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We Have a Pope!
March 13, 2013 | 6 comments
Symposium
The Sequester: Doom or Dumb?
What do tonight’s looming budget cuts hold in store for America? We polled our contributors for the answer.
(Page 2 of 2)
Republicans also should talk about the sequester in very measured tones, calmly putting it in the perspective it deserves:
- Actual cuts to spending this year will be a bit more than 1% of the federal budget
- Defense spending will still increase by over $100 billion over the coming decade
- Federal spending and the national debt still grow enormously in the next decade
- Claims that sequestration is a massive cut to government spending rely on a definition of the word “cut” that no rational person would accept
- To avoid this sort of thing in the future, it is time to get serious about entitlement reform
Jim Antle, Editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation:
The end of the world is upon us. Soon the federal government will start to increase its spending more slowly than originally planned. The numbers are terrifying. Spending will rise about $44 billion less this year due to sequestration, with future “cuts” bringing the total to $85 billion.
It is very difficult to see how our $15 trillion economy will survive this retrenchment, forcing government programs to make due on a more than $3.5 trillion federal budget. If this dangerous trend continues, federal spending will increase by $2 trillion over the next decade instead of $2 trillion.
By now it should be obvious that I am being sarcastic. But the media outrage about the sequester is wildly disproportionate to the numbers that are actually involved. We cannot seriously address Washington’s unfunded liabilities if non-cuts of this magnitude cannot even be contemplated.
G. Tracy Mehan, consultant and adjunct professor at GMU School of Law:
So the question becomes “Is the GOP up to the challenge?” Speaker Boehner does yeoman work, but he is not a natural front guy. His recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal was too conflicted as to whether the coming cuts were good or bad (right answer: good!). Some have suggested he needs a permanent, public spokesman like Jay Carney at the White House to make news, send and stay on message. Moreover, we need to see more of Paul Ryan and a bullpen of attractive, articulate men and women from the respective caucuses working different aspects of the fiscal argument. Is there a War Room set up for messaging and quick response? You get the idea.
This is a moment of truth for the party of Lincoln. It has to make sequestration work even if it goes the way of the Whigs who, by the way, had a greater impact on the ultimate shape of American government and society than the Jacksonians.
John Tabin, American Spectator contributor:
Looking for a surefire weight-loss plan? I’ve got a plan that is guaranteed to reduce your weight by one pound. Now, you may think this isn’t much of weight-loss plan, but maybe it’s worth doing anyway; after all, it can’t be a particularly grueling regimen if you’re only losing a pound, right? Here’s the weight-loss plan: We cut off your hand.
Okay, that’s a pretty bad idea. Not only does it leave you crippled, you’re just as fat as you were before. This might be the dumbest weight-loss plan imaginable. And it has a lot in common with sequestration, which might be the dumbest deficit-reduction plan imaginable. Its cuts fall disproportionately on the Department of Defense, and the across-the-board nature of the cuts mean hacking away at the defense budget not by closing unnecessary bases or canceling misguided procurements, but by delaying refueling and maintenance on carrier strike groups that should be deployed.
Photo: UPI.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (172) | Leave a comment
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Cobalt| 3.1.13 @ 7:33AM
So tonight, after midnight, I guess we can expect there will be some cuts in the number of EBT Cards and Obamaphones?
C. Vernon Crisler | 3.1.13 @ 9:28AM
I don't mind all the cuts in defense spending. We could start by getting rid of all the chaplains and chapels. That way we won't have to hear about "gay" weddings in military chapels anymore.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 1:52PM
What does Sequester mean?
It means we'll still be Spending More than we did last year.
Period.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:27AM
I meant Obozo will be spending more.
Cobalt| 3.2.13 @ 10:53AM
The government spent $2.2 billion on Obama Phones in 2012.
The first year, 2008, the cost was $816 million.
http://www.newsmax.com/US/obam...../id/490022
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 7:41AM
I'm of the opinion that the sequester will increase the unemployment rate. It will not improve the economy. There will be some problems and delays related to government services as a result, but all in all, the government will continue to function. Some of these cuts are actually needed, some people would just question whether right now is the time to do it. |Austerity hasn't turned around economies in Europe, and it won't work in the USA either. The economy will be hurt by it, but in the long run, not that much by the cuts.
As to who is to blame if it becomes too negative...well most Americans already blame the Republicans for the gridlock and the sequester, so this is really a moot point.
OP4| 3.1.13 @ 7:46AM
Here's an idea. Let's go back to the 2007 budget - when we spent 40% less and had unemployment rates under 6%.
http://townhall.com/political-...../26/107422
Von Mises Jr| 3.1.13 @ 8:41AM
Let's get back to the Clinton Budget of $1.8T to match the return to the top marginal tax rate of 39.6%.
Since G.W. Bush took office in 2000, spending has doubled from $1.8T to $3.6T.
Since Bush increased the Budget from $1.8 to $2.93T it was a 63% increase. Because of the higher base amount, Obama claims credit to cutting that growth rate to about 26% that illustrates how statistics can be used to lie. But of course this is eight years versus four that makes the annual increase similar.
But in nominal terms, Bush increased spending by over $1.1T in eight years and Obama another $800B in just four years.
Regardless, when you double the government in 12 years, it is clear that there are zero adherences to a grand plan and there is zero oversight. If these jackals just started doing their jobs, this would be easy.
OP4| 3.1.13 @ 8:50AM
Okay. As long as actual spending was headed down instead of up, I would have less of an impending doom feeling.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 9:18AM
The decline in the increase-rate of Federal spending that has occurred during Obama's first term is largely the results of an improving economy, less spending on the unemployed, and the ending of the war Iraq.
Von Mises Jr| 3.1.13 @ 9:32AM
Hey watch how I ignore the troll. It works well on American Thinker as the people there don't reply except to call them out as a troll.
Only stupid can argue with stupid!!!!!
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 9:54AM
Sorry to disappoint but I don’t leave comments here get to replies.
Von Mises Jr| 3.1.13 @ 10:10AM
And I don't leave comments to chat with ignorant, MoveOn "paid for" trolls. I was talking to my friend OP4.
Now if my logic serves me right, I did not respond to you. You commented on my post. So don't. I will not argue with an idiot anyway, so you are wasting your time.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 12:05PM
YOUR comments are useless anyway ... they are filled with untruths and distortions dressed up in math and statistics ... oh, and lest I forgot the insults, innuendos and ad hominem attacks on anyone you don't agree with.
You claim to be educated, but you can't carry on an educated discussion unless you can recite it from an old, tired, economist's writings.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 10:16AM
You don't leave any that are GOOD, either.
All Bullspit Left Wing Talking Points, that your Neighbor whispers in your ear while he's Molesting you.
We get it.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 10:16AM
That was for vtwin.
Von Mises Jr| 3.1.13 @ 3:01PM
TLP, watch how I ignore Caliban. It is easy. Just try it. It works.
I just respond to threads that do not involve back-and-forth with trolls. Unlike Perp, I will be reading a book instead. I do not suffer fools well.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:29AM
And I might add that I like it when my neighbor whispers in my ear sotto voce. Anyone see Margie lately?
Von Mises Jr| 3.2.13 @ 9:52AM
You mean Margie that also responds to "Tim something" just like Perp answers as "Jefferson?"
That is why it is a waste of time talking to liars and fools, TLP. Would you talk to a person with long hair and a skirt in a bar if that person's name in the introduction was Bruno?
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 11:33AM
I like my languate XXX.
Tom Kyba| 3.1.13 @ 12:33PM
That's a blatant self-serving chicken-bleep lie.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 11:33AM
The filthier the better.
OP4| 3.1.13 @ 9:52AM
"The decline in the increase-rate of Federal spending..."
Thanks for the laugh.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 10:14AM
According to the Wall Street Journal President Obama’s rate-of-federal-spending-increase is lower than all of his predecessors since Dwight Eisenhower.
http://www.marketwatch.com/sto.....genumber=1
Let me guess. It's Fox and Friends in the Morning, Rush Limbaugh in the afternoon, and Bill O'Reilly in the evening.
Moe Blotz| 3.1.13 @ 11:24AM
Try this link, it will tell what is really going on:
http://www.yerananus.net/bumbandit...
Jacob McCandles| 3.1.13 @ 12:16PM
There was a massive increase in spending (TARP /"stimulus") as a response to what we were told was the biggest economic crisis ever. This was not intended to be a permanent increase in spending, but rather an influx of cash to save us from a total meltdown. But the democrats and RINOs have just kept spending at these levels since 09. Anyone with half a brain and any intellectual honesty at all knows this can't continue. In fact, we are already screwed because if interest rates EVER go up servicing the debt will make a balanced budget impossible. But the left wants to ignore these facts. You will have your wake up moment soon. Just keep spewing that garbage if it makes you feel better.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 12:47PM
Jacob, because of the Bush Depression we had a dramatic decline in Federal revenues (TAXES) since 2007 while at the same time Federal spending has had to increase to pay for the unemployed and underemployed.
See the numbers for yourself:
http://www.taxpolicycenter.org.....?Docid=200
Did you expect Obama to fix in four years what Bush the Republicans broke in eight years? 52% of the Americans voters didn't hence they gave him second term.
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 3:17PM
We expect him NOT to put us into 22 trillion dollars worth of debt and that's where we're expected to be at the end of his 2nd term. He is either deliberately killing the country or he doesn't know what he's doing. After watching his manipulative lying BS of a press conference where he only calls on the gals and guys the fawn over him, I'm more convinced than ever that the man is mentally ill.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 11:58AM
We can do basic math and firuring here. The stimulus and other spending you count as a Bush expenditure. It was no such thing. A government under full democrat control did that spending, and thus it was an Obama deal. And thus we have a new artificial baseline. As for your improving economy-well with the rates of growth we have, puny to zilch. Wow. You nuts. With some real growth we may be able to talk about spending a few more bucks. But in this mess ? Please the democrats had all the muscle in 2009 and 2011 and they buried us wwith massive spending and no growth policy.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 12:20PM
Because of the expected revenue shortfall caused by the Bush recession (December, 2007) and the Bush Financial Collapse (September, 2008) the CBO projected a $1.3 trillion deficit for 2009 TWO WEEKS before Obama took office.
http://www.cbo.gov/publication/41753
http://www.politifact.com/trut.....on-year-h/
Apparently, you don't do basic research.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 1:03PM
The idiocy of all of you Obama Jock Strap Sniffers, is that you wanna Blame The Republicans for everything your Boy has Driven into the Ground the last 4 Years, because they've had the House for the last 2 years.
But, when discussing the 2008 Collapse, with BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS being Controlled by the Democrats since January 2007?
"It's all Bush' Fault."
It's like you're Retarded.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 2:02PM
TLP, the recession started in December of 2007. This is one reason why people think the Republicans are stupid. You want to blame an economic collapse on a party in Congress for all of 11 months, and the collapse was based on bad deals, unregulated financial instruments, mergers, and deregulation that began years way before that.
But I'll bite, just so I can laugh at your response. What legislation did the Democrats pass in those 11 months that caused the recession?
We do know prior to the collapse the Republicans controlled the House for 12 years, the Senate for 8, and the presidency for 7.
Anthony| 3.1.13 @ 4:51PM
This coming from the same lefty troll who blames Bush for 9/11 when Bush was in office for less than 8 months.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 6:46PM
Exactly.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 2:16PM
TLP, I’m guessing in your daily life you get knocked on your ass a lot because of your salty language and although you may be too dumb to learn anything from these experiences the consequences of your language is immediate. You were an ass and you got knocked on your ass.
Well, the economic consequences of the actions taken by our government are rarely immediate most of the time it takes years before we truly know the effects. And, this was the case with Bush/Republicans policies; passed when they controlled both the Congress and the White House. The consequences of those policies to our economy became readily apparent to ALL not too dumb to learn near the end of Bush’s second term.
And, no the economy has under Obama improved greatly since the end of Bush's second term.
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 3:49PM
No, it has not.
Saying it over and over and over and over and over and over, doesn't make it so.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:30AM
But then again we're losers--tea party losers, and we're never gonna have any power again. Never.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 2:53PM
Because, because. But, I know have you on the record admitting that all that stimulus and other spending was Obama spending. Because because because. Because this you partisian hack. It was Obama spending. And by the way, we gave the money and fixed the crisis a long time ago. And things suck. Bush fixed the Clintion mess in far more effecient manner and it only you could brag about the unemployment rate and growth inder Bush. Glory days compared to this stinking horror show.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 3:01PM
Nice try bustonloose. The .com bubble was a blip compared the world wrecking Great Recession you guys wreaked upon the world.
By th way, anniversary of the Iraq War is coming up. Another reminder for the American people that Republicans don't know how to handle foreign policy or the economy.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:22PM
Not a blip. A big deal. Add the attack. Totally unrealist defense and security budget. Bush had a tougher road. He cut taxes and had pro growth agenda, It was great compared to this. And, we did not cause Europes problems. They for 50 years have followed a path to their ruin. With Obama and company we have been at it 50 months. Reagan, Bush, Dole, Bush, Romney anyone of them been elected in 2008 this worst thing would be ancient history. May not have all been world beaters but they had half a clue. Your machine needs to devour every last dime to fed. Well your not gonna get it and you'll implode. Then you can hit the streets and do revolution-ill be their to do the American way. Let us bang heads soon.
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 3:53PM
Yeah, running of an ally in Egypt under the guise of an "Arab Spring" where an American reporter was raped in the crowd with little to no coverage of it. If memory serves me correctly, they repeatedly called it a sexual attack. Not rape. And helping install the Muslim Brotherhood then giving them 20 fighter jets. I think obama loves the MB and we know the Billary does as her right hand is directly related to one. Now, that's what I call great foreign policy.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 4:29PM
Bush allowed 3000 Americans to be killed on Sept. 11th. Started 2 wars that resulted in 5000 deaths on his watch. Fumbled a federal response to a hurricane that resulted in 2000 deaths. And didn't care at all about regulating Wall Street that lead to the second largest economic downturn the world has known since the Great Depression.
You idiots voted for him. It must suck to know that you are that stupid to support such a stupid man. LOL
Anthony| 3.1.13 @ 5:06PM
Yup,Arnie has proven my point about how intellectually bankrupt you lefty trolls are.
Hey moron, you do remember that the Ds in a snit over the election held up key Bush appointments to his cabinet,don't you?
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 5:09PM
And just to add: your W boy didn't do the heavy work, use intelligence, or give the order to take out Osama Bin Laden.
Wow, W just really sucked.
Anthony| 3.1.13 @ 5:37PM
No,he just managed the real heavy lifting of removing Saddam from power,saving a country of 50M people,while Osama was hiding in caves.
I seem to remember you troll lefties,when you were afraid Bush might actually take out Osama as well,that Osama was irrelevant and not worth the human possible loss of life.
You lefties are truly reprehensible. unlike you morons we have memories. And are intellectually honest.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 6:16PM
Anthony, poor Anthony. You righties simply spout of BS, and don't know what you are talking about. You do it time and time again.
For one, your memory is really bad. It was the Bush administration that said Osama didn't matter. And Iraq is a country of about 31 million.
Oops.
CJW| 3.1.13 @ 8:08PM
Purp alert. Purpie trolling as arnie.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 8:54PM
You really think this site is worth that much bother? You're an irritant, that is all.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 10:12PM
worst my ass. Dan Quayle would have had this worst thing solved by 2009 and moved us to a growth agenda. Democrats said housing market all good-Republicans asked for oversight and reform-Barny Frank said not need. Maxine Waters said it racist to raise these issues. Hello you can find these hearings on youtube. Abd Clinton and his ACLU mentality and loony notion that he had brought us peace forever caused 911 aqttack. An attack that messed up our economy along with Clinton Gore recession. Was worse mess that what Obama had. Difference pro growth policies vs. statist control policy. Katrina you miserable sick rodent.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 9:04AM
So, how mush has Obama increased Federal spending during his first term?
The Answer is 9.9%.
So how does this compare to the most recent two term “fiscally responsible Republican” Presidents?
During Reagan’s first term 1980 to 1984 the rate of increase in Federal spending was 9.6% about the same as Obama.
But, during Bush’s first term 2000 to 2004 when the “fiscally responsible Republicans” controlled both the White House and Congress the rate of increase was..........16.5%.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 10:23AM
How much has Obama Increased the Number of People that Don't Have a Job?
How much has the Hafrican Increased the Number of People on Welfare, Disability, Food Stamps?
How much has this Marxist Muslim Increased the number of People living AT or BELOW the Poverty line?
How much has President Strangelove increased the Number of Homeless Americans, living on the Streets?
I could go on ALL DAY.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 10:54AM
TLP, how does Obama’ first term employment number compare to Bush’s first term?
Bush 2001 to 2005: the number of employed Americans when from 132.4 million to 132.4 million. ZERO Jobs!!!!!
Obama 2009 to 2013: the number of employed Americans when from 133.5million to nearly 134.5 million. 1 million net new jobs despite the fact the Bush Depression hadn’t bottomed out until nearly two years into the Obama’ f first term.
http://www.usnews.com/news/blo.....rge-w-bush
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 12:06PM
Blew your own balls off idiot. 2009 was not an Obama year, but 2001 was a Bush year. Lying piece of crap. Devious left wing dirt bag 2001 was Clinton Gore year-their recession, plus came 911. Bush had a worse mess that Obama. He cut taxes and gave pro growth economy. You clowns would give your right arm for Bush unemployment rates and growth. Such a twisted lying shithead. Probably a big wig at NBC.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 12:27PM
FYI, Obama took office on January 20, 2009.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 12:53PM
Is that it?
What about everything else I mentioned?
You should really get that ADHDumbass thing taken care of.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 2:57PM
2002 was first year his policies fully took over. It was the Bush budget til when October or later. And, you tag him with the deficeit spending created by stimulus ans the rest. It is on Obama. That is why 2010 happened-a restraining order on nut job spending.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:06PM
2001 was still Clinton budget.2002-2009 are Bush. You add a lousy Clinton year to Bush You rightly say 2009 was Bush as well.But the stimulus and such spending added into that year was not a Bush deal. Once the banks got theor money and it started to improve. Some pretty convincing people shake their heads that the stimulus was a help. And, to keep it as much as possible as part of the current baseline is bad news. The Repubs are doing what they were sent to do in 2010 like it or not. And, it is helping not hurting. Nutjob spending must and will stop. If we hold in 2012 house this spendaholic prez is bye bye. We don't want to all be living in Detroit.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:06PM
2001 was still Clinton budget.2002-2009 are Bush. You add a lousy Clinton year to Bush You rightly say 2009 was Bush as well.But the stimulus and such spending added into that year was not a Bush deal. Once the banks got theor money and it started to improve. Some pretty convincing people shake their heads that the stimulus was a help. And, to keep it as much as possible as part of the current baseline is bad news. The Repubs are doing what they were sent to do in 2010 like it or not. And, it is helping not hurting. Nutjob spending must and will stop. If we hold in 2012 house this spendaholic prez is bye bye. We don't want to all be living in Detroit.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 3:05PM
It's so cute bustonloose, you trying to rewrite history to cover the crap your Republicans did.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:09PM
Just get the basic facts right. Admit there was a Clinton Gore recession thru 2001, Admit after 911 our military and security budgets were way underfunded. For goodness sakes we are not all stupid.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 4:31PM
"For goodness sakes we are not all stupid."
But for sure, you are.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:31AM
Party tonight at Phylissis. See you Al.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 11:34AM
Killin' is what I do best.
rjh| 3.1.13 @ 11:14AM
Much of Reagan's (actually Congress's) spending was to rebuild the devastated military that Carter left behind. We will see that repeated when obama is history. If we don't, we will be in real trouble.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 12:03PM
The Vietnam War 1963-1973 had a larger impact on our military circa 1980 than the four years of the Carter administration.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 1:58PM
Yeah, let's talk about Vietnam.
JFK got us in there.
LBJ expanded it.
Nixon got us Out of it.
And, a Democrat Congress Stabbed the South Vietnamese in the Back, by reneging on THEIR PROMISE to Supply them with the means to Fight the Vietcong on their own.
Right?
RIGHT?!
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 1:58PM
Does your Mom know you're on the Computer?
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 2:25PM
My mother, God bless her, passed away nearly a decade ago but I’m all grateful when someone or something remains me to think about her. That was you today so thank you.
Moe Blotz| 3.1.13 @ 2:39PM
Oy Timmy, I told you two weeks ago that mothers are sacred and should be left alone. A word to the wise should be sufficient.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:23PM
You're talking to a "Your Mother" joke guy, from way back.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:32AM
Or is she too occupied with her vibrator.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:35AM
Or our butt plug?
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:36AM
fuckin' jesus christ shit hole
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 11:59AM
Plus stimulus.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 12:12PM
Clinton said 250 billion was enough for nat sec. Sov union gone peace 4ever. Horse shit. Paltry homeland sec budget. And, no drug benefit. And, yes no war. For realistic security we needed to do this. Fair to argue about the war. But, rest was needed. Bush had defeceit on down glide path. Then the crisis, and we bailed them out and had this crazy stimulus-and nothing much is better. Bush got us back after Clinton Gore recession and starving of national defense.
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 12:50PM
Is English your second language?
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 3:58PM
No, but it's the Kenyans'.
Corpsmen
Sharpnel
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:26PM
In an era of low or no inflation Obama has 9.9 plus stimulus trillions. Reagan in an era of high inlation and high interest rates did a remarkable job that Obama mever could ever dream of getting done.
Nancy in NC| 3.1.13 @ 8:00AM
Knew we could depend on arnie to say something incredibly dumb...referring to austerity. This is a far cry from austerity types of cuts. It's a joke.
There is so much pork in government they could cut ten times this much without anyone feeling pain if it were done correctly. But the morons in Washington prefer playing politics over statesmanship.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 10:25AM
Arnie?
Have ya seen Kaminsky's story, this Morning?
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:35AM
kum to the constest. Free vibrators for all. Lots of shit to eat. Eat shit and die is my motto.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:37AM
just suck it
mike 3/505| 3.1.13 @ 8:00AM
Government job losses do not actually contribute to unemployment. They actually contribute to employment. When a Federal Employee loses his job & the benefits that go with it and starts drawing a (temporary) unemployment check (which is always less than what he was getting in pay & benefits), his fiscal impact on the taxpayer becomes less than when he was fully employed. This is something economists won't tell you. They also won't tell you that the government isn't really part of the GDP.
Aladin Sane| 3.1.13 @ 8:22AM
Faster please!
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:00PM
Maybe you should post comments AFTER your Boyfriend's finished Plowing You?
Aladin Sane| 3.1.13 @ 2:28PM
Maybe you should quit projecting your wish for a boyfriend on someone else.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:25PM
Maybe you should just Admit It?
It might do you some good.
Aladin Sane| 3.2.13 @ 12:23PM
TLP, notice there's a TLP' posting after you.
For what's it's worth, I'll admit your projecting sexual stuff where there is none makes me wonder. Is there anything you'd like to admit in front of the group.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:34AM
Poking, plowing, whatever.
What he's doing while your mother is occupied with her bibrator, and your dad's head is buried in the bible.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:37AM
come in my mouth
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 9:00AM
You don't live here. Really mind your own business. You have more than enough problems in Europe. Work on stopping the horror that will consume you. Really.
Anthony| 3.1.13 @ 10:01AM
But the good news Arnie is that all of Obozo's drones for his drones will still be on the ready.As that old horror movie warned "watch the skies".Best of luck Arnie.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:02PM
Are you EVER gonna come to The Contest?
Wednesday's "Life of Pi".
irish19| 3.1.13 @ 1:09PM
Government spending is currently at around $3.5 trillion with over $1 trillion of that being in the form of discretionary spending. The idea that cutting $.085 trillion of that constitutes austerity is absolutely ridiculous. As the article noted, year over year spending is still going to increase. If it were to decrease, one could reasonably talk about cuts and austerity and harm. Since it isn't, such talk is dreck.
Lyneuss Fields | 3.2.13 @ 7:02PM
Who's taking about interest on the national debt (160 billion+ per point), unfunded liabilities (123 trillion) and America's negative balance of trade (728 billion)? No Republican leader has the guts hold America’s ass to the fire. Anyone with diddlysquat of ability to lead “with courage” would hammer away.
OP4| 3.1.13 @ 7:44AM
Sequestration cuts = a very small start in the right direction.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 8:56PM
I agree, hasten the end of the Tea Party when the cuts are felt...
The Only Good Democrat| 3.3.13 @ 12:21PM
Again.
Joellen| 3.1.13 @ 7:53AM
Yes Arnie most low information Americans do blame Republicans for the gridlock & sequester, and that is why America is in this mess.
The low information American never took the time to truly learn what was going on.
They depended on a corrupt media, and ill informed or even worse, evil people such as yourself who perpetuate lies and deceit.
They fall for the fear factor and refuse to think and question and actually figure out that
"Hey I've had to cut back on many things. WHY CANT THE GOVERNMENT and more importantly WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING MY TAX MONEY ON?"
So Arnie, once again you spew the lie like Maxine Waters "Well lose 170 MILLION JOBS".
REALLY ARNIE - 170 MILLION JOBS?
Arnie why dont you think, really think of that
170 MILLION JOBS will be lost because of the sequester!
Crickets me thinks I am hearing from the likes of Arnie - or the wheels are spinning on how he can spin that logic from the Maxine Waters who was charged with ETHICS violations.
Crickets or wheel spinning - either way we'll never get the truth from the likes of Arnie who by the way lives in Europe.
Arnie| 3.1.13 @ 8:38AM
Joellen, you have completely lost it. I suggest you go see a psychiatrist.
I never said the US would lose 170 MILLION JOBS because of the sequester. Did you actually read my comments above?
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 9:01AM
You are a Maxine clone. Arnie.
Anthony| 3.1.13 @ 5:17PM
Ah yes,Maxine Waters,the best and brightest of The Congressional Caucus did indeed make this comment.
And Shelia Jackson Lee is still looking for astronaut footprints on Mars.
But vtwin, Purp and Arnie all say it's not Mars,but rather, Uranius.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:03PM
Of course not.
Why would anyone read that Garbage?
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:38AM
as Larry Flint was saying, "Let me drink it."
CJW| 3.1.13 @ 8:09PM
purp alert. purpie trolling as arnie.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 8:57PM
Low information voter = Rush listeners, dittoheads, and Fixed News watchers... you do realize you're just spouting what they say, don't you Honey?
Intelligent Design| 3.1.13 @ 8:28AM
Cutting $85 billion from this year's federal spending is 2.36%, about the same as a household with a $100 a week food budget cutting $2.36, the price of 30 cough drops. Obama's obstinacy about cutting spending is sinister.
fmm| 3.1.13 @ 9:17AM
But again this "cut" is compared to the planned budget which had grown by about 8% from the previous year, not against last years budget. Actual spending compared to last year is higher.
Baseline budgeting requires the budget to grow, as it assumes each departmental spending will be higher than the previous year. Math will show you that an increase of 7.5% per year will double spending in 10 years. So a 3.5T budget today will be 7T in 2023.
The same problem exists in government pension plans at both the fed and state level which assume interest rates of 8% per year instead of using the actual interest rate for each year.
This is planned stealing from the private sector and must be stopped if we are to recover.
Al Adab| 3.1.13 @ 8:37AM
A very small step. except for the disproportionate impact on defense spending, it represents a gesture in the right direction. Someday, when we get serious about this matter, there are entire agencies which have long outlived their usefulness and could easily be ended. That is to say nothing about all the millions of dollars of research grants and funding for state projects (collectively known as pork) which fill pages of the "budget".
The House should pass a balanced budget and send it to Harry Reid and the Senate for them to muck it up. Reid hasn't brought a budget to a vote in four years now. How do we operate without a budget? Simply with ever increasing amounts in continuing resolutions. That is dereliction of duty on a mass scale.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 1:04PM
It's called "Continuing Resolution" ... and it is a budget. So you and Fox are wrong.
irish19| 3.1.13 @ 1:12PM
A continuing resolution is not a budget. A budget is a comprehensive document that is worked out between the House and the Senate and passed by both.
So you and Kos are wrong.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:05PM
He doesn't know what you're talking about.
You'd be better off trying to teach a Turtle to speak Latin.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 2:45PM
"The federal government of the United States operates on a budget calendar that runs from October 1 through September 30. Each year, the Congress authorizes each department, agency, or program to spend a specific amount of money, and the President signs the bill into law. This money may not be spent, however, until it has been appropriated for a given purpose. The Department of Justice, for example, is authorized to spend $22.2 billion each year, but may not do so until Congress passes a law that says so.
Because of this system, Congress is required to pass separate spending bills every year to ensure the operation of government. If Congress fails to pass such a bill, or the President fails to sign it into law, non-essential functions of the government will cease, as they are no longer allowed by law to spend money.
In order to prevent the interruption of government services, Congress will often pass a continuing resolution. This authorizes government agencies to fund their agencies at the current level until either the resolution expires, or an appropriations bill is passed. A continuing resolution must be passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President.
It is a continuation of the previously passed budget - it continues the budget as is - it therefore is called a continuing resolution. It is not a budget created out of regular order however. "
Try again bobbleheads.
CJW| 3.1.13 @ 8:11PM
Purpie the Village Idiot posted:
1. "Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials."
2. purpie believes God killed over 100 persons and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win.
3. In Sept Purpie wrote that Amassador Stevens was at fault and caused his death.
4. Purpie also wrote that the unborn are biological entities not deserving of protection until God allows them to be born.
5. purpie believes that a 20% cut in the tax rate will INCREASE his 0% rate to 8%.
6. purpie also posted one of the female bloggers here should just lay back and enjoy the rape.
7. purpie is a racist who posted that "You can't even beat a black man....haha," implying blacks are inferior.
Purp-arnie represents the Loon Left that should be mocked and ridiculed, and not engaged in debate.
Von Mises Jr| 3.1.13 @ 8:48AM
The problem for Dear leaders in both Parties is that few actually believe their Chicken Little Nursery School "The Sky is falling" bullshit anymore. They are clowns.
They play the same "B" Movie over and over expecting to get an Oscar (perhaps we should give them the Sesame Street Oscar) or Epidemic Award for running the same old and tired storyline for forty years.
But now it is obvious to see as we have a "D" rate actor demagogue playing lead role.
Al Adab| 3.1.13 @ 11:31AM
This is the same panic mongering we had under Clinton after the GOP takeover of the House. The government shutdown remember? Every savings move they made was designed to frighten and inconvenience the public as much as possible. We will see the same thing this time, just like the panic over the debt ceiling. Someday perhaps, the public will quit buying the snake oil.
irish19| 3.1.13 @ 1:14PM
That is what they fear the most. The "meat cleaver" cutting will have exactly zero real effect on their lives and they will start to wonder about some of the other lies they have been fed (by both parties). Even the low-information voters may start to get it.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 1:05PM
THAT"s the best analysis your finely educated mind can muster?
LMFAO...
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:07PM
Don't you mean: My Boyfriend is FMFAO?
Of course you do.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 2:46PM
You should know Timmy, don't you remember last night?
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:27PM
Yeah.
Your Boyfriend was FYMFAO.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:39AM
fuck me fukcm
Louis Jenkins| 3.1.13 @ 9:03AM
"...Christopher Matthews last week as he contemplated the impending fall of the budgetary meat cleaver."
Never let a good crisis go to waste. Honestly, they'd make it a disaster if they lost one cent and they still insist on more taxes. Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans will hold their line and not run panic stricken from the field like they have so many times before. As stated above, there are plenty areas that can be trimmed down, unfortunately, Obama makes it sound like its the Rape of Sabine women. Now that's a crisis.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:08PM
Did you notice if he had his Pants on?
tminus1| 3.1.13 @ 9:13AM
What cuts??? No one, including TAS contributors, has mentioned that with zero-baseline budgeting, the sequester merely reduces the increase in cash DC planned to spend. It's as if you expected an 8% raise, got only %5, and complained to your boss about your 3% cut! What cut? Why is everyone treating a smaller increase as a cut, both in DC and on this page?
fmm| 3.1.13 @ 9:47AM
please see my comment above
tminus1| 3.1.13 @ 3:10PM
You're right. Sorry I missed it. I found most responses so disheartening that I skipped right over the common sense you injected.
Nothing to do now but wait for Boehner to cave before midnight. Guaranteed to be old news by Monday.
Cheers.
Russel| 3.1.13 @ 9:50AM
That's all it is . No different than the ' Bush cuts ' . Baseline budgeting ramps spending every time . But look folks , this is phony sequester controversy is simply a warm up drill schemed by the socialists' in advance of the same old , re-occuring fight over the federal budget . Boner et al caved twice before , kicked the can , and now O'Bummer hopes to win again . His latest ' campaigning ' was nothing more than a precursor to get the people's minds right ahead of time . Remember , he always leads from behind a wall of protection . " Not Me " is his MO .
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 1:03PM
Boehner just kicked the can down the road and announced the House will pass a Continuing Resolution next week to not shut down the Government end of March ... Tra-la-la I'm Johnny the Boner man....
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:10PM
The idiocy of all of you Obama Jock Strap Sniffers, is that you wanna Blame The Republicans for everything your Boy has Driven into the Ground the last 4 Years, because they've had the House for the last 2 years.
But, when discussing the 2008 Collapse, with BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS being Controlled by the Democrats since January 2007?
"It's all Bush' Fault."
It's like you're Retarded.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:11PM
Are you Gay?
Bob Grant| 3.1.13 @ 2:18PM
Both
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:29PM
You're both?
I KNEW IT!
Is it me? Or, are these getting just a little bit Juvenile?
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 2:47PM
"The idiocy of all of you Obama Jock Strap Sniffers" - you said it, I didn't. Got that on your mind, do you?
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:30PM
Yeah.
I've got you on my mind.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 8:58PM
You are one sick dude.
CJW| 3.1.13 @ 8:12PM
Purpie the Village Idiot posted:
1. "Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials."
2. purpie believes God killed over 100 persons and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win.
3. In Sept Purpie wrote that Amassador Stevens was at fault and caused his death.
4. Purpie also wrote that the unborn are biological entities not deserving of protection until God allows them to be born.
5. purpie believes that a 20% cut in the tax rate will INCREASE his 0% rate to 8%.
6. purpie also posted one of the female bloggers here should just lay back and enjoy the rape.
7. purpie is a racist who posted that "You can't even beat a black man....haha," implying blacks are inferior.
Purp-arnie represents the Loon Left that should be mocked and ridiculed, and not engaged in debate.
Kwan| 3.1.13 @ 11:32AM
Cuba's Marxist Revolutionaries (Fidel & Co) went into the Sierra Maestra Mountains and from there launched a military campaign that ultimately overthrew the government and resulted in the implementation of a Totalitarian Socialist State. Here in the United States our Marxist Revolutionaries (Obama & Co) are a bunch of limp-wristed Metrosexuals who would have a panic-attack if they had to spend one night in the mountains. Therefore instead of launching a military campaign they've launched this cowardly bankrupt the country campaign with ever increasing spending and borrowing, which they believe in their deluded brains will bring about the collapse of the country and allow them like Castro to implement a Totalitarian Socialist State. Like their Marxist Revolutionary bruddahs from the 60's the Weather Underground and Symbionese Liberation Army, these juvenile Che Guevara wannabes (Obama & Co) will fail in their mission.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 2:12PM
Haven't seen you over at Wednesday's Life of Pi.
We could use you.
Albert's stealing the Show.
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 4:04PM
Can I play?
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:39PM
YES!
Get thee to The Contest, Stephie.
Wednesday's Life of Pi.
Al Adab| 3.1.13 @ 11:41AM
How big was the tax increase in January? How big is the sequester "cut" in this years non existent budget?
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 12:08PM
Sequester is great! Especially with y'all embracing it. It will simply reinforce the public's opinion of your party and Conservadums. And, it won't be pretty for you. Yep.
Sequester is great! Wanna shut the government down next? I'm all for it!
What a bunch of fools. Keep listening to Rush and Rove ... they are such winners.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 3:13PM
GOP won house in 2010 and again in 2012, Their job is to reduce spending.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 8:59PM
They lost ground in 2012 and are poised to lose the House in 2014 - this sequester simply just helps the cause to get rid of these idiots.
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 10:21PM
Poised to lose. If they don't you guys are gonna implode-they just won't give all the money. You need to devour every dime and you wan't get it. The GOP campaign ads are beiing written-who gives a shit about the NYNY world, Where it counts the democrats are gonna get abused.
CJW| 3.1.13 @ 8:13PM
Hey idiot
If sequester was a bad idea, why did the Dem Senate pass it and why did Obama sign it into law?
Purpie the Village Idiot posted:
1. "Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials."
2. purpie believes God killed over 100 persons and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win.
3. In Sept Purpie wrote that Amassador Stevens was at fault and caused his death.
4. Purpie also wrote that the unborn are biological entities not deserving of protection until God allows them to be born.
5. purpie believes that a 20% cut in the tax rate will INCREASE his 0% rate to 8%.
6. purpie also posted one of the female bloggers here should just lay back and enjoy the rape.
7. purpie is a racist who posted that "You can't even beat a black man....haha," implying blacks are inferior.
Purp-arnie represents the Loon Left that should be mocked and ridiculed, and not engaged in debate.
Al Adab| 3.1.13 @ 12:17PM
President lieness is on the air right now letting us know that all of this is the republicans fault. Don't you love the smell of brimestone in the morning?
Intelligent Design| 3.1.13 @ 12:52PM
In college we had some choice words for people like Obama, one of which was "toad", another of which was "disgusting POS".
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 2:48PM
What'd they call you?
WhiteBikerTrash| 3.1.13 @ 1:02PM
This is classic tactics 1. create a crisis 2. Blame the crisis on others. 3. Use crisis to cause pain and discomfort. 4. Alleviate crisis 5. Take credit for betterment of situation. 6. Tell the masses to avoid the next crisis the only choice is to follow them. Food and a whip!
vtwin| 3.1.13 @ 1:26PM
I guess if you sleep till noon that's the best you're going to come up with.
Stephie| 3.1.13 @ 4:07PM
One brave reporter asked his lowness today if he takes ANY responsibility for this sequestration and what he would do to stop the crisis after crisis game that is being played.
He did the two step for about 10 mins and once again, blamed the other side.
TLP| 3.1.13 @ 4:41PM
Get thee to The Contest!
Wednesday's Life of Pi.
Purp| 3.1.13 @ 9:01PM
Congress handles the finances of the country, not the President ... what is so hard for you to understand?
Do you READ the Constitution or not, Babe?
Russel| 3.1.13 @ 9:04PM
Stephie , it's past bedtime , but if you get the chance to post this sometime , -- Hannity nailed it - Not Me is hoping to blame his failures on the Gop's in hopes of bamboozling the voters so as to win the house of reps . He's a master blamer .
bustunloose| 3.1.13 @ 10:24PM
excuse {prp he had brain surgey in Romania or was it Slovenia.
Martin kzovich| 3.2.13 @ 7:03AM
the situation we are in now is due to weakness of the Republican leadership in standing up to Obama.
Even agreeing to vote for this is a major blunder.
Now again the Republican Party has a choice--stand up to Obama or cave. If they cave that is the end.
TLP| 3.2.13 @ 7:26AM
OBAMA: "In the meantime, just to make the final point about the sequester, we will get through this. This is not going to be [an] apocalypse, as some people have said. It is just dumb. And it's going to hurt. It will hurt individual purple and it's going to hurt the economy overall."
"People will lose their jobs. The unemployment rate might tick up again.... It will jeopardize our military readiness." - President Obama
"It will eviscerate job-creating investments in education and energy and medical research." - President Obama
"Once these cuts take effect, thousands of teachers and educators will be laid off, and tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids." - President Obama
"This is a big deal." - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, last Friday.
TLP| 3.2.13 @ 8:25AM
Americans saw their income drop so dramatically in January that it marked the deepest one-month decline in 20 years.
Personal income decreased by $505.5 billion in January, or 3.6%, compared to December (on a seasonally adjusted and annualized basis). That's the most dramatic decline since January 1993, according to the Commerce Department.
Now, add to that the 0.1% GDP "Growth" + the 700 pages of NEW Obama Soviet Healthcare Regulations that Frau Sebelius just handed down from her Pale Horse, and you've got yourself all the makings of an Economic Implosion, followed by Riots in the Streets, a Tsanami of Violent Crime, and a total breakdown of any kind of Societal Norms.
It's like Night following Day.
You can Count On It.
TLP'| 3.2.13 @ 8:40AM
suck it in the name of jesus
Russel| 3.2.13 @ 9:53AM
heh , I see you're back at it Tim , Sat. or not . Gives me a chance to reiterate . King Notme has already ' told ' his followers that all of our coming problems ( his failures you penned ) are the result of GOP sequester . His goal is the 2014 house . I see in the Hill ( tho a more or less liberal rag ) , it's working . He has the Sheep eating it . Well time to work . Go do something fun too .
cicero| 3.2.13 @ 7:56AM
WOW! I woke up this morning, and the world was still here. The sky has not yet fallen, but it is still early. If we get through the weeekend, and are still here Monday morning, maybe we can try for a government shutdown by the end of March. This is better than day time t.v. It may even be more interesting than waiting for someone (Michelle?) to announce what won the best picture award on Oscar night.
The question will be, how long will the government have to be shut down for this country to emerge with a balanced budget? Or, better yet, how long will the government have to be shut down for the natioanal debt to be paid off?
I am sure there will be problems: Barry and Michelle will have to pay for their own vacations; the generals will have to pay for their own motel rooms for meetings with their mistresses; the congress and their staffs will have to find another way to travel around the globe to exotic places - no more fact finding missions; people will have to pay for their own cell phones; . . . join in and add to the list.
legolasmarun| 3.2.13 @ 3:16PM
nosi se u 3 pizde materine
Thom| 3.3.13 @ 12:01PM
Take any 100 “working” and income tax paying people in the private sector and offer free money and some will take the money and work less because they don’t have to. Over time more and more people will jump on this great deal because the “government” has made it legal to steal from some of those 100 and give to others with no expectation of repayment. Eventually, those being robbed to pay for all the others on subsidized “free” government money cannot bear the burden and overall productivity falls which means the “government” has less “free” money to buy the votes of those that depend on it. It isn’t that government runs of money to steal but that the output of those it depends on for “free” money can’t produce any more money to steal. This has always been a self-fulfilling prophecy.
At the end of the day, far too high a proportion of the able bodied population lives off the productivity of others. GDP which does not measure the quality of the “output” can’t tell the difference between government just printing zero cost money and dropping it from helicopters vs. wealth produced gains. Borrowing money to support current consumption and paying next to nothing in borrowing cost is the same as just printing it in effect. When the real cost of borrowed money shows up it will have the same impact as just printing it out of thin air.
Thom| 3.3.13 @ 12:02PM
Because of this smoke and mirrors approach to fiscal policy, our GDP is not what it seems just as the reported unemployment numbers don’t reflect reality. Over half of GDP is based on “government” spending (Fed, State and Local combined). The part that is not can’t sustain this level of robbery indefinitely. The wealth generating private sector won’t invest, hire or make unnecessary expenses in an environment where the “government” gets a larger chunk just for the effort. This has been proven time and time again going back as far as there are records. Government does not generate “wealth” and where it tries it is overwhelmingly inefficient at what it does because it lacks free market discipline (profit and loss) constraints. We are approaching 6 of ten able bodied “workers” depending on some portion of their lives off of someone else’s tax money. The economy will not grow under these circumstances. You cannot command it to despite the beliefs of our new age Marxist in Chief and his worshipers.
Is Sequester dumb? Absolutely but it is trivial compared to borrowing 35% on the dollar to spend 40% than was being spent in 2008 after adjustment for inflation. If the economy can’t grow in a meaningful way most are going to find themselves on a lifeboat with a hungry Tiger surrounded by a vast ocean full of hungry sharks.