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Smoke and mirrors with the federal deficit
Wall Street Journal ^ | 7/20/2011 | Darrell Delamaide

Posted on 07/20/2011 8:57:45 AM PDT by tobyhill

Bring out the smoke and mirrors and let’s get us a bipartisan deficit deal.

The Gang of Six, breathless reporters told us this week, has found a solution that tons of senators in both parties are willing to go along with. It will cut $3.7 trillion from the deficit over the next 10 years while lowering taxes.

Wow! How did this group of Democratic and Republican senators do it? Well, for starters they’re going to save $500 billion just by changing the way inflation is calculated. And the rest will be put out to committee, you know, with six-month deadlines and specific targets and such.

Only in the U.S. Senate would this appear to be a real solution to anything. Congress now wants to substitute a magic show for the vaudeville that’s been going on so far.

The new Senate plan came as House Republicans were engaged in more posturing, passing a balanced budget amendment they knew in advance was going nowhere. Symbolic votes are mighty important to these freshmen congressmen, impressed as they are with the power they now have to legislate nothing.

The Gang of Six plan has now replaced the one proposed last week by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to simply abdicate responsibility for the debt ceiling as the favored way for Republicans to get out of the corner they painted themselves into.

(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
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To: marstegreg

allen west types
joe walsh types


21 posted on 07/20/2011 9:23:56 AM PDT by Principled
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To: almcbean

The election of 2012 is shaping up to be and earth-shattering event. Many Dems and Rinos will be getting their eviction notices.


22 posted on 07/20/2011 9:29:38 AM PDT by Sarabaracuda (I, Sarabaracuda, do hereby swear to support the Republican nominee for president.)
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To: tobyhill
The new Senate plan came as House Republicans were engaged in more posturing, passing a balanced budget amendment they knew in advance was going nowhere. Symbolic votes are mighty important to these freshmen congressmen, impressed as they are with the power they now have to legislate nothing.

At least the House is doing its job, which is more than can be said of the Senate or POTUS. The one mistake the GOP is making is not touting the fact that they have passed CCB, putting some pressure on the non-working functions of our government.

23 posted on 07/20/2011 9:30:21 AM PDT by Major Matt Mason (Government doesn't create jobs, it only creates expenses.)
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To: marstegreg
Yes, the senate is arrogance personified. The problem as I see it is that 50% or more of the electorate is in some fashion working for the government or gets some form of government subsidy. Is it even possible to overcome this hurdle?
24 posted on 07/20/2011 9:30:31 AM PDT by refermech
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To: Principled

Exactly!!! Brazenly honest, in your face, protectors of the people, country, and it’s Constitution. It’s a little sad that that particular type of person drives them nuts...


25 posted on 07/20/2011 9:32:06 AM PDT by marstegreg
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To: secret garden
I believe they are:

Democrats: Conrad, Durbin, Warner.

Repubs: Coburn, Crapo, Chambliss.

26 posted on 07/20/2011 9:32:53 AM PDT by Siena Dreaming
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To: refermech

Yes, the senate is arrogance personified. The problem as I see it is that 50% or more of the electorate is in some fashion working for the government or gets some form of government subsidy. Is it even possible to overcome this hurdle?

I believe it’s possible but the window is closing rapidly. Every year the government grows. We need to stop it now. I really think this is our last chance. I think we got Obama at just the right time. We needed some waking up and boy, he really woke us up.


27 posted on 07/20/2011 9:37:07 AM PDT by marstegreg
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To: tobyhill

The CPI already excludes food and energy.


28 posted on 07/20/2011 9:38:04 AM PDT by Lorianne
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To: tobyhill

“The Gang claims “savings” of $3.7 trillion over ten years, but Sen. Jeff Sessions, who has seen the plan scores the actual cuts at 1.2 trillion...”

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/07/gang_of_six_gambit_revives_spending_shell_game.html


29 posted on 07/20/2011 9:39:39 AM PDT by Qbert ("The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry" - William F. Buckley, Jr.)
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To: tobyhill

Eric Cantor should tell obama “You say you won’t support our plan. When you present a plan I’ll let you know whether or not I support it” then get up and walk out.

Only dems and rinos can raise taxes and say it’s cutting taxes and say it with a straight face. Sadly, the majority of the people in this country either aren’t paying attention or are just plain dumb.


30 posted on 07/20/2011 9:41:24 AM PDT by Terry Mross (I'll only vote for a SECOND party.)
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To: marstegreg

They are risking their political careers to make Bozo happy.

You just hit on the problem. It’s “careers” in D.C. that have ruined this country.


31 posted on 07/20/2011 9:45:54 AM PDT by Terry Mross (I'll only vote for a SECOND party.)
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To: Terry Mross

I agree. Term limits are long overdue.


32 posted on 07/20/2011 9:47:25 AM PDT by marstegreg
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To: tobyhill

33 posted on 07/20/2011 9:48:52 AM PDT by Brandonmark (2012: Our Hope IS Change!)
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To: refermech

And since the senate would have to approve an amendment to repeal the 17th amendment, the senate will always be staffed with arrogant people. We’re stuck with royalty. There’s only one thing that will change it and that won’t happen in my lifetime.


34 posted on 07/20/2011 9:49:02 AM PDT by Terry Mross (I'll only vote for a SECOND party.)
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To: marstegreg

“These “cuts to be named later” really bother me. Who will name them later?”

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE CHAIRS!

Yes, it’s another clown-show distraction from the real solution: CUT THE SPENDING. NOW!


35 posted on 07/20/2011 10:13:24 AM PDT by WOSG (Cut the spending!)
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To: Lorianne

I believe you are mistaken. The CPI contains food and energy, but “Core Inflation” reports exclude these two items. The CPI is currently used to calculate Social Security COLA’s.


36 posted on 07/20/2011 11:00:49 AM PDT by Tandem (What ever happened to personal responsibility & self-reliance?)
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To: Siena Dreaming

Thanks, I finally found an article listing the architects of this wretched plan. I don’t understand why the media pushes everyone to go along with their plan which isn’t even complete over the one that passed the House overwhelmingly yesterday. Why not honor the people’s wishes? Oh yes, because the elitist snobs in the senate and the progressives know best.


37 posted on 07/20/2011 1:13:18 PM PDT by secret garden (Why procrastinate when you can perendinate?)
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