Posted on 03/07/2011 12:46:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind
CNN interviews Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles on the budget debate taking place in Washington between Republicans who want to cut 1.6% of the budget in FY2011 and Democrats who want to cut no more than 0.28% of the budget. Both chairs of Barack Obama’s deficit commission scoff at the entire debate, pointing out that neither cuts would amount to a hill of beans in controlling the spiraling debt of the United States. Simpson and Bowles emphasize that the debate has to shift from discretionary spending to entitlement reform, and that certain established interests (cough-cough-AARP-cough) are doing their best to stop that process:
Simpson blasts the AARP in particular in this interview. He notes that the AARP has claimed to have presented suggestions for improving the entitlement crisis, but that in reality, “They have suggested nothing.” Simpson warns that Social Security is a particular indicator of seriousness, and that if Congress and the White House can’t bring themselves to address that, then Medicare and Medicaid will be a lost cause.
However, they’re missing the point somewhat, too. The FY2011 budget has to be finalized, thanks to Democratic pusillanimity in the 111th Congress. Since it will take months to pursue the statutory changes necessary to begin reforms of entitlement programs, the House and Senate can only cut within current law for the remainder of this fiscal year. That means focusing on discretionary spending in the short term simply because they can’t do anything about entitlement spending in a budget that has to pass in two weeks. Also, it’s worth pointing out that at least some people in the Beltway are talking about entitlement reform. Paul Ryan has pledged to have significant entitlement reform changes in the FY2012 budget.
Otherwise, though, their point is well taken. Democrats in Congress are screeching about having to reduce spending any lower than 99.72% of current levels. That doesn’t bode well for serious discussions of entitlement reform.
You have a deficit commission so you can blame someone else for recommending higher taxes. You make sure to get some rinos or clueless republicans on it so you can claim its Bi-Partisan.
......someone has to make a decision, it ain’t gonna come from Dumbo. He knows how to take other people’s money and make promises.....that’s it. Oh yeah, he can screw up industry,finance,and health and generally **** up a country.
An honorable man would have turned down the Piece Prize.
Don't get me wrong, I am very glad I don't speak German. That being said, didn't the "Greatest Generation" give us FDR socialism and 14 trillion in debt? Of course we can blame the Baby Boomer me generation, but they are just cashing in on a system their parents built. I see nothing great in charging your life on your grandkids credit card.
But I see the GOP as 50% of the problem here, so this won't happen.
Obama skips debt commission meeting
CNN ^ | Dec. 9, 2010 | Ed Henry
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2640249/posts
yeah, he cares.
Nor does Republican crowing about reducing spending to 98.4% of current levels. Any serious discussions will have to cut a lot more than that.
Rand Paul seems to be the only Senator serious about budget cuts. He is calling for 500 billion in cuts. The Republicans are at 61 billion. And the Dems are at 2 bucks.
No.
I know. We need more Rand Paul’s and fewer Mitch McConnell’s.
Do the Congressional Republicans proposed a budget bill currently on the floor cutting 61 billion? Tes ot No? Does the news have it wrong and the Congressional Record have it wrong?
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