CNN

This is almost laughable . . . the last eight years under the GOP has led to a huge (and largely unaccounted for) expansion of government spending and ballooning of the deficit. Let's see . . . the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest, war spending that was never included in the budget, Medicaid expansion, Homeland Security, etc., etc., etc. Republicans accuse Democrats of "tax-and-spend" when the GOP has been the party of "spend-and-spend".

That's really funny because it is the Republicans who actually favor Big Government. Big Government is a Government that Spys on its people, Takes away rights (Patriot Act),tells you what religion is right, tells you what you can watch and read, tells you what you can do to your body, and the list goes on. Replicans are the ones who create Big Government. These last 8 years have been a Prime example of Republican Big Government. We invaded 2 countries to bring our way of life to them, we took away american rights, we spied on all American communications, we tried to abolish abortion, we tried to make christianity a part of the Government, we Renditioned Americans and again the list goes on. Spending American Tax dollars on helping American people that gave that tax money is not Big Government. If you want to see real Big Government then just look to any Republican Administration and you will find Big Government. A government that takes more powers for itself while taking away rights from the people and then trys to tell its people what to do. That is Big Government and that is the Government Republicans will brings us.

It's shocking how uninformed most of these replies are. You want to blame all your problems of overspending on Bush and big business. Business is what keeps this country afloat and Obama wants to shrink the private sector and increase the government and none of you have any problem with that. When he raises taxes on businesses and individuals who provide jobs and investments, and they stop investing in new businesses, job creation, the stock market, and the housing market, who will you blame then? What reason do any of these people have to open businesses on Monday? Why shouldn't they cut back employees, materials, and hours until they are below the new income level for higher taxes? Why should they give tens of thousands of dollars to charity when they aren't allowed the same deduction scale as every other taxpayer? Why should they invest in houses to bring the housing market back when they can't deduct the mortgage interest the same way all of you can? Why should ten percent of taxpayers pay for everything for sixty percent of Americans and still be told they are greedy and selfish by their president?

Good luck to all of you who think this budget is going to do wonderful things for our country. It's going to punish those who take initiative and risk and reward those who never tried to accomplish anything with their lives. If you think businesses and individuals are just going to gladly hand over what amounts to fifty percent of their money to Obama, you'll have a big shock coming when the revenues are counted. I doubt many who on here who are so enthusiastic about it have ever created a job for anyone in their lives.

I think Tom Price needs a history lesson or two. Specifically about debt growth over the past 50 years. The democrats have a MUCH better track record. Despite the delusions of Mr. Price, modern republicans are republicans because of social conservatism, not fiscal.

what were the last eight years?

Billions were spent secretly by President Bush and others before him and never challenged. The Republicans are so self-serving and selfish. Blind to the changing global environment they blithely go forward skipping down the road singing "tax cut, tax cut". They claim President Obama is robbing this generation of their future by incurring all this debt. However, I see the President investing in the future of the country and its people. Why aren't we as Americans worth an investment to Republicans? Why must a total collapse or catastrophe force them to act?

The Truman Administration marked the end of limited government in this country, and Americans have dealt with nothing but fear mongering ever since. it's ironic that the U.S. begins to take the shape of the very thing that the Cold War sought to combat. The Second Ammendment was added to insure that Americans never got to this point. What happened?

@Think about it
And as far as the Tax issue. Please keep in mind if you don't make over 250K THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. you get a tax break!

----------–

No you don't. You idiots were duped by Obama and this is just a sign of more to come. What you are getting is a tax REBATE which becomes INCOME next year that you will have to pay MORE taxes on (the tax tables are NOT changing). All you sheep are simply being led to slaughter and you just not smart enough to see it...

Rep. Tom Price had no problem throwing our tax dollars around while Bush was in office. Now that he's in the minority, he's suddenly obsessed with fiscal responsibility.

Typical Republican Hypocrite.

Gene...love your post.. you took my thoughts and posted them.. Well done!

A sad tactict it scare the uninformed. If the fear script did not work for the election, maybe it will now. LOL!!! The leadership, or lack of for the Republican party pathetic and will result in the destruction of our party. I'm going independent!!!

no 'Big' governent is not back. Big government has been here since 9/11. the Obama administration is striving for better, more effective government in order to clean up the mess we've all inherited. Big government is uncle Sam eavesdropping on our phones not the federal government trying to stimulate the economy by putting people back to work while enhancing infratructure and promoting higher education.

While I agree that the current spending is unacceptable, I wonder where the hell were these "fiscally reponsisble" republicans for the past 8 years? Why didn't they open their mouth then? Bush's budgets single-handedly doubled our national debt in the span of those 8 years. Or deficits are only bad when the opposing party is in power? Hypocrites!

I do not understand what the republicans want and nor do they. This is a big country, it takes a lot of money to keep it functioning and tax cuts don't get it.

Why should you expect the rich to pay for your health care, your unemployment, your house? Now you want to dump 4 trillion in debt and higher tax rates on them. The rich pay all of the taxes. The top 25% of income earners pay 85% of all taxes in this country. The bottom 50% only pay 3% of all taxes. The definition of rich is not rich in this scenario considering the bottom salary is $64,000. My taxes are paying the tab. Obama and Congress better understand that the tax payers are tired of getting stuck with a tab for their spending even when there is no money to spend. Obama and Congress need to stop spending my money on private jets, fancy dinner parties, and cross country speaking tours. I vote all future expenditures by the federal government has to go to a vote by the people and they cannot spend more than revenues. Might be slow, but hopefully it will make them behave better with my money.

To Rich: Though I'm definately not a fan of Rush "ham & home fried potatoes" Limbaugh, That wouldn't be too cool for sharks to attack him; but just for fun only, that was pretty funny. You know, it seems to me that the leftovers of the RepubliCAN'T Party are slowly turning into a more extreme hate group (on the downlow) before our very eyes. This is just like the slavery days, when the emancipation proclaimation came, the slaves were free, and hateful,fearful people formed the KKK. And now, in 2009 we have a president of color and again,the hateful, fearful people are getting together once more.

The republican party starting with the Reagan revolution has been picking the pockets of ordinary Americans and concentrating wealth to a select few.

The republican party has corrupted almost every government agency for the benefit of the rich and powerful and now that President Obama wants to change it, they sound the alarm of false panic.

No Gene, the war dollars were never INCLUDED in Bush's budgets...they are in Obama's, thus the huge, TRANSPAENT numbers!

@ GENE............ Your a right!

THESE SO-CALLED-FISCAL-CONSERVATIVES ARE SUCH HYPOCRITES!

WHERE WERE THEY WHEN BUSH WAS DOUBLING OUR NATIONAL DEBT........... AND HIDING THE COST OF THE WAR WITH IRAQ???????

we are in an economic crisis and the GOP's answer is to follow the advice of an overpaid talk show host that looks like he hasn't missed a meal in years? Did Rush reject the big pay raise he got a while back since the economy is going to hell in a hand basket? When will folks realize this guy will be rich for YEARS and doesn't have to go home and decide if he's going to have a job,. house, or which bill to pay this month. Listening to him is like having a fat doctor telling me I need to lose weight. But I guess if you're a Republican you don't see it that way, maybe one of the reasons they keep losing.

"I believe deficits are not acceptable in the level to which this president has put them on the table."

Oh but giant deficits were perfectly fine when Bush and the GOP were in charge?? This kind of craven partisan hypocrisy is why the GOP is a dying party. And they are especially in trouble when their elected congressmen and senators have to bow down to Rush.. the fat pumpkinhead junkie. These are dark days for the GOP for sure..

I think everybody needs to realize that Bush was more liberal than conservative. Therefore we're going for 4 more years of big government. McCain, who wasn't really conservative, would have been the same. Our debt will suffer a huge increase and Obama will increase it more than Bush ever did unless if he can think of better planssince his current tax plan isn't even close to being a successful one. Remember if Obama's 4 years are a failure, you can blame the people who elected him just like the people who elected Bush

SOCIALIST AGENDA MAKE USA LIKE ROMAN COLLAPSE.

bring 100 mill alien

Never forget this era of big spending and bloated gov't didn't start with the liberal; it started with the GOP and Bush/Cheney.

the problem with the GOP coming up with the 'big government' talking points now is that the government grew its biggest under GW. and weren't guys like Dick Cheney saying that 'deficits don't matter' only a few years ago? try again you clueless, brainless Republicans!

A leader is one who understands what he is up against and is willing to take bold risks while accepting full responsibility. That is thye character presented by President Obama. I respect and appreciate that in him. It is to all our benefits that his plan works because we have been going downhill for sometime now with no brakes.

Why am I not comforted by the defense of "They do it too!"?

As an american i am insulted beyond belief over the fact that republicans think we are all morons that cant remember anything over what has happened in the last month, they post george bush as the poster child of conservatism then throw him under the bus and hope we forget that he was a republican with a rubber stamp congress supporting him. Now they want us to beleive that Obamas Budget is Big Government just because he wants to rebuild our nation as oppose to tear down others. Pathetic

The republicans have nothing except to try and scare everyone of the "big, bad democrats." Maybe if they actually would spend the time in solving the average persons problems instead of trying how to fleece them they wouldn't be is such bad shape.

I'm waiting for the President to announce that the bailouts are over and if businesses fail in the future they must declare bancruptcy. The bailouts while necessary in some cases have contributed to the uncertainty in the economy and the reliance upon the government to keep business functioning, ergo business will not regain stability until the bailouts cease and they survive or fail on their own. As an example, auto companies are in limbo at present with warranty, service and continuing value issues outstanding if the companies collapse. I feel retooling to produce fuel cell autos is the only recourse to save the industry since gasoline is history and fuel cells are entering the market place very rapidly!!!

Both parties caused this mess and so did we. No one party is to blame. Dems and Rep. voted for the war and both spent like drunkin sailors. I think some people have forgotten or never paid attention. Your are so in love with Obama you are willing to overlook everything. Use your brain and pay attention.

The Republicans will say and do anything to make themselves blameless. Dumb idiots.

Big government was the mantra of W.....grew more and cost more under W than ever before....deflection of guilt is all these conservatives know....it's not gonna fly this time

Seems a lot of these Republican's have short term memory loss. Bush took a surplus and turned it into the biggest deficit. Government grew the greatest under Bush.

If the Republicans want to be taken seriously they need to quit slamming President Obama's stimulus and budget and offer some substantive ideas of their own (Tax cuts for the wealthy is not substantive). Shelby and the others remind me of employees who don't like the way they do their work but can't come up with a better idea on how to do it.

They can call it wht they want. But the facts are that the government (The American Peoples Company) migt not be spending enough fast enough to get us out of this mess. It is easy for them to point and throw stones after they screwed the pooch. They have no solutions and only want power for the few and to the hell with the rest of Americans. it is not going to happen Americans are getting wiser by the minute and they are loosing members just as fast.

Rep Tom Price is as much of a loser as the rest of the Republicans. He finds it convenient to forget the past eight years of the Bush Presidency, and the first six years of that failed presidency when Republicans held both houses of congress. The US budget and the US economy were destroyed by those clowns.

And what’s this with Obama calling Bush to give him a heads up on the end of the Iraq war? He should have called him up to tell him “to bad you didn’t have the courage to end a dishonest and horrible war that you started, but then again it's known that you never had any real courage”.
Robert

Big government was here during the Bush years, it was just more secretive and behind closed doors. Spying on U.S. citizens, putting people in jail with out a speedy trial. I still don't know who Cheney had at his energy meeting and that happen over 8 years ago. I can't help but think that is why have higher oil,gas and natural gas prices.

Gene, you are so… so right
” When Bush released his 2008 budget.. which was 3.1 trillion.. no one says a peep. That's because so much of that money was going oversees and towards war.
When Obama releases a budget for 3.5 trillion… then it's insane spending.. because instead of spending the money on blowing up and then rebuilding Iraq… we spend it on ourselves.”

Basically, The Equation looks like this…
BUSH Budget 3.1 Trillion = IRAQ + Tax Cuts for Madoff + Ferrari + No Bid Contract + Oil Profits + Cold War Weapons + Earmarks for pet projects + Trickle Down Buschonomics + Depression

OBAMA Budget 3.5 Trillion = Health Care Reform + Deficit Reduction + Infrastructure + Education + IRAQ Exit + Afghanistan+ Stop American Job Exporting + Create Green Economy

Go Figure…

Republicans and Rush need to Shut UP Period…

What a pathetic mess the Republican Party has become.

Notice how the Republicans never had an opinion until now? For the past eight years they followed Bush and the boys 100%, agreeing with everything and anything they did. They are dead weight.

So I guess that part of the liberal democratic process of “Change” for America includes the inability to move on from the past/Bush. Enough already with the pathetic Bush/Republicans/Conservatives are to blame for all the ills if the world.

TO : @Grandma March 1st, 2009 2:44 pm ET

I Totally agree with your comment ! keep up the good work !!

It's thanks to the dumb Republicans in charge(were in charge) that goverment had to step in and become bigger. This is all part of a plan to try to get people to turn against the Dems and return power to 1/4th of the nation. When you have Ann Coulter, Rush Limpbaugh, Steele, and Sarah Pale-in as your main faces of your party, that's just sad and pathetic. The founding fathers would be laughing at the joke that is the Republican party nowadays.

Bush WAS big government! DUH!

Republicans are full of it. Bush created a bigger government than Clinton. And I really don't care if the government is big or small. I want government that works. This big or small argument is so pointless.

When people talk about Health care reform it always comes back to more money out of our pockets.
There needs to be a series of meetings between physicians, pharmaceutical companies, and Insurance companies concerning cost first. How can we make visits to the Doctor cheaper, or emergency room visit's cheaper, what about medication. Prices have to make sense first, and then come to the American people and ask for our money.
They always have a reason to raise prices, but no one ever finds the reason to lower prices.

annie – Palin 2012 March 1st, 2009 12:05 pm ET

bo and the demmies are working for a totalitarin government run totally by the government and the extreme wealthy and the rest of us will be thrown into a welfare state. Wake-up Americans! bo is out to destroy the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Neither party is without fault but bo's agenda is a total destruction of the USA.

Apparently you are as delusional as Palin, Rush and the rest.

To reply to the socialism comment by Happy with new President, are you for real? Have you ever heard of or read the Constitution. That is what this country was founded on, you should try reading it.

Oh and by the way, Europe is not flourishing they are in a much worse situation. Their tax rates are way higher and no their medical care is not much more advanced. Good grief where do the majority of people who want the best care come to, The United States. As for your examples of a better transportation system, do you even know the size of most Euro countries and the population? Compare their size and population with ours. We have way more territory to cover and way more vehicles.

But you are probably some 20 something lazy drag on our system that doesn’t want to work. And you want the rest of the country to hand you everything and take care of you. No 70% of the country doesn’t support obama it’s about 62% and it will continue to decline as we are in the first 100 days. You must forget that even bush was at 62% approval in his first 100 days.

Happy with the new President, please educate yourself…

The only people that agrees with the saying "the era of big gov't is back" is very "right wing" conservatives, period..... even if we would have elected McCain, he would have to "step in" as Government,
because if he would have let everything go, like "the Bush" done,
this country would be in more of a turmoil, than it already is. And on top of that, there would be more hate groups out there, hating McCain,
just like there is now, hating Obama

Big Government never left it just shifted around. But now its back BIGGER and BADDER than ever.

Big goverment that will tell you every move you can make that is what is back. Thank you Mr. Obama. I wonder how high gas prices will go this summer if his so called carbon tax is enacted. good luck with your new president people.

Excuse me...kingdomkd2

You MUST simply educate yourself more before you rant like an incubus, please...

Mike, Syracuse NY – Since you claim that "spending is spending"...how about instead of buying a new car for yourself you buy one for me. Maybe then you will understand that not all spending is the same and that Obama spending money on our own country makes a lot more sens than Bush wasting money overseas.

You know it is possible that Obama's spending spree and grandiosity is just power run amok. Look at that Rev. Wright, his mentor for years, and how he abused his power through the pulpit. When you hand a person who has virtually no experience, but alot of amibition and ego and use race as a reason to celebrate and validate, then you are setting in motion a dictator. Obama made it clear that he wants what he wants. This nation just elected an African King.

It's amazing how republicans are now the party of fiscal responsibility after years of credit-card drunken sailor style spending.

It must be a miracle. They have been converted. Praise the Lord.

Excuse me? As soon as the government starts working FOR the people the republicans call it 'big government.' This is nothing but a propaganda sound-bite and it is a lie. They would prefer it if the banks could keep going with no regulation – so they can keep ripping us off. And they would prefer it that big companies could go on without regulation so they can steal our pensions, lower our wages, take our jobs to India, poison our food, air and water. They would prefer it if the average American could NOT afford an education or health care – cause if you keep people uneducated and sick, they won't have time to notice who is ripping them off – the billionaire republicans, the CEOs and their billionaire lobbyist republican friends. So until they offer a positive, good idea about what to do with this mess THEY made, they should put up and shut up and support the president that AMERICA chose – instead of sitting around lobbing cheap propaganda pot-shots for political gain while people suffer, like a bunch of power-hungry sore losers.

This country is in terrible trouble, thanks in very large part to the republicans and their failed ideologies. Now it's time to get the help we desperately need from our government, and it's time for these rethugs to shut up and allow this country to get back on it's collective feet!

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha,

this from folks who a month ago said president can do anything he wants,

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

As a small business owner, I just had to lay off three people. You all and your big government can now support them and their families. I might as well close the doors, lay off the other 10 and have Obama take care of the rest of us. I am sick of working and taking care of everyone else. I am tired of paying my mortgage, so big government can take care of that as well. I am also tired of paying my health and utility bills, so I want big government to pay for that. I deserve a better house, car and boat, so big government owes me. I am tired of the empty mumbo jumbo of both parties.

Just had to vent.

Does Congressman Price have a specific proposal to jump start our economy? I have yet to hear a single proposal other than tax cuts. I'm listening, GOP. Do you have anything constructive to offer, or are you just going to keep on whining?

The last guy I worked for bought a Maserati with his tax cuts. In the same year, he fired 480 American workers and outsourced their jobs to China. That improved his profit by another $1.5 million. So he bought two Porches for himself and a Bentlly for his wife.

I think Americans deserve better than to be ruled by greed and selfishness. Every Christian in America should rise up in the name of Jesus against the unholy lust for profit that is destroying our nation.

Limbaugh nailed Obama and his liberal socialist agenda to the wall.
I am happy to see the truth exposed! Those who want Big government need to move to Russia or better yet North Korea. Emanuael and Obama would find comfort in knowing God doesn't exist in these countries. America is a God based country, if you are unhappy with the foundation of the house move!

Rush=Blowhard.Don't get to worked up about anything this guy says…..Anyone got any oxycontin or vicodin?

No, the era of spending isn't back – its the era of fixing what has been ignored for years. This country needs to invest in itself. Prez Obama was right in his recent speech saying we should have spent surpluses years back on investments in our country... insead we gave the money back to people just so politicians could get re-elected.

No one likes deficit spending and yeah, we'll be paying for it for years to come, but much of this is necessary and long overdue. If the Republicans had done some of it while they were in power,...perhaps we could have spread the pain out a little bit. But we can't now.

I share that dislike for deficit spending... but I'm ready and willing for a bit of pain to put this country's economy back on track, the invest in infrastructure and health care reform. The GOP hasn't had an original idea in years... time to let the new guy run with the ball for awhile.

Where was all the hell raising when Bush was running things? There wasn't any. The Republicans approved any old thing their Lord and Master put before them. It was fine for Bush to waste 3 trillion dollars on a useless war but they all complain and refuse to work with our new President in trying to straighten out our country. These Republican Representatives are a disgrace to America and need to be kicked to the curb. President Obama will keep his promises to the American people without any help from the GOP. You wait and see. True Americans are standing with our Presiudent. He has not and will not lie to us. He said right from the start that we are in a terrible fix and it will take time to get us out of this ditch. But with our help and patience, he will do it. I and millions of Americans are willing to help him and we are all wishing him much success!!

It is very puzzling....when it was W running up the tab it was touted as necessary by the republicans.

John King has no job so he started 'State of the Union' where he brings these congressmen, senators and other politics figures and try to ask them silly questions. First of all current president has every intention to destroy our society and our economic system. He has no respect for what our founding fathers wanted us to be, the best and powerful nation on earth, an economic power. Very soon everybody realize what a big mistake it was to put this guy in the white house. He is not qualified for it neither he deserves it. We really have a change... Socialism. John King should know that the un-employment will get into double figures and it will take 5-10 years to repair the damage. I hope American people will relize this and start protests until this stimulus package is withdrawn.

why does everyone listen to the pill poppin moron.WE WON get over it and help bring country back from where the repubs put us with rushs help

Big government is back???? THE LARGEST INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT WAS THE Dept of Home(uber)land Security!!! IDIOTS!!

Before that the single largest increase in government was under the Reagan Admin.

The GOP thinks you are dumb America do not buy the BS!!

Sad to see there's even 9,000 people who cheer for that hateful, propoganda-spreading liar, Rush Limbaugh.

How can you be a patriot and hope Obama fails?

You're nothing but a fat, hypocritical bag of wind.

In the Bible, in the book of Genesis, Joseph oversaw 7 years of famine and it became a government program to FEED the nation and sell grains to foreigners. There is nothing wrong with feeding your people. People dont have jobs. They need to eat. They need help. There is nothing wrong with feeding your country.

Big government made a comeback after 9/11, under "W" and the GOP Congress.

The reasons now, are at least as good as they were then, if not better.

It's time for politicians to end this childish bickering, put the country & it's people first, and work together to get us out of this mess.

Here is hoping the American people keep these conservatives irrelevant for many years to come. P.S. The poster boy for the republican election campaign sold FIVE books at a well publicized book signing in Wash DC while this convention of thieves was taking place. Joe the plumber – that is five less books than your old man McCain has houses. Maybe you should look for salvation elsewhere !

When Bush released his 2008 budget.. which was 3.1 trillion.. no one says a peep. That's because so much of that money was going oversees and towards war.

When Obama releases a budget for 3.5 trillion... then it's insane spending.. because instead of spending the money on blowing up and then rebuilding Iraq... we spend it on ourselves.

Spend the money on blowing up and then rebuilding another country.. that's conservative. Spend the money on rebuilding our own country, that's insane, irresponsible, socialist?

This is why conservatives/republicans will be as relative as the green party soon... in fact, the green party may just end up overtaking them

Yes, the era of big goverment is back... It actually has never left. What the Republicans fail to mention is that the last time we had budget surpluses, it was during a Democratic administration. Also, when I take a look at President Obama's budget it invest in our future. Healthcare reform, better education, and beginning our transition to a green energy economy. Those are all admirable issues to be spending money on, and it reflects the ideals that won him a mandate in November. My question to President Bush supporters is what does he have to show for the all the money he spent? Where is the new infastructure? Where is the healthcare reform? Where are the alternative fuels initiatives? His budget was all about the Iraqi war, tax cuts for the wealthy, (so they could go and buy another ferrari) and all types of corporate loopholes for big oil so that companies like Exxon Mobil can make 100 billion dollars while we wallow in huge deficits. So yes, unfortunately we must run up huge deficits at this moment, but at least we'll have something to show for it this time. Something that will have enduring value... For all americans.

Almost a decade of right wing control.All three branches of gov. for six of those.This is where we are now.We battle and scream at one another.We are all in this boat together(kind of),even if your a republician you better hope it works......NOT FAILS(Rush)!We've seen the answers from the right side of the asile.....how'd that work out for us?

Taxpayers all so screwed with this budget plan. For those who think that it only affects the 250K and over crowd, please get off of cloud nine.It is irritating to see so many fellow Americans screaming for handouts because they over bought, over paid, and over consumed. Personally if that's the way it will be I will be quitting my job and getting on the gravy train. Why should I work my way up the ladder of success when everyone in this country whines and gets it for free. Luckily through saving and living within my means and paying off all debt including my mortgage I can retire (or better yet get laid off with a nice package) at 40. Why will I need to work once I get free health care, food, education, and utilities paid for by Uncle Sam. Honestly I can't wait to sit back and laugh while the rest of you fight over the scraps.

I'm not a fan of large deficit spending, but I recognize the need for it at this time. Our economy is slumping, and we need someone to step in and make the necessary investments needed to allow us to thrive again in the future. For too long we have let our infrastructure crumble in the pursuit of a quick buck.

Is it going to be the corporate sector making this investment? No, even if they weren't flat on their backs broke, they've forgotten how to plan for the future. If it lowers their quarterly profits, dividends, and bonuses, they don't do it.

Now if only we didn't spend so much money when our economy was flush on wars of choice and tax cuts for the wealthy. But republicans couldn't plan for the future then, and they're unable to do it now.

When Congress was called back to interfer and decide if the husband in Fl could disconnect his wife from the feeding tube when she was brain dead.... THAT WAS TOO BIG A GOVERNMENT. THAT WAS GOP LEADER IN THE WHITE HOUSE... GOP LEADING THE STATE OF FL.

Limbaugh IS the open cavity of the Republicans. If they had any sense they would have parked him out of sight a long time ago.
But any tool is use to them because they are economically prostituted to not "free trade" which is NOT FAIR trade....but an opportunity for them to avoid their obligations in the US. Instead their offshore and Swiss accounts, and overseas business that cheat the US AND other labor forces out of benefits, and unemployment, etc., make them happy, slim, and rich. War to support their life style is just fine. I am not "left," in the political sense, but I am truly fed up with the distortion of the Republican Party to the obscene group that it is today.

GOP = Hypocrites with no solution, just more hate.

I remember during Bush years, I asked my accountant what would happen if I don't pay taxes. I usually pay taxes, but w/ the Bush Administration, I felt like my money is used to perpetuate a war that there seems to be no end. The Democratic majority didn't help change the direction. The administration keeps changing the story as if they don't know what they are doing. This year, with the Obama administration in, I have no gripes about paying taxes, because I know they will be put in good use. Now that feels good.

Big Brother has been the theme the last 8 years- What ARE they talking about? Go away gop!

The era of Big Government is not back Rep. Price. Rather, Mr President has always reminded those who pay heed to what comprise his agenda and the means for achieving the parts thereof that he will employ the optimal size government as needed.

Who or what else has the wherewithal to tackle the myriad problems left for President Obama to solve? Our banking system? The vaunted American enterprise spirit? The Republicans?

We should not delude ourselves anymore. Republican Trickle down economic proved a dud. You don't need extraordinary sense to know that whoever controls the goodies spigot will ensure nothing escapes. The banking system was deregulated ostensibly for the notion that a free market is the right arbiter of just equity. Now, where are we?

We should all be very happy that providence saw fit to give us a smart reasonable pragmatic and dare I say resolute President at a time when every and all systems purposes and processes of the economy and government demand fundamental rethinking and radical redesign. Those of you praying for his failure should thank your stars you are not citizens of countries of countries where such utterances are treasonous and whose consequences are outright execution

One thing conveniently left out of his statement is the fact that President Obama inserted the costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars into the budget. Something Bush did not do. I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some other numbers being tweaked and buried/hidden by Bush and company.

Whoever is talking about "Socialism", they don't have any clue. What is wrong with the system that is in Western Europe? People, midle clas just love it. Businesses are growing strongly then here because they are regulation in place (not like here with big corporation who think that they are over everybody), school system is much better, health system much more advanced then ours, Euro stronger then Dollar, they dont have Republican party which is all only about their rich friends, big businesses, oil companies, etc., transportation system much better then ours, roads and bridges don't fail on people's head, etc. Now, we have a President who wants to take us back on the road (like 8 y ago before this puppet in W), and look who is complaining: bunch of old idiots, republicans who finaly loosed their power, rush and ann with nazi ideas!
Yes, America is on the road to recovery with our President up-front, and 70% americans will support him.
The President will not fail, same for America, but republican party is on good way to totaly disapearing. Good for America!
Yes, we can, and we will!!!

It's pathetic the number of bloggers who say that this is what Bush did as justification for Obama doing it. Wasn't lack of fiscal responsibility one of the things you airheads wanted to change? Well how can more big spending and tax cuts get us out of a hole that was dug by too much spending and tax cuts? Do you expect that the same actions that got us into this mess will magically get us out? Insanity! It doesn't matter if the spending is in Iraq or bailing out welfare queens. Spending is spending.

The era of trying to make government work is back – hopefully.

Health care, the environment, a energy policy that doesn't finance America's enemies... those are "big government" issues that the Repubs could have tried to tackle, and either botched or avoided. Now it's the Dem's turn... and honestly... there is little way they can do worse, and a million ways they can do better.

The Republicans have zero credibility right now. Zero. And the more that their nonsense-talkers, like Rush and Jindal, sound like the Republican's true voice, the less the Repubs are helping anything beyond making themselves look worse.

Is this man serious? Bush and the Republicans were the biggest spenders of all. We got into this mess because of 8 long years with Bush.and the GOP. Where was the Republican protests when Bush racked up the trillion dollar deficit?

Ask him and the Republicans this: Where was the outcry when Bush was spending us into this mess? WHERE???

Faulting 'big government' to rationalize the need for and to excuse irresponsible government is an effort trying to deceive and ignore the problems at hand. It would be irrational and likely only offered by those who self-indulgently want to go back to more of the same. We are in deep sh__ and government better take some very drastic actions to turn things around and then we can worry about 'big government' latter. To do otherwise would be irresponsible.

There was a 40% increase in the size of government under Pres. Bush...thats the largest increase in our government since its initial formation....now the republicans want to blame Obama for "big government"? Republicans are pathetic hypocrites.

Good. Just look where the myth of "small government" and deregulation got is.

its a shame that all those who support Obama and this spending package are blinded by the Obama smoke. Take a minute and look at your kids and see who is paying for this spending, its not you its your kids. So when you complain that there is nothing when you get old and retire,] blame yourself.

What a fun time watching the ridiculous Republicans try to reinvent themselves as, get this, conservative stewards of this country. How funny is this in light of eight years of Bush! Oh, and don't get me started on just how big this government is getting with REPUBLICANS not running the show as when that same government GOT big when these did run the show! You would think that all Americans were dumb and blind but Republicans will try anything to get their way, kind of like a virus who you would wish would just go away! REPUBLICANS AND VIRUSES, just try and stamp them out and they continue to infest!

Just more hypocrisy from sore losers. Big Government has been around for the last 8 years or so. They have no room to be complaining about it now that suddenly they're not the ones funneling money into their pet projects.

At least the bill isn't violating the constitution and stripping us of our rights. I guess that's a step in the right direction

I'll take 'big government', whatever that means, over no government, no leadership, corruption and old, out of touch ideas anyday. Did we go from tiny government on January 20th to big government somehow? I must have mistakenly seen extra zeroes in what our government wasted our money on before January 20th.

The Republican National Committee elected their first-ever African-American party chief.
This is the male version of Sarah Palin. Only picked because the democrats and the American people have put race totally out of the picture. Took 5 times voting before they elected him. They only picked Mr. Steele because the republicans have taking so much heat for there all white party.
This is kind of like when NBC comes out with a show about psychic detectives then two months later FOX comes out with a show about psychic detectives

Good! The era of big business was an absolute disaster, so I'll take my chances with big government. Unlike big business, big government can be voted out! I say, time for more regulation, and even wage and bonus caps on ALL CEOs. They do it to us, so why shouldn't it be done to them? They won't respond well and it would hurt their performance, you say? Well, if they're only in it for the money, then fire them, just like they'd do to us for having the same attitude!

Big Goverment LAUGHABLE Coming from the Gop, The Gop have become the WHINE Party, While Bush was Wasting our MONEY in Iraq and Balling out Ceos On Wall St NOT A PEEP FROM THE WHINE PARTY! They think we will forget the Disasters of the Last 8 years from them and their President Bush. RIP– GOP!

Good grief. G.W. Bush presided over the largest increase in the size of government since FDR (and a far less productive growth than we saw under the New Deal). I'm more than a little tired of the Rush-worshipping whackjobs on the right.

Hey, Price Where were you for the last 8 years that allowed the Cheney/Bush administration to run this great country of ours into the ground?

I've never heard of you before now. Guess it takes an elected Presidential Democrat to bring you out in the open. I call that cowardice and shirking resposibility.

Republicans: either help or get out of the way! Your finger wagging and politics of division have worn very thin. Please also stop claiming big government is intruding into our lives. Aren't you the party that wants to tell me who I can marry and whether or not I can have an abortion? Stop moralizing and start thinking about solutions for our country's problems!

One last thing before I go........What makes you or anyone think that the same government that destroyed Social Security and our country will fix it? They were the ones who took money that was not theirs, and now are on a spending spree that will cost us all a lifetime to repay. That is unless Al Gore comes up with a new invention for a new green money tree that will save our planet. No the fact of the matter is, we have taken God out of the equasion and thus the reason for failure in this country. There is no other explaination for it. Without Him we can do nothing and scripture says a divided house will fall. May God bless you all and give each of us wisdom to get through the times ahead.

The difference is where the money is spent. The total mess that Bush and company left forced the spending that Obama is having to do right now. the real deficit was just kept off the books by Bush and his voodoo economic lies. Obama had the courage to put the truth into the real budget instead of lying and trying to conceal the war costs and disaster spending. He has tried to put money aside for health care, which we do need. He is trying to make the investments in energy and education that we really need.

I am sick to death of hearing what the republicans think. They did control this govt for more that 8 years with their control of congress under Clinton. what did they do? they spent us into this hole and now complain about the fact that Obama has to spend because they created such a mess that business is failing across the whole country. The only institution left is the govt and it must spend to get our economy moving again. I am for spending, as long as it helps Americans right here and not off in Iraq or for some fat cats extras. I find Rush to be the most disgusting human being. I hope he chokes on his own fat tongue!

Maggie, it will take up until 2010 to get us out of the mess Bush put us in. Remember he was in the White House for 8 long years causing the economy to be what it is, so do you think Obama can fix his mess in just a few months, I don't think so, and anyone with a mind should and would know better.

I just do get these people of the Republican party...Bush could spend all he wanted and not one, NOT ONE Republican member stood up to him...now it's to late and President Obama is trying to get this Country straightened around and all they Republicans do is complain.....

President Obama is putting Country first, can't say that for the Republican Party....it is always the Party....it's time to move on people and get to work and HELP, stop criticizing...and for once EARN your money....

I sure hope that the Congress stop their pay raises for the year....NOT A GOOD THING AT THIS TIME.........

Big Government has been hear for years. So what's his point; honestly?

To Katiec and Chuck: Here we supposedly live in the land of free speech and civil liberty, yet we have the like of you wanting to silence all voices of dissent. Perhaps you should jump back 30 years and go enjoy the creature comforts of Soviet Russia where all voices of opposition were also silenced. As for me, I prefer to live in a land where all sides can speak and be heard no matter if they spew from the American Communist Party or the KKK.

So stop with you Gestapo tactics and grow up. When you silence the minority, like you seek to do, you end up with despotism. You may not like the message but to seek to silence the message is worse.

The whole issue seems to be: should government control business or should business control government? We have seen what happens when government cedes control to corporations and what happens when government becomes too powerful and spends too much. What many people fail to realize in the midst of all this Socialist bullcrap, is that President Obama is trying to restore balance to this dislocated power structure. He is trying to get past these antiquated ways of thinking to restore prosperity for all, not just a select few.

Spending 60% more than you take in...Warning: Our elected "leaders" are trained professionals. Do not attempt this stupid stunt with your home budget. BTW, PrezBO's 2012 campaign theme – "Change We Can't Afford"

Republicans know how to use fear card. where were they the last 8 years?

The era of Big Government never went away. The Bush administration created the largest bureaucracy in U.S. history with DHS, and the majority of jobs that were created over the last eight years were in the public sector.

I guess what this idiot meant to say is "This is the end of the era of Reagan Republican big government and the beginning of government for the people."

" Change scares people" . . . because its the unknown. I have to admit that I wasn't happy about it either when the company I work for (film processing plant ) swithched from traditional to digital. In the begining it freaked me out. . . . But, in order for the company to stay in business they had to make drastic changes in order to compete. So, no matter how we feel about changing here in AMERICA, it has to be done so we can stay in business as well. WE HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

When you think! You can tell others, how to spend "THEIR"_____ Money. It will just lead to less investment. Who wan't to Buy a House/Venture; that some-else owns. You think like little-people. So you get minimum-wages....

People working in big government usually vote for Democratic and therein lies the rub.Republicans are scared they will never get elected again,and they wont.hahahahha

Funny....I am friends with many Canadians and have spent a bit of time in Canada...and they don't seem to have any issue with things like; affordable college, health care, support for public education, the list goes on....oh and look, they still have their liberties. All this hysteria about so-called bigger government is simple-minded, which should be of no surprise since it comes from the far-right. These people who decry Canada's government and some of the European governments are simply talking out their hat and playing on people's insecurities. I find it amusing that the same neo-con tools had no trouble doubling the debt and defecit to support the Bush Doctrines, but now are blowing about the cost of Obama's budget. HYPOCRITES...every last one. Wake up people.

Come on right wingers, keep bleating the talking points supplied to you by your lords and masters in corporate America since they own the Republicans' souls.
Here's something I'm not hearing about-solutions. Whine and whine and whine. Bush, like his Daddy, and Ronnie before him cut taxes to the wealthy. What have we seen since? The top 1% earned 10% of the income when Reagan took office, they now earn 24%. But, let's trust them to trickle it down. Really? Then how come middle and lower income wages have not kept up?

The plan entails risk but, Obama has a plan. He is the only one acting like an adult willing to make tough decisions. The rest of you should come back when you have a way to fix this.

Too funny. These are the same people who think it's perfectly ok to wiretap American citizens, to tell women what they can and can't do w. their uteruses, and what people can and can't do in their own bedrooms. And they're complaining about "big government"? Ha No, they're just peeved that big business, lobbyists, and wall street are finally being held accountable for screwing over the little guy.

annie– I think you forgot to take your meds today. Please give us examples of how PRESIDENT Obama is "destroying" the country. I'd really like to know. Oh no! Not healthcare everyone can afford! God forbid! What??? Education for everyone! How will the GOP be able to pull the wool over ignorant people's eyes any longer? Nooooo! Oh, and even worse: roads people can actually drive on! Horrible!!
Get. A. Grip.

To "Jon in Ca:"
The Obama administration, despite many economists saying that we need to do it, has NOT advocated nationalizing the banks.

President Obama has stated before that he does not believe in wealth re-distribution. We already pay taxes based on our income, this is not a new invention, although tax cuts for the rich and so-called "trickle-down" economy was pushed by the Republicans. It hasn't worked!

Has there been greater loss of liberty lately than what we lost with the Patriot Act? What loss of liberty are you talking about? What liberties does President Obama want to take away?

If by Nanny-state politics you mean better regulation of our financial institutions, I believe lack of regulation is one of the contributors to our present economic crisis.

I thought 'deficeits don't matter'? That's what the GOP said over and over and over and over ....

While is it that RCN has the right to small gov and tax cut, which is their belived? then DNC has no right to do what they belived which is big gov, and tax increase?
fox news has the rihgt to trash obama, and others? but msnbc has no right to trash RCN.

Goverment grew to it largest size in history under Shrub, they just keep repeting the same mantra:

Tax cuts fix all – it is all Bill Clintons fault – Obama is a Socialist.

Funny thing, every Republican who calls Obama a socialist that I have met in the last 12 months, when asked hasn't been able to tell me what a socialist is, at best they describe a Communist at worst they describe a Union.

Oh yeah, and if I hear them call Obama "the Messiah" I know automatically 2 things:

1) They can't be a Christian since they don't know Jesus was and is the Messiah.
2) They are letting Rush and the Scarecrow put words in their mouths.

I'm so sick and tired of these Repigs. They should be all be put in a hot air balloon with limited energy supply, and set out over the Atlantic ocean. When they land the sharks can have them, especially their leader Rush Oxycontin Limbaugh. He alone will be a mouth full for any shark. Probably take a few of them to get to his bone, but I'm shore they will be happy to tear that fat @@@ up.

HURRY 2010 !! Please, hurry.

Im neither a Republican or a Democrat. Both are made up of true hypocrites, but that's politics.

The biggest problem I have with all this spending is the tax stuff. I dont think the government ought to take money from the people that have earned it and then give it to the leeches that suck the life out of this country.

I do know this....we are in for a struggle with this pres. You can dis Limbaugh all you want but what he is saying is true. You think this Pres. is sincere? Well I'll be willing to bet you will eat crow before the year is over. You will feel the effects of your pres. as well as the rest of us. Then we shall see who's crying.

Funny, I though President Obama just issued an outline of programs. No where in it did he talk about increasing size of government

I am in my early 60's and I have never seen so much hate people have for one another except during the late 60's over another war. This president is doing nothing to try to calm people. His attitude is my way or the highway so much for working with people. The liberals all talk about hate from the conservatives and all they do is sprew hate toward the conservatives. Both sides have good and bad ideas so why not try to work things from both sides? Bush started tearing down this country with his out of controll spending and Obama will finish what Bush started if he doesn't change. HIs change is more of the same with far left liberal programs added.

It's been back for a while now. Where were these guys that last 8 years?? Is Ron Paul the only honest politician left in DC?

It wasn' all Bush. Remember president I didn't have sex with that woman! He disgraced our country like never before. Not once but many times over. He cut spending on our troops and sent them into harms way without armour. Black Hawk Down is a close to truth version of what happened. Why do we have to be dems or republicans etc. and so forth anyway. I was under the impression we were all living in America and we were all in the same boat here. Am I missing something? Did we rename our country and people in it. A divided house will fall.

funny this didn[t come up during G.W's trillion dollar budget for the year 2008

The reason Rep. don't want big goverment is because they don't want goverment standing in there way of doing what they have done for the past 8 years. Transfer wealth to the top. They don't want Gov. to have any oversight over the banks so the big CEO's can do what they've done the past 8 years. Make risky loans and get PAID. They don't want Gov involved in health care so they can make sweatheart deals with the drug companies, and Insurance companies can keep raising our rates.

And as far as the Tax issue. Please keep in mind if you don't make over 250K THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. you get a tax break! And lets get real... We know those making over 250K can afford accountants who know how to hide there money so they don't pay taxes on it. They're not paying their fair share now so why not raise their taxes and close the loopholes. I think the current tax rate is 35%. I'm willing to bet that most of them are paying less than 20% OF THIER TOTAL INCOME after their account finds creative ways to hide their money.

One last thing... Please stop blaming the housing problems on those who purchased homes they could not afford. First of all they're not the ones who wrote the checks. Banks did a por job of verifying information because they didn't care. The knew they were going to sell the loans to someone else.

Second.. these people were being told by the lender that the could afford the homes. And yes alot of them were uneducated, and taken advantage of by the lender so that they could get paid. These people put their trust in the lenders who failed to explain to them what an ARM or interest only loan was. They convenience these people that they didn't have to worry because the value of their home would go up.

Yes there are alot of them who just made a bad choice, but the cast majority of them were taken advantage of by the banks and lender.

If you think big business sucked the life out of our economy and yes, this is exactly what one greedy sector of it did, wait 'till you see what big government will do. Big government really will just put any recovery in extreme slow motion. What we are seeing now is government greed trying to outdo private greed. Apparently government will win this contest and the American economy will lose.

someone tell the cons the jig is up,there is no turning back to failed status quo policy.I'm personally troubled that they still do not seem to understand the national reaction to their poor leadership and policies,and their continued scheming to return to power by veiling their same failed policies by calling them something that their not .These attempts will of course fail.progressive policy of shared sacrifice will trump greedy individualism this time. the repubs and the con's are suffering bad Karma,it is unleashed against ill will and the bad nature of their thinking .

Well Mr Price, you say that is not the change the American people are interested in? Get your head out of the sand. The American people sure as hell voted in November for change. Did you forget? The Rush/Coulter/Palin bunch as well as you do not speak for "the American people" President Obama does. Get used to it.

Era of big government came back with Bush!!!

If the era of big government is 'back' (whatever that means) then the Republicans are responsiblie for it. When did this big spending begin? On the Iraq war – right? That was the first real big down payments our government starting dishing out, and then the financial crisis hit us – another big government down payment – on the Republicans watch.....right?

Let's be clear, if you want to call this a big government, let's be honest about why and who is responsible. Sure, the democrats are continuing it, but atleast it's not for a war that we didn't have to wage. It's IN FACE for a country that desperately NEEDS IT!

Repubs – you're ideas aren't ideas! Come on THINK!

None of these people were screaming when the first nearly trillion dollar bailout was asked for last fall. Why the grandstanding now? They didn't care back then? Quit pretending.

Republicans – the party of "I don't recall" – didn't squeal when Bush, who didn't even have the backbone to put the cost of the wars or the cost of medicare in this budgets – kept raising the debt limit, and the deficit ... as of two months ago!

No solutions, no apologies for the past 8 years, willing to rewrite history and replace the facts with name-calling, scary words and failed policies of their not too distant past.

Shame, shame, shame! Hypocrisy, thick enough to choke an elephant! Stop lying to the country and stop pretending you care!

So basically, they oppose deficit spending, unless it's on their priorities that work to make life squalid, nasty, brutish, and short.

What conservatives like Tom Price probably don't realize or what to accept is that "big business" just failed. That is the reality that Obama, and the whole country for that matter, inherited from the last administration.

At this point our differing philosophies about the kind of government we ultimately want are irrelevant. When a trauma patient arrives at the emergency room, you don't think about what kind of outpatient therapy would be fitting down the road. You just do everything you can to save the patient. And if we're lucky, and it's not clear we will be, in a few years, instead of a few decades, can have that grand debate about what kind of government "we the people" want for the future.

We are in triage mode. Big Business failed, and there is no alternative right not to bigger governments investment to try and create a safety net for those who will feel this the affects the most.

The era of big government never went anywhere. Every last presidents, including the "Messiah" Ronald Reagan presided over some form of big government. Actually, the reduce the size of government, why don't you all quit. Fewer employees, small government. Seriously, try to be a bit more helpful and a bit less critical.

Interesting to do a bit of research on past US presidents who have expanded the federal government the most, and least. It is an interesting list.

"Big" government Presidents who increased the size of the federal government include: Lincoln (R), Hayes (R), T. Roosevelt (R), Taft (R), Wilson (D), Hoover (R), FDR (D), Truman (D), Johnson (D), Nixon (R), Reagan (R), Bush I (R), Clinton (D), Bush II (R).

"Smaller" governments presidents (it is a very small list) who reduced the size of the US government: Cleveland (D), Harding (R), Coolidge (R), Carter (D).

The two largest expansions of the size of the federal government in the last 150 years occurred during the Reagan and Bush II administrations.

Big government is not "back"...it has always been here.

You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free! Thank God for people like Rush who are not afraid to speak the truth to our nation. He stands up for our country and fights for us all. We should all take a second look at what is going on here and ask ourselves one thing…. Do we want Big Government controlling every move we make? This is what it’s coming down the pipe folks.Rush is just telling the TRUTH! This is what I want to hear don’t you? Who wants to hear lies? If I were a president and was heading toward a plan to cause hard times, would you want me to succeed in my PLANS and cause you to struggle all your life? Would you? What about this package we never knew was comming? They signed it into place without reading it first. WOW!What do you think will be next? Hello! Rush is right! President Obama could do so much good if he put forth the effort. Do you think we could get away with doing this in our lives? What if we signed every document put in front of our face and did not read it first? We deserve better than this, and that goes for all of us. If you run for defending the people and say continually how transperant you will be then do it. I have not seen it yet have you? Come on people, is all you see only one part or are you turning a deaf ear to what is going on? Are you willing to sign your life away today? Are you willing to give up your freedom? I’m not! May God help us all! And I did say ALL!

I hope and pray that it remains "Big and Robust." I would trust President Obama before I'd trust any of them. They couldn't help their own man (Bush), and they don't have anything to offer now.

They have become a noun, a verb, and "grinchish" sound bites.

It's nice to see Republicans getting all "small-government" again. You'd have thought they weren't around for the last 8 years.

News brief: it never left! (thanks to the hypocritical Republicans, who enlarged the size of government tremendously over the last 8 years)

Obama is going against his word about reigning in pork barrel spending. The Stimulus Bill had over 1000 pork barrel bills attached that were hidden from the public until recently. Is this the kind of CHANGE his followers wanted? Semms like more of the same GOP/Bush antics. This is disgusting and Obama/Left wing Democrats are going to pay for these stupid funding bills by losing the public trust. Right now, I do not trust the left or the right. Where is a party for the moderates? Both parties are throwing money around like candy and it is NOT their money, it is ours!!!! The taxpayers are getting saddled with bills for the rich and greedy. Why hasn't there been ONE hearing about how we got to where we are and how to prevent it? How come Madoff is not in Jail for swindling BILLIONS from investors? Why didn't the SEC catch on to his scheme in 2002 when it was pointed out that Madoff did not have one documented transaction for his corporation? Why do I have to live within my means? But the banks, car makers, people in foreclosure, and now the airlines/restrauants/hotels are lining up for our money with no law changes to change their behavior? It is like giving a credit card to a teenager and watching them max it out, then giving them another with their promise not to abuse the second, while we pay off the first credit card balance.

The error of big government is back.

Has Tom Price been in a coma over the last eight years?

It is the change people voted for. Obama won the election, and everything in his budget is exactly what he campaigned on.

So maybe instead of hoping that he fails, people should start hoping that he succeeds, and get behind the President and starting working together toward common goals of making America stronger.

I am so tired of the whining and the word 'socialisim' tossed around randomly when people have no clue what socialism really means. And here's a clue: THIS AIN'T IT.

Yes we can, America. So lets get to it already.

Like listening in on my phone calls and reading my emails, via the Bush admin isn't Big Government? Idiots.

where you have been for the last 8 years.

"Era of Sanity"- Obama and Democrats.
I am happy to have 25% of the population as Republicans for a very loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time.

The world is in a better place with the Limbaugh and Republicans ranting and whining as a minority and unable to do anything else.

Amen! and Long live America and the Free World and Green Peace..

If the economy hadn't already tanked, and if the previous administration had been nearly as concerned as the Republicans are about spending and government involvement, there would be no need for all this righteous indignation they're putting out there. Even if they're right about too much government involvement, they continue to look ridiculous when they criticize President Obama's economic decisions.

Where has Tom Price been for the past 8 years of big government? LOL.

The Republicans are sounding like a broken record. The same thing is playing over and over again. "Big government", "raise your taxes", etc.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Didn't a Republican administration get the country into this mess? How much tax money is being spent in Iraq on a monthly basis?

Americans had eight years of a Bush administration. What happened to the budget during these years? What can ALL Americans do to pull the ENTIRE nation out of this mess?

The economic climate is changing worldwide. If people aren't working, taxes aren't being collected. If taxes aren't being collected, government services have to be curtailed. Do we cut the military? Maybe some of the Congressional perks (like their health insurance) can be cut. How about road projects? What would the GOP propose to pull the country out of the quagmire of problems we currently face?

The GOP needs to "get off their high horse" and be prepared to come up with SOLUTIONS to the multitude of problems facing this country.

So, where were you, my good man, when Bush expanded government, making it bigger than it had ever been before? You were sitting in the cheering section with your hands over your eyes and ears. And what did you propose as a solution to the problems we face? More Bush, more Bush, more Bush. And now that we have a proposed solution, what do you do? You repeat empty slogans and cliches, and distort. Right now, Obama has to protect the nation against a sudden descent into chaos and anarchy, which would have happened had the banking system failed a couple months ago–and it's still on the verge–and to protect the people against roving banks of heavily armed and angry citizens who'd be out for blood–the blood of the rich and powerful, if given a chance.

Please lets face some hard facts here.The Republicans created this mess by taking Billions from us taxpayers to pay for a war nobody wanted.And not doing anything about the wallstreet rip offs and not doing a thing to protect jobs in America.And letting the American people suffer and sending or sons and daughters to war.And all we get out of all this mess is over 4000 Flag draped coffins in return?I think I said it all.Don't you?

"Big Government" is back because the GOP mismanaged the economy so badly, that the government now has no choice but to bail us all out.

And was that small government that Bush and the Republicans practiced when they ran up record deficits and debit when they were responsible for running the country?

Yes, and once again the Democrats have to save Capitalism from the capitalists; just as F.D.R. had to in the 1930`s. Does anybody REALLY learn from history. Obviously the Republicans are clueless.

where were all these people when we were committing to spending 10 billion dollars a month in Iraq? hypocrites, the lot of 'em.

Much to Obama's delight it's back and will be with us till we can shake it off, if that's possible. Think about it folks, we pay the politicians' salaries so they can tax the hell out of us to promote their agendas for their constituents. Now, if their constituents happen to be low income special interest groups, who's left to tax?No, not JUST the rich. Welcome to Socialism and soon to be one world government. Fact not fiction.

The "ERA" of big government grew under George Bush. They were into every fabric of our lives.

Hint – big government never left.

Not with Bill Clinton or George W. Bush and certainly won't be going anywhere with Barack Obama.

Republicans under W. grew the government by 40%, so they have no credibility. The only real conservative is Congress is Ron Paul. You know you're in trouble when a radio commentator is dictating party policy.

But Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio, said the new budget puts the country on the road to fiscal responsibility after excess spending from the Bush Administration.

____________________

Really???? How does INCREASING spending do that?????????

Republicans now say they're afraid of "big" government?

Tell me another lie, you hypocritical trolls.

The state of our nation is the result of republican politics whose push to leave regulatory enforcement to the late night janitorial crews. Thanks for nothing republicans, because nothing is exactly what's on the dinner plates of many True Blue Americans.

Oh well, the Republicans should have thought about big government 8 years old with Bush increased our govenment and illegal wars that cause this defict Not President Obama!

Kettle black, kettle black...
At least the current administration can do something with the money to help the American people besides pocket it like the last group to tarnish the WH.

The Republican Party's new motto: "Do as I say, not as I did"

What, we're supposed to trust or take advice from the losers who ran this country into the ground? Somehow, between Nov.2008 and today, they got some actual wisdom?

Just how stupid do they think American tax payers ARE?

Personally, I'm happy that my president is putting the REAL cost of war into the limelight by putting it into the budget - where were Republicans who whine about big government and budgets THEN? Wait... I'll tell you - they were busy lining the pockets of their buddies.

It's time for those who benefited MOST from ruining this country to pay the piper. Get over it.

Boy, those guys don't just look tired. They sound tired.

Maybe that kind of rhetoric could have worked twenty years ago. But the American people have outgrown the big government – small government nonsense.

What people want now is effective government. And the Republicans obviously lack any idea about how to provide it.

That right! Republicans hate helping out the average person becasue they feel it is socialist! They love to help the greeding fat cats on wall street.

Wow, I guess spending billions in Iraq doesn't constitute big government?? Where has this guy been for the past eight years? What a joke!

Talk, talk, talk, is that all you republicans can do? You certainly haven't done much else.

"You have to spend money to make money" is the oldest of big business proven mantras for growth. It's the cornerstone of enlightened conservative business managment everywhere.
I wonder why so many of the repugs are against it when the dems want to practice it. What, they don't believe in their own idealogy?

How could anyone but the most thoroughly brainwashed GOP drone believe the GOP is concerned about debt. They just spent 8 years doubling the national debt while leaving the country on the brink of financial ruin. Their phony policies of trickle down economics and no regulation has allowed their wealthy benefactors to feed off of the backs of the middle.

Its not big or small WE NEED EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT. Cant these ideologs get it!! Or do we need to forcefully remove them?

BIG RELIGION! MORE RELIGION. MORE ILUSIONISTS!

My question to the republicans, have you all forgotten to have put us all in this crisis? You all had your President. The people of America ha spoken and we now have our president, someone that works for Main Street and not you rethugians. Lately all I have been hearing is complaining on the other side of the isle. The funny thing about it is that not one republican has offered up any new ideas expect for tax cuts. Ok get the picture the tax cuts and trickle down effect does not work. Soon our country will be bankrupt and you rethugians are just worried about who has control over the house & the senate. You can not have your cake and icing and eat it too. My best advise to all of the rethugians is to get on board because if you all defy our president remember your election days are coming back around. The people will speak again and look at how you all would not support our President. Who would vote for people that arer so defiant and are not looking out for the well being of Main Street because you all are worried about you boat houses and mansions. Guess what a person like me makes 10.00 an hour and have to drive an hour to and from work on those bumpy interestates that have huge holes in the road that requires me to spend extra money to keep my car from falling apart just to try and make it to work. So when you rethugians forget about the trickle down effect and recognize that Main Street is what makes this economy thrives you all will never get the throne again.

Rush=Blowhard.Don't get to worked up about anything this guy says.....Anyone got any oxycontin or vicodin?

Too much debt?? Look at the debt the Republicans got us into, especially in their failed Iraq war!

A question to all republicans. The Bush administration left this new President and his Administration a mess economically and in foreign policy. The last budget left a trillion dollar deficit and the National debt grew by over 5-trillion under the republican leadership. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SHOW FOR ALL THAT DEBT??????? ??????????

At least with what the Obama administration wants to spend we will have meaningful health care reform, better educated individuals and a move away from foreign oil.

I think it's very funny how the Republicans are just now saying big government is back, I'm confused where was it for the past eight years? Huge as HE$$ and intruding into the personal lives of American citizens. Again, I think they should all shut their mouths tuck tail and run. They screwed it up and won't admit the blatant way they ignored the Bush agenda and went along with his charade.

Good long may it live!

Okay, one of the major (and I believe most important) reasons President Obama's budget "carries too much debt," as Rep. Price puts it is because, unlike what Bush did his entire time as President, Obama has included the costs of both Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, on the whole, the budget is very large, but that's the price for finally having real transparency in our government.

Era of Big Government never left. Republicans would like everyone to believe that they are better than Democrats, and fight for small government, but during the last 14 years, 12 of which were under Republican Congressional leadership, and 8 with a Republican President... they have never shrunk the government.

They have made it more inefficient. They have outsourced federal jobs to private contractors, and they have wasted a lot of tax payer dollars on no bid contracts, with little to no oversight.

If that is what shrinking the government is... We don't need that kind of leadership.

I think Responsible Big Government is finally here!!!

Republican Rep. Tom Price clearly has not received the message from the American people. We are sick and tired of the Republican Party protecting the super rich in this country.

I highly recommend that we move the tax structure back to the levels they were in 1944-45. If the republicans would agree to tax those 469 billionaires they helped shelter and create, 94% of income received over $200,000.00, we would easily wipe out our budget deficit and be in surplus again.

The only reason we are in this mess is because the Republican Party has systematically removed all Federal government oversight, allowing a bunch of predators on Wall Street and Corporate America to destroy the financial stability of this country. We were much better off financially when the Federal government had our back, protecting us from these crooks.

I now equate the Republican Party as being the creators of the new Robber 'Boomer' Barons.

Era of big government from no government. I'll take the first, at least somebody will be at the helm. Republicans hate government and go out and prove how inept they are at running it.

The era of honest government budgets and investment in OUR Nation is here. I find it interesting how Repub.licans keep citing what they believe the "American people" want and will support when every single poll, and especially the big one on November 4th, shows the exact opposite facts. If 70% of Americans are standing with this President and his agenda, then what "American people" are the Repub.licans referring to in support of their claims? The American people I know are willing to give honesty, transparency and investment in our Nation and its future a chance.

Gosh, the era of big government is back! Somehow didn't notice it had been gone for eight years. Maybe he means, "big, effective government" as opposed to the "big, ineffective government" of the past eight years.

Republicans are such hypocrites. History has clearly shown how they increase the national debt long-term much more than Democrats, and they increase the scope of government. When a conservative prez is in power, they are happy about this activity. Not so when they lose at the polls, because voters see them for what they are. It's too bad there are so many die-hard Republicans in the country who can't see their party for what it is.

Bush spent more than the previous 42 Presidents combined. Enough said.

It wont end until BUSH and CHENEY are in a federal prison... BUSH should have been arrested on January 20, 2009 at 12:01 PM..and CHENEY at 12:02 PM. for war crimes and crimes against America.

Republicans HATE AMERICA..

This is to those who think Big Govt is bad. Lack of Govt is what got America in the shape were in now. Big Govt is why America went to war in Iraq.

It wont end until BUSH and CHENEY are in a federal prison... BUSH should have been arrested on January 20, 2009 at 12:01 PM..and CHENEY ate 12:02 PM. for war crimes and crimes against America.

Republicans HATE AMERICA..

If the era of big government is back what was the Bush Error...I mean era

Big government is "back"?? What a joke! It never left! Look at Bush's spending and his sneaky backdoor figuring to fund his war, his ridiculous social programs... It never left!

The last eight years the republicans spent money on anything they wanted, with absolutely no plan on how to reduce the deficit. At least the current administration acknowledges a debt problem and accounts for it.
More than the past administration did.
The current administration is doing something and they want America to succeed, more than I can say for the republican party.
They should have brought up all these great ideas before we got into this mess.

Politicians are bad enough,but what about all of the federal department heads that are busy building their own private versions of Camelot within the government?

Where did this idiot hide for the past 8 years? The Bush regime has blown away all the surplus we had and put us in this deep hole. Now the repugs are complaining about big govt?

No no no no! oops "Oh No!!"

The government got bigger under George Bush than during any previous administration. Where has Price been hibernating?

If republicans believed in less government.. then why'd they create the TSA? Or were they referring to the slip ups on every recall in the past 4 years via the FDA?

They believe in tax cuts.. but not tax eliminations. SO by that logic, you can still be taxed, except they won't spend that money at all on your community. You pay it and get nothing in return. Yet you can't just..keep it. Because you can't be trusted to invest your own money without their help.

A sure fire way to have less government would be to fire all the republicans or ask that they resign. But they've never made that offer.. they don't want to quit their jobs...because that would mean, less government...? Idiots.

Mr. Price,

In case you are having a memory lapse like the rest of your colleagues, It is the Republican party who got us into this mess in the first place. You guys were in power for eight long, hard years and screwed this country left, right and center except for your rich friends. Instead of being negative, the American people would like to at least hear some positive news for a change. President Obama is just being honest when he tells us as it is. Why don't you and your rich party friends come up with some good ideas instead of pulling President Obama down.

If you don't have any ideas then I suggest you shut up and sit down.

Hey!

It's OUR MONEY!

If we want to spend it, we can and we will.

What is it sitting there for? We need it NOW!

I am not worried about my gr-gr-gr-gr grandchildren. They will do just fine, thank you!

Go DeFazio!!

And.......the GOP remains the party of DENY, DELAY AND DO NOTHING.

To much debt in Obama's budget. Some issues need to be put on hold
until we start to see light at the end of the tunnel.

IT WAS BACK DURING BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are these guys serious?

the era of big government was started with Bush but the republicans don't want to tell the whole story. They think we are dumb

Is this a susprise please all the Republicans offer is a repeat of the last eight years.

President Regan stated this in the 1980 election running aganist then President Carter are you better off today than you were eight years ago and if you are your choice is clear vote for President Carter. If you are better off today then you should vote for me. President Regan won in a landside election.

The same saying is true today if you are better off today with President George W. Bush polices then you should back the Repubicans. If your 401-K has gone down and your home is worth less because of the Republicans then you should back the President Obama and the Dems in Congress.

People it is that simple please the Republican polices have been horrible for this country.

News flash GOP: the "era of big government" has been back for at least the last 4 years, there's a reason Obama is starting with a messed up economy and in a hole of debt. Quit being hypocritical.

Little government got us into this mess.

I'm so proud of Pete Defazio, it's time this fine, honest senator from Oregon is finally recognized for the dedication to our country and the people of Oregon he has given while in the senate. He is well loved in his home state and has always kept our beautiful Oregon first in his heart. THANKS AGAIN PETE DEFAZIO... I hope President Obama realizes what a level headed, REAL person you are and puts you in charge of some place that needs your kind of guidance.

Welcome to the USSA. We all need the great big nanny state to take care of our every thought and desire. Heaven forbid that you work hard – the government will take every penny for their social programs and increased size in government. I'm at the point of being ready to have children, but I'm afraid of that the big government nanny state will make me do with my children. After all, they will have to pay for this Obama nation debt that big governent will build.

Ok, Mr. Price, let's hear your alternative. ... ... ... Huh? What's that? ... Oh, it's nothing! You have no other ideas. The economy will fix itself in a decade or so, and the very super rich now will still be pretty comfortably rich then, so what's the rush? We (some of us at least) can afford to do nothing, is that right?
You know, since President Obama took office, we've heard nothing from Republicans except dire warnings about the evil evil deficit. Not a word about how the last President presided over a gigantic increase to fund a disastrous and ill-conceived war. I guess it's okay for the Republicans to spend billions when that money goes to KBR, Halliburton, et al. But when the proposal is to spend it at home – oh boy, that's irresponsible. Maybe if Obama stops calling it "Economic Recovery" or "Stimulus" and starts referring to it as "Nation Building".

Rubbish...

Bill Clinton (a DEMOCRAT, mind you...) was the last president to have a balanced budget–which is the first step to reducing the national debt. George W. Bush increased the size of government, increased the national debt to obscene levels, did more damage to the BILL OF RIGHTS than any administration in history and, on his watch, the US economy collapsed.

The Republican Party has thrown away everything it once stood for, and are now just a bunch of haters, obstructionists, and know-nothings. They should just be quiet before the rest of them get voted out of office. Their credibility is zero.

And Rush Limbaugh is clearly hailed as the chief ideologue for them, just like Joseph Goebbels was for Hitler. How scary is that?

The only thing that Republicans know how to whine about is tax cuts! They think that cutting taxes will magically cure the economy. They are stubborn and won't even give Obama a chance for the stimulus to suceed. It's not any wonder that they were humiliated in the election! Some people never learn!

Than You Mr Defazio. You do Oregon Proud.
I never met a Republican who didn't preach out of the other side of his/her mouth. One side for Republicans and the OTHER side for Democrats. Who but the American people should decide where they want their tax dollars to go. President Obama and his advisors, one of which is Pete Defazio, deserve at least two years to get this country headed down the right track. Any thing out of a Republicans mouth befor that two years is up can only be construed as political rebel rousing ment to distract the voter from the nogood, dirty deeds the Republicans have done to this country.

Big Government is not back, it started during the Bush era and is now necessary to get us out of the hell hole that Republicans stood by and let us fall into. Where were they then? Where were the cries?

Well, you all wanted change in Washington. You got it. I'm not sure how you decrease the country's debt by increasing a deficit. Sounds backwards to me. What do I know though. I'm on the right. I guess the left uses different math computing skills.

I'm sorry Mr. Price, but if people like you actually did believe in "small government" you wouldn't have elected Bush. The Bush Administration did more to expand the size and power of government, then any before it. What the Obama Administration has done so far is nothing by comparison. To claim that you support Bush, and small government, is a hypocritical statement at best.

I love how all of a sudden since their is a Democrat in office now the Repubs are all concerned about government spending. Where have they been for the past eight years?

I loved how this Republican skated around the question that John King asked of where the guy was the past 8 years when George Bush was in office starting two wars and cutting taxes for the wealthiest of Americans. I guess he didn't really care then that future generations were having to pay for all this because the first rule of the Republican party is to never speak ill or challenged your fellow Republicans. How do they manage to live with themselves? Makes me sick to my stomach to even have to listen to these Republicans. They don't care about America, they only care about whats in their bank accounts, and in the bank accounts of the greedy people who put them in office. They have absolutely no shame.

Rep. Price is correct. Taxes shuold be raised immediately, on those who can afford, it to balance the budget and pay down the debt.

I'll take big government over incompetent government any day.

I guess Rep Tom Price (R) has forgotten that when his party was in power, the Federal Gov had the biggest expansion in our short history. He can't complain now that his party was spanked Nov 4th. Nuff said.

Okay... start explaining the last 8 years then! How was THAT not a big government?

It's funny to suggest that the "Era of Big Government" ever left in the first place...

I cannot believe these idiot Republican politicians are preaching against Big Government. I personally am OK with the checks and balances to keep rouge corporations, arrogant-corporate-smug mucky mucks, and politicians from corrupting our great nation further. The Republicans got us into this mess to begin with by implementing deregulation. Look what happened! Now they are blaming Obama for not having it fixed within his first 30 days in office? They believe that the problems they created are going to fix themselves for free? I think not! If I have to pay additional tax to help lift ourselves out of this mess, then so be it. I have yet to hear anything constructive come out of the Republican silver spoon fed mouths to offer a better solution. All I hear are complaints but no ideas.

President Obama gave the electorate his vision of what he would do to change. We elected him 53% to 46% to bring that change. We do not want leaders that only malign the government and try to starve it by lowering taxes without actually fixing it, we want someone that will FIX the government so the current tax dollars we spend will be spent efficiently. He is fulfilling his campaign promises made to the majority that voted for him, just as we would expect him to. Repubs call it big government, Dems call it caring. For the intellectually challenged dittoheads, think of President Obama as the new "decider".

The repubs on the other hand, never gave anything concrete for a vision, McCain still cannot define his version of winning, he was totally clueless with his parachuting in to DC to save the economy of which he had already stated he knew very little about. Then there were the speeches by David Duke in drag splitting the country into "real Americuns" and the rest of us, lying about how she was for the bridge to nowhere, and then against it when she could score some policitical points, ad nauseum.

Are we dealing with large deficits, you betcha'. But where was all this new found caring for later generations when discussing a 1.7 T deficit, when the repubs stood idlely by and allowed the moron in chief to run up a 5 T + deficit for those same kids and grandkids?

For repubs to have finally discovered fiscal responsibility for future generations says more about the fact that they are out of power and not actually able to create the deficits, than it does about any actual concern for future generations fiscal welfare. At least, with President Obama's deficits, the future generations will receive some added value, such as roads bridges, etc.

What did they get for the 5T deficit the shrub left? Sewers in Iraq that do not work, 58 M buildings abandoned before ever being completed,
of the two visions, for America, I will take Obama's vision for America as opposed to the repub vision of imperialism(you dittoheads may need to Google the definition) and empire building.

If the Repubs want to see the modern definition of big government that is out of control, all they have to do is look at the Bush II years.

Just an old fool baying at the moon!!!!!

The Republican Party demonstrate that they have no shame or intellectual honesty left when a lying and hypocritical windbag like Limbaugh dictates party policy. As a former Republican, I can only hope that the party leadership eventually wakes up and demonstrates a will to do things that are right for the country, and not for party "leaders" like Limbaugh. Shame on them for not denouncing this charlatan who would rather see this country go down in misery than have Pres. Obama succeed.

What does Rep Price mean, the era of big government is clearly "back"? Such hypocrisy to imply that Republicans have ever meant anything other than big government themselves. No Republican President, no Republican Congressional leadership has ever proposed a budget that reduced the size of government. Federal spending historically has increased faster under Republican presidents than under Democratic ones; spending growth is not correlated to which party controls Congress. Even under the hallowed Ronald Reagan, federal non-defense spending increased by 7.1% per year.

Gimme a break.

REPUBLICANS WANT US TO FORGET THAT BUSH, WITH THEIR SUPPORT, GOT US IN THIS MESS.

the( gop) WAS HAPPY to give ALL our money to wars that were based on LIES, big banks that gave their selves BIG bonouses, and NOTHING for the working American.

where were all these guys when bush took a huge surplus and turned it into the biggest debit ever? they never said a word, just gave bush every thing he wanted. now that Obama has added the hidden cost of war. ( which bush never did) they are squealing bloody murder . hypocrits. i hope in 2010 that all republicans are voted out of office where we can help america rise from her knees where bush and co. put her.

How many times have the Republicans raised the debt ceiling rather than curb their own spending? Spare me the phony concern.

Probably a big part of any increased government is created by the oversight necessitated by the past eight years of the GOP leadership's corruption and self-serving style of government. Thank, God, this country has a chance for a better day.

But government grew more than 12% under bush/cheney and what did we get for it. No health, education in the dumps, no alt fuels, every agency gutted, FDA, FEMA SEC and not working like they should. What we got was wars while our infrastructure was falling apart and they starved the beast and funneled the money in their buddies pockets.

Just once I would like these republicans to be honest about their true beliefs. They don't mean "small" government they mean "non-working" government. In their world "big" government may be back but for millions of us that really means government "doing their jobs".

Also, somebody needs to inform them that the millions of Americans who need help are "workers" who through no fault of their own lost their work. They would love to be able to pull themselves up by their own "bootstraps"–problem is that the "trickle down" folks have kept all of the bootstratps. These guys are a bad combination: greedy and clueless.

As if Bush didn't lead us into big government? This is the new ploy, try to blame President Obama for the failings of the last 8 years. He is trying his best to pull us out of this while the only solution the Republicans and other naysayers have is "tax cuts." With less taxes going to the government, that raises our debt as well. Without regulation, the financial businesses, government, and just about everyone has become frivolous over time. There are things that can be cut without cutting services and jobs.

The era of big government never left. Maybe he should have called it "the era of even bigger government".

Um, wasn't it Bush who got us into this whole "biggest national debt ever" situation in the first place?

I wish the GOP would spend more time trying to fix the economy than they spend nic pickin the President, if they would spend all their negative energy on repairing the economy we would be out of this recession by now.

"Era of big government is clearly back"? It never left. Bush, A Republican, grew the size of government by 40% during his time in office.

It got bigger under Bush. I don't want to hear it.

BIG GOVERNMENT – the republican party has run our country into the ground the past 8 years and now they're worried about big government. Makes me want to LOL!
The republicans are pathethic in every sense of the word.

Hokum.

The era of government - not slavery to corporate lobbyists - has begun.

It follows eight years of the Bush era of destruction.

Hopefully, in time to save our collective rear-ends.

All I hear from the Republican Party is too much debt, over and over.
Where is the Republican solution, I haven't heard any type of solution from them.

Look. I'm all for a balanced budget. But people who don't like the budget the president submitted should attack the specific details of the plan they don't like and just drop sound bytes like "Big Government" or "Socialism". That doesn't help anyone. The reality is we as a country have a lot we need to pay for in the short term and we either need to raise taxes or take on debt.

What did they do with 5 Trillion, the GOP is on self destruction mode, we will sit and watch it unfold, GOP Chronysim capitalisim is not what we want, the greed has brought to light people like Madoff(where the heck can 50 billion dissappear, what did George Bush do with 5 Trillion, we must change. If the GOP had their way the would privatise police so that they could work for only guys who paid, if they had their way, the road outside your house would belong to your neighbor and you would have to pay your neighbor everyday for its use, yes we need smart government, we want universal healthcare, Im willing to pay same premium I pay to Blue Cross to the government for healthcare. We are fed up of these neocons.

Government has to spend because of the economy. People aren't spending and business are falling behind so the government has to put in $$ to stimulate the economy. This is survival 101 for our country and the world. Other countries have to do likewise. The party of NO better wake up and think all of this over with common sense and not worry about 2012.

What is more evil big government or big business? We need big government to regulate and control big business because lately big business has proven to be very corrupt.

Big government or a bullish government......I would choose the first......I want a government that represents the people....Not the agenda of thw few.

If big Goverment will help us.. all for it...

little goverment and little minds made a mess of America..

if it's the change we have to face.. then so be it...

In God we trust.. everyone else pay cash

Obviously, the Republican mantra of "the free market system/businesses will save us all" is full of s-. Corporate greed and the lust for power (which is also our Senators and House members mode of opperandi) got us into this financial mess. While we all dislike Government getting bigger and more intrusive, our government (at this moment) is the only one who can get the money needed to get us out of this hole.

I would really like to hear less of this "us vs them" rhetoric and more solutions that will benefit the WHOLE country. By the way, Rush, shut-up and try coming up with an idea for once.

Big government is frightening.... what Obama, Nancy, and Harry are pushing is WORSE ...Euro-Socialism!

Nationalizing of Banks
Wealth Redistribution
Nanny-State Politics
Loss of Liberty

the GOP sky rockets the debt, trade imbalance, leads us into unwarranted war, fights two wars simutaneously

and the dems are the era of big government

Don't be more asinine, or hypocritical, than necessary, Mr Price. Your man George Bush oversaw the biggest expansion of government in history.

That, however, doesn't excuse Obama's efforts to make it even bigger, further bankrupting us.

As Republicans try to slam President Obama and everything that he does, they refuse to admit that it was their party's President that put us in the deficit that we are in today. Once they acknowledge their responsibility for this mess, then they can move forward. Their stubborn attitude also contributed to the situation that they are in as the all but exiled party in Washington. America, whom they failed to realize as their path to Washington is tired of their antics, falsehoods, and wrong doing.

bo and the demmies are working for a totalitarin government run totally by the government and the extreme wealthy and the rest of us will be thrown into a welfare state. Wake-up Americans! bo is out to destroy the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Neither party is without fault but bo's agenda is a total destruction of the USA.

Big government may be back, but was it ever really gone?

wrong.
big government was already here 8 years ago, hypocrite.

How does any Republican have the right to talk about big government?
Bush created the 'Department of Homeland Security', the biggest expansion of government the country has ever seen.
Not to stop there, the Bush governement gave the rich $1.35 trillion in tax cuts which did not bring prosperity to the nation, but the greed and lack of oversight given to 'the rich' has brought the largest economic catasrophe to this country since the Great Depression.
The hypocrisy and the vitriol by the GOP is disgusting.
The American people are smarter than this.
While the GOP is galvanizing their base, they are also galvanizing the opposition. All of the young people and the minorites who had never voted before are watching and will show up to the polls in 2010.
The GOP is digging its own grave and its beautiful...

Wow, you Rethuglicans just don't get it. You lost! The American people rejected you! Go crawl back in your hole and let the Democrats clean up your mess

Any group that complains about governement involvement in our lives and yet SPIES on our internet habits and phone calls is hypocritcal.

And where did 8 years of a "conservative agenda for a limited government" land us? A budget surplus turned into a huge deficit, inequality grew, jobs disappeared overseas, all sorts of financial scams flourished which ruined ordinary people's lives and wiped out their employment and savings, and infrastructure and essential systems for our economy were neglected or wrecked. The Republicans have zero credibility at this point on either government or budgets. It is going to take the Obama administration 4 to 8 years to set right the mess that Republican managerial incompetence has created.

It is shocking to see the Republicans bla bla about "fiscal responsibility". Bush was the one who pulled your country into this big hole you are in now, not Obama!

It depends where the money spend at, not how much it is. American people, please do not listen to the Republicans nonsense, but have a look at the detailed plan in this budget. If it helps to rebuild the country, helps to change from an older economic structure, which would just suck energy and money for ever, into a new and competitive one, the budget and more important, the direction is what American people need.

Thanks to Bush, the era of big government never left – so I don't know what the Republicans are talking about! Talk about trying to place blame on the new guy....

""The budget that he put out there is going to have the largest debt in the history of the nation over the ten-year period of time," Price said. "More debt in this budget than there has been in this nation from 1889 until today. That's not the kind of change that the American people are interested in.""

Well, the truth is.. thats not a change. Bush ran up a record debt year after year after year. If Obama increased the debt by a dollar it would still be a record debt... because of Bush's "fiscally conservative" spending. The difference is Obama is at least hoping to get something for all the spending and actually improve the economic outlook of the nation... unlike Bush, who never met a spending bill he didn't like.

Well we sure need government. The last 8 years of the wild west have shown that some government is a whole lot better than no government. Come on use some common sense. If nobody is running the purse strings the wolves are going to be in the treasury robbing us of the resources that are need.

Why do Democrats and the president keep bringing up the last eight years as justification for this final blow to our economy?After Bush screwed everything up,Democrats are just going to continue destroying our country because the Republicans did a lousy job?We did not need another idiot,we needed somebody that knows what they are doing.
——-Two wrongs do not make a right people !!!We cannot afford any more spending because of Bush and congress the last 8 years,we can not keep failing and expect to survive.

The debt load we are taking on will hurt future generations for decades as our currency is diminished against all other currencies of the world, making our country's exports worth far less, while making all imports (including oil and cars) far more expensive for all of us. With Social Security estimated to go negative in 2017, our country is facing bankruptsy.

The drastically large deficit under Bush-Cheney that favored Special Interests and a select few and contained an abundance of 'pork' was okay but the Obama budget cutting out much of the spending on 'favorites' and attempting to solve the problems isn't okay. Hmmn, sounds a little irrational and very biased to me.

Where were you for the last 8 years when the Bush admin. ushered in the largest increase in government in history and expanded the power of government in numerous ways?

News flash: Republican criticizes Democrat! Wow! Will the surprises never end?

How is this newsworthy? It's not even news!

There is so much pot-stirring garbage on the Ticker these days–it's shameful.

Well apparently we DO need bigger Government because look at the mess we've got ourselves into over the past 8 years.

At this time we need big government to undo what has been done in the past 8 years. De-regulation in banking, wall street, and corporate
America has put us where we are.
Greedy people sent our jobs overseas in the name of trade. Trade and outsourcing are 2 different things. Its better for them to pay almost slave labor, and children to do what Americans used to do. I would rather buy a product foreign made than an American brand made offshore.
Mr Bush and his greedy friends have caused the need for our government to step up. The republicans sure left the working people down.
Maybe Joe the Plunger can unplug the republican toilet. Because it has over-flowed in America causing a gut wrenching stench that per usual the democrats will have to clean up.

What a bunch of hypocrites. Eight years of huge defecit spending, staggering war debts, as economy run into the ground by profiigate borrowing against the future, stabbling civil liberties in the back, and now the whining and finger-pointing? Sore losers, at least. Grow up, "conservatives", and accept responsibility for the fact that you aren't conservative, fiscally responsible, or right.
"Conservative" leadership landed us where we are today, and pointing fingers at those who want to do something about it smells of denial and cowardice.

There is an upside to the President's budget. There is a time frame for recovery. Yes, there is initial debt, hopefully sufficient enough to provide the opportunity to "stimulate" activity in order for recovery to begin. The continued negative Republican reaction to the Stimulus Bill and the Budget clearly enforce the fact that they truly don't understand the economy.

Continued harping and negative comments are going to force the GOP into an even deeper abyss, one which they will flounder in for a couple more elections at least!

Republicans the party of NO!

Just a question, before I get bashed by all the liberals who get so much enjoyment out of twisting terms like Republicans into "Repuglicans" and "Republicants" but still claim we are the "haters".....

How long into President Obama's presidency can Democratic leaders and supporters claim he is still trying to get out of the hole he was given? I am logical and intelligent. I know he deserves a TON of leeway. But I have a feeling we will be looking at the same mess 6 years from now and still be hearing about the insignificant accomplishments that have been introduced, with the caveat that "this is the best we can do with what GWB left us".

Only time will tell. My belief is that will create first to stabilize the corrupted economy that the wealthy and corporations have created due to their outright greed and then reduce.

I wonder if Bush and Cheney purposely destroyed the economy when they saw the results of President Obama winning the election? It would not surprise me if they republicans did this on purpose.

we could reduce the size of government by refusing to allow them into our private lives. Legally of course. I am sure that working with local authorities and pushing aside the nanny state and revolutionizing and reinvigorating the SILENT MAJORITY, which isn't going to be so silent anymore. Tea party hell, it's going to a lot more than tea that gets dumped. The parties are extraneous and people know it. I wouldn't give the Feds any answers or information that they now seek that is accurate as it is SO COMPLICATED to do so. Just ask your Presidents cabinet full of tax cheats, and thieves.

OH YA? And what did we have under Bush? If that was "big government" I don't know what was.... The difference is that Obama's agenda is out in the open while Bush's was all tied up in smoke screens and lies.

So guest we didn't have big government when Bush was in office.

Right. Deficits were fine on your watch. Hypocrite.

The budget is big, but look folks, the money is being spent here in the USA for Americans, not in some foreign country that most of us only hear about or read about. It is time for us to spend money on Americans then Americans will spend money on the USA. We did not get into this mess over night and it will not go away over night. Give this president a chance to make things right. We have to work together as a nation with a man who is willing to work with us and across the aisle. No president will be in office long enough to right the ship, it took 8 years to make this mess, but we will be years cleaning it up.

it's funny, when the republicans had total control of the executive and legislative branches we had a runaway deficit and government grew,
now that they were kicked out of power they are suddenly the party of fiscal responsibility again? maybe if the republican actually believed their propaganda they might make a comeback, but being the party of perpetual war, superstition and old rednecks they have doomed themselves.

Hate to tell this bozo, but the era of responsible government is back. Woldn't have this mess if this fool and his ilk hadn't spent us into a rat hole with an unjustified war, whiz bang economic policies and a GOP that, in the main, hasn't a glue.

By 2010 can you imagine what our national debt will be? Bush will not hold a candle. Who will the dems blame then?

It can't get any bigger than when the Republicans were in.

Lets not forget who doubled the deficit during his term and while the Republicans were in power. This party including Rush Limabaugh continue to divide this country. They don't live and let live.

I hope Americans don't believe their pack of lies. They are fighting to regain power, but as long as they have a high school drop out lead their party. They have no chance.

Rush Limbaugh is a high school drop out!!!

The era of big spending is back? what do you call the era of Reagan and Bush? The era of saving? I don"t think so! Do some research and find out what Reagen, Bush and Bush spent. It will shock you.

The era of stupidity is upon us! Incredible irresponsibility at work. We are screwed!

president obama is building america a future so that the next generation will have a more fruitful environment to live and thrieve in.for the last 30 years all government has done is talk about the problems that america faces but have done nothing to help. all this will take money but the rewards will be great. god bless this president for having such a vision that will take the US into the 21st century. not one republican has a plan or any form of vision that will take our wonderful country forward. please republicans just SHUT UP and let this fabulous president do his job!!!

Now haven't some of us been saying "we anin't seen nothing yet until Obama puts us in debt this country will never come out if". People complained about Bush and the debt, what ever will they complain of when Obama's debt goes out into space. He ie for change alrightt, change to help himself become King Obama.

"Big goverment" was a Bush thing.

where has this guy been for the last eight years living in a cave

I like how these republicans who had no problem with government expansion under Bush have now suddenly rediscovered their commitment to small government now that a democrat is in the white house.

You keep posting all the republicans statements, lies and irresponsible ideas and just cannot seem to realize the American
people have spoken and do not support them in any way, shape
or form.
After creating the biggest government, deficit in the history of our
country they have absolutely no creditibility. Yet, they continue
to control the headlines with their hypocrasy.
We voted for change, not unworkable, immoral politics as usual.

IT'S TIME FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO SHUT-UP THEIR STINK MOUTHS AND WATCH THEIR FILT GETS CLEANED UP. I'M SICK OF THE REPUBLICANS COMPLAINING,COMPLAINING,AND COMPLAINING.

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE!!

The era of big spending is back? What do you call the Reagan and Bush years? The era of saving? I don't think so!