The Budget with No Numbers

Politics • Views: 2,413

Pathetic.

Standing before television cameras, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and other members — including the top Republican on the Budget Committee Paul Ryan (Wis.) — couldn’t answer specific questions about their spending plan.

After weeks of promising a comprehensive alternative to the president’s budget that Republicans have painted as excessive, bloated and wasteful, Boehner was unable to provide specific information about their proposal.

His colleagues were unable to answer line-items questions as well. Boehner dismissed those details as “just a bunch of numbers.”

Even though aides insist that GOP leaders had no intention of releasing their full budget substitute, the press event was a public relations disaster.

“It looked like a disorganized blunder,” one GOP aide said. “It’s the worst messaging snafu at a time when the party can’t afford one.”

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192 comments
1 Killgore Trout  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:44:05am

Fail.

2 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:45:20am

Expletive. Waste products. Primal urges.

3 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:45:23am

Boner. Good name for him.

4 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:45:43am

Great, just great. Now if the markets fall tomorrow, guess who they’ll blame?

5 FamHistoryGuy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:45:43am

Ignorance and stupidity abounding.

6 CyanSnowHawk  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:45:57am

The GOP is in chaos right now, with little time to get their shit together for 2010.

7 Bloodnok  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:46:17am

This is depressing.

8 rawmuse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:46:20am

I’d settle for a well applied tourniquet.

9 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:46:34am

Guess we’re lucky to have Obama and Geithner and all.

Guess I chose a bad millenium to give up drinking.

10 WindHorse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:46:52am

Situation Normal…………..

11 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:46:59am

They’ve had plenty of time, and being as shut out of the Dem process as they have been you’d think they would have used it wisely.

12 Rancher  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:47:08am

Just trust us.

/Obama

13 WindHorse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:47:39am

they could all use a number……

14 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:47:51am

OK y’all - repost of what I said on the last thread - I hadda come back to ask this: why are so many of y’all taking such glee at the difficulties the Republicans are facing right now? Is it because you think the Democrats are doing such a good job?
And btw, have any of y’all seen a line item by line item budget from the Democrats and if so do y’all have a link to it?

15 Emerald  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:48:11am

It’s really starting to look like we need a viable third party in this country. Both the major ones are filled with knuckleheads. The economy is in chaos, the majority is realizing Obama and Congress have no way to fix it, and this is the best the Republicans could come up with? They’re blowing opportunity after opportunity.

16 Erik The Red  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:49:19am

re: #12 Rancher

Just trust us.

/Obama


Rancher:) They let you out for the day, I see.

17 nyc redneck  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:49:20am

wow, we are going down the drain here w/ o’s spending trillions.
come on gop, can you count?
can you at least call attention to how stupid his slogan is:
spending to save.

18 Desert Dog  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:49:23am

They should have just picked a number out of thin air, and then acted like they thought long and hard about every penny just like Obama did.

19 WindHorse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:49:31am

I don’t get the feeling of “glee” from this at all….. on the contrary….

20 Fast Eddie  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:49:52am

The Obama administration’s arrogance and overt socialism has left the door wide open for a conservative resurgence.

Unfortunately there seems to be nobody in the current Republican “leadership” capable of walking through that door without stumbling, tripping and doing a pratfall.

21 WindHorse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:50:22am

(which comment showed glee, btw?)

22 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:50:22am

Where’s Sharmuta? She might have a hissy fit over this insanity.

23 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:50:26am

So Cantor voted with the donkeys for the 90% bonus tax? Idjiot.

24 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:50:44am

If they had no specifics, why open their mouths at all? The markets love specifics, it gives them an idea of the future. Come on Repubs! We need you to be on top of your game here! I got a call from the MO GOP the other day, begging for money. I told them that until the party could show some backbone, in its entirety, they could forget it. When McCaskill votes against the omnibus and Bond votes for it, there is no way they will see one red cent from me. And now this.

25 little boomer  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:50:53am

These guys need a teleprompter…

26 swamprat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:51:20am

I was told there would be no math.

27 Drained Brain  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:51:22am

Make me really keen to make a donation to the RNC - not.

28 Edouard  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:51:58am

My disgust with America’s congressional “leadership” of both parties is about at its apex.

Political America is a ship with no captain; a disorganized, clueless crew mouthing brainless slogans; no rudder; and no direction, drifting its way into the Bermuda Triangle.

29 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:51:59am

Saw Paul Ryan on C-Span this morning. Stated (correctly) that even if (when) the Repubs offer their “budget” alternative, they would need many many more than just the Blue Dogs Dems to go along to get it even CONSIDERED.
He also stated that the Repubs offered to accept the Obama budget as long as it included spending caps, and that number could be determined by the DEMS.

The DEMS rejected the offer, basically saying they want NO CAPS on spending

30 Erik The Red  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:52:36am

re: #22 MandyManners

Where’s Sharmuta? She might have a hissy fit over this insanity.

Might? That’s putting it mildly.

31 FamHistoryGuy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:53:01am

Why am I seeing everything in B & W and why is Bert Ambrose playing on the gramaphone?

32 unrealizedviewpoint  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:53:43am

re: #18 Desert Dog

They should have just picked a number out of thin air, and then acted like they thought long and hard about every penny just like Obama did.

Wasn’t it days ago LGF and the rest of the world highlighted the fact that their budget lacked numbers? Are they that out of touch? Make it up, say something.

33 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:53:49am

I just love how the Repubs think they can be effective at anything right now if they come across looking more incompetent than the Dems.

34 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:53:59am

re: #21 WindHorse
Well I did say this was a repost from the last thread. Take a look at Killgore Trout’s comments and see what I mean.
And if “glee” is too strong a word for you, why do you think the Republicans are in this position? Cause all these otherwise bright guys are suddenly going stupid on us?
And I still haven’t seen any analysis of Obama’s “numbers” either.

35 Desert Dog  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:55:04am

One step forward, three steps back…..thank you Congressional Republicans, you are doing your very best to insure you never get back into power again. Obama and the other Donks are giving you so many opportunities to strike back and you are squandering every single one.

36 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:55:25am

re: #32 unrealizedviewpoint
NO! Don’t make it up! Take the time to do it right! It’s not as if they haven’t had time for crying out loud! If they STILL couldn’t come up with anything comprehensive, then they should have stayed seated and kept quiet!

37 FamHistoryGuy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:55:32am

re: #14 realwest

It is not glee. It is hysterical laughter. Kind of like beingstuck on a runaway train.

38 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:56:38am

.re: #34 realwest
It is interesting that there is more journalistic interest in Republican numbers that won’t make a bit of difference than there seems to be in the numbers of the majority.

39 unrealizedviewpoint  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:56:40am

re: #36 Researcher…MO

Excellent point!

40 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:56:57am

re: #24 Researcher…MO

If they had no specifics, why open their mouths at all? The markets love specifics, it gives them an idea of the future.

May I propose that the markets love specifics, because if validates that the people speaking have an f’ing clue what they’re mouthing off about.

My mantra remains, “You can’t beat something with nothing”, and having no numbers, the Repubs came to the game with nothing.

Geithner was on ABC Stepanopoulos this morning. I cannot read this guy. Is he a totally empty suit, or just an incredibly bad surface on a knowledgable guy - those being the major choices. He’s a type you see in corporate America (and I don’t like them there either), … prickly. Guarantees they will never have great results, but they often “get the job done”. Just have to hope that’s how it is with G, I guess.

41 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:57:05am

The GOP’s skinny 19 page document is more of an agenda, AND a big contrast to the 5,000 page, 50 pounder Pelosi PORKULUS. Republicans CAN’T dictate numbers because THEY LOST the election.

19 pages is like Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” document, something you can read & understand in principle. Smaller government, less spending, get it?
A slim contract with America, instead of the death warrant to our economy the Dems are doing to us.

Who here defends Democrats’ derelict PLUNDERING PLANS?

42 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:01am

It almost appears they feel a need to destroy their party in order to save their party. Were they reading from a script by Coppola?

43 Bloodnok  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:09am

re: #15 Emerald

It’s really starting to look like we need a viable third party in this country. Both the major ones are filled with knuckleheads. The economy is in chaos, the majority is realizing Obama and Congress have no way to fix it, and this is the best the Republicans could come up with? They’re blowing opportunity after opportunity.

There’s no time and no real chance with a third party. Elections cost too much money that third parties won’t have for many years to come. The only way the GOP can be fixed IMO is from the inside and at the local level.

We might get lucky and win some Congressional races and even, perhaps, a majority. But that is not enough. There needs to be a fundamental change in thinking in the Republican party towards fiscal sanity that will dominate the party in 10 or so years when the local politicians mature and run in the big races.

I like to think that the ‘94 class were all inspired by Reagan and first got involved during his Presidency. There is a gestation period.

44 CyanSnowHawk  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:16am

re: #15 Emerald

It’s really starting to look like we need a viable third party in this country. Both the major ones are filled with knuckleheads. The economy is in chaos, the majority is realizing Obama and Congress have no way to fix it, and this is the best the Republicans could come up with? They’re blowing opportunity after opportunity.

It is difficult to see where one will come from. I expected that Perot’s Reform party might have a chance, then it fractured and pretty much disappeared.

45 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:19am

re: #38 kansas Well see that’s part of my problem. And I still haven’t seen anything but gross (in both senses of the word) on the Obama/Pelosi budget.
What’s Obama proposing, for example, on the Defense budget - is it higher or lower than Bush’s last budget?

46 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:22am

re: #40 itellu3times

I can’t disagree with you there!

47 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:58:51am

re: #15 Emerald

It’s really starting to look like we need a viable third party in this country. Both the major ones are filled with knuckleheads. The economy is in chaos, the majority is realizing Obama and Congress have no way to fix it, and this is the best the Republicans could come up with? They’re blowing opportunity after opportunity.

Is that you, Ross?

48 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:59:01am

re: #28 Edouard

My disgust with America’s congressional “leadership” of both parties is about at its apex.

Political America is a ship with no captain; a disorganized, clueless crew mouthing brainless slogans; no rudder; and no direction, drifting its way into the Bermuda Triangle.

* * * *
This is idiotic, when there is definitely a Pelosi PIRATE crew in charge of our ship of state, plundering its way to the Bermuda Triangle.

Repubs are locked up in the hold of the ship.

49 Haverwilde  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:59:06am

There is no future for the GOP. It is time to give them their ‘last rites’ and get moving with the alternative. This is the perfect time for it with both mainline parties controlled by ass*oles.
The vast intelligent majority of Americans would welcome an honest alternative.

50 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:59:18am

re: #41 alegrias

The GOP’s skinny 19 page document is more of an agenda, AND a big contrast to the 5,000 page, 50 pounder Pelosi PORKULUS. Republicans CAN’T dictate numbers because THEY LOST the election.

19 pages is like Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” document, something you can read & understand in principle. Smaller government, less spending, get it?
A slim contract with America, instead of the death warrant to our economy the Dems are doing to us.

Who here defends Democrats’ derelict PLUNDERING PLANS?

Yeah, I’m sure that’s what they told each other, too.

But when the house is on fire, having some wiseguy show up with a book on prevention, is just a little too cute.

51 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 9:59:48am

re: #44 CyanSnowHawk

It is difficult to see where one will come from. I expected that Perot’s Reform party might have a chance, then it fractured and pretty much disappeared.

GMTA.

52 LGoPs  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:00:27am

Where is Mitt Romney? I’d love to see his take on what needs to be done.

53 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:00:41am

re: #26 swamprat

I was told there would be no math.

* * * *
Democrats can’t handle the WORD PROBLEM, “CUT TAXES”, much less do it.

54 brandon13  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:00:43am

Democrats can’t fix the economy, Republicans can’t fix themselves.

Sad state of affairs.

55 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:00:52am

re: #8 rawmuse

I’d settle for a well applied tourniquet.

Around certain parts of their collective anatomy.

( *with one wary eye on the delete stick* )
We should … throttle … the leadership’s urges
I’d like to see them … neck-and-neck

/tiptoeing off … *crickets* …

56 reine.de.tout  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:00:54am

Crap.
Perhaps we can hope that this will be a learning opportunity, and they will get their act together now?

57 Erik The Red  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:00am

re: #42 horse

It almost appears they feel a need to destroy their party in order to save their party. Were they reading from a script by Coppola?

I have no problem with rebuilding the party. But they seem to be replacing brick and mortar with mud and straw. They had better wake up quickly and find a master builder.

58 Timbre  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:23am

Go with the even prime numbers, Republicans. Easy for a discombobulated Party to remember.

59 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:29am

re: #44 CyanSnowHawk

re: #51 MandyManners

Until campaing contributions are limited to a cap on individuals and NO PAC or cooperate monies, a 3rd pary won’t happen. The Repubs and Dems are too big $$$$$$$$$$ to be overtaken

60 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:45am

re: #53 alegrias Not only can they not say “Cut Taxes” they can only say cut spending when it comes to the defense budget.

61 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:50am

re: #52 LGoPs

Where is Mitt Romney? I’d love to see his take on what needs to be done.

Hadn’t you heard? He’s a Mormon you know.///

62 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:55am

re: #31 FamHistoryGuy

Why am I seeing everything in B & W and why is Bert Ambrose playing on the gramaphone?

Ambrose? Who else besides me is going to get that reference? ;)

63 unrealizedviewpoint  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:01:57am

re: #49 Haverwilde

There is no future for the GOP. It is time to give them their ‘last rites’ and get moving with the alternative.

I bet the dems were thinking similarly when Newt was doing his best work.

64 axegrinder  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:02:07am

re: #44 CyanSnowHawk

It is difficult to see where one will come from. I expected that Perot’s Reform party might have a chance, then it fractured and pretty much disappeared.

I remember Perot whimping out over some threat to his daughter’s wedding. It was incredible. I can’t believe he’d do something like that and be serious about running for president. He lost a lot of respect after that boondoggle.

65 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:02:48am

re: #51 MandyManners

GMTA.

GMTA?

66 MarkX  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:02:57am

No problem… just subtract a zero from everything in the Dim budget….

67 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:03:11am

re: #63 unrealizedviewpoint

I bet the dems were thinking similarly when Newt was doing his best work.

They cut up Newt like they cut up Palin. Whoever pops up now that has any credibility will be destroyed.

68 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:03:25am

re: #62 ziggyelman

Ambrose? Who else besides me is going to get that reference? ;)

I’m old ,,,, I did !

69 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:03:53am

re: #65 ziggyelman

GMTA?

Great Minds Think Alike.

70 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:03am

re: #65 ziggyelman

GMTA?

Great
Minds
Think
Alike

71 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:13am

re: #66 MarkX

No problem… just subtract a zero from everything in the Dim budget….

Just one?

72 MarkX  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:19am

So what?

… damned if they have a detailed plan…. damned if they don’t….

73 vagabond trader  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:33am

How difficult are conservative principals to articulate? Small government, fiscal conservatism should be the mantra, then explain why the spending mess The Obama wants will bankrupt this country.

Punch drunk they be.

74 axegrinder  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:38am

re: #63 unrealizedviewpoint

I bet the dems were thinking similarly when Newt was doing his best work.

Newt is awesome. I don’t know why he doesn’t run. If the GOP could find a way to be less bible thumping and more fiscally conservative while promoting ETHICS rather then morals I think they would attract more support.

75 cminmn  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:04:42am

Time for them to go. The GOP needs to flush the toilet and get new blood. Bobby Jindahl is not the answer.

76 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:05:13am

re: #64 axegrinder

I remember Perot whimping out over some threat to his daughter’s wedding. It was incredible. I can’t believe he’d do something like that and be serious about running for president. He lost a lot of respect after that boondoggle.

I was never more excited about politics in my life as when I was able to sign up to get him on the ballot in Florida. He had Dems and Republican folks on board early in his campaign. And he blew it completely.
IF he had become president, it probably would have been a disaster, except it would have scared the living shit out of both parties…

77 MarkX  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:05:25am

re: #71 MandyManners

Just one?

It’s a start…. $100 billion slashed to $10 billion… works for me….

78 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:05:31am

re: #41 alegrias Have you seen the proposed Dem budget yet? Have you seen anything they propose cutting SPENDING on? Obama has proposed - if the MSM has it right - a budget which calls for a DEFICIT of over ONE AND ONE-HALF TRILLION DOLLARS. That is, his budget CALLS for that.

79 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:05:34am

re: #38 kansas

.
It is interesting that there is more journalistic interest in Republican numbers that won’t make a bit of difference than there seems to be in the numbers of the majority.

* * * *
EXACTLY. How much analysis of Pelosi/Obama’s monster morbidly obese budget did we get?

Lying Democrats don’t even want to ADMIT their numbers are QUADRILLIONS incalculably exponentially exuberant.

They get let off the hook.

80 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:00am

The biggest problem I see with forming a 3rd party is apathy. I meet/know very few people who are either well informed or who care to be. When people blindly follow the MSM and refuse to do the simple work of studying their leadership, when they can’t find the time to go vote, when they are eagerly lining up for freebies, no 3rd party has a chance. It’s a large part of why the Repubs seem to have no chance. People are woefully uninformed and happy to be that way as long as the gov’t check keeps coming.

81 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:15am

re: #74 axegrinder

Newt is awesome. I don’t know why he doesn’t run. If the GOP could find a way to be less bible thumping and more fiscally conservative while promoting ETHICS rather then morals I think they would attract more support.

Newt? Heck, when Newt was elected Speaker, Time mag had a cover that said “The Gingrich Who Stole Christmas.” Newt would be an excellent way to assure a Republican loss.

82 Haverwilde  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:21am

Perot made a good showing for all his problems. If he had had any charisma he would have won. It doesn’t take as much money as one would think to win.

83 Desert Dog  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:29am

re: #49 Haverwilde

There is no future for the GOP. It is time to give them their ‘last rites’ and get moving with the alternative. This is the perfect time for it with both mainline parties controlled by ass*oles.
The vast intelligent majority of Americans would welcome an honest alternative.

I seem to remember saying the same thing about the Democrats a few years ago. The Republicans will be back because the Democrats are going to screw up bad. What did the Democrats do to win the past two elections? Not much. The electorate was weary of Republican rule and the phenomenon of Obama was it. I submit it was not ideas that put the Dems in power right now. They wandered in the wilderness for years with nothing new to offer. They still offer nothing new. So, IMHO, the electorate will also grow weary of the Dems and their policies and the Republicans SHOULD be able to return to power IF they stick to their basic beliefs.

84 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:34am

re: #74 axegrinder

Newt is awesome. I don’t know why he doesn’t run. If the GOP could find a way to be less bible thumping and more fiscally conservative while promoting ETHICS rather then morals I think they would attract more support.


That entire “he gave his wife divorce papers on her death bed” meme won’t allow most moderates( who he or anyone else would need ) to vote for him

Romney has the same problem becuase he’s (GASP) a Mormon

85 Randall Gross  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:50am

I have to agree, I read this again last night, it’s really standard platitudes laced together with the intent of attack on the Dem budget, however attacks work best when there is substance, heft, and weight behind them. It’s not a hardball budget, it’s whiffleball.

86 Killer Tomato  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:06:50am

The Democrats are running amok like a bunch of teenagers throwing an out of control house party while the parents are out of town.

Judging from the response from the Republicans, the parents are on an extended trip.

87 debutaunt  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:08am

re: #34 realwest

Well I did say this was a repost from the last thread. Take a look at Killgore Trout’s comments and see what I mean.
And if “glee” is too strong a word for you, why do you think the Republicans are in this position? Cause all these otherwise bright guys are suddenly going stupid on us?
And I still haven’t seen any analysis of Obama’s “numbers” either.

I’d be gleeful if any politician could define the word Capitalism.

88 Bloodnok  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:26am

re: #74 axegrinder

Newt is awesome. I don’t know why he doesn’t run. If the GOP could find a way to be less bible thumping and more fiscally conservative while promoting ETHICS rather then morals I think they would attract more support.

I suspect his “Strongly Disapprove” ratings are too high to be a serious contender. Fair or not, the Dems successfully vilified him in the 90s and I doubt that’s worn off yet.

89 ErnieG  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:33am

To quote Glenn Reynolds: “The country’s in the very best of hands.”

90 pat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:35am

I stopped reading when i got to the Pelosi quotes. What a hack. And so very stupid.

91 FrogMarch  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:41am

We need to purge most of congress. I think term limits are in order. These people are supposed to work for us.

92 Desert Dog  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:07:46am

re: #82 Haverwilde

Perot made a good showing for all his problems. If he had had any charisma he would have won. It doesn’t take as much money as one would think to win.

All he did was elect Clinton…..Thank you H. Ross….NOT

93 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:02am

re: #81 kansas
Not to mention the hay they’d make out of Newt “seeing” another woman while his wife was dying of cancer - it’s ok, apparently, for Dems to do that, but they skewered Newt on that too.

94 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:08am

re: #65 ziggyelman

GMTA?

Give
Me
Two
Asprin
… i.e.: the Republican leadership has given Mandy a migraine

/heh

95 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:18am

re: #49 Haverwilde

There is no future for the GOP. It is time to give them their ‘last rites’ and get moving with the alternative. This is the perfect time for it with both mainline parties controlled by ass*oles.
The vast intelligent majority of Americans would welcome an honest alternative.

* * * *
Fragger defeatist thinking, no thanks.

96 LGoPs  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:19am

This is all so complex that neither side seems to be able to decipher it with a coherent policy. Much like the details of this meltdown were too complex due to the labrynthine financial schemes that were at its foundation.
Now is the time, I think, to lay down some basic, easily understandable principles that contrast the differences between the two parties so that the American people can see the different paths ahead of them.

97 lawhawk  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:38am

GOP has weeks to come up with an alternative and then they can’t even put up numbers. Nice. The media will filet them as usual, and deride their actions as obstructionist all while ignoring that the GOP now can’t even engage in any actions in the House or Senate to block legislation because they don’t have the numbers and because the Democrats are using every parliamentary trick to prevent debate.

But it’s not as though the GOP is alone in this game. The Democrats own spending plan is vaporware. The budget is determined to double the deficit in 4 years time, and that’s after doubling it this year. There is absolutely no attempt to reduce spending, and Obama’s entire plan for governance is expanding state spending beyond what anyone with a functioning neuron would believe to be fiscally responsible.

These same journalists who will rightfully snort over the GOP efforts will look the other way as the Democrats spend their way into oblivion.

The GOP failed bigtime because they got away from being fiscally responsible. They’re failing now because they just aren’t responsible.

And they’re quick on the heels of Democrats in that regards.

98 callahan23  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:52am

re: #65 ziggyelman

GMTA?

Next time you don’t know an acronym, copy it go to UrbanDictionary paste it there voìla. => GMTA = ‘great minds think alike’.
Very handy.

99 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:08:53am

re: #85 Thanos

It’s not a hardball budget, it’s whiffleball.

hollow, plastic, kiddie league, cheap, easily broken.

100 MandyManners  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:06am

SHE’S NOT DEAD YET.

101 MarkX  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:10am

re: #86 Killer Tomato

The Democrats are running amok like a bunch of teenagers throwing an out of control house party while the parents are out of town.

Judging from the response from the Republicans, the parents are on an extended trip.

Yeah… here’s a Master Card, full stocked fridge w/beer. and keys to a Corvette… and we’ll see you in a month….

102 Right Brain  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:10am

The GOP is where the Dems were 10 years ago, carrying some sort of fatal flaw.

103 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:18am

re: #41 alegrias

Unfortunately for us all, a 19 page outline of beliefs, though good for raw motivation of a populous already predisposed to your vision, is a wet noodle when needing to pierce the shield of an entrenched enemy political machine that still has a large amount of the population behind them, no matter how wrong we may know them to be.

The Republican leadership needs to come out with a political juggernaut, because they just aren’t going to advance far with their little disorganized political torpedo boats. In the last year they have ended up hitting themselves half the time.

104 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:34am

re: #87 debutaunt
Well Rudy Guiliani (you remember him, don’t ya?) did say on some talk show that the Chinese Communists were trying to tell Obama how to be a capitalist!

105 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:37am

re: #93 realwest

Hey, here’s a real losing ticket. Gingrich/Palin. The whack a mole candidates. Kos and Huffpo would have fun though. On a high note, Olbermann’s head might explode.

106 unrealizedviewpoint  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:37am

re: #78 realwest

Have you seen the proposed Dem budget yet? Have you seen anything they propose cutting SPENDING on? Obama has proposed - if the MSM has it right - a budget which calls for a DEFICIT of over ONE AND ONE-HALF TRILLION DOLLARS. That is, his budget CALLS for that.

How much is ONE AND ONE-HALF TRILLION DOLLARS?
Folks can’t wrap there minds around it. So they ignore it, hoping for the best. It’ll go away all right.

107 Kronocide  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:09:52am

I got an idea. Print up a booklet of pages saying “Doh!” in 72 pt font, say, 1200 of them.

108 lawhawk  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:10:09am

re: #78 realwest

It’s not just the media. The CBO - Peter Orzsag says that the WH budgets will create even bigger deficits than claimed - and they’re already frakking huge. No one in government is showing the slightest bit of regard for taxpayers, except as to how much more of their wallets they can liberate from the very people who make America great.

109 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:11:07am

re: #106 unrealizedviewpoint

How much is ONE AND ONE-HALF TRILLION DOLLARS?
Folks can’t wrap there minds around it. So they ignore it, hoping for the best. It’ll go away all right.

People think 400 billion is less than 1 and 1/2 trillion, and I kid you not.

110 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:11:20am

re: #50 itellu3times

Yeah, I’m sure that’s what they told each other, too.

But when the house is on fire, having some wiseguy show up with a book on prevention, is just a little too cute.

* * * *
More “wiseguys” talking “prevention” should have voted, but Obama had 8% more PORKULUS pushers voting for his Santa Claus schtick of giveaway, redistribution politics.

111 Bloodnok  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:11:22am

re: #91 FrogMarch

We need to purge most of congress. I think term limits are in order. These people are supposed to work for us.

What would we have said if Barry Goldwater had been forced to step aside because of term limits? It’s cutting off the nose to spite the face. We need good people to stay IN, not just bad ones to go OUT.

112 pat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:11:31am

Part of the problem is the GOP is attempting to make a ‘responsive’ budget. Instead they should simply create a budget and a 19 page index and power point. Use the 2006 budget as the basis and then update static spending and add stimulus, and subtract cuts.

113 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:11:35am

re: #97 lawhawk

Republican creationists hate science.

So now, Republicans are anti-math, too?

Country club hacks, have another martini, Ralph, just the image they need to project into a financial crisis.

/NOT

114 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:12:12am

re: #80 Researcher…MO

The biggest problem I see with forming a 3rd party is apathy. I meet/know very few people who are either well informed or who care to be. When people blindly follow the MSM and refuse to do the simple work of studying their leadership, when they can’t find the time to go vote, when they are eagerly lining up for freebies, no 3rd party has a chance. It’s a large part of why the Repubs seem to have no chance. People are woefully uninformed and happy to be that way as long as the gov’t check keeps coming.

Sounds just about right…sadly enough. Robert Reich wanted to do away with poor folks paying S.S. and Medicare taxes…you know that’s going to come back. Make sure more and more people don’t have to pay any taxes, and remember to vote for those kindly Dems that are looking out for you..

115 pat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:12:14am

re: #97 lawhawk

Exactly. Pork is not a budget.

116 axegrinder  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:12:42am

re: #81 kansas

Newt? Heck, when Newt was elected Speaker, Time mag had a cover that said “The Gingrich Who Stole Christmas.” Newt would be an excellent way to assure a Republican loss.

Yeah, Time Magazine. That bastion of impartial political reporting. Newt actually has what most Repub. hopefuls lack. Experience. Your right, he’d probably lose. But so will just about anybody running against the ONE. That guy has all the MSM spooging just thinking about him. It’s scary.

117 [deleted]  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:12:47am
118 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:13:42am

re: #87 debutaunt

I’d be gleeful if any politician could define the word Capitalism.

Capitalism? Why that’s what we do inside the capital, right? Typical congressman or woman today.

119 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:14:13am

re: #52 LGoPs

Where is Mitt Romney? I’d love to see his take on what needs to be done.

* * * *
Mitt Romney’s going to speak to the Virginia GOP convening in Richmond, Virginia. Deep democrat country. Mitt Romney’s focused on encouraging Republicans to stay on the ball, not fragging them and defeating the party from the inside.

120 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:14:27am

re: #103 horse
Well ok, see here’s where I have a problem. All I’ve seen of the Dem budget - and remember to be fair this IS from the MSM - is that the proposed budget has a BUILT IN DEFICIT of over 1+ 1/2 TRILLION DOLLARS. And the only cuts are in the defense part of their budget.
Without a line by line breakdown of their budget how do you criticize it or analyze it?
Yet the Republicans are supposed to come up with their own version of the Federal Budget?

121 yesandno  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:14:29am

Congress has been the problem,
Congress will be the problem.

We need to vote them all out.

At any point, the Congress could have done something differently and we can go back 20 years on that. Without the Congress, a President has problems getting a bunch of things done. And when Congress passes something that the President should, but doesn’t veto, the country gets screwed twice.

CONGRESS IS THE PROBLEM when it comes to spending. and we get first whack at them. Then on to the Presidency in 2012.

And I don’t care if they are GOP or Dem or Whatever. Someone needs to get their act together before they jump out to claim the prize.

Idiots.

122 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:14:48am

re: #96 LGoPs

But the vast majority of the American people aren’t looking! That is a HUGE part of the problem. Try to say anything anti-union in front of a union member, even a laid off union member who hasn’t actually worked for a union for YEARS, and they shut down. It’s like a Pavlovian response. There is no logic, no reason, no nothing that will penetrate. And that goes for all too many people, union or not! They have a basic lack of either education of comprehension skills, and nothing you can do will change that. They don’t want to be educated, they don’t want to be involved, as long as their basic needs are met, they DON’T CARE. We’ll see what happens once the basics are not longer met either.

123 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:16:13am

Some of the Republican leadership’s behavior reminds me of lunchtime and recess in junior high school.

124 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:17:12am

re: #48 alegrias

* * * *
This is idiotic, when there is definitely a Pelosi PIRATE crew in charge of our ship of state, plundering its way to the Bermuda Triangle.

Repubs are locked up in the hold of the ship.

True, but they refuse to use the keys in their hands to let themselves out and do the difficult job of retaking the ship. Perhaps for fear that if they fail they may have to walk the political plank. They seem to act as if in the brig they will at least survive a little longer on the meager gruel Pelosi feeds them.

Frankly, I just do not understand the Republican leadership’s actions vs. beliefs. And it appears they don’t understand either.

125 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:17:21am

re: #72 MarkX

So what?

… damned if they have a detailed plan…. damned if they don’t….

* * * *
It’s as if people PREFER Pelosi’s PORKULUS FATFEST, than slimfast GOP diet.

126 CyanSnowHawk  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:17:31am

re: #59 sattv4u2

re: #51 MandyManners

Until campaing contributions are limited to a cap on individuals and NO PAC or cooperate monies, a 3rd pary won’t happen. The Repubs and Dems are too big $$$$$$$$$$ to be overtaken

That’s why it will take a long time, and why the Reform party was the most likely to emerge as a viable alternative. It died when the oddly charismatic figure that started it pulled back and the factions tried to take over.

But then it does all come down to the money, doesn’t it.

127 [deleted]  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:17:56am
128 godfrey  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:18:00am

The deficit will be addressed by supranational government run by your betters, plebes.

129 kansas  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:18:11am

As a result of earth hour 88 billion people turned off their lights. All power companies lost that amount of revenue, so had to raise their rates to cover the losses. Thanks a lot. I don’t know that, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

130 axegrinder  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:18:55am

re: #101 MarkX

Yeah… here’s a Master Card, full stocked fridge w/beer. and keys to a Corvette… and we’ll see you in a month….

-extra box of condoms in your Mom’s underwear drawer. Be sure to restock before we get back. Have fun.

131 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:19:12am

So, the media is dumping all over this, what a surprise. Can you imagine how much more the media would dump on Republicans if they did provide specific numbers, reflecting the hard choices that need to be made? Why should they cut their own throats by providing the ammunition to shoot themselves when any specific alternatives they might propose don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of being adopted or even considered?

/last time I checked, it wasn’t the responsibility of the party out of power to be in the business of submitting budgets anyway

132 alegrias  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:19:56am

re: #81 kansas

Newt? Heck, when Newt was elected Speaker, Time mag had a cover that said “The Gingrich Who Stole Christmas.” Newt would be an excellent way to assure a Republican loss.

* * * *
Especially since the media and class warfarer much prefer SANTA CLAUS as President.

133 baier  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:20:31am

I guess it was just too much work to crunch the numbers.
This is pathetic. The GOP is grandstanding and running around like a headless chicken. They GOP should be killing the Dems right now, and what do they do? They issue some vague (I read it) budget with no specifics. What a bunch of idiots. I’m seriously so disappointed right now.

134 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:20:58am

re: #108 lawhawk
Lawhawk - I’m saying this for about the eleventymillionth time: WHAT IS THE DEMOCRATIC BUDGET?
All I’ve seen are the same numbers you’ve seen - gross numbers and some vague talk about cutting the defense budget. And I’m NOT talking about the damned “Stimulus” Plan or TARP, I mean the proposed FY 2009 BUDGET. How much is going to the Commerce Department? DHS? And yet the Republicans are supposed to come up with an answer to that budget or their own budget. That’s not how the game has historically been played: the party in power proposes a budget, the party out of power analyzes it and offers a response.

135 FamHistoryGuy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:22:14am

re: #62 ziggyelman

I have to quit playing 1930’s music while taking my meds in the wee hours of the morning.

136 brandon13  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:22:32am

re: #129 kansas

As a result of earth hour 88 billion people turned off their lights. All power companies lost that amount of revenue, so had to raise their rates to cover the losses. Thanks a lot. I don’t know that, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

That was offset by the idiots who turned on every appliance they had in the house to counter it.

137 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:22:43am

re: #131 Killian Bundy
SPOT ON POST.

138 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:22:54am

And Herein lies the problem

DEMS and “Progressives” and are all united behind the socialist agenda laid out by Obama/Rahm/Pelosi/Reid/MSM cabal

Meanwhile, Republicans and Conservatives are squabbling because McCain was too old and centrist, Rudy is too liberal on some issues, Newt is not liberal enough, Romney is a MORMON, Jindal signed a NON MANDATORY law allowing individual teachers to introduce ID in science class, Palin is too hick-y, Huckabee is too religious ,,,, etc etc !

139 Athos  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:23:30am

re: #123 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Some of the Republican leadership’s behavior reminds me of lunchtime and recess in junior high school.

Exactly. From contacts that I have regarding the R’ Congressional leadership - there almost seems to be an institutional fear related to leading. It’s as if they are unwilling to step up and define a cogent, number-based, alternative to that of the Administration because they don’t want to get slapped by media or die via a thousand cuts of those they may disgruntle or fail to appease.

If all of this was projected as a parody of the emptiness of the Obama campaign - hope and change without detail, then perhaps one can see this as less juvenile than it was - but the saddest part is that the leadership was perfectly comfortable to announce an alternative of nothing to contrast Obama’s budget.

What can we say, the leaders without balls or brains brought us a budget without numbers.

140 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:23:35am

re: #129 kansas

As a result of earth hour 88 billion people turned off their lights. All power companies lost that amount of revenue, so had to raise their rates to cover the losses. Thanks a lot. I don’t know that, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Is that what’s known as Pelosi math? ;)

141 Researcher...MO  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:24:05am

PIMF
OR comprehension skills

142 ziggyelman  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:25:28am

re: #135 FamHistoryGuy

I have to quit playing 1930’s music while taking my meds in the wee hours of the morning.

You must get interesting visions with that combo! Listening to some modern music right now, Ella at Decca, circa 1950.

143 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:25:55am

re: #133 baier
Well then how’s about telling us what you think of the Democratic Budget? You remember - the party in power who is supposed to come up with a budget in the first place?
How do you think the Democrats did, “crunching the numbers” - other than budgeting a ONE AND ONE-HALF TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. BUDGETING FOR THAT.
Do you think the Dems are proposing enough money for Homeland Security? Defense? Commerce?

144 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:25:56am

re: #139 Athos

Well put — and thanks for the first paragraph!

145 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:27:20am

re: #120 realwest

Agreed, it isn’t fair, but they know it isn’t fair and should be prepared to have something tangible. When in public, they have to be twice as good as the democrats. If they are not aware of this, then they are all truly doomed.

Having some numbers for the broad categories based on historical precedents and estimated current needs could have been done in a relatively short time over the last few months. Estimating summary budgets isn’t difficult. They have had the resources and time to have an outline for a reasonable plan, including estimates for what is needed to get the ship going in the right direction. They either have a plan and won’t share the details, or they don’t have a plan with details. Either way, they failed, we pay.

146 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:27:34am

re: #137 realwest

SPOT ON POST.

They should have just ignored the bait in the first place.

/nothing good can come from a Republican minority submitting a proposed budget, it’s a pointless exercise in futility

147 Athos  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:28:11am

re: #131 Killian Bundy

You make a good point, but the purpose of the party out of power is to undertake the steps needed to return or gain power. That means that the focus has to be on articulating an alternative vision and approach that will go farther and better to address the nation’s challenges than presented by the party in power.

To worry about being targets or to provide ammunition to the large scale elements of the MSM to take shots at you is all part of leadership. Guess what, even without providing ammunition, they are going to attempt to marginalize you and take shots at you. Fearing action because of a robust counter does nothing but show the lack of leadership potential you have and that ultimately you are frozen by fear and lack the conviction of your positions.

If one is going to be damned if they do and damned if they don’t, it’s far better to do.

148 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:29:26am

re: #145 horse
Well

Having some numbers for the broad categories based on historical precedents and estimated current needs could have been done in a relatively short time over the last few months. Estimating summary budgets isn’t difficult. They have had the resources and time to have an outline for a reasonable plan, including estimates for what is needed to get the ship going in the right direction. They either have a plan and won’t share the details, or they don’t have a plan with details. Either way, they failed, we pay.

I wasn’t talking about the Democrats, ya know the party in power who is supposed to propose the first detailed budget but hasn’t yet?

149 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:30:23am

re: #127 Iron Fist

Exactly! Even if they bumbled their way to retaking the ship, there is no guarantee we wouldn’t still fail to make our destination.

150 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:31:53am

re: #147 Athos
Athos my friend

That means that the focus has to be on articulating an alternative vision and approach that will go farther and better to address the nation’s challenges than presented by the party in power.

the only problem with that is that it’s hard to come up with an alternative to NOTHING. The Dems have NOT as far as I know, presented a BUDGET to Congress.

151 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:32:58am

re: #147 Athos

You make a good point, but the purpose of the party out of power is to undertake the steps needed to return or gain power. That means that the focus has to be on articulating an alternative vision and approach that will go farther and better to address the nation’s challenges than presented by the party in power.

They should use a broad brush. There’s absolutely no good reason to offer hypothetical, legislatively dead on arrival specifics.

/there’s political death in them thar details

152 Edouard  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:33:19am

re: #48 alegrias

* * * *
This is idiotic, when there is definitely a Pelosi PIRATE crew in charge of our ship of state, plundering its way to the Bermuda Triangle.

Repubs are locked up in the hold of the ship.

Only problem is that Pelosi thinks she’s sailing the Golden Hind into Paradise.

She’s too hopelessly obtuse to see that her ship is actually a rat-infested bilge-pumper, sailing straight to hell.

153 FamHistoryGuy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:33:37am

re: #142 ziggyelman

Amazing how the head in the sand attitudes are the same. The biggest difference is the music was much, much better.

154 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:33:58am

re: #148 realwest

Well

I wasn’t talking about the Democrats, ya know the party in power who is supposed to propose the first detailed budget but hasn’t yet?

And neither was I. Just because the democrats are failing while in power doesn’t excuse the republican leadership from failing to prepare while out of power. The need solutions people can get behind other than, to borrow Iron Fist’s phrase, and “we suck less” is not a solution.

155 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:34:20am

re: #150 realwest
And btw, while they had no numbers, I think that 19 page document did articulate an alternative philosphically. CUT SPENDING. CUT TAXES. DON’T CREATE A ‘NANNY STATE’ where no one fails, but no one (except the party in power’s elite) succeeds either.

156 Killer Tomato  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:34:29am

realwest -
Then someone needs to get out front and state “we would like to comment on and offer alternatives to the 2009 budget proposed by the party in power, but we have yet to see a detailed budget, even though we are almost into the second quarter of the year! We cannot critique this unprecedented spending of taxpayers monies, details of which the Democrats have thus far kept secret from the public.”

157 horse  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:34:47am

re: #154 horse

The* = They

158 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:35:47am

re: #151 Killian Bundy

They should use a broad brush. There’s absolutely no good reason to offer hypothetical, legislatively dead on arrival specifics.

/there’s political death in them thar details

Yet many of “us” (repubs and conservatives) used very narrow parameters to NOT vote for a Pres candidate this past fall (please see my 138 for the list and “reasons”)

159 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:37:00am

re: #155 realwest

And btw, while they had no numbers, I think that 19 page document did articulate an alternative philosphically. CUT SPENDING. CUT TAXES. DON’T CREATE A ‘NANNY STATE’ where no one fails, but no one (except the party in power’s elite) succeeds either.

You just said it in two lines, so what’s the 19 pages about?

160 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:37:09am

re: #156 Killer Tomato
I couldn’t agree with you more. Who do you think on the Republican side should be saying this?

161 jvic  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:38:09am

re: #117 Iron Fistre: #117 Iron Fist

We are fucked. That’s the long and the short of it.

Maybe, maybe not.

In the 1970s the post-Watergate GOP looked mortally wounded.

Things also looked bad for the country The future looked like it belonged to the Soviet Union. Then it looked like it belonged to the Japanese. (And now it supposedly belongs to the Chinese.)

It’s hard to hold the fort when you’re completely surrounded and no reinforcements seem to exist, let alone to be on the way.

162 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:40:56am

re: #158 sattv4u2

Yet many of “us” (repubs and conservatives) used very narrow parameters to NOT vote for a Pres candidate this past fall (please see my 138 for the list and “reasons”)

There’s a time and a place for everything and offering a specific budget alternative as the party out of power is a battle that can only go badly for Republicans. Look at the reaction to this outline.

/it’d get picked apart and slammed by the media and ridiculed and ignored by the Bonkeys, so what’s the point?

163 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:41:33am

re: #131 Killian Bundy

/last time I checked, it wasn’t the responsibility of the party out of power to be in the business of submitting budgets anyway

It’s the opportunity to show some constructive criticism, which Obambi has solicited many times, no matter how hypocritically. It’s the opportunity to show the public what they’re missing. If anything. So far, it looks like nothing and all the Dems are jumping on this with both feet.

Indeed, I will even endorse another Obambi/leftwad claim, that much of this grew up under Republican administrations and Republican dogma of free markets, and besides the NUMBERS, Republicans have a need to present a detailed proposal for how they want to prevent the same thing from happening again in the future.

164 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:41:42am

Well ok, now I do have to go and do something other than fulminate about Obama, the Democrats, and how America has been hijacked by a bunch of know-nothing, done nothing (except cheat on their income taxes) folks who are giving the masses the bread and circuses routine while we stand around criticizing the OTHER SIDE.
We suck less is NOT much of a slogan, but it’s true and in point of fact we suck less because we believe in smaller government, more individual responsibility, not less, capitalism and cutting government spending and taxes.
Hope I get the chance to see y’all down the road.

165 brandon13  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:42:11am

re: #155 realwest

And btw, while they had no numbers, I think that 19 page document did articulate an alternative philosphically. CUT SPENDING. CUT TAXES. DON’T CREATE A ‘NANNY STATE’ where no one fails, but no one (except the party in power’s elite) succeeds either.

But that still brings nothing new to the table. Everyone already knows that is the philosophy the Republicans attempt to portray themselves as having. A press conference wasn’t needed for that.

167 itellu3times  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:43:25am

re: #162 Killian Bundy

There’s a time and a place for everything and offering a specific budget alternative as the party out of power is a battle that can only go badly for Republicans. Look at the reaction to this outline.

/it’d get picked apart and slammed by the media and ridiculed and ignored by the Bonkeys, so what’s the point?

Does not follow.

Any real budget gets picked apart and ridiculed, too. Are you saying the Republicans couldn’t do it even if in office?

168 sattv4u2  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:44:46am

re: #162 Killian Bundy

so what’s the point?

To start showing that there are 2 distinct choices. To lay the groundwork for 2010 and 2012. To alter the thought that “whats the use,, they’re both the same”

169 realwest  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:45:13am

re: #163 itellu3times
Hadda come back for that one

Indeed, I will even endorse another Obambi/leftwad claim, that much of this grew up under Republican administrations and Republican dogma of free markets, and besides the NUMBERS, Republicans have a need to present a detailed proposal for how they want to prevent the same thing from happening again in the future.

well we could prevent it by not fighting two wars contemporaneously, not having to provide (and continue to provide) relief to Americans ravaged by hurricanes and not vetoing spending bills which the DONKS loaded up with shit, just to make sure the troops in the field had food and ammo.

Good day to y’all.

170 Athos  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:46:13am

re: #151 Killian Bundy

They should use a broad brush. There’s absolutely no good reason to offer hypothetical, legislatively dead on arrival specifics.

/there’s political death in them thar details

In some of the details, perhaps, but details are needed in terms of getting the message across and in particular the pain of the changes that are needed in order to restore some order.

Details do provide ammunition but details also provide answers and information to move the dialogue and contrasts forward. One of the problems that led to the loss of R Congressional leadership was the lack of transparency and details.

171 Kronocide  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:50:16am

re: #117 Iron Fist

(D-al Qaeda)

Nice!

172 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:52:34am

re: #167 itellu3times

Any real budget gets picked apart and ridiculed, too. Are you saying the Republicans couldn’t do it even if in office?

No, then they have to, it’s their responsibility.

/Republicans can criticize, compare and contrast, and fight the specifics of the Bonkey budget, without putting out a full, detailed alternative budget that accomplishes exactly nothing with Pelosi and Reid in control of Congress and only serves to shift the focus away from Obama’s hideous budget

173 whattheheck  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 10:56:12am

The article said that the details weren’t scheduled for release until next week. I understand that The Hill has leftist leanings and wants to present the spectacle as pathetic, why does LGF tip that way too?

174 Killian Bundy  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 11:04:13am

This thread is a perfect example, what are we doing here? We’re piling on a Republican budget that doesn’t even exist and won’t ever be enacted by a Bonkey Congress anyway, instead of attacking and criticizing the Obama/Bonkey budget that, in one form or another, will be signed into law.

/Axelrod/Emanuel you magnificent bastards!

175 pre-Boomer Marine brat  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 11:04:37am

re: #173 whattheheck

The article said that the details weren’t scheduled for release until next week. I understand that The Hill has leftist leanings and wants to present the spectacle as pathetic, why does LGF tip that way too?

Criticism here does NOT imply leftist leanings.

176 Edouard  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 11:12:38am

re: #173 whattheheck

Nobody’s “tipping left” here. If Republican leadership can’t get pull their heads out of their asses and get their response adequately worked out and communicated effectively, they HAVE to be called out on it.

Should we NOT demand excellence from congressional Republicans?

Should we NOT demand that they get their shit together?

177 Dr. Shalit  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 11:12:51am

re: #52 LGoPs

Where is Mitt Romney? I’d love to see his take on what needs to be done.

LGoPs -

Yup, MITT is about the best “workout” guy there is. Actually had an Olympics Games make money.

-S-

178 brent  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 11:59:26am

I saw that press conference, and I had to change the channel - how f*cking stupid to stand there without numbers? They are letting the Dems change the debate to how the Republicans are just against Obama, how they don’t have a plan of their own.

And they are right, if only when it mattered.

Seriously, they looked pathetic, standing there and saying “wait until next week, oh boy will it be great next week….”. Seriously, I am shopping for a pitchfork on amazon as I type this….

/Flounder off

179 Gus  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:10:46pm

The Republican Party was premature in releasing the “Repulican Road to Recovery” which was a general outline focusing more on criticizing the Democratic agenda and as others had pointed out in a previous thread here at LGF: lacked specifics and numbers.

The end result of this was not only noted by The Hill but many other news outlets including a blog at National Review’s The Corner.

The “Republican Road to Recovery” did not even remotely resemble an alternative budget let alone a serious outline focusing on Republican ideas. Presenting this document at an organized press conference under the guise of a Republican budget and then appear without any hard number was inexcusable.

180 Pupdawg  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:19:31pm

re: #41 alegrias

The GOP’s skinny 19 page document is more of an agenda, AND a big contrast to the 5,000 page, 50 pounder Pelosi PORKULUS. Republicans CAN’T dictate numbers because THEY LOST the election.

19 pages is like Thomas Payne’s “Common Sense” document, something you can read & understand in principle. Smaller government, less spending, get it?
A slim contract with America, instead of the death warrant to our economy the Dems are doing to us.

Who here defends Democrats’ derelict PLUNDERING PLANS?

Exactly!

As a point of interest to me at least, I’d like to know how many of our duly elected Congress people have actually read the 5,000 page monstrosity? I know Mr. TOTUS has not and doubt seriously if Pelosi and her fellow Democrats who hawked the bullshit have either or the turncoat Republicans who supported it for that matter.

Its true revelations will come like acid rain for many, many decades. This one event combined with a POTUS who actively works toward the destruction of this America may well be that defining moment, the beginning of our demise not unlike that of the Soviet Union.

Dark times. Sad actually.

181 jvic  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:35:38pm

Maybe the GOP’s problem is that they won Congress at the beginning of the peace dividend & holiday from history. They take these conditions as facts of nature.

The Democrats also take them as facts of nature, but their time as the minority has made them hungrier and more politically adroit than the Republicans. Unfortunately for the country, they seem even less fit to govern.

182 Paul  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:37:00pm

That press conference was the saddest hour in what has been a very sad year. We’re going to have to live with an imploded Republican Party that has no alternatives, no answers and no ability to resist economic catastrophe. This isn’t leadership, these dopes might as well be on the Dem payroll.

183 Catttt  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:47:09pm

Earth to our elected legislators!

Reading! Studying! Post-its! Whiteboards! Notes! Number crunching! Aides with the answer! Outlook tasking! To-do lists!

No style. No substance. No real.

184 mfarmer1  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 12:59:26pm

It could have been a one page document and actual numbers wouldn’t have mattered:

Republican Budget Proposal:

1) In real dollars, no more money will be spent in total by the federal government than was spent in 2007. Whatever true dollar cuts need to be made shall be equally applied across the board to all federal agencies. This spending amount shall remain constant for the next four years. Deal with it.

2) A personal income flat tax of 15% with no more deductions of any kind whatsoever shall be implemented immediately and it doesn’t matter how much money you earn.

3) The Department of Education is hereby eliminated. Somehow we educated ourselves from the nation’s beginning until 1979 without it. More to follow.

4) The FDIC is toast. The American public is responsible for its own investments. If you don’t want to take a risk, put your money in coffee cans or inside your mattress. This will force legitimacy in the investment world and weed out the bs and thieves as they compete for your hard earned dough.

5) If you can sufficiently handle the menagerie of bureaucratic paperwork in a welfare office and are proficient using an all in one remote control with a big screen tv, you do not qualify for any government assistance.

6) If you are in this country illegally you are subject to deportation at any time. Until then, you are not entitled to one penny of taxpayer money.

7) Europe and Japan are now responsible for their own defense. We will stay if you wish at the going rate.

8) American car manufacturers are hereby relieved of all regulations imposed by the federal government. You are now free to build whatever the hell you think the public will buy for whatever price you think will attract consumers. Ditto that for the rest of our industries for that matter.

9) No taxpayer money will be used for any far fetched green power initiatives until fifty new nuclear power stations are built and operational.

10) We will actively work to amend the Constitution as follows: Amendment XXVIII: “Fucking lawyers are hereby banned from elected office.”

185 Olderthandirt  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 1:43:51pm

re: #184 mfarmer1

Change to item #10: “Lawyers are hereby banned from any office for the federal, state, and local governments.”

Also, prohibit any member of the GOP from appearing in public until that person has demonstrated competence in reading, writing, mathematics, and in public speaking. Democrats shall remain exempt from this addition clause.

186 whattheheck  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 1:49:38pm

I don’t need smooth legislators with a sweet presentation that appeals to the masses. I find it astonishing that the MSM can so easily get conservatives or republicans to form a circular firing squad.
Turbo tax Tim fell on his face weeks ago, I didn’t see our opponents disintegrate. Why is it we let the MSM change our perceptions about our legislative leaders?

187 kynna  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 1:51:08pm

Ego > intellect = FAIL

188 Emerald  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 2:21:59pm

re: #43 Bloodnok

re: #44 CyanSnowHawk
Oh, it’s wishful thinking. I know the hurdles any third party faces. The amount of money necessary, not having it taken over by kooks, the apathy or inertia of the majority of voters who see it as a wasted vote.

189 Boxy_brown  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 2:22:35pm

re: #186 whattheheck

I find it astonishing that the MSM can so easily get conservatives or republicans to form a circular firing squad.

I do as well. We call each other RINO, talk about inventing a “new party” (never mind the hundreds of millions of dollars involved or the decades it would take) or purging everyone who doesn’t adhere to a draconian litmus test laid out by people who haven’t been elected to anything.

Meanwhile we have effectively HELPED the opposition to have unchecked power in this country and our children children will regret what we have allowed to happen.

190 jackfetch  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 6:45:11pm

Gah! I’m fed up with stories like this.

Seriously, one side is passing thousand page bills that not one single person has read, written by cramming everything every petty functionary wants into one big bill, and the other side is told, if you don’t like it, come up with your own… this week…

Now they write something up, without numbers, because… well… they’re not in a position to have concrete numbers, are they going to get budget info from the Administration? And they don’t have the time, I mean, seriously, grown-up governmental budgets aren’t written in a couple of days… And now because they had the gall to actually put something to paper after the “if you don’t like it make up your own” argument, we now have to say it’s not complete enough? We want our representatives spending millions upon millions of dollars putting together an alternative budget with numbers drilling down that stands exactly zero chance of being used for anything but a single press conference?

Or is there a bizarre belief that if the Republicans make a precise budget it will speed through Democratic controlled committees, make it through the Pelosi Firewall to the floor of the House, get passed by the overwhelming Democrat majority, move to the Senate, get out of the Democratic controlled committees there, onto the floor where the Democratic majority will join the Republicans and pass it there… then go to the White House, where the Administration that wrote the budget up that is being “rebutted” by this magical insta-budget will have a change of heart and sign it in?

The Democrats spend their time in the minority obstructing everything they can, laws, budgets, appointments, etc… and shouting to the press about losing wars, war crimes, spending sprees, etc etc… They ride this wave of irrationality into the majority, now the Republicans are supposed to quietly participate in the Democrat plans?

Personally, I think the Democrats are 100% correct. The only way to turn out enough people to vote your side in any more is painting the other side as the worst beings to walk the face of the Earth… ever.

Thank goodness the Democrats want to help with their uncontrolled public grandstanding on every side of every issue, their bizarrely juvenile pratfalls (“Overcharge” Button? seriously?), and their stern-faced insistence on the most absurd arguments: “Yes, the way out of the mortgage crisis is OBVIOUSLY greater investment in public education!”

Now is the time to do something to HELP the last few conservatives in Washington, NOT to dissect every action under a microscope and rip them to shreds whenever they try something daring.

191 right_in_canada  Sun, Mar 29, 2009 6:58:41pm

re: #13 WindHorse

they could all use a number……


I got a number for them …[no phone numbers allowed], advice/reassurance hotline for gutless GOP wimps, and wussies. Best time to call is 12-3 pm EST Mon.- Fri. ;-)

192 SalsaNChips  Mon, Mar 30, 2009 4:24:44am

Here’s some background music for the Minority Leader:

Entrance of the Gladiators


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