I find it amazing that conservatives in Congress are being blamed for our budget woes. The last Democratic Congress passed a budget and the Republican Congress has now passed two budgets so where is the hang up?
It has now been more then 1,000 days since Senate Democrats have even introduced a budget resolution. Why?
Once the budget resolution has been introduced there must be a final vote taken after no more then 50 hours of debate and votes taken on individual amendments that have been offered by Senators. There can be no filibuster so 51 votes would pass an amendment and, finally, a budget. What is Senator Reid afraid of? Is he trying to protect Senate Democrats from having to cast a series of difficult election-year votes?
Harold L. Gee
MESA
Accuracy posted at 7:09 pm on Thu, Apr 5, 2012.
Harold L. Gee’s question: “What is Senator Reid afraid of? Is he trying to protect Senate Democrats from having to cast a series of difficult election-year votes?”
Yes, and because it’s President Barack Obama that is feeling the pressure of the re-election campaign.
GOP Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan would shrink the deficit by reducing spending, reforming Medicare, cutting tax rates, and getting rid of many tax breaks.
And in Obama’s latest attack on the Ryan budget proposal, he said it is an attempt to impose a radical vision on the United States disguised as a deficit reduction plan. Claiming it would gut Medicare, cut taxes for the wealthy, and lead to deep cuts on crucial government programs – and calling it a "Trojan horse" that would hurt the pocketbooks of working Americans.
"It's nothing but thinly veiled social Darwinism," Obama said in excerpts of his speech released Tuesday.
If Obama’s rhetorical speeches are this irrational and spinning out of control right now during the difficult election-year – just imagine what he will sound like in October.
onerebel posted at 8:54 pm on Thu, Apr 5, 2012.
The Democrats knew there was not enough money in the world for all their spending wishes, and that their budget would show us all that. So they just left the check blank knowing they could blame the GOP when they were force to write the check. Liberalism 101. Demonize anyone who doesn't agree with you, and then blame them for your failures!!
Dale Whiting posted at 9:04 pm on Thu, Apr 5, 2012.
Harold, Accuracy,
I'll keep the answer to this question real simple and straight forward. Reid and most Democrats don't like the Paul Ryan budget for one simple reason. It cuts spending in areas they don't want to see cut and fails to call for additional revenues. Cuts effect the 99% while increasing revenues effect the 1%. And while the 99% can contribut to campaign financing, the 1% do it much better.
Now do you understand the problem?
This registered Republican can't understand why changes to the tax code are not to be included. Perhaps we need to change the code first, then Democrats might join with Republicans in budgeting. Wasn't this the idea proposed by the Simpson/Boles commission which studied the problem several years ago? Neither Democrat nor Republican politician liked those recommendations. But I did! How about you?
chatmandu002 posted at 10:30 am on Fri, Apr 6, 2012.
Harry Reid's contention is that the country can live off of the debt limit increases until the people vote him out or the country collapses. Harry don't need no stinking budget!!!!
VofReason posted at 12:02 pm on Fri, Apr 6, 2012.
They don't want a budget for the same reason that many American household's don't have a or want a budget- it forces difficult questions. As noted above, Democrates don't like facing the fact that money doesn't grow on Federal trees and there is a piper to pay at some point. The effects 1% answer doesn't resonate. The people they are asking to pay for this don't believe the money is being spent right- nor do most people who are part of the pay for equation. However, the large and growing benefit from side cannot get enough.
VofReason posted at 12:04 pm on Fri, Apr 6, 2012.
This is the same reason that your kids who don't have to pay are always in favor of going to Disneyland, expanding cable, etc etc. They don't have any skin in the game.