February 19th, 2013
06:19 PM ET
10 years ago
Congress passive as spending cuts near
Washington (CNN) - If you're expecting last minute action from Congress to avoid the March 1 spending cut deadline, think again.
Congress isn't even in session this week, and lawmakers and aides from both parties say they don't expect anything to pass anytime soon. Why the lack of urgency?
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""Even though defense accounts for 17 (or) 18% of our spending, they've taken half of the savings out of the military,""
That's misdirection. Military/defense falls under discretionary spending, not mandatory. It constitutes approximately 53% of discretionary spending. He's not comparing apples to apples when trying to mix it in with the rest of the budget, much of which is not discretionary.
Anyway, what really remarkable here is that the GOP/Teatrolls are simultaneously complaining that cutting defense spending will "cost us jobs" while gearing up to demand a plan by McCain, Graham and Ayotte that would require reducing the federal work force by hundreds of thousands of people responsible for everything from running Medicare/caid and SS to enforcing regualtions that protect our drinking water and air quality.
For every dollar cut in spending in discretionary items, I think that PROGRESSIVES should advocate for a $1 cut in DEFENSE spending. That`s the only way there will be balance.
Why does he always need people behind him in stands? He cannot stand before the American people as a man with his own ideas – he's not capable. He can only scream angrily, threaten, and demonize. This is not the leader America deserves.
Let us cut the national health care program all politicians have and let us cut their salaries. Let us cut the military-industrial complex like President Eisenhower said. End the failed war on drugs and tell all Republicans no to legislating morality. We can save a lot of money there.
Of course they are not panicking.. the House WANTS the cuts.. because they want to blame the POTUS for them, no matter the impact to the country and the people in it! They messed up big time thinking they got 98% of what they wanted 15 months ago when the legislation was enacted. One teeny misstep was not planning for a loss of seats and the POTUS in Nov .. duh! So now the GOP-led house is on vacation while Rome burns, and the RW nuts are blaming the POTUS for the current state ??????
McCluess, Blamer and the rest have not paid the slightest attention to him for 4 yrs.. why do the RW haters think that will suddenly change. If the RW nuts want something done, contact your Red-state Representative and DEMAND they go back to DC to fix the mess. This is NOT the fault of the POTUS.
We need to vote out as many repubs and baggers as possible in 2014 - it's the only way we'll ever get a jobs bill to put people back to work soon and at a living wage. Oust Boehner too.
"Passive", no. Ineffectual, yes. John Boehner's leadership in action.
This is what happens when you vote against your own best interests. Your republican controlled congress could care less about you and why should they? After all, they enjoy good salaries, excellent healthcare and good pensions. Have fun watching THEM vacation while you stress over keeping your job.
Blame Republican/Tea Party for putting politics and ideology ahead of the nation's economic welfare.
Obama made it clear........he will not yield on spending.........unless he gets sequestration.........so that's what he is going to get.
Un-be-lieve-able. They jerk us around for months with the "fiscal cliff". Then the "sequester". Now no one is showing up for work
Pres.Obama has a plan back at his office ready to inact whether republicans like it or not..He'll save the eccentials like SocialSecurity,Medicare,Medicaid and unemployement payments but they'll be cuts in the defense funds and possible none eccential programs..Somebody has to take the fall for republicans arrogence and lack of compassion toward their constituents,the ones that put them there..So midterms its time you republican voters and others to turn the tables on the ones you thought would do something for you but took care of the wealthy,corporate handlers after you put them there..Turnabout in politics is fair play and its time you sent a message to your republicans in office,the ones you can't now trust,its time for you to go and remember karma is great especially when its your opponent that's on the recieving bad end ,right!!
Immediately cut the wages, pensions and perks for all of the Congressmen and Congresswomen by at least 50%.
Immediately dock their wages for every day they leave Washington except for two weeks of vacation, four at the most.
Immediately cease the lifetime privileges of health care for members of Congress.
Immediately vote for term limits....six years.....for Congress
This is chapter one. Chapter two will follow with cuts in travel (particularly overseas), perquisites, and other allowances. Fund raising and lobbying should be sharply cut and restrictions applied.
The process can continue until all of these 'club members' learn to live as other Americans do
Congress,especially the house gop better watch out.you work for the people and if you don't do any work we don't need you and the likes of that teaparty trash Cruz from Texas in the senate,out in your next election bum 2014 next year and another gop train wreck .