The Obama administration announced Monday that its Mid-season Budget Review would not be released this month, as previously scheduled, but rather would be pushed to August. Of course, the controversy is the cause of this delay. Many point to the fact that Obama is pushing health care reform before adjourning for the August recess and releasing the financial data may complicate matters for this goal due to uglier than expected economic predictions. In fact, the overall economy is far worse than the Obama administration had ever predicted. The charge against the administration is that they fear reprucussions from moderate democrats who may bulk at the cost of the proposals the Obama administration is wanting to pass currently. However, the Obama administration is saying that this is not what is happening at all. In fact, they point to the Bush administration that did the same thing in its year in office. Also, other presidents have done the same despite laws saying that it MUST be presented before July 16 each year. Minority house leader John Boehner said that the Congressional Budget office "confirmed last week that the Democrats plans will increase health care costs and add hundgred of billions to the deficit. Try as they might, the White House cannot hide the fact that the policies of this Administration have buried our children and grandchildren under historic debt. Washington Democrats are spending with reckless abandon, yet by burying this budget update until after Congress leaves town next month, the Administration is not willing to own up to the consequences of this dangerous fiscal agenda."
As for all you Obama groupies out there, the only quesiton I have is, what is the rush? Why are all of Obama's policies sped through Congress? Why is it that Congressional leaders are passing such legislation at such a fast pace that they often times do not even know everything that is in the legislation? In addition, these proposals are massive in their implications yet there is no time for debate or even grasp the totatlity of them let alone their far reaching implications. No wonder every entitlement policty that has been put in place in the US is going belly up. It is because there is virtually no thought regarding the future implications when they are put in place. How could they because they don't even know everthing in these monumental pieces of legislation.
Originally posted by whodeyThe same question may be asked of the Bush groupies regarding delays in releasing weapons inspectors reports just before the invasion of Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction (you know...the weapons that never found!) What's the delay? Obama's delay is no doubt motivated by a desire to slow the release of some bad economic data. Bush's delay cost 5,000 American service men and women there lives! With this in mind, I am reminded of a well known quote of Jesus: "Let those among you who are without sin, cast the first stone" 😏
The Obama administration announced Monday that its Mid-season Budget Review would not be released this month, as previously scheduled, but rather would be pushed to August. Of course, the controversy is the cause of this delay. Many point to the fact that Obama is pushing health care reform before adjourning for the August recess and releasing the financial could they because they don't even know everthing in these monumental pieces of legislation.
the reason for the big rush
Put aside for now whether you agree or disagree with the substance of the legislation and just consider the political reality.
It is extremely rare when one party has the presidency and both houses of Congress including the 60 needed to avert opposition filibusters in the Senate. But the minority party usually makes mid-term gains and all the GOP needs to do in 2010 is gain a couple seats in the Senate and they'd be able to block everything.
So the Democrats know they have only two years to get their wish list done -- and being that it's hard to pass controversial legislation during an election year, the Democrats really only have one year (and maybe the first few months of next year....maybe).
This means that everything needs to be passed (or almost passed) by the time Congress finishes its business this fall. If that is to happen the process of presenting, debating, amending, and voting on the various legislation needs to be rolling at a fairly rapid clip throughout this summer.
In an ideal world, we'd be spending 2009 focusing ONLY on getting the economy back on track - and we'd put healthcare and energy issues off until 2010. But political reality makes this impossible.
Originally posted by bill718Cast the beam out of my own eye? Who am I, Bush? Bush was nothing more than a statist tool. In reality, both Obama and Bush are merely statist tools. Now please address the topic at hand or feel free to deflect the issue by bringing up anything but.
The same question may be asked of the Bush groupies regarding delays in releasing weapons inspectors reports just before the invasion of Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction (you know...the weapons that never found!) What's the delay? Obama's delay is no doubt motivated by a desire to slow the release of some bad economic data. Bush's delay cost 5,000 ...[text shortened]... ll known quote of Jesus: "Let those among you who are without sin, cast the first stone" 😏
Originally posted by whodeyA little off topic, but:
Cast the beam out of my own eye? Who am I, Bush? Bush was nothing more than a statist tool. In reality, both Obama and Bush are merely statist tools. Now please address the topic at hand or feel free to deflect the issue by bringing up anything but.
When did the word "statist" come into vogue? I see it being used these days, but I'd never even heard the word until recently.
It seems almost as though the word "liberal" has lost its sting and so people need a new word to demonize that school of thought.
I do think Obama has shifted the goal posts when it comes to measuring the stimulus. I can't make my point any more clear than this video does:
Either he was being overly optimistic then to get it passed or he's trying to shift the goal posts now. Not that I blame him too much... you have to play the hand you're dealt.
Originally posted by MelanerpesBut they have two more years to go. My guess is that the real reason Obama wants as much passed this year is because he knows things are going to get significantly worse all on his watch.
the reason for the big rush
Put aside for now whether you agree or disagree with the substance of the legislation and just consider the political reality.
It is extremely rare when one party has the presidency and both houses of Congress including the 60 needed to avert opposition filibusters in the Senate. But the minority party usually makes mid ...[text shortened]... ut healthcare and energy issues off until 2010. But political reality makes this impossible.
Originally posted by sh76The reason I use the term "statist" rather than "liberal" is that the literal term liberal, in its classical meaning, is the opposite of authoritarian. It is then more accurate then to use the term statist which I think was created by the French historian Alexis de Tocqueville. He desribed the power grab by governmnet to create a utopian society as creating a soft tyranny which is some form of totalitarianism. Thus the term statist was born.
A little off topic, but:
When did the word "statist" come into vogue? I see it being used these days, but I'd never even heard the word until recently.
It seems almost as though the word "liberal" has lost its sting and so people need a new word to demonize that school of thought.
I do think Obama has shifted the goal posts when it comes to measuring t goal posts now. Not that I blame him too much... you have to play the hand you're dealt.
In fact, I think the term liberal is far more disdained than statist today simply because no one is really that familiar with it. I suppose a more accurate term to use would be Modern liberal to try and describe what is going on today.
H
Having said all that, I use the term statist mainly for clarity. After all, not many would piece together that Bush was a liberal simply because he has been labeled a conservative based upon his affiliation with the religious right. However, that is the only way one could classify him as a conservative other than the fact that he was a part of the Republican party. But when you say he was a statist, the arguements simply go away. Of course he was a statist.
Originally posted by whodeyNo - they do NOT have two years to go. The current year is already half over. And next year, everyone in the House faces re-election as well as a third of the Senate. Controversial legislation of any kind will be IMPOSSIBLE to pass.
But they have two more years to go. My guess is that the real reason Obama wants as much passed this year is because he knows things are going to get significantly worse all on his watch.
Think back to Clinton's first two years in office. This was the last time the Dems controlled President, House, & Senate (although they only had 57 seats then). Clinton chose to focus on economic issues for 1993, and waited until 1994 before presenting a healthcare bill. But by the summer it was clear that the Democrats were worried mainly about the upcoming election and they were never able to agree on anything. Obama does not want to repeat that scenario.
The Democrats have wanted to pass a universal healthcare bill for a VERY long time - if they're to do it, it must be done NOW.
Originally posted by sh76But being forced to move the goal posts is exactly why he needs to get this passed yesterday. He was elected with next to no record. In fact, most of his votes he voted not present but now that he MUST make decisions and projections and compare those decisions and promections to what actually develops. As a result, his credibility is on barrowed time. In fact, perhaps he has waited to long as it is now.
I do think Obama has shifted the goal posts when it comes to measuring the stimulus. I can't make my point any more clear than this video does:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MjQ17kDng
Either he was being overly optimistic then to get it passed or he's trying to shift the goal posts now. Not that I blame him too much... you have to play the hand you're dealt.[/b]
Originally posted by MelanerpesI think the same could be said now, no? Don't you think the Democrats are getting a little nervous or do you think they simply accept not being in office next year? In short, are they just willing to fall on their swords for a "greater cause"?
But by the summer it was clear that the Democrats were worried mainly about the upcoming election and they were never able to agree on anything. Obama does not want to repeat that scenario.
Originally posted by whodeyNo one in Congress is facing election THIS year. If something is passed this year that makes some people angry, there will still be a full year for them to calm down. Much different if elections are being held in only a few months or less.
I think the same could be said now, no? Don't you think the Democrats are getting a little nervous or do you think they simply accept not being in office next year? In short, are they just willing to fall on their swords for a "greater cause"?
Originally posted by MelanerpesSo your arguement is that people will forget in a years time?
No one in Congress is facing election THIS year. If something is passed this year that makes some people angry, there will still be a full year for them to calm down. Much different if elections are being held in only a few months or less.
Not this voter. 😛
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI would vote for anyone who has not proven themselves to be a statist, even a Democrat. In fact, I would like to see some Republicans go. Political parties are irrelavent, or at least should be.
Is there any chance you would ever vote for the Democrats?
Originally posted by bill718that doesnt make it okay
The same question may be asked of the Bush groupies regarding delays in releasing weapons inspectors reports just before the invasion of Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction (you know...the weapons that never found!) What's the delay? Obama's delay is no doubt motivated by a desire to slow the release of some bad economic data. Bush's delay cost 5,000 ...[text shortened]... ll known quote of Jesus: "Let those among you who are without sin, cast the first stone" 😏