Washington (CNN) - The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Friday on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution - a key component of GOP leaders' plan to end the federal government's spiraling deficit spending.
The vote on the amendment was agreed to by both parties over the summer as part of the agreement raising Washington's debt ceiling. Democratic leaders, however, are vehemently opposed to the idea, arguing that it would force the government into an economically destructive cycle of massive spending cuts.
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Seems to me that we should get the spending under control, generate revenue to close the gap on the debt before a balanced budget amendment is considered. I don't think anyone would like the outcome of having a blanaced budget amendment passed now. It would involve major hardships in several directions and as much as the GOP thinks that is a good idea, they won't be able to stomach it when they actually see it in the works.
You can add this piece of legislation to their "jobs creation" package that the House Republicans have sent to the Senate. This will fit nicely along side the "In God We Trust" bill, the most recently passed piece to their "job creation" Gordian Knot.
Balanced budget where debits = credits = creative accounting or Balanced budget where Revenue = Expenses and no creative accounting.
Hey wait a minute! Using a Government service would make him a "Socialist"!!!
The only problem with a balanced budget amendment is that all Americans will spring at that and say yes thinking it will force our representatives to reduce spending. But in the end will will only be used and screwed once again by our government in the forms of higher taxes because they will not be able to dismantle the monster bureaucracy that they have created.
leave it to the repos to center on this vote now. They have been skirting the major issues like jobs and taxes. Bunch of clowns. Dems on board for this just not right now in this economy. Repos will send us down the tubes if left unchecked
Thank goodness the senate will stop their madness...this is a terrible idea...
Looks like congress really, really want to finish the job Bush & Cheney started. Its time to grab your ankles and kiss your butt goodbye!
Pass 10 months republicans running away from real issues. This congress took old bills refreshing waste of time
Bush tax cut unpopular, two wars unpopular republicans wants to keep those
Time to bring back democrats
This is not a serious attempt to rein in spending by the republicans. It's just another ploy to serve their ultimate goal – diminish our federal government. The cuts made to the social safety nets will be disasterous. They're working for their "every dog for themselves" type of government. Why don't they just move to Somalia instead of destroying decades of progress in this country?
I'm still waiting for the 3 dollars in cuts for every dollar spent promised to Pres. Reagan, . democrats promise to get what they want and then use every tactic to get around it. They can't have a balanced budget, the senate has not even brought one forth. Besides spend as you go would be stopped.
Any responsible American lives within their means. Those that don't go bankrupt and then rely on the Welfare State to provide for them.
Balancing our Federal Budget is the First Step to paying down our rising $15 Trillion Dollar Debt. So what will it be America? Partisan politics that may ultimately lead to financial ruin or, CONSERVATISM by reducing the size of Government, reckless spending and the hope for economic prosperity in the days ahead? Pretty simple question isn't it? Don't be hoodwinked by Liberal ideology claiming successful Americans are the root of evil. The class warfare ploy is rooted in the selfish desire for political control and continued control of Government without a sincere regard for the American People that will ultimately determine their fate.
Can someone explain why people who hate government so much, and who want to get rid of as much of it as they can, are desperately eager to in charge of running the government? If so, why vote for them?
Let me put it another way. Would you hire a baby sitter who hates kids? Especially, your kids. Well, Republicans have made no secret of the fact that they have government; your government. So, why hire them to care for it?
Kinda stupid since Congress authorizes all expenditures and taxes to start with!
Get government out of the way and let market forces control the economy. The private sector will do a better job with education, health care and social security which seriously needs a private sector component. For instance, Cuts of up to 25 percent in healthcare and education will create demand which the private sector can meet efficiently and profitably. Competition will enhance quality. Out come- millions of high paying private sector jobs created. A balanced budget.
It’s about time; the Republican should put the balanced budget item onto every piece of legislation until it is passed. The Republican should also include an item to limit spending to 18% of GDP.
"Let me put it another way. Would you hire a baby sitter who hates kids? Especially, your kids. Well, Republicans have made no secret of the fact that they have government; your government. So, why hire them to care for it?"
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Nice straw man arguement, Rudy Walton. We've come to expect no less.
I think that we, the American people, need protection FROM him!
PA_outofwork wrote:
It’s about time; the Republican should put the balanced budget item onto every piece of legislation until it is passed. The Republican should also include an item to limit spending to 18% of GDP.
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A balanced budget amendment would never pass the states once people realize how much their local taxes would increase in return for how much gets cut at the national and local level.
Limiting spending to 18% of GDP would require an amendment and a repeal of the clause in The Constitution that prohibits the currently seated Congress from compelling a future Congress to take certain actions. Besides, it is such a dumb idea that it is a complete non-starter. Where did the number 18% come from anyway? What happens if we need to start a war and need to spend more than 18%, but cannot raise taxes because one party is against sane fiscal policy? You might as well duck now, because the American people will kick that idea back in your face.
Keith in Austin, It is great that you can live within your means, but me, I have a house loan, a car loan and a few credit card bills, so no, I am not living within my means and my guess is, that neither are you.
@Keith in Austin
"Any responsible American lives within their means. Those that don't go bankrupt and then rely on the Welfare State to provide for them."
That's one massive over simplification. Not everyone who benefits from public assistance has irresponsible with their finances. Ask anyone who has dealt with a serious illness in the family.
"Balancing our Federal Budget is the First Step to paying down our rising $15 Trillion Dollar Debt."
True, but an amendment is NOT needed to do that. All an amendment does is prevent government borrowing the future, even if it would be appropriate to do so. Do you honestly think the government's actions immediately after 9/11 should have been limited by cash on hand?
Borrowing to solve a cash flow problem can be a responsible course of action. Borrowing without any plan to pay off the debt isn't. The proposed amendment makes no such distinction.
These republicans need to quit the political posturing and get to work on bills that really matter. This is just a big show of them flexing their muscle in the house, when they know it has zero chance of becoming law.
Fact is that we are now $15 TRILLION in debt. Fact is we cannot possibly payout the estimated $40 TRILLION already promised in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Fact is you could take 100% of the so-called wealthy's income in tax and not even put the slightest dent into our debt. Fact is that there are way too many freeloaders in this country expecting more, more more. Guess what? EVERY man, woman, and child owes $50,000 to the federal debt. But hey, it's someone else who's going to have to pay for it, right?????
They are only there to protect him from himself!
Can someone explain why people who hate government so much, and who want to get rid of as much of it as they can, are desperately eager to in charge of running the government? If so, why vote for them?
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Rudy, thought you were much smarter than this. Nobody "hates" government per se, but overblown, out of control government that is on a path to self destruction, yes, we are opposed to that. We are opposed to our government becoming the next Greece. Now do you understand?