers/radio pundits and pillory the US Senate member with a D behind his or her name from their state.
5. Yes, pulverize. Verbally slam dunk the dunce anti-American Demoncrat or RINO in their state who'd probably vote "Nea" on the Senate side when the measure hits the Senate in 3-5 days.
6. An all-out assault so that no media outlet in that state is unaware that Senator __________ has just been placed under the ultra microcope.
7. Call for all American true-blue patriots to phone NOW! to Senator ________ 's District of Columbia AND home state offices. Post those phone numbers, share the Senator's email addresses, fax numbers, mailing address.
8. Bury said US Senator in so much INPUT he or she cannot breathe. Lampoon said Senator's recent voting record. Lampoon all aspects of this Senator's voting. Clearly show where Senator ________ has been a fiscal pig at the trough drowing this nation in debt.
9. Have fun with this; create a "Who can swamp the Senator in phone calls/hour faster?" national competition. Maybe folks from Missouri do better than those in Illinois or Michigan.
10. Target 5-8 US Senators just like this for every measure up on the agenda and passed in the House. Use the GOP House state members to directly assault their "colleage" in the US Senate who is the nation's #1 obstructionist.
11. Repeat these procedures faithfully and with great ZEAL and glee on every legislative action.
12. If an item then fails in the US Sentate, go straight to the American people naming names, with photos, bios, etc. on the US Senate perverts who are destroying the republic.
13. Yes, make these attacks very individual. In so doing, you will hit all 59 idiot US Senators in just 4-5 weeks time. DON'T let up.
14. Make it very clear to the US public that these 50-59 US Senators -- by name & photo -- are what has imperiled the nation.

Here's the simple problem: Most Americans cannot name without reference materials any more than 14-25 elected people in Washington, D.C. It is all very vague to most Americans who and how this process works.

Make it uncomplicated: Tell Americans, your Senator _________, yes, your Senator is the scourge. Partner with us to not only rattle his cage but dump him in his cage.

Make it very clear that Senator ___________ is the man responsible for your family's portion of national debt $149,870.00 --- yes, the debt that you owe. (and show them how that grows weekly)

MAKE ALL the anti-American US Senate members known. -- MAKE THEM ALL household names.

TELL every schoolchild in Ameria that these old cranks in the US Senate are what has destroyed their country, that the Baby Boomers are the LAST American generation.

TELL 'em why; a 14 year old understands this.

There will be no more USA.

And these 50-58 people in Washington D.C. -- by name and FACE and hometown -- are what did it to you.

Make it very clear that these 50-58 people in the US Senate are far worse than any islamic radical or anyone on the FBI most wanted.

This isn't hardball. This isn't mean-spirited. (It's frankly quite tame.)

We have every right to BLAME (by name and face!) the people who've damned us to obscurity.

Make every US Senate vote something more watched in the living rooms of America than any other item on the boob tube.

Max the web coverage.

"It can be done."

If it isn't DONE, you and I won't be sitting around reading these nice little blog ditties in our PJs on Saturdays with the coffee mug close.

martin j smith| 3.19.11 @ 8:38AM

i would support anyone in Congress standing up directly to Obama and saying to the American People something like this: We the opposition, will no longer stand for YOUR BULLYING. You call for civil discourse when you send in UNION THUGS ?
WE WILL NOT MAKE ANY DEALS ON THE BUDGET OR THE DEBT CEILING unless and until YOU become serious. IT IS YOU WHO WANTS THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.
YOU AND YOUR PARTY ARE TO BLAME. YOU HAVE CREATED MORE DEBT THAN ALL OTHER PRESIDENTS COMBINED !!!!!!!!!!!!
One more thing Mr President: please tell your union friends that any death threats or threats of violence of any kind will be investigated and we will point the finger at YOU . And at our rallies, we will NO LONGER STAND PASSIVELY WHEN YOUR UNION FRIENDS COME OVER TO US AND THREATEN. THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO.

Geoph| 3.19.11 @ 9:12AM

Low hanging fruit?

Republicans have voted to fund OBoehnerCare TWICE with these CRs, but let's all throw a Grand Old Party - NPRs funding was cut in the House!

Anthony| 3.19.11 @ 10:18AM

Was NPR's funding really cut? Excellent article in the NY Sun about how Cantor has only stopped the use of tax payer money except for administrative costs.
Wow, if this is true, Boehner and Cantor are real weasels. Looks like we have a bigger problem on our hands folks, then we imagined.
What have you to say about this, Quin?

rightasrain| 3.19.11 @ 11:40AM

Boehner's alleged strategy reminds me of my all-time favorite bumper sticker, "The Meek Shall Inherit The Crap."

Karl from Chicago| 3.19.11 @ 11:51AM

Actually, the current strategy of finding small savings in the FY 2011 budget is likely to backfire. Every deficit commission and most economists say we should continue stimulus and NOT cut FY 2011 spending. We should wait until after the lost jobs are recovered to implement deficit reduction.

This is what President Reagan did in the early 1980's, when we set post WW II records for spending as a % of GDP in FY's 1981, 1982 and 1983, continuing fiscal stimulus until all the 2.7 million lost private sector jobs had been recovered. The stimulus worked and we had a robust recovery.

On the other hand, during the Great Depression Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt attempted to create jobs without running up large deficits, at least until WW II. This did not work. The current Republican strategy looks like Roosevelt pre WW II, not Reagan.

The problem is that proposed FY 2011 spending cuts are not significant to a $1.5 trillion annual deficit. However, economists say they are significant to the recovery. If we get $61 billion in FY 2011 cuts and it hurts the recovery, there will be no stomach for further cuts in future years.

A better strategy is the one proposed by the Senate: confront the major budget items NOW. Similar to what we did in 1983 with Social Security, we could pass spending cuts and revenue increases now, but phase in implemenation after the economy has recovered the lost jobs. This would be serious deficit reduction.

Fighting over small amounts in FY 2011 is not serious deficit reduction. It is just noise--and potentially noise that will kill real deficit reduction if it is perceived as harming the recovery.

blackwatch| 3.19.11 @ 4:19PM

sophistry!

the problem with job creation via fiscal policy is that the government gets in the way of job creation--the government does not create jobs. look at your own liberal rhetoric--"3.5 million jobs SAVED" with the first round of stimulus--union state employee jobs by the way. The $800B in wasted stimulus money went mostly to state employees. Who in turn vote Democrat and donate money to Democrats. Your corruption is the stain on this nations future. we reject your lies Keynesian lies about stimulus spending. Congress does not create jobs with deficit spending. It's an abject failure.

we have your number. go troll elsewhere.

Karl from Chicago| 3.19.11 @ 7:57PM

I like the way you labeled your own post sophistry:
1. You use a big word;
2. You put quotes around things that weren't said in my post; and
3. You don't address the facts raised, i.e that Reagan successfully used Keynesian fiscal stimulus.

By the way, in January 2009, the last month before the ARRA stimulus was passed, we lost 841,000 private sector jobs. After the stimulus was passed, job losses declined. Last month we added 222,000 private sector jobs. We have added over 1.5 million private sector jobs in the last year. The problem is that we lost over 8.8 million private sector jobs in the downturn that started in late 2007, so we are going to need a longer stimulus than we needed in the early 1980's when we lost 2.7 million private sector jobs.

Those are facts, not sophistry.

The only plausible argument for cutting spending in FY 2011 is to intentionally tank the recovery so Republicans can run on a weak economy in 2012. Good politics, but terrible policy.

martin j smith| 3.19.11 @ 12:09PM

The S will hit the F very soon. We will see how the du du falls and how it is configured. It will be very messy. Repubs better be ready to splainin to Americans how this country is being wiped out without serious deficit reductions. And other steps.
The game will be over very soon.

Glein| 3.19.11 @ 12:16PM

What the author seems to ignore is that "the low hanging fruit" is all the Republicans will get. There is no political will to take care of the problem in the Republican ranks as witnessed by the way the fossilized GOP reacted to the Republicans who actually want to fix the problems. I see no signs that the Jurassic GOP has any political will or courage. It is business as usual worshiping the great god of "civility" as the country and the world gets its brains beaten out as our golfing, vacationing president ignores his obligations and plays another 18.
God help the Rebuplicans in 2012. The boldness with which they are not doing anything bold may get them what they seem to want. A second Obama term.

wGraves| 3.19.11 @ 2:09PM

I like the Stratego analogy. Would the 'miners', sappeurs undermining the enemy's defenses, be our GOP governors? Sapping enemy strength by blocking their access to resources is an old, old military tactic.

The House Republicans are not acting strategically for the moment. Instead of a bunch of continuing resolutions, they need to break the normal 'omnibus' spending bills down into individual authorizations and only send forward specific proposals funding parts of the government which are not too obnoxious. Of course, that would wipe out earmarks, however named, in the process. If they have no stomach for that, then those who refuse need primary opponents to convince them otherwise or replace them. They need to reframe the issues, which the house can do, instead of fighting over the dead horses. Fund each government agency separately, detailing what is funded and what is not. Use the unique power to originate appropriations to reframe the issues.

Then there are entitlements to be addressed, SVP.

KDW| 3.19.11 @ 2:24PM

The author has a point about accepting small
victories - but come on, celebrating $61 Billion
in cuts within a planned $3.8 Trillion spending
splurge is pathetic. Does it really matter if we
reduce spending from $3.8 Trillion to $3.74
Trillion or that the deficit might drop from
$1.7 Trillion all the way down to $1.64 trillion?
Little victories don't amount to much when
you are adding $1.7 Trillion in debt onto the
pile every year.

Our Republican legislators love to obsess over
the budget 'out years'. This allows them to
avoid taking any action in the HERE AND NOW!
It's time for Boehner and Co. to man- up and show
some initiative during the current budget fight. Otherwise Republican voters will really give
Boehner something to cry about in 2012.

Jack| 3.19.11 @ 2:33PM

Stratego came out when I was a teenager and I played it for many years until I found girls. I think you are right on and keep writing calming editorials. We have a long way to go until 2012 and we are going to face a lot of opposition from groups that have no bounds or restrictions placed on them from ethical or moral decency. We have to win this battle and it can only be win if cool heads prevail and win the fights that are winnable as long as we continue to our goal.

martin j smith| 3.20.11 @ 7:57AM

ACTUALLY THIS WHOLE " BUDGET " THING IS NOT THE REAL ISSUE. THE REAL ISSUE IS WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY WE THE VOTERS WANT; SOCIALIST,MARXIST TOTALITARIAN OR
A REPUBLIC WITH FREEDOM THRU OUR CONSTITUTION NOT BASED ON THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY. OR, OF ONE POLITCAL PARTY. THEREFORE, ALL OF THIS STUFF ARE GAMES AND AS I SAID: A CHOICE WIL HAVE TO BE MADE. REPUBLICAN LEADERS BETTER FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY STAND. !!!!!!!!!!!!! IF NOT VOTE THEM OUT AND MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT MARXISTS THAT IN THIS COUNTRY ELECTIONS MATTER AND HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

John Navratil| 3.20.11 @ 11:38AM

Enough with the metaphors... Low hanging fruit... A bridge too far, etc.

If you walk into a casino with $20 and you have to win big, bold play is statistically best. Fiddling around in a game designed for you to lose increases the odds that you will do so.

The advantages to bold play today are:

(1) The public mood supports it more than at any other recent moment.

(2) Winning early (as Quin says) improves morale.

(3) Early cuts will spurs early growth of the economy.

(4) Forcing Dems in the Senate to vote against popular cuts can only help in 2012. They are playing to game and hope to get a pass on any tough decisions.

With all respect to Quin, dilly-dallying will only lose the moment. Of course, the risk is loosing that bold bet. But winning half the stake needed is no win at all.

I Survived Arlen Specter| 3.20.11 @ 4:15PM

The Wile E. Coyote Party will never get it & those ACME "conservative" costumes their members wear will never defeat the left's or the Democrats' agenda once & for all. God is the only hope this nation has left, but The Holy Almighty God will not bless a nation that continues the senseless, downright evil slaughter of His children through abortion on demand year after year. You can't legislate morality, this is true, but that doesn't excuse government funding of the evil of abortion on demand. Let the left fund Planned Infanticide's child killing machine out of their own pockets. It also doesn't help when some of the Wile E. Coyote Party's voters with the help of Democrats & the left elect useless RINOs like Lisa Murkowski, to name one to Congress. Until the Wile E. Coyote Party stop supporting abortion on demand through electing RINOs like Murkowski I will not support the Wile E. Coyote Party. Period!

Bill Sundling| 3.20.11 @ 4:16PM

They should be cutting a trillion from the budget. The Republicans should declare a state of fiscal emergency. The February deficit was the size of the 2007 deficit. And all they cut is 6 billion???

dadfly| 3.20.11 @ 10:58PM

no. no. and no again. you sir are wrong. note your verbiage. your careful couching of this in game metaphors. this isn't a game. it is survival. we are against the wall. it's act or die. this is the moment. every movement has one. it IS do or die with these continuing resolutions. this is the moment. 105 B in a CR will allow implementation of obamacare. if that is allowed now. we are sunk. i will be faxing and calling everytime these things come up. especially the freshmen.

Jim Kress| 5.13.11 @ 11:05AM

"Perspective" = rationalization

In your sense of "logic", we should have considered the "perspective" of the Japanese after they attacked Pearl harbor, the "perspective" of the Germans as they operated the camps, the "perspective" of Al-Qaeda as they blew up embassies and carried out 9/11, etc. The list of "perspectives" is endless and ultimately becomes a rationalization of why we should succumb to evil.

RemembChamberlainrlin considered the German "perspective" and brought us WWII.