Countdown to Disappointment: Don’t expect the new Congress to cut spending
by Reason TVIs it too soon to declare the new Congress a failure?
Ever since their midterm triumph, the Republicans have talked tough about cutting spending. Here’s hoping they make good on those promises, but they spouted the same tough talk after their 1994 election triumph and look what happened.
Back then the GOP revolutionaries targeted more than 200 programs for complete and utter elimination. They scored some minor victories (adios helium fund!), but a decade into their “revolution” (and after they gained a Republican president) inflation-adjusted spending on the combined budgets of the 101 largest programs slated for elimination actually increased by 27 percent. And since then total federal spending has continued to soar, so why should we take Republicans seriously this time?
The countdown to disappointment starts now.
Approximately 82 seconds.
Written and produced by Ted Balaker. Music by Ambient Teknology (Magnatune Records).
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123 Comments
Yeah.
It'll be different.
I'm sure somebody threw a handful of sand in the Vaseline.
Hold their feet to the fire…Note to GOP: We are watching and expect you to do what is right!!
so why should we take Republicans seriously this time?
Because they really, really mean it this time?
Rick Scott can show 'em how its done.
Cut spending or we will come there and do it for you.
Bank on it.
I feel the mood of the people is different, clearly.
This is the Republicans last chance, and for that matter all of us.
We shall see. Like I said in a post or two back, nothing is a given at this stage.
Uncharted territory Harry.
Everything is in a state of flux.
Can I trade you one Obama and a Mega Millions ticket for a Rick Scott?
Nothing but good ole boys club pure unadulterated crap. There are too many RINOS out there that will not give up the perks and as i see it more RINOS are coming in. Everything has been out of control and unless WE THE PEOPLE scream and yell, nothing will change
The progressives are evil but the GOP are way too grand for their own britches. I can see the cognac flowing in all the DC bars and probably back to doing business the old way unless we stop them. I give them 2 months. If the swamp swallows them, then this Congress is in for a very rough time.
We the People are watching every move NOW,DC will be in for some major gatherings if they don't follow through,WATCH!
Ah yes, cocktail and suppertime in DC, the night before the oath.
Are the offshore accounts active yet?
Lucky me, I live in the land of DeMint. And state income tax. At least in Florida I never had a state tax. *sigh*
I think they will cut spending. Gonna depend on how much influence the Tea Party member have. That's the battle.
First thing we need to do is reset the baseline spending the dems have jacked up over the last two years. They should push for a freeze on spending to 2008 limits.
If crybaby Boehner can't get it done, and he can't, the Tar and Feather Party will supplant the Tea Party.
<Ann looking now for an old pillow and the Henry's #214>
Nice! Thanks.
They don't even TALK about eliminating departments now.
We would have to eliminate entire entitlement programs just to get back to the point before Bush took office.
I agree with the video. Just look at what Republicans have done since Obama's been in office, not to mention what they did under Bush. Helped him pass virtually every bill that's come across his desk, even if there were only a few or less voting yes on some of those bills. A few is enough to make the difference. The Republicans will always have their Arlen Spectors to do what most of them as a body can't do.
…..and affirmed his commitment to diversity in employment.
Tell him to shove it!
Congress is a failure until they prove that they are anything but, so to answer the question "is it too soon to call them a failure", no.
Idle talk makes matters worse. They will just call your bluff.
1st. The Tea Party is here to stay which is more then the RINOs can say.
2nd. The Federal Government was gifted by the Founders and our Constitution with 18 duties. If the Federal Governments spending is not with in the strict guidelines of the 18 duties then it should be cut and gutted.
Yes, it is that simple.
Nobody is entitled to anything here-except freedom.
Shortly after the "big victory" back in November I watched, listened and thought back on other times I had allowed politicians to raise my hopes for scaling back, and eventually achieving a limited government as our Constitution outlines… I immediately dropped all pretenses that this was somehow going to be different. Now instead of being disappointed I will actually be surprised when they do do something.
Cynical? Sure, but what is the downside to that approach?
The big difference between now and 1994 is the state of the economy. The idea that the Republicans will just go back to their "big spending ways" is just ludicrous. We don't have the money. We don't even have an artificial (dot com) bubble that we can exploit to hide the problems. The problems are existential.
So I wouldn't be so flip with whether the new Congress is going to "disappoint us" or not. The question is are we going to survive as a nation, or not?
Point taken, but the talk is not idle.
The facts are the facts, there are limits on what the people will take, and in the end if those limits are reached it will not be pretty.
There is only so much money, this is a law, like gravity, you cannot legislate around it nor can you pretend it is not there.
There will be reform or there will be reckoning, the question is only, which and when.
I'd recommend you read Atlas Shrugged.
Nice change CP.
Bring it.
I want my social security money now.
Any questions?
well, former congressman kirk, now senator kirk found his way around earmarks, he just called them something else now. i knew this member of the crap and tax eight wasn't going to change his stripes. the pitchforks will be out if this new congress does not cut spending, fast, deep and for good! the tea party is just getting started, and won't just go away.
Cart……………….horse.
We can't really blame them though, patience is not a virtue when one looks at the potential end game of this Administration.
We'll take it day by day but by now they know that Tea Party Constitutionalists expect them to chop the Government in half and give U.S. back our Freedoms. By now they know that if they don't , WE outnumber them and WE'll BE BACK!
Hell hath no fury like a scorned Tea Party. I wouldn't mind a spring trip to Washington. Already got the pitchfork sharpened.
Gee, still stuck blaming Bush!? WTF fifty years from now the dims will still blaming Bush
Thanks..had to. Someone was stalking me on here through google.
Don't be too hard on Boehner. Any man that can shed a few tears is ok by me because he obviously has a heart BUT he better NOT crumble when the progressives try to chew him to pieces.
It will be a miracle if they actually DO something. I am cynical also.
Rules for Radicals, they fail we visit them at their homes. We went to DC and they could not hear us, go to their homes and their children and spouses will hear us and relay our message. Trust Me!
I'm giving them two months. The freshmen have to get their feet wet and find the bathrooms, but thats all they get from me
before they actually realize the burden they have to carry for us. Otherwise i want their salary and I will go do the job.
"Executive Order No. 11-04 reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to diversity in government.
•Reaffirms prohibition on discrimination in employment based on race, gender, creed, color, or national origin, and affirms commitment to hiring, retaining and promoting the highest quality candidates regardless of the above."
What part of this don't you like?
I can't recall. Are you one of the white supremacist trolls that run around here?
Well said. Some things are simply simple.
We'll all be watching him closely.
Crying is fine if it's in response to true human suffering or tragedy. Not for the reason Brett Farve Boehner cried.
< Ann not really fooled or impressed by croc tears>
You know it CTimbo! The cherry blossems wiill be out. Get the buses ready ! Only this time hopefully we won't have to throw the 2,700 page bill into the wind!
Croc tears are too discernable Ann. I am with you on that. Giving Boehner a couple of months for his gonads to kick in . After that he is toast. We need someone to say "Make my day" aka Clint Eastwood.
I'd vote for you Peony!
Submit Your "Citizen Mandate" And Let
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Tens of thousands of Americans have told this new generation of leaders what WE THE PEOPLE want them to do! Grassfire Nation not only delivered more than 180,000 citizen mandates, but also compiled the results delivered them to key members of the new Congress. Now we are taking the Citizen Mandates to EVERY member of Congress! Fill out your Citizen Mandate now and get it into the hands of your lawmakers on Capitol Hill!
"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
George Washington
It'll be made by example not words. Give 'em a month and if it's business as usual then i'm sure we'll make our presence heard….
I'd vote for anyone on this BG site (except for the trolls). We mean business. I have nothing to lose and I don't give a rats ass what anyone thinks about me but thank you pnipni
I only care about my country.
batards! I had a stalker for a month and it was horrible. He finally gave up. Glad you've found peace You have tons of loyal defenders here who respect you.
Someone doesn;t like like us pnipni..lol.
I've been thinking that very same thing Peony. He's a passionate man, not a zombie like obama.
Boehner has a heart and that's a good thing. He's also never taken an earmark quid-pro-quo deal in his entire career. I do not think that he will yield an inch to the Socialists! – - Of course we will watch carefully, but I like what I've seen from him ever since November!
One hint of that is that they've already sent him a letter trying to tell him not to do this and that. Haha Haha! They're already scared and Boehner hasn't even started yet!
I do. Thumbs up.
Clearly, if the GOP blows this opportunity, they're finished…PERIOD.
Expect a conservative third party…PERIOD.
I have read Atlas Shrugged. Thought about it this morning when they were talking about the dead blackbirds and suggesting it may be the result of testing an energy weapon.
How about the doubletalk? You are really bamboozled by that? That is all code word for Affirmative Action. A commitment to hiring non-Whites over Whites. This could have come straight from Holder's office. Boy you people are gullible.
Screw them Peony! Trolls can't help themselves! We have our values and that's all that matters! Also we took HALF of Congress in a Mid-term Election! Historic !
Maybe they can't stand the thought that tomorrow, Congress is going to be streaming live on TV, Radio and Facebook, around the world, for the swearing in of the Republican Majority House in D.C ! Ha!
I saw a TV interview with Bush about a year ago where he said he didn't have line item veto and had to sign on to a bunch of Democrat bills (they were in charge of the Congress since January 2007) because the Dems were inserting military aid into their bills and he needed money for the troops.
I'll be cleaning and oiling my rifle tomorrow when the Congress is taking their oath. It's a feel-good thing. On the bright side the 111th is over. It's like a huge natural disaster is over, now we have to clean up.
Funny.
But you are right.
The next time I get stopped for speeding, I'm going to try it. Blame Bush………..
Oh, the leadership doesn't care of the little people in the rank and file talk about it. Up until Dole….DOLE…milquetoast DOLE spoke of eliminating the Dept. of Education. Now such talk among the leadership it entirely absent as far as I can see.
This is like the aftermath of Katrina, and the Haitian Earthquake, combined……..
It will be Bushes fault if you still get the ticket as well.
I called my Representative to see if he would introduce a bill to make Kathy Griffin's head a national park but he said that would be redundant as we already have a big, empty space with the Grand Canyon
Thank you Librtaren!
Doubtful there will be time for that if it is needed.
We are at the edge of a precipice here.
"retaining and promoting the highest quality candidates regardless of the above."
All this order states is you can't discriminate against, and you can't discriminate for, any person for any of the listed reasons.
I know how the race baiters try to use language like this to cry "discrimination." But there is no problem with the words in this order. There is no "code."
What would you have had him write, "Discrimination based on race, gender, creed, color, or national origin will be permitted?"
……..and I will blame Bush again.
I see how this works now harry.
It is a vicious cycle.
Gee, I could turn into a Democrat…………
The truth is out there as they say.
The federal government should fund nothing besides border patrol, defense of this nation, some prisons, courts and only one or two law enforcement agencies. Everything else can be left to the states and cities.
No, the GOP would become the third party.
"turn into a Democrat…………"
Life's answer to any problem.
It's easier than taking responsibility and acting like an adult.
……..and I will blame Bush again.
I'm starting to get the hang of this.
When do i get my free stuff?
Ask Bush, he stole it.
This is my home away from home pnipni. I feel safe here amongst so many patriots.
We, The People, ALL know why it'll be vastly different from '94. We're their boss, we're no longer asleep and we're not going to take their lying to our face any longer.
As soon as any of them step a toe out of line, melt their phone lines and the internet down until they get down on their knees and beg for mercy. As every cop in the country has OUR authority to escalate their response by one level to effect an arrest, WE have the same Constitutional authority to effect an arrest of government's illegal and yes, treasonous actions to every level they push us to!
What part of this don't you understand?? Get busy and make 2010 look like a mild warm-up to 2012 by choosing (and vetting) our own candidates and that includes the presidency. (Take a good look at John Bolton – someone actually qualified and experienced for the highest office of the land, he doesn't take anyones crap, he doesn't try to sell us any and he knows full well who his bosses are without being reminded.)
"In any compromise between food and poison, it is only death that can win. In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit. In that transfusion of blood which drains the good to feed the evil, the compromiser is the transmitting rubber tube." – Ayn Rand
"There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil."-Ayn Rand
That is because the 1994 Congress was led by Newt the Coot. Talk about a big mouth and do nothing leadership. This Congress knows that we will keep voting the slime out. And if we put someone in that crosses us, they won't last long. This Government doesn't really grasp how many people are really fed up. They also don't know just how many are armed. True Americans have treated the military with respect and make up our ALL Volunteer force. I know for a fact there are some very powerful military people who know that and will not fight against Americans but will join them. Many people say it can't happen here. But push Americans too far and they may be frightfully surprised. It won't get as bad as Eurostan here. If it does there will be hell to pay.
You’re welcome. Keep fighting the good fight.
And CP is right. Give ‘em two months and then it’s time to make our voices heard again… Tea Party style.
Why is he talking out of both sides of his mouth – he is talking about "diversity" which means "Whites need not apply" and "promote the Negro or you are are a racist" in practice.
I wonder if you have ever had a job or gone to a University. I have done both and combined (worked at a University.) You would know that if you had.
If they were really serious about cutting the deficit, they would be talking about military cuts, but they are not serious, so once again the only cuts that would ever make an impact will NEVER happen!!!
The only way to get any message across is to starve the government at all levels of money. Not advocating to stop paying taxes but to avoid any fees and taxes you can voluntarily avoid. Trade. Buy used at garage sales or off craig's list. Stop using credit cards. Drive less and spend less on gas. Stop using as many gov services as possible. DON'T BUY ANY GOV BONDS OR TREASURY NOTES!
The titanic hit the iceberg already. It doesn't matter who the captain is. And every single administration both republicans and democrats voted to increase spending. The only way to put a forest fire out is to starve it of fuel.
I am sick of the good cop/bad cop farce we have in this country. Its blatant and obvious and sickening.
Yes, I think a lot of people feel that same cozy feeling that you describe when they come here every day with their coffee and tea. It's a great feeling to be with patriot friends.
That's exactly what we did in '94. Some of us can actually learn from the past.
That's demonstratively NOT the way to go. This isn't the sand box and we can't pick up our toys and leave therein cutting our voting power in half which assures the Communists win every election and every judicial appointment.
Look at our Canadian cousins for that exercise in suicide. They'll be paying for that idiocy for many a decade.
Agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment BUT, we affect D.C. much more by raising the roof from our own local elected officials all the way up to and including the federal offices.
This IS known to be much more effective than a march on D.C. where the self-declared Communists of the MainSlime Media refuse to cover or credit the effort and self-expense. Save the money to find and vet our own patriot candidates. Makes perfect logical sense, doesn't it.
No, because WE really mean it!
Yeah but we can't keep playing kid games forever. We're out of time!
Yep, the party of could have been, should have been, might have been!
)
The Communists in Colorado raised our taxes so high that the governor knew better than to run for another term. We used to be a loyal state where the state GOP leadership allowed this to happen;
The Blueprint: How Democrats Won Colorado http://bit.ly/aLOWRm
I know, the clock is ticking, and we have no time outs left. It's now or never!
Nice Winghunter!
You told us of your feelings now, what did you do or help others to stop them? I'm sure you'll agree that it's time to participate, not sit back and watch.
Doesn't matter. We are and we'll see that they do it!
Exactly right Sir, we must do what they push us to – whatever level they escalate it to. We have that inalienable right if not a Constitutional right.
Patriot act.
That's a good thought. Glad to get the marxist Re-distributors of our tax money out! The 111th Congress was a nightmare. The 'huge natural disaster is over, now we have to clean up' Zero tolerance for any more socialism!
Good one! Now lets do a David Letterman joke. He made fun of Boehner getting all choked up. The guy has a heart. What's the problem.
I wish you could have cued the spooky sci-fi sound track too!
Harry, you are absolutely right.
Reform or Reckoning.
I actually think that they are cognizant of that and that's why they are afraid of U.S. , and want to take US over! The majority of US are armed and work hard and want Govt to keep US safe, as you said. And keep that Constitution as our beacon!
I was just thinking about that today. I hate listening to wonks come up with all these different ways to fix the debt, etc.
It's so easy, my 8 year old would understand it – CUT THE PHUCKING SPENDING. And start with the BIG stuff.
In my life, I don't just cut the one latte I had a month, or the one movie I saw each month. I cut the BIG stuff and that may include having to sell my house.
I want serious talk about Social Security and Medicare and in my eyes, the only serious talk is DOING AWAY WITH IT, just like I may have to sell my house. And I'm talking about doing away with it, not for those who are already receiving benefits or very close to receiving benefits. Our law recognizes the principles of reliance.
But for everybody else – you get to keep that money and you better start thinking about how to save it for your retirement, even if that means, in this day and age, stuffing it in your mattress.
And then start cutting Departments and bureacracies.
All with making sure taxes are cuts (or getting rid of the Progressive tax and using something else).
We start fixing the economy, still getting revenue, but be able to pay down debt and still do what the gov't is supposed to do.
It's that phucking simple. If a Congressman or Senator or the President can't explain to me in a few sentences what it is they want to do to fix the problems in this country, I don't want to hear it.
It's not complicated. It's simple.
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