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

[Teatownclown]

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.

Yes. The new spin is based on an October landslide. Optimism for many of us progressive types.

How can you say, 

The "culture war" only exists for pimping votes.

? Is that the Teabagger/GOP reason for ignoring public education? And after watching last weeks parade of women haters? I'm too tired to go on and on about those social programs designed to keep this country well maintained and healthy that conservatives would rather watch cut.

Far from broken, Jane.

[nathanm]

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!  

The problem is that it can't actually be fixed without radical reform of the sort that neither party would find acceptable. First past the post voting combined with the small size of our legislative body combined with the deeply institutionalized corruption on display by political donors and their lapdogs makes actual change nearly impossible. Fixing the problem would necessarily entail reducing the amount of money flowing to the political parties, increasing the number of viable political parties, and dramatically increasing the size of the legislature.

If you can't do that, you're just pissing into the wind. So here we are, stuck on stupid because it makes certain very powerful people very rich. And we keep letting it happen because most of us are too busy trying to win the lottery we call "The American Dream." So busy, in fact, that we fail to sit up and take note when France, a place where starting your own business involves literally months of paperwork, high fees, and endless bureaucracy, surpasses the US in entrepreneurship

[Gaspar]

Yes. The new spin is based on an October landslide. Optimism for many of us progressive types.

How can you say,  ? Is that the Teabagger/GOP reason for ignoring public education? And after watching last weeks parade of women haters? I'm too tired to go on and on about those social programs designed to keep this country well maintained and healthy that conservatives would rather watch cut.

Far from broken, Jane.

The government isn't broken (at least not yet).  It's the concept that government has the responsibility or ability to operate an ever expanding list of social programs that is broken.  Entitlement breeds entitlement, and that copulation produces only waste and political corruption.  It causes people to fear liberty and saddles them with a yolk impossible to escape.

The ultimate product is Greece.  A society so entitled that even as it faces collapse, it's youth demand what they have come to believe is owed to them, through protest and flames.

[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.

It is broken because of us, the electorate.  We keep electing the same clowns (no offense, TTC!) over and over - reference the Oklahoma delegation.  It won't ever stop - or at least not soon - because we ALL go on and on about how bad all those guys are - except for "our guy" - he's ok!

We can and should un-elect every incumbent, every time.  At least if we keep a bunch of amateurs in, they won't have time to become entrenched and proficient in the playing of the system.  If there is gonna be such a thing as term limits - which is by it's nature stupid - then the limit should be one term maximum.  And no terms in any other 'playground".  One term.  One office.  Then out - back to your normal citizen life.

[Teatownclown]

The government isn't broken (at least not yet).  It's the concept that government has the responsibility or ability to operate an ever expanding list of social programs that is broken.  Entitlement breeds entitlement, and that copulation produces only waste and political corruption.  It causes people to fear liberty and saddles them with a yolk impossible to escape.

The ultimate product is Greece.  A society so entitled that even as it faces collapse, it's youth demand what they have come to believe is owed to them, through protest and flames.

You sure it wasn't the write downs in their net worth that inflamed them? I think your assumption may be wrong.

Social programs are not entitlements but facilitators in giving our fellow citizens firm ground and a hand up. Entitlements are social security, medicare, and medicaid and they will be means tested someday when congress decides to work for their pay.

[Hoss]

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.

Guess it's just the libertarian in me that wants to boot all these tools out of office...

[Conan71]

Yes. The new spin is based on an October landslide. Optimism for many of us progressive types.

How can you say,  ? Is that the Teabagger/GOP reason for ignoring public education? And after watching last weeks parade of women haters? I'm too tired to go on and on about those social programs designed to keep this country well maintained and healthy that conservatives would rather watch cut.

Far from broken, Jane.

No one ignores public education.  We spend entirely too much on a flawed educational system.  We keep throwing money at newer and better facilities, athletic facilities which are better than that of small colleges, different ways to teach, even higher teacher pay in some districts, but keep ignoring the real problem that the failures of education are largely a lack of parental mentorship.  We need more volunteerism to help those whose parents don't consider education to be a priority in their house.

Figure out how to change that dynamic and you would be a very blessed devil er clown.

[Red Arrow]

Social programs are not entitlements but facilitators in giving our fellow citizens firm ground and a hand up.

Why would you not consider social programs entitlements?  If the recipients have no right to them (hence entitled) they shouldn't get them.

[Teatownclown]

Why would you not consider social programs entitlements?  If the recipients have no right to them (hence entitled) they shouldn't get them.

I think Voltaire stated; If you wish to discuss, define your terms. The budget is divided into three categories: 1) defense...2) entitlements.... and
3) social programs. 1+2=%55 3=%45 but within a couple of years 2=%53 unless congress puts some belts and suspenders on the cost of entitlements through means testing.

"Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."
devil clown cupid.

[Red Arrow]

"Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."

OK, I won't argue with you.  I define social programs as entitlements so there isn't much to discuss.

[Hoss]

OK, I won't argue with you.  I define social programs as entitlements so there isn't much to discuss.

I define large-assed campaign contributions as entitlements.

The problem is that the special interests, once again, lobby these morons in DC and decide 'hey, we'll spend on this candidate as long as they entitle us'.  Look what has happened to the oil/gas industry and that should tell you just about everything you need to know.  Tax break upon tax break.  If I send $100 dollars to my candidate of choice, can I get a tax break?  Doesn't work that way, does it.  Least not for the 'common folk'.

[Red Arrow]

I define large-assed campaign contributions as entitlements.

Without picking specific programs, maybe we all(?) can use a similar (if not the same) basic definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entitlement

[Gaspar]

Without picking specific programs, maybe we all(?) can use a similar (if not the same) basic definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entitlement

Now you've gone and done it. . .

[heironymouspasparagus]

Without picking specific programs, maybe we all(?) can use a similar (if not the same) basic definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entitlement

Missing a critical component - the definition seems to imply no consideration of source of funds and whether there is a payment to be made in either direction.  Care to elaborate?

[Conan71]

I define large-assed campaign contributions as entitlements.

The problem is that the special interests, once again, lobby these morons in DC and decide 'hey, we'll spend on this candidate as long as they entitle us'.  Look what has happened to the oil/gas industry and that should tell you just about everything you need to know.  Tax break upon tax break.  If I send $100 dollars to my candidate of choice, can I get a tax break?  Doesn't work that way, does it.  Least not for the 'common folk'.

There are already tons of taxes in every gallon of gas you burn.  Raise the taxes on the oil companies profits and you will pay even more for that gallon of gas.  The obscene profits they are making are keeping millions of us in jobs right now via reinvestment in the petroleum infrastructure.  Oil is one of the few industries experiencing real growth right now in the American economy.  Unfortunately, none of that is going into new mega-refineries or major pipeline projects right now.  I assure you, whatever the oil companies aren't paying in taxes is being trebled in personal income tax and corporate taxes on the businesses who serve the oil industry.

That money is going a whole lot further when the oil companies spend it than it does when the government confiscates it.