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The Obama Watch
Washington and Deficits
Joe Biden’s dozing provided the most eloquent rebuttal to Barack Obama’s speech yesterday.
Joe Biden’s dozing provided the most eloquent rebuttal to Barack Obama’s speech on Wednesday. It had the instantly forgettable quality of most speeches from Washington politicians about deficits.
President Obama spoke of “tough choices” even as he attacked others for proposing them. He said “everything is on the table” even as he warned that many federal government expenditures are too sacred to touch.
He likes the tack of mocking minor cuts, as if he has his eye on major ones. But it is clear that he is not interested in minor or major cuts. And it is not clear why a cut that is minor should be ruled out for that reason. But Obama argues along those lines: “Politicians suggest that we can somehow close our entire deficit by eliminating things like foreign aid, even though foreign aid makes up about 1 percent of our entire federal budget,” he says.
Others are expected to make “tough choices,” while he insists that cutting items like funding for Planned Parenthood are too tough to make. Most of his program revolves around avoiding tough choices for sentimental and ideological reasons. When he warns that deficit reduction has to be done “in a way that protects the recovery, protects the investments we need to grow, create jobs, and helps us win the future,” he is in effect saying that tough choices will not be made.
The tough choices Congressman Ryan is willing to make are dismissed out of hand.
Obama says they would lead to a “fundamentally different America than the one we’ve known certainly in my lifetime” and “throughout our history.” In other words, America is defined by liberal spending, and those who seek to restore the federal government to the limited size envisioned by the country’s founders are somehow undermining America. For Obama, “America” and a huge federal government are one and the same.
Similarly in the speech, “education” and federal spending on education are treated as synonymous. So any proposed reduction in federal education spending means Republicans don’t care about “math and science.” On the topic of Medicare, he accused Republicans of wanting to leave seniors “at the mercy of the insurance industry.” It is better apparently to leave them at the mercy of the federal government. Most of his rhetoric rests on the assumption that the bankrupt federal government is reliable, unlike the “whims” of the stock market, etc.
Biden may have woken up at his mention of higher taxes as patriotic. “I believe that most wealthy Americans would agree with me. They want to give back to their country, a country that’ s done so much for them. It’ s just Washington hasn’ t asked them to,” he said. The money of Americans belongs to the federal government automatically, according to Obama’s philosophy of taxation, and if Washington lets them keep more of it in a particular year the loss from that largesse is treated as new spending. But if it takes the money, that’s treated as deficit reduction.
Listening to the speech, one would think the “wealthy” aren’t paying much taxes at all, when the reality is they carry a wildly disproportionate amount of them. Given that he treats tax increases as spending cuts, his “debt failsafe” should be very popular with Democrats. “If, by 2014, our debt is not projected to fall as a share of the economy — if we haven’ t hit our targets, if Congress has failed to act — then my plan will require us to come together and make up the additional savings with more spending cuts and more spending reductions in the tax code. That should be an incentive for us to act boldly now, instead of kicking our problems further down the road.”
Yet kicking problems down the road is his plan, as deficit spending, or as he calls it “investing” in a country to “believe in,” remains central to it.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (49) | Leave a comment
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Chef Schnauzer| 4.14.11 @ 6:27AM
The longer these blithering idiots dither, snivel, and take every dodge possible away from responsibility and the right thing, the sharper the pitchforks and bayonets get. The latest 'deal' has been exposed. Wether its the apparently emotionally unstable Sniveler of the House, Barry Soetto, or pick one - John Effing Kerry, their 'in your face' contempt by official Washington towards what used to be called the Silent Majority is leading to great, great difficulties ahead. Good.
Tomas| 4.14.11 @ 12:10PM
Never forget one thing:
Obama is running for president.
Wait. He never stopped, did he?
-
Brian| 4.14.11 @ 6:51AM
Great column from the apparently retired Neumayr.
Brian Mc| 4.14.11 @ 7:01AM
The liberal adage that we all fall prey to, the one that goes, "It's a wonderful tax just so long as someone else pays it." Socialism run amuck-yeah, get that other guy where it hurts-case in point the cig tax. We had better wake up and quick. So, you say you like that Snickers Bar? How about an email tax? We are a long way down the wrong road. Banning the IRS would be the quickest way to turn about and head back towards the road of common sense. This reminds me of the analogy concerning swimming with crocodiles.
Appleby| 4.14.11 @ 7:11AM
I didnt even know Zero was speaking yesterday. Good thing, I guess. Although letting him have enough rope to hang himself is not a bad idea -- the Market Place of Ideas will not be buying.
Teaghan| 4.14.11 @ 7:20AM
I will have to say folks, GE should have paid some taxes. Was that part of deal made between Barry and Jeffery Emelt? Why the hell some company that made millions in profit didn't pay any in taxes is beyond me.
Ned| 4.14.11 @ 12:09PM
"Billions" - with a "B"...
Louis Jenkins| 4.14.11 @ 8:16AM
Mr. Teaghan:
As a well known radio show talk host said yesterday GE has paid taxes- in contributions to the Democratic cause. I as upset as you, those people could have paid something but did not.
_________________________
As far as Biden sleeping though the speech, well, when you've worked so hard on the speech, and had a train station named after him, well, you've just gotta get your zzzz's were you can-on national camera. Taxes are going to sky rocket, and Biden snoozes. Shows how concerned they (the Liberals) are for America. We have reached our limit with this proposal. And the newsmedia made such a big mess over the shelling of Ft. Sumter.
Carlos the First | 4.14.11 @ 8:36AM
Did anyone else notice that when Boehner gave his speech about the "deal" he wasn't wearing any pants? What does that tell you about who got taken to the cleaners.
This crybaby must be overthrown by a revolt of Tea Party Republicans. Michelle Bachmann, come on down and show these cowards how to
fight.
loulou| 4.14.11 @ 11:45AM
Boehner, in addition to being a tad dull, is part of the statist GOP elite. He's programmed to bow and scrape to the Democrat rulers. He thinks he's doing a great job!
Oldefarte| 4.14.11 @ 12:44PM
Geez, Lou Lou, you SURE ARE!!!!!!!
blackknights1802| 4.14.11 @ 8:38AM
Here we are $14 trillion in dept and the president makes a speech on how he is going to fix the problem. And his right hand man is sound asleep. I guess he was asleep because he has heard this all before, just as we have. I really don’t believe these two clowns fully understand what $14 trillion in dept means. Their answer is more taxes? How can you people, who voted for these guys, not be embarrassed?
WB| 4.14.11 @ 8:55AM
Because most of them don't pay taxes ...
mames| 4.14.11 @ 10:42AM
This is the nightmare Jefferson warned us about when he warned "that when voters find that they can vote monies for themselves there is no end to the damage that can be done". Our Constitution limits and enumerates so that these socialist actions cannot take place. That is assuming we have law abiding ;representatives, which we do not; we have socialist traitors. The kind of traitors that Jefferson would have shot on the steps of the capitol for all the world to see.
Rev Trask| 4.16.11 @ 9:12AM
You mean like a certain recent ex-President, who took us into a War of Choice, without ever putting it into the budget (ie, not intending to pay for it)?
USSAlabama| 4.14.11 @ 9:01AM
Sleeping, perhaps not because he had already heard it or help to concoct something to fool the rubes, but maybe sleeping because as Obama said "I don't need another tax cut. Warren Buffet doesn't need another tax cut."
And neither does Joe. He's got a secure job. Enough money not to care about tax increases.
If your bank account is fat and you are happy, you can sleep.
Rev Trask| 4.16.11 @ 9:21AM
And if your bank account is fat and you are happy, you can pray that Count Paul Ryan (the guy with the Dracula `Do) gets his trickle-down budget passed, since it give the fatcats and companies like GE even bigger tax cuts than before. You`ll want to stay awake for that, folks.
Merlin| 4.14.11 @ 11:03AM
BK1802 means the debt is at a depth of 14 trillion. It may as well be feet or meters (do they use meters in China?) as dollars. If it were feet of dept as least we could stop digging. Can we stop spending? Nah, its other people's money.
Sorry BK. I have to say cavalry and calvary out loud to chose the one I mean. And is it relevant or revelant?
USSAlabama| 4.14.11 @ 8:53AM
A lot more than just Biden are sleeping on the job.
Steve A| 4.14.11 @ 9:09AM
Biden is the gift that keeps on giving. I am not a marketing guru but you could have a field day by taking clips of Obama's community agitator speech lines & flasing to Biden snoozing for a killer 30 second spot in the 2012 race.
investorcs| 4.14.11 @ 9:11AM
The USS Gravy Train is taking on water, and now heading for the shoals. Meanwhile, the Captain is standing steadfast on the bridge holding the wheel, with a rictus grin affixed to his gaze and his crew either dozing on watch or reflexively saluting at every opportunity. The bulk of the passengers are assured that all is well, but the rest of us are frantically trying to decide whether we should storm the bridge or simply grab a life vest and jump ship before it is too late.
Rev Trask| 4.16.11 @ 9:34AM
I hope folks stay awake while the GOP tries to slip a supply-side fantasy-laden middle-class killing budget past the American people.
Anthony| 4.14.11 @ 9:22AM
A remarkable performance by the teleprompter-in-chief. The lies and parallax perspective of what made America grea,t and how we got there, is stunning.
This guy is indeed a destroyer. He despises all that America is and was founded on. If we don't rid ourselves of this Marxist and his allies, America is doomed.
Yesterday, I said America needs a leader straight off of Mt. Rushmore; today I beg Sarah or Michelle Bachmann to man the boats, cross the Potomic and kick some Washington Marxist butt, including Boehner's, whose great budget deal is now some $300M WOW!!!
As for ole Biteme, when I was a kid at camp, and later as a counselor, we used to sing a song on the bus about "Charlie on the MTA", a guy who rode the Boston subways all day . Well, Obozo is gonna have to jettison this fool for 2012, so I suggest Obozo get 2 burly Secret Service agents and place sleepy ole Joe on an Amtrak car and leave him there.
Decades from now, if we're still a nation, kids will sing about what ever happened to "Metro Joe".
Ned| 4.14.11 @ 12:35PM
Kingston Trio - "The Man Who Never Returned"
Oldefarte| 4.14.11 @ 12:49PM
Exactly, and he never returned becuase he did not have the needed fare to pay the conductor. This is precisely the situation that we're headed towards in this country [with exploding debt, inflation, unemployment etc] if we don't collectively get our heads out of our backsides and vote these socialists out next year!!!
Old Soldier| 4.14.11 @ 10:11AM
"more spending reductions in the tax code."
Spoken like a true Marxist. Since all wealth belongs to the State, letting us keep a little less of it is a "spending reduction". Very revealing.
Bill Diebold| 4.14.11 @ 10:18AM
Dear Mr. WB,
Truer words have never been uttered... As far as Homer Biden asleep, This may be the safest mode for the American people judging by his thoughts when he's conscious.
Tired Taxpayer PRM| 4.14.11 @ 10:41AM
TO: BHO
FROM: Tired Taxpayer, Peoples Republic of Michigan
NO THANK YOU!
hardcard| 4.14.11 @ 10:55AM
What the future has holds for us " it's easy to see" (GE) just check out Detroit.
loulou| 4.14.11 @ 11:42AM
At last: some truth from Hairplugs Biden.
Barry is indeed a bore. Mark my words, Barry was on some kind of drug--he could barely hold his eyes open. Plus the teleprompter made too many verbal mistakes.
Al Adab| 4.14.11 @ 11:42AM
Let me get this straight. The President says we will stop overspending by 75% and instead only overspend by 70%. (Hypothetical numbers) Wow. How great is that. At the same time we can raise taxes to hurt the economy even more. All this is supposed to make us happy? You gotta love these guys.
Rip Phillips| 4.14.11 @ 12:39PM
The longer Obama stays in office the more I am convinced that an armed rebellion is the only thing that is going to save this country.
Oldefarte| 4.14.11 @ 12:56PM
First, this MORON-IN-CHIEF slights the idea of eliminating foreign aid after the bucket loads of same provided to our Egyptian ruler-FRIENDS etc that safely store it away in Swiss bank accounts? Wow, what Chicagoen community organizing, Harvard lawyer brilliance, huh? Not the America that he grew up in? What was that, Indonesia, Hawaii, Nigeria perhaps? That's within the US, right? Everybody sit in front of a Jeremiah Wright for 20 years, right? GD, America! Oh wait, little miss I'M NOW PROUD OF THIS COUNTRY first lady exiting a presidential airplane in Hawaii wearing bermuda shorts is also representative of now doubt every other first lady in our history, huh? WHAT A CROC!!!!!!!!!
Mimi| 4.14.11 @ 1:13PM
Joey...Joey...My good catholic-boy Joey....Wake -Up ! Some moral decisions have to be made....The " CLEAN BOY" you praised in 2008 is not working out for us...He's BROKE our bank , ran up the credit cards... on junk! And "THE DONALD" want him fired! Now your'e makin things worse by the new adds coming out showing you ..SLEEPING on the JOB !
Thats not all....you better PERK up...The kids GOOFING off and We folks need somebody in charge.....Will there be a Democratic Primary !...???
Datsun Mark| 4.14.11 @ 1:26PM
Whenever I hear the cat calls that the Rich need to pay their fair share...I mention to these liberals that GE made Billions in profits and paid no income tax. Let's start with GE and all the other cronies who support Obama.
blackknights1802| 4.14.11 @ 8:12PM
This just in folks, $38 billion turns out to be $350 million? This, according to the CBO. This guy needs to be impeached, along with the rest of the phonies in congress.
PCP Smoker| 4.14.11 @ 8:48PM
Blacky
Where you been? Mark Levin has been talking about this since early yesterday. It was so bad, lefty NRO ended up re-writing their editorial supporting Boehner.
PCP Smoker| 4.14.11 @ 8:17PM
The problem is not really Obama. We all knew this, back when George Will, Krystol, and Krouthammer, were inviting this creep to dinner. The problem is the weakness offered by the GOP leadership and the Conservative Intelligencia.
Rev Trask| 4.16.11 @ 9:02AM
Huh? Put down that pipe, PCP guy. Bill Kristol was the neocon who "discovered" Sarah Palin for the GOP, and convinced McCain`s handlers to put her on the short list of people he considered for VP, even without vetting her.
Rev Trask| 4.14.11 @ 9:35PM
You ARE aware that "Deficits Don`t Matter" Dick Cheney often dosed off at Cabinet meetings, yes?
Skippy| 4.15.11 @ 4:13PM
Sure. We didn't care then and we still don't.
The difference is, Cheney was competent and up to the job.
As opposed to Joe.
Howard| 4.14.11 @ 9:57PM
Listening to Obama yesterday made me realize that those people who call him a "Socialist', are not wrong. He is a lightweight Marxist. Unfortunately the GOP will end up nominating a "pretty boy" like Romney, or a dummy like Palin. The next four years under Obama will bring about the "Peoples Government" that he and his mentor Bill Ayers have long dreamed of.
Volare| 4.16.11 @ 7:03PM
Actually, Pretty Boy Romney should be to your liking. His former company, Bain, got involved "helping" companies conduct huge job-killing layoffs and outsourcing middle-class jobs overseas.
Pretty Boy Romney is also in favor of Paul Ryan`s middle-class killling supply-side fantasy budget. You should join his campaign as a volunteer at once.
darrell mclemore| 4.14.11 @ 11:59PM
washington is not going to ask for any thing they just take and hope you don't miss it but even if you do miss it hwat are you gonna do? nothin.
darrell mclemore| 4.15.11 @ 12:09AM
What can we do I'll tell you. Each election out they go. Anyone that sounds like they are not for fiscal responsibility vote them out and run them off. Personaly I would like to see them crying when they get voted out. Thay way I can laugh at them. If I sound mean or mean spirited to you thats you problem I'm mad!!!!!!!!! This world needs to have made in the USA not made in china
Rev Trask| 4.15.11 @ 9:16PM
But the Catholic Bishops don`t seem to be too enthused about Count Paul Ryan`s supply-side budget:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/arch.....-073.shtml
And haven`t the Bishops in the past urged their flock to vote for Republicans?
Dee See| 4.15.11 @ 10:48PM
The denial is laughable.
In all the blather about finance not a peep about
abolishing or even auditing the criminal FED,
or writing off the 1.2 quadrillion in fake derivatives.
Remember kids, USURY was condemned mightily
in scripture for making something out of nothing
and thereby mocking God himself.
And it's no coincidence that the third generation
EUGENISTS behind the entire establishment
also gave us the abortion cultlure ----in which something that is almost nothing, and of God,
is exterminated in the name of 'efficiency and convenience'.
HUAC meets NUREMBERG 2012.
Can there be any doubt?
Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 10:18PM
is good