republicans play golf too

[Townsend]

Yep!

The fact that Republicans seem willing to compromise temporarily is an indication that neither side is willing to embrace a lasting budget plan.  The Democrats want to kick the can down the street, and now the Republicans are willing to kick it half way there.

Now, if they let the Democrats start spending against it immediately (beyond current budgetary requirement), we are all screwed!

Do you really think one side gives more of a crap than the other?

[Gaspar]

Do you really think one side gives more of a crap than the other?

I don't really care.  I just want them to give a crap about their employers . . .US!

[Townsend]

I don't really care.  I just want them to give a crap about their employers . . .US!

They care about outselling their opponent to the general populous.

If they're popular enough they get the money and support to stay in power.

They hope we choose sides and believe the press releases and spin.

They sell themselves like fast food places sell hamburgers.  Nothing's really all that good but we show support for one or the other even though no choice is healthy.

It's good that we all get attitudes about political burger.

[RecycleMichael]

Now, if they let the Democrats start spending against it immediately (beyond current budgetary requirement), we are all screwed!

Of course, the democrats are the only ones who spend money in your partisan world. It doesn't matter that the Congress is controlled by republicans.

[Gaspar]

They care about outselling their opponent to the general populous.

If they're popular enough they get the money and support to stay in power.

They hope we choose sides and believe the press releases and spin.

They sell themselves like fast food places sell hamburgers.  Nothing's really all that good but we show support for one or the other even though no choice is healthy.

It's good that we all get attitudes about political burger.

They were sent a message in 2010.  If they keep it up they will be sent another message. 

We ordered Fat Free, not Low-Fat!

. . .and RM, you are right, Democrats are not the only ones at fault.  Republicans have gone back to their old ways now that they think no one is watching.  They will pay for it too.  We can't afford whistling past the graveyard anymore when it comes to spending.

[Townsend]

They were sent a message in 2010.  If they keep it up they will be sent another message. 

Yes, I'm sure each time they "are sent a message" they are put into a furious tailspin of listening to the people lobbyists.

[Conan71]

It's a big CJ.  They are just taking turns plundering the Treasury.

[Gaspar]

It's a big CJ.  They are just taking turns plundering the Treasury.

+1

[nathanm]

We can't afford whistling past the graveyard anymore when it comes to spending.

Would you mind identifying the massive increases in spending Obama has rammed through? As best I can tell, using the actual numbers, most of our deficit is due to tax receipts being down and increased spending on safety net programs, as would be expected in a recession, and not new discretionary spending.

[Gaspar]

Would you mind identifying the massive increases in spending Obama has rammed through? As best I can tell, using the actual numbers, most of our deficit is due to tax receipts being down and increased spending on safety net programs, as would be expected in a recession, and not new discretionary spending.

"increased spending on safety net programs" 

In good times it is easy to spend money on rainy day dreams, but in a recession #1 priority should be the economy, not junkets of government projects labeled stimulus or massive healthcare outlays that must be paid on before they can even reach understanding. 

In good times it is easy to ignore waste, but in a recession #2 priority is to eliminate and streamline government programs so that the easily anticipated drop in revenue can be managed without inuring massive debt that would slow a natural recovery.

In good times it's easy to skim the cream by imposing tax upon tax upon regulation to sponge off of successful businesses and feed political desires or the purchase votes, but in a recession #3 priority is to let go of unnecessary control and lighten the load on all small businesses so that they have the extra revenue to grow, and the confidence that you are on their team, and serious about growing the economy.

Or. . .You could just take advantage of the crisis.  After all, you don't want it to go to waste!

[RecycleMichael]

Why don't you be specific?

Please show programs that Obama has increased spending and show what it equates to as a percentage of spending.

[nathanm]

Wow, that post was about as germane to what I wrote as one of sauerkraut's doozies. Good job.

Basically what you seemed to write is that we shouldn't have unemployment, Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, job training programs, and the like. Your belief in the propriety of such programs does not change the simple fact that your thesis is not on firm ground. You're beginning with an incorrect assumption and using that to blame Obama.

I'm not surprised that you can't wrap your head around the idea of deficit spending being stimulative to the private sector, given that your ideological wall doesn't permit you to see that part of the scene.

And just to remind you: You didn't answer the question.

[Gaspar]

Wow, that post was about as germane to what I wrote as one of sauerkraut's doozies. Good job.

Basically what you seemed to write is that we shouldn't have unemployment, Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, job training programs, and the like. Your belief in the propriety of such programs does not change the simple fact that your thesis is not on firm ground. You're beginning with an incorrect assumption and using that to blame Obama.

I'm not surprised that you can't wrap your head around the idea of deficit spending being stimulative to the private sector, given that your ideological wall doesn't permit you to see that part of the scene.

And just to remind you: You didn't answer the question.

Eventually you have to pay your credit cards.  So no, I cannot see deficit spending as being stimulative.  I see it as kicking the can.


I mean, I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.

[nathanm]

Eventually you have to pay your credit cards.  So no, I cannot see deficit spending as being stimulative.  I see it as kicking the can.


I mean, I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.

Have you ever heard of compounding? As in "compound interest" and "compound growth?" Every year we spend in a recession puts us that much further behind. Increasing the multiplier vastly increases future income, far beyond the deficit spending.

Abusing the treasury is when you keep deficit spending through periods of growth. That money is essentially thrown away. Much the same as the Laffer Curve being predictive at sufficiently high tax rates, but worthless at the low tax rates we have now.

[Ed W]

This pretty much sums it up:



Jobs?  What jobs?

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