Debates
01 Jul 11
01 Jul 11
Who's going to flinch? Will the final result impact Congress' budget/deficit negotiations?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/01/news/economy/minnesota_government_budget/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2
A budget stalemate forced a virtual full shut down of the Minnesota government on
Friday and left only a limited array of state services in operation over the busy
holiday weekend.
Visitors won't be able to go to the state parks or the zoo, and travelers will find the
highway rest stops shuttered. Road construction projects will cease, as will
licensing for teachers and businesses.
[...]
Gov. Mark Dayton held a news conference to announce an impasse in budget talks
on Thursday two hours before the fiscal year ended at midnight.
At issue is whether to close a $3.6 billion budget shortfall by increasing taxes or
making spending cuts. The governor, who ran on a platform of taxing the rich,
wants to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1.9% of Minnesotans, as well as cut
spending. Republicans would not go along with a tax hike.
Dayton and GOP leaders who control the legislature spent hours behind closed
doors over the past week trying to hammer out a compromise. But they could not
resolve their differences in time.
01 Jul 11
Originally posted by wittywonkaJust out of curiosity, whether they make spending cuts or raise taxes, when do we storm the statehouse in protest?
Who's going to flinch? Will the final result impact Congress' budget/deficit negotiations?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/01/news/economy/minnesota_government_budget/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2
A budget stalemate forced a virtual full shut down of the Minnesota government on
Friday and left only a limited array of state services in operation over the busy
...[text shortened]... eek trying to hammer out a compromise. But they could not
resolve their differences in time.
01 Jul 11
Originally posted by wittywonkaAcross the country we see that Democrats want to balance budgets with a mixture of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthiest, while in contrast Republicans want only to cut and are adamantly opposed to any and all tax increases of any degree. Logic dictates that you have to do both during times like these; it's the logic of history and economics as well as common sense. Republicans are absolutely on the wrong side of the issue, as tends to be the case over the long haul even when we broaden the scope to include social issues like abortion and gay marriage.
Who's going to flinch? Will the final result impact Congress' budget/deficit negotiations?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/01/news/economy/minnesota_government_budget/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2
A budget stalemate forced a virtual full shut down of the Minnesota government on
Friday and left only a limited array of state services in operation over the busy
...[text shortened]... eek trying to hammer out a compromise. But they could not
resolve their differences in time.
The problem for Republicans is they are now the bitch of the Tea Bagger crowd, but that's not the worst of it. The Tea Bagger crowd is disproportionately made up of comfortable retirees and older workers who don't know what the hell they want, and haven't thought through the implications of their demands that the government be slimmed down while simultaneously never raising taxes and pursuing a policy of "cutting its way out of recession". They're either currently collecting on Social Security and Medicare, or expect to be able to soon. Many others are on Medicaid or seem to think that roads, bridges, schools and a massive military machine build themselves by magic. If the Republicans back down on cuts, they become enraged. And if Republicans get serious about cuts and try to turn Medicare into a coupon program while packing 40 kids into every classroom, they become enraged again. They want cuts, but don't want the cuts to affect them. They're convinced that all their troubles stem from some chimerical horde of shiftless parasites who are sucking the marrow out of nation and forming a fifth column to convert the fatherland into a Soviet socialist republic.
Now there's a backlash brewing, and the energy of the Tea Bagger movement is already waning even if Republican politicians currently in office haven't realized it. Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey and many other states that "went red" in 2010 are suffering from severe buyers' remorse. A recall election is looming in Wisconsin, while in Ohio there will be a popular referendum that is likely to torpedo the radical Republican union-busting scheme that at any rate I believe violates the First Amendment rights to free assembly and free speech. It would be comical if the GOP's blunderings weren't harming uncounted millions of lives and hobbling the economy's ability to rebound.
If the Republicans don't flinch, they will be decimated in 2012.
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by SoothfastYea, the Dems did a fine job of this between 2008 and 2010 when they were in control.
[b]Across the country we see that Democrats want to balance budgets with a mixture of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthiest, while in contrast Republicans want only to cut and are adamantly opposed to any and all tax increases of any degree.
02 Jul 11
2 edits
Originally posted by wittywonkaThe state zoo?
Who's going to flinch? Will the final result impact Congress' budget/deficit negotiations?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/01/news/economy/minnesota_government_budget/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2
A budget stalemate forced a virtual full shut down of the Minnesota government on
Friday and left only a limited array of state services in operation over the busy
eek trying to hammer out a compromise. But they could not
resolve their differences in time.
What the hell is gummint doing running a zoo, that's first on the "For Sale" list.
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by SoothfastIf that were all they were doing we'd all be a lot better off, it's when they start getting bright ideas about how to run your life for you that the problems start.
Nothing so odd about that. Look at Congress. They get paid to fling scat at each other and eat bananas.
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by SoothfastGood post. I'm not sure if Republicans will be "decimated" in 2012, but I don't think the majority of American's will go along with the GOP's "coddling" of the wealthy. Not when corporate profits on the S&P 500 are sky high, and so many average American's are suffering financially. I too predict a backlash against this tea party idea, the only question is. How big will it be??
Across the country we see that Democrats want to balance budgets with a mixture of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthiest, while in contrast Republicans want only to cut and are adamantly opposed to any and all tax increases of any degree. Logic dictates that you have to do both during times like these; it's the logic of history and economics a ...[text shortened]... rebound.
If the Republicans don't flinch, they will be decimated in 2012.
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by bill718I heard Obama wants to raise $1 billion for his 2012 bid. I suppose he will get the loot from all the poor folk like us, eh?
Good post. I'm not sure if Republicans will be "decimated" in 2012, but I don't think the majority of American's will go along with the GOP's "coddling" of the wealthy. Not when corporate profits on the S&P 500 are sky high, and so many average American's are suffering financially. I too predict a backlash against this tea party idea, the only question is. How big will it be??
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by whodeyThat's true and exactly the kind of thing liberals should be raging against. Just think of how many people that billion dollars could buy healthcare for. Instead the president is going to blow it on tv commercials.
I heard Obama wants to raise $1 billion for his 2012 bid. I suppose he will get the loot from all the poor folk like us, eh?
02 Jul 11
Originally posted by dryhumpOr better yet, don't take it from those that earned it in the first place. Then let them decide if they want to contribute to obamessiah's campaign, invest in their own healthcare programme, spend it on a gay wedding or just stash it under their pillow.
That's true and exactly the kind of thing liberals should be raging against. Just think of how many people that billion dollars could buy healthcare for. Instead the president is going to blow it on tv commercials.