Reid Says "We don't need a budget!"

[Townsend]

None of them are currently charged with presenting a responsible budget.

President Obama and Senator Reid have both been charged with that task.  They are abdicating a basic responsibility expected out of them by the voters who put them in office.

Sorry guys, I can't accept mediocrity, stupidity, and shirking of duties when another administration or opposing party's incompetence is used as some sort of justification.

Maybe the news I've heard about the budget proposal is different than what we've had on here.

Anyway, who's justifying?  The political bickering on here just seemed to need more bickering.

[heironymouspasparagus]

The filibuster does not apply in this case. In accordance with the Congressional Budget Control Act of 1974, a budget, under law, requires only 51 votes to pass the Senate.  The use of filibuster is not allowed.

Thanks for playing.

Awww.... got me!  Yep, I was looking at "the budget" as an entire process - wider in scope - including the bills required to implement the process.  Since we are concentrating on the minutia, then Lew and Reid are pretty much correct - there is not real need for a budget resolution.  It is after all, only a very sloppy wish list, with no force of law.  Just a warm-fuzzy feeling maker for people who concentrate on trivia.  (The important thing lurking in the background is the how much money is actually spent and on what.)

[Conan71]

Who needs a budget when you have a cart load of blank checks and a credit line of $15 trillion or so?  Give or take $5 trillion.

Any bets on when the president will return to Congress to ask for another borrowing limit raise?

[Townsend]

The GOP says "$100 billion?  Pfft, whatever, we're cool with it."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-gop-backup-payroll-tax-200140653.html

House GOP have backup on payroll tax


Personally, I'm glad they changed their mind...whether it was to save their jobs or not.

[Hoss]

None of them are currently charged with presenting a responsible budget.

President Obama and Senator Reid have both been charged with that task.  They are abdicating a basic responsibility expected out of them by the voters who put them in office.

Sorry guys, I can't accept mediocrity, stupidity, and shirking of duties when another administration or opposing party's incompetence is used as some sort of justification.

But I think that members of both parties can agree that the blame can be spread pretty evenly amongst most politicians of ALL political alignments.

Our gubmint is broken.  Has been for years.  Who has the cajones to step up and finally do something about it.  Until the lobbyist/special interest moneys are removed, I'm guessing nobody.

[heironymouspasparagus]

But I think that members of both parties can agree that the blame can be spread pretty evenly amongst most politicians of ALL political alignments.

Our gubmint is broken.  Has been for years.  Who has the cajones to step up and finally do something about it.  Until the lobbyist/special interest moneys are removed, I'm guessing nobody.

Truest words.

[Townsend]

The GOP says "$100 billion?  Pfft, whatever, we're cool with it."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-gop-backup-payroll-tax-200140653.html

House GOP have backup on payroll tax


Personally, I'm glad they changed their mind...whether it was to save their jobs or not.

AH, NM, the democrats won't allow it.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/for-now-senate-democrats-prefer-one-deal-for-payroll-tax-other-expiring-policies/

[Conan71]

But I think that members of both parties can agree that the blame can be spread pretty evenly amongst most politicians of ALL political alignments.

Our gubmint is broken.  Has been for years.  Who has the cajones to step up and finally do something about it.  Until the lobbyist/special interest moneys are removed, I'm guessing nobody.

Come on, you've got more creativity than that, Hoss.  That's another cop-out.  Be an activist and decry it instead of saying: "That's just the way it is, I think we should take it because we can't elect honest people."  Get pissed off and start writing letters.  That's how change happens.

At least you do recognize that party affiliation has nothing to do with the problems in government.  It's become a ruling class and the party system is simply a way for everyone to take turns milking bilking the system.

That still doesn't excuse our president and the majority leader of our Senate from performing the duties they are charged with by blaming a complete bogeyman in this case.  It's incredibly irresponsible and disrespectful to the American public.

[Townsend]

Come on, you've got more creativity than that, Hoss.  That's another cop-out.  Be an activist and decry it instead of saying: "That's just the way it is, I think we should take it because we can't elect honest people."  Get pissed off and start writing letters.  That's how change happens.

People try that and they get skewered by people who believe the lobbyists and special interests.

Pictures are posted of crazies and the opposition claims they are leaders or the average member of the group.

I'd imagine Hoss doesn't want a picture of some homeless crazy dude crapping on a cop car associated with him and his actions.

[Teatownclown]

Mind if I hack away at this?

Has a budget passed in the past 3 years? Does the President submit a budget and then Reid undercuts POTUS OBAMA?

It's quite remarkable watching the dolts.

A budget will pass in December or early January but, like you have all pointed out, for political reasons nothing before then.

I wouldn't say the system is broke. This follows in lock step with the culture war. We devote %45 of the budget towards social programs and that's where the hang ups occur as Defense and Entitlements are hands off. At least Defense will get efficiency cuts and maybe means testing becomes part of all entitlements. Then roll on back up the tax rates through retroactive sanctioning and we come out in decent shape.

Why the doom and gloom?

[Hoss]

Come on, you've got more creativity than that, Hoss.  That's another cop-out.  Be an activist and decry it instead of saying: "That's just the way it is, I think we should take it because we can't elect honest people."  Get pissed off and start writing letters.  That's how change happens.

At least you do recognize that party affiliation has nothing to do with the problems in government.  It's become a ruling class and the party system is simply a way for everyone to take turns milking bilking the system.

That still doesn't excuse our president and the majority leader of our Senate from performing the duties they are charged with by blaming a complete bogeyman in this case.  It's incredibly irresponsible and disrespectful to the American public.

I'm not trying to be creative here; simply stating a fact.  I tire of the 'he said, she said bs' and if you notice, have tried to stay out of the partisan BS as much as possible.  Our political system is broken.  I don't care at this point who takes the lead and fixes it, just FIX THE DAMN THING ALREADY!  I don't make enough money or have the political savvy to give a smile about how it gets done, because ultimately no one will listen to me anyway.  So in that sense it remains a waste of my time.

I'm leaving it to those smarter than I.  And believe it or not, there are many of you in here who think you are smart enough to fix it.  I'd disagree.  Not many here would be.

And Townie would be correct.  All the partisan blathering and mocking each other tires after a while.  Some of you guys might find it funny.  In some cases, I find it crass.  No matter who does what at some Tea Party rally or Occupy Whatever rally, guess what.  We're all citizens.  Let's try and act like it for a change.

[Conan71]

I wouldn't say the system is broke. This follows in lock step with the culture war. We devote %45 of the budget towards social programs and that's where the hang ups occur as Defense and Entitlements are hands off. At least Defense will get efficiency cuts and maybe means testing becomes part of all entitlements. Then roll on back up the tax rates through retroactive sanctioning and we come out in decent shape.

Why the doom and gloom?

That's kind of a new spin for you isn't it?  I thought you were the one who always talked about the broken government in D.C., or did I confuse you with another poster?  The "culture war" only exists for pimping votes.  I'd say that's pretty broken, TTC.

[Hoss]

Come on, you've got more creativity than that, Hoss.  That's another cop-out.  Be an activist and decry it instead of saying: "That's just the way it is, I think we should take it because we can't elect honest people."  Get pissed off and start writing letters.  That's how change happens.

At least you do recognize that party affiliation has nothing to do with the problems in government.  It's become a ruling class and the party system is simply a way for everyone to take turns milking bilking the system.

That still doesn't excuse our president and the majority leader of our Senate from performing the duties they are charged with by blaming a complete bogeyman in this case.  It's incredibly irresponsible and disrespectful to the American public.

And don't think I've not written my congressperson/senator.  I have more times than many of you will know, only to get the same, automated mail response.  This predates my existence on this forum for the most part.

How can anyone really care about the government when it appears it doesn't give a crap about it's constituents.

[JCnOwasso]

I will just come out and say I am a little confused by the statement Reid made, and really the problem with the statements made by both is that there technically is no "budget" to put on the floor.  The Presidents budget has been released and now it is the responsibility of the committee's to work on the resolutions and the subsequent appropriations bills.  Either way, the "budget" has to be approved by both the house and the senate, so whether Reid has 51 votes or 100, it doesn't matter.

And hell at this point we have operated under CR's at some point or another during 8 of the previous 11 Fiscal years.  Additionally, 1 budget was Clintons, 2 were Obama and the remaining 5 were Bush.

Just remembered to add another to Obama as there was a CR for FY12, so Obama has 3

[Conan71]

And don't think I've not written my congressperson/senator.  I have more times than many of you will know, only to get the same, automated mail response.  This predates my existence on this forum for the most part.

How can anyone really care about the government when it appears it doesn't give a crap about it's constituents.

I've actually gotten thoughtful replies from Senator Coburn.  I don't bother with Inhofe anymore, he's been there too long and he's like Brooks Hatlen- institutionalized.  I've chatted with Rep. Sullivan several times, but he's really just a tool for the GOP machine, helping to hold a majority in the House.  Nice guy, but really can't accomplish much on his own.  I did get a form email from his office today wanting to know my budget priorities.  I have no idea if my ideas would be translated, just like on Cantor's "You Cut" site, but at least I feel as if I'm putting as much input as I can in without actually having to run for office.