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Politics

Senate Passes First Budget in 4 Years

Mar. 23, 2013 7:27am Madeleine Morgenstern

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WASHINGTON (AP) — An exhausted Senate gave pre-dawn approval Saturday to a Democratic $3.7 trillion budget for next year that embraces nearly $1 trillion in tax increases over the coming decade but shelters domestic programs targeted for cuts by House Republicans.

While their victory was by a razor-thin 50-49, the vote let Democrats tout their priorities. Yet it doesn’t resolve the deep differences the two parties have over deficits and the size of government.

Joining all Republicans voting no were four Democrats who face re-election next year in potentially difficult races: Sens. Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., did not vote.

The vote came after lawmakers labored through the night on scores of symbolic amendments, ranging from voicing support for letting states collect taxes on Internet sales to expressing opposition to requiring photo ID’s for voters.

The Senate’s budget would shrink annual federal shortfalls over the next decade to nearly $400 billion, raise unspecified taxes by $975 billion and cull modest savings from domestic programs.

In contrast, a rival budget approved by the GOP-run House balances the budget within 10 years without boosting taxes.

That blueprint – by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., his party’s vice presidential candidate last year – claims $4 trillion more in savings over the period than Senate Democrats by digging deeply into Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs for the needy. It would also transform the Medicare health care program for seniors into a voucher-like system for future recipients.

“We have presented very different visions for how our country should work and who it should work for,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who chairs the Senate Budget Committee. “But I am hopeful that we can bridge this divide.”

A day that stretched roughly 20 hours featured brittle debate at times. The loudest moment came toward the end, when senators rose as one to cheer a handful of Senate pages – high school students – who lawmakers said had worked in the chamber since the morning’s opening gavel. Senators then left town for a two-week spring recess.

Congressional budgets are planning documents that leave actual changes in revenues and spending for later legislation, and this was the first the Democratic-run Senate has approved in four years. That lapse is testament to the political and mathematical contortions needed to write fiscal plans in an era of record-breaking deficits that until this year exceeded an eye-popping $1 trillion annually, and to the parties’ profoundly conflicting views.

“I believe we’re in denial about the financial condition of our country,” Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, top Republican on the Budget panel, said of Democratic efforts to boost spending on some programs. “Trust me, we’ve got to have some spending reductions.”

Though budget shortfalls have shown signs of easing slightly and temporarily, there is no easy path for the two parties to find compromise – which the first months of 2013 have amply illustrated.

Already this year, Congress has raised taxes on the rich after narrowly averting tax boosts on virtually everyone else, tolerated $85 billion in automatic spending cuts, temporarily sidestepped a federal default and prevented a potential government shutdown.

By sometime this summer, the government’s borrowing limit will have to be extended again – or a default will be at risk – and it is unclear what Republicans may demand for providing needed votes. It is also uncertain how the two parties will resolve the differences between their two budgets, something many believe simply won’t happen.

Both sides have expressed a desire to reduce federal deficits. But President Barack Obama is demanding a combination of tax increases and spending cuts to do so, while GOP leaders say they won’t consider higher revenues but want serious reductions in Medicare and other benefit programs that have rocketed deficits skyward.

Obama plans to release his own 2014 budget next month, an unveiling that will be studied for whether it signals a willingness to engage Republicans in negotiations or play political hardball.

The amendments senators considered during their long day of debate were all non-binding, but some delivered potent political messages.

They voted in favor of giving states more powers to collect sales taxes on online purchases their citizens make from out-of-state Internet companies, and to endorse the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that is to pump oil from Canada to Texas refineries.

They also voted to voiced support for eliminating the $2,500 annual cap on flexible spending account contributions imposed by Obama’s health care overhaul, and for charging regular postal rates for mailings by political parties, which currently qualify for the lower prices paid by non-profits.

In a rebuke to one of the Senate’s most conservative members, they overwhelmingly rejected a proposal by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to cut even deeper than the House GOP budget and eliminate deficits in just five years.

The Democratic budget’s $975 billion in new taxes would be matched by an equal amount of spending reductions coming chiefly from health programs, defense and reduced interest payments as deficits get smaller than previously anticipated.

This year’s projected deficit of nearly $900 billion would fall to around $700 billion next year and bottom out near $400 billion in 2016 before trending upward again.

Shoehorned into the package is $100 billion for public works projects and other programs aimed at creating jobs.

–

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Comments (158)

bdandsl
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:18am
These are the very people responsible for the mess we are in! They did this to America and WE are the ones having to suffer from their mismanagment of our country and our tax dollars. Everyone that has been in office before 2010 must be repaced with fresh leaders. We need term limits to weed out the career politians, eliminate pension and while in office obamacare for their medical. If it’s good enough for us it is good enough for them!

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- termyt
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:16am
  No, no. See? It’s the Republican House’s budget that was dangerous and extreme. This budget is very reasonable and natural.
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:20am
  Here is the reason we need to repeal the 17th Amendment… It makes the Senate less political!!! It makes it accountable to the 50 states not to the whims of the voters who seem to forget and forgive that their moronic senator failed to do the least he/she is supposed to do… go to http://www.repeal17.net read, think, donate…
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:41am
  if the senators represented the people of a state instead of the political parties we wouldnt have obamacare. Virginia did not support Obamacare but yet both democrat senators voted for it. The Virginia senators voted for it based on party instead of the state they come from. We have a republican state legislature that would have made sure our representatives in the senate knew where Virginia stands
  
  Report this comment
- carbonyes
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:59am
  “Both sides have expressed a desire to reduce the Federal deficit.” What a frigging joke. The only sane way this can be accomplished is by massive cuts in spending with the looters and the takers taking a big hit. This not only includes welfare recipients, who need to get off their dead rear ends and quit sucking off the government tit, but also the government subsidy programs for farmers need to be eliminated completely and any other government corporate welfare programs. The pain needs to be cut deep and across the spectrum of the economy. Why? Because it’s the right thing and only thing to do, because if it is not done, the pain is going to be much deeper when the natural result of the prolific spending accompanied by the rampant printing of money catches up, their will be run away inflation, a lack of available commodities(like food), and riots in the streets – something Herr Obama is chomping on the bit for and frothing at the mouth and their main reason for gun control and other control measures, followed by a declaration of marshal law. It is on our door step now.
  They are not even beginning to tell the American people the extent of the financial debacle that we are now in, and the fools continue to dig us a deeper and deeper hole.
  They obviously have neither scruples nor character for they are piloting a sinking ship and punching more holes in the sides.
  When the revolution begins, we had better be prepared to lay it all on the line.
  
  Report this comment
- Caniac Steve
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:10am
  and it didn’t kill them to even do it and their hands are no dirtier doing that …than not..3.7 trillion…1 trillion too much for me personally
  
  Report this comment
- doomytram
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:16am
  No No see, TerMyte, your bozo soros kool aid is showing it’s ridiculous head. The senate budget is extreme radical insanity. The house budget is more moderate and slightly left of center than right minded conservatives would prefer. However the clueless, misinformed, and zombie dis-informed idiots have been taught that it’s extreme. NO. NO. Koolaid drinker. The 4 democRAts that voted against the senate joke are all up for re-election and running from their own party. Bye Bye majority in senate ridiculous bozo drones. Termyte, if you were being sarcastic and your not a drone, then please add a sarcasm tag.
  
  Report this comment
- marssnw
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:12pm
  You really cant call what the democrats submitted a budget. It should be called a increase on a credit card limit. Whats the difference between what they submitted and a increase in credit limit? Absolutely nothing!! Its apparent that democrats do not learn from mistakes. They continue to make the same mistakes at the expense of the American people. To bad they are so dumb that they can not figure out that the fall of America will result in their own destruction.
  
  Democrats are so dumb that they think to many people on a portion of an island would cause the whole island to flip over. http://youtu.be/bs23CjIWMgA
  
  Report this comment
- TheBurningTruth
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 4:10pm
  #KENBOO1: You are quite correct about the 17 Amendment which was passed under the Progressive Liberal Wilson.
  
  The original structure of the govt gave “The People” the House of Reps and the states the Senate. The Presidency was a hybrid form since the electors in the Electoral College “mostly” represented “The People” as per the vote, but were NOT guaranteed to do so (there have been a limited number of electors that went against their district’s popular vote). The 17th Amendment stole all the state’s representation in congress leaving it to the ever more fickle public.
  
  If we still had the original state representation in the Senate, there would NOT be ANY unfunded mandates pushed down to the states. Those programs would either be funded by the entity pushing them (Feds) or the Senate would not have passed them because the Senate would be looking out for the various states. As it now is, popular vote (increasing a “Gimme” mentality) elects both the House and Senate which in turns legislates programs and pushes them down on the state to pay for.
  
  Report this comment
- kenboo1
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 5:36pm
  Joining all Republicans voting no were four Democrats who face re-election next year in potentially difficult races: Sens. Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., did not vote.
  
  This is how Senators do it… they do what ever they want the first 4 years cause they know the voters will forget… They they are very selective about how they vote the last two years… If they were still elected by the state legislatures this would not be the case… Lets return the states representation to the senate by repealing the 17th amendment http://www.repeal17.net
  
  Report this comment
- SUNTZU
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:07pm
  Pass the bacon please.
  
  Report this comment
- rickc34
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:07pm
  Obama and crew just put another nail in the coffin of the once great USA. They have choosen the broad path that leads to destruction.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 3:05am
  And it took the house to threaten to stop their pay to do it. Yet they will claim they have achieved a superhuman feat to accomplish the minimum job expectation. So they get a D-, for being late and having a crappy product. They would have been better off claiming the dog ate it.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Been Lauding
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 5:25am
  Anonymous sources told Harry Reid he had to pass a budget before he could read it.
  That was fine with Harry, he is used to selling the Taxpayer down the river!!!
  
  Report this comment
- dcatkin
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 10:04am
  This is not about a budget, a budget would control the spending and bring the debt under control, this does neither of those things. It does give the dems a bunch more tax payer money to blow on crap like vacations for Obama, and $600,000 hotel rooms for Biden.
  
  Let’s just say it like it is, they will never make anything like a budget happen, they like spending that money too much.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc333
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 12:16pm
  termyt… to be far, the Ryan budget was pretty ridiculous. It called for a repeal of Obamacare, but at the same time his budget relied on the tax increases and medicaid cuts that are a part of Obamacare. Plus his plan hurts the ones that are already hurting. and further weakening the lower and middle class does not help an economy.
  
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- Keatonc333
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 12:23pm
  Doomytram.. Under the house budget Seniors would pay more for healthcare, Obamacare would be repealed, the elderly and disabled would lose medicaid coverage, The rich and corporations would get a 3 trillion tax cut while 30 million americans would lose health insurance and the already ridiculously huge defense budget would get a further boost while safety net programs get cut. How is that left to center?
  If you are going to call democrats “clueless, misinformed, and zombie dis-informed idiots” at least have a valid point to back it up.. Oh and if you are going to call someone an idiot.. try to spell the word before idiot correctly… Miss-informed! ; )
  
  Report this comment
- realindependent
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 2:31pm
  Who got us in this mess? I love how you guys forget the whole 8 years GWB. you know the One whom name shall not be spoken in republican circles?
  
  2 wars, medicare part D, Dept of homeland security, and for the first time in this countries history tax cuts in the time of war.
  
  Yeah yeah keep trying to re-write history all you want republicorps. George W. Bush was in office when the U.S. bankers crashed the worlds economy. This was started in the 80′s greed of wall street and big government republicans starting with Reagan.
  
  Democrats balance the budget, streamline the pentagon and the military and leave the government better than we found it. Republicorps spend they’re time trashing the government so they can point and say. See the government doesn’t work, but we know better, and so do YOU!!!
  
  Report this comment
- realindependent
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 2:33pm
  Yeah let’s massively cut the government and entitlements. Lets see how that has worked in Europe. they are now back in a double and triple dip recessions.
  
  You cut spending in a dim economy you kill growth. Basic economics.
  
  Report this comment
ares338
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:16am
Our whole government is a three ring circus repleat with dancing elephants, balancing donkeys and a completely broke audience. Unless we have a complete landslide take over in 2014 America will become Amerika 100%. A Democrat is a creature that begs for it’s own demise and won’t realize it until it’s too late. At least I can enjoy all of the hand wringing, crying and ******* and moaning about what happened. YOU happened you idiot bassturds.

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Sargeking
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:10am
Is Obamacare defunded? That’s the lynch pin to rebuilding our economy. Mr. Obama has demanded a budget and yet he’s going to submit his own? To him bi-partisanship is his way or the highway. We can’t get anything positive accomplished when the “Emperor has no clothes”!

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- USA5
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:19pm
  Regardless what the House of Rep. and Senate pass…hussein o is going to veto it and executive order his own budget plans.
  for 4 plus years he ignored a budget plan…after all this work by many…hussein…say’s I have one now?
  Impeach O
  
  Report this comment
- tharpdevenport
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:43pm
  That’s not true. Obamanator submitted his own a year or two ago. It got ZERO votes from Democrats. That’s pretty bad.
  
  Report this comment
noslave
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:54am
and like a healthy crap?,it was full of DEMOCRAT SHMITT?? NO CUTS JUST SPEND&TAX MORE.

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hugo65hsv
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:48am
Same old, same old from the Democrats.. Big Government, tax and regulate it whatever it is, Government programs that don’t solve the problem just perpetuate it and make it bigger and never ever go away.. Fill the Government coffers with money so they can stay in power redistributing other peoples money.. Only a completer fool would think their doing otherwise..

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ktmrider1
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:40am
gee let me guess, increased spending with nothing cut

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jakartaman
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:38am
These spending freaks (Democrats) are killing my children’s future.
They are killing the best country in the history of the world.
Shame on them and shame on us!

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blanco5
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:36am
Let me guess…..tax now and “promise” to cut later which ALWAYS works.

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- CatB
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:47am
  It’s the Whimpy (Democrat) budget . I’d gladly pay you in the future for a hamburger today … People used to laugh when he said that in the Popeye cartoons .. now they vote for that idiotic theory .. where you never have to pay …this won’t end pretty.
  
  Report this comment
- blanco5
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:51am
  Historically, it never does.
  
  Report this comment
AUsername
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:35am
if there are that much tax increases why didn’t Rand Paul filibuster and stop it.

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- Zipit
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:04am
  You’re illiterate! And stupid Ta-Boot!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:36am
  ALOSERNAME, Geez, you really should take some sage advice and check into a place like this.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJdSRgnjnA
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:45am
  ASSUSER, Maybe he wanted senate dems on record for once,so people can see what dems have in store for this country.Just as we thought,more tax & spend rip-off B.S. 3.7 TRILLION when we take in 2.3,DO THE M ATH *******!
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:36am
  AUSER is just one of our Obama Trolls running their usual ” Divide the Dumb Conservatives ” campaign…
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:47am
  BARBER2, This will be one of the very rare times that I will ever disagree with you, but I think that you giving LOSER too much credit.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:42am
  either hes losing his principles or the tax increases are not there. also try commenting on just one account and getting out of the house to cure your loneliness.
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:06pm
  AssUser came back to to impart more wisdom on us,At first l couldn’t get it,but now see he is only answering his own stupid remarks from the first post,and getting it WRONG! HAHAHAHAHAHAH
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:12pm
  GEEMAN, I just noticed, and I am still laughing…LOL!
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:58pm
  lol…. GEEMAN & RJJ…
  
  It reminds me of a post i read here once from IMADUCK that made some lame point but the only reply was from himself saying “great idea, DUCK!”
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 1:29pm
  East, A-name gets lots of replys but l don’t think he can read or he’s just afraid to listen to anyone but the voices inside his noggin.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 2:46pm
  i don’t reply all the time because i work for a living and i don’t live off welfare, food stamps and other transfer payments that are paid for by the workers like yall.
  
  Report this comment
- armyofnibiru
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:05pm
  since that filibuster dingy harry has made sure the floor is closed.an open floor would have givin rand the oppertunity.dingy learned from that filibuster,and won’t make that mistake again.frakkin tray tores.
  but at least its only $1,000,000,000,000 in increases.I don’t know if even god can save us,so many are under their spell.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:48pm
  A User is the former windydualism. Same crap, different name. Has an affinity for troops and LE. Guessing he/it has user charges in background too.
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 4:13pm
  A-name, I’m glad you have a job,so do l, And you still havn’t replyed about anything that didn’t come from your own head.
  
  Report this comment
Popp40
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:35am
Remember these are “projected” spending. When has our government ever been right on “projected” spending. Plus the democracts state they will make cuts after they raise taxes, when has that ever truly happened (just ask the Reagon administration how it worked out for them).

Why is it that we keep sending the most intellectully challenged people to Washington to represent us.

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TheEndIsComing
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:34am
OK, I have a joke. Two blondes go to the mall shopping. They pull out the credit cards and spend $1,000,000,000,000 more than they owned. They were SO exhausted!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. The America populace is SO stupid! Civil war is coming soon. Get ready people.

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Oldscout47
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:26am
The rich do not keep their money under their mattress. Their money goes into circulation creating jobs at all levels whether it is from direct purchases or indirectly through investments. Taxing them removes those jobs and shifts the workers to either temporary jobs or government dependency. The jobs that are created by the circulation of money from the wealthy create more GDP since there is an expected return on investment. Government programs have poor GDP results combined with a loss the personal capital in skill, ambition, creativity, etc..
It is a fallacy that increased wealth at the top means increased poverty at the bottom. That is only true if the wealthy take their money out of circulation and that would be against their interest.
What is happening is that progressives want you to believe that government is the source of your well being rather than capitalistic enterprise.
In general, wealth translates to republican votes and poverty translates into democratic votes. It is against an elected democrat’s interest to see folks improve their economic status.

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- Oldscout47
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:27am
  Also – In general democratic politicians in a quest for power and influence do not have sufficient IQ, courage or creativity to compete in a capitalistic environment. They gravitate to government power and influence because it is more achievable and secure for them. Through government they can dictate and demand respect for their ideology rather than have to generate support and respect through superior performance. They generally pursue votes by promises and disbursement of government monies. As individuals they can create wealth through artistry, personal skill or athleticism but they rarely build or maintain large complex organizations that compete in open markets. Some build empires from exclusive ownership.
  All this is nice but it does not increase GDP at a level required for sufficient employment to meet healthy family growth and maintenance in America with today’s population profile.
  
  Report this comment
samurai2112
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:12am
We promise to cut spending over 10 years but we need tax increases now. Then we will never cut spending because the lobbyist’s will come with re-election gifts when their interest’s are being proposed to be cut (reduced increases in spending) and they kick the can down the road again. Anything not getting us to a balanced budget will never get to paying any of the principle debt we owe and we continue with an interest only loan while our credit line increases every year adding to the principle debt.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:42am
  yea, how come there is no talk in the republican circles about reforming the budget process to get rid of that 10-yr budget window? How come the forecast is not done on a yearly basis instead?
  
  Most americans would support that
  
  Report this comment
dublinthewagons
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:11am
Good advice. Don’t take a check on anybody that votes for this so called budget. It might not be good.

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Sarah641
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:08am
They shouldn’t get paid unless they pass a budget EVERY year. They were exhausted? What a crock, you want to see exhausted? How about a cattelman who is up all night taking care of newborn calves or a rescue worker tryin to help those in need….fireman saving our lives, homes and property? Exhausted…what a crock.

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dublinthewagons
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:06am
Is Harry Ried soft spoken? Or just a mealy mouthed weasel?
I can’t stand to see the worm try and talk.

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sameolesameole
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:04am
Me thinks there will be some more defectors as public sentiment becomes louder and plain folks would like to keep enough of their own money to pay the bills and of course buy a little gas to get to work to keep the guvment in bizness. (sarcasm intended)

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:03am
Here is the big question, what advantage is Reid and the Democratic party aiming for?

For four years they have not had a budget or anything to have their names attached to, and suddenly we now have a budget that demands incredible new levels of taxation and reckless spending. So what is in it that they want to have snuck through? Or is there some other matter, a higher goal, they are playing for?

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:07am
  SNOW, Honestly, I think this is all for show. Sometime after they return from their Easter Holiday will start pointing fingers at the Republicans in the house in an effort to smear them for not passing the budget bill. All while they will claim to have done their part.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:06am
  @RJjing: That is what I am wondering about; there is a larger strategic plan going on here, mostly I think its for 2014 to one degree or another. Something is telling me that more and more Democrats coming up for reelection are beginning to fear for their own skin (political and literal) as Obama grows more and more unstable.
  
  Something is about to give, and when it does, it will begin over a small matter and shatter all that we have known. I mean it, Obama is going to snap completely and either have a meltdown or go for broke and try to seize power.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:25am
  Bingo SNOW, Bingo! The Dems are quietly in full campaign mode except for 0bama. He has never been out of campaign mode yet. They want to hammer the Republicans as much as they can as they hope to take the House back in the next election.
  
  Report this comment
- copatriots
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:18am
  Hi SNOW & RJJ,
  
  Agree with both. Not sure what passing the budget accomplished. Like you, SNOW, I have little doubt something was advanced and/or snuck in.
  
  I have a sickening feeling the House elections for 2014 are already lost by, as Alinsky instructed, whatever means necessary. And, the Senate will likely stay exactly as it is….by the same means crooks like Reid won the last time around. At which point, the final transformation of America will march forth as the Progs have planned. This all feels exactly like what happened after John Roberts gave us 0bamacare. There was no way 0bama was going to lose in November and have 0-care overturned.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:46am
  COPATRIOTS, As for the Republicans maintaining the House, I have a feeling that this gun grab, and pain of both this Sequestration, and the start of 0bama Care this year may get some people off their collective butts and vote some of these Dem-wits out. I am hoping that history will repeat itself as it happened in the ’94 elections. There are at least four Dem Senators from predominately Red states who are trying to make their votes look better. They are the ones who voted against this budget. Those states need to send them packing next November. I do have some hope, but I will also not hold my breath.
  
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- copatriots
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:04am
  RJJ, in a “normal” world, you’d be correct. And I hope like H377 things aren’t as corrupted as I sense and that you are right this time too! They are already scheming how to win the House. If there is any way and any means possible, they will do it…..I put nothing passed them. They are too close to achieving their lifelong dreams of progressive utopia. Only the election of 2014 stands in their way of the complete and final transformation. Much like the SCOTUS decision as well as the November 2012 elections, I feel it coming. You have no idea how I hope and pray that I am wrong. Either way, may God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:14am
  COPATRIOTS, As long as the election is not completely stolen I have at least some hope. Since a number of states have laws now requiring voter ID and these laws are starting to get through the courts there is in my opinion more hope. As long as the Dems keep shooting themselves in the foot I do believe the population will catch on. I have to also agree with everything that you said here.
  
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Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:01am
This year’s projected deficit of nearly $900 billion would fall to around $700 billion next year and bottom out near $400 billion in 2016 before trending upward again.
——————————————————————————————————————-
In the projected deficit, interest is not included.
2013 $900 deficit plus about $400 billion interest payment, equauls $1.3 trillion deficit in 2013.

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Gonzo
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:00am
Would Obama follow a budget if he ever got one through the House and Senate anyway? I seriously doubt it. He will do as he pleases until somebody has the balls to stop him.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:09am
  GONZO, I don’t expect this to get through the House, but you are right. Even a budget that he signs into law will mean nothing to him other than for him to say “See, we did pass a budget.”
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:16am
  Exactly right R.J.
  
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- CatB
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:42am
  Exactly … 200 million just the other day promised out of the blue to (I believe it was) Jordan .. while here we are closing down airport towers and kids can’t go to the White House … Obama cares nothing about budgets or America.
  
  Obama = America last. And he intends to keep us down.
  
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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:04am
  @Gonzo: nope.
  
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Sharon Rose
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:56am
If these people would do their job year around they would not have to have all nighters.

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Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:52am
Shoehorned into the package is $100 billion for public works projects and other programs aimed at creating jobs.
——————————————————————————————–

aimed at creating UNION jobs.
Democrats always keep the union bosses happy

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KyleD
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:44am
Luckily we have enough people in the house to reject that.

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Diane TX
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:44am
Voting for someone with a “D” after their name, means that you are stupid. What don’t you understand about the fact that they think that they are doing you a favor by “allowing” you to keep a little bit of YOUR money?

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:06am
  and people who vote for the “R” who act like the “D” are also stupid
  
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- 13th Imam
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:52am
  “R”on Paul has a R behind his name.
  
  Fake Libertarians stink.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:57am
  i rest my case
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:58am
  SOY, I know that I have said this before, and I in no way intend this to be a slam at you. There are just too many of these elections across the country where the conservatives have no choice but to vote for their perceived lesser of two evils. I hate it when that happens, but it is a simple fact. Your team just not have enough “oomph” across the country to make the Libertarian candidates that popular yet. Maybe in the future they can make a difference. I have also mentioned that I do like some of the planks in your party platform, but there are some that are more like the planks in the Dem’s platform. I recall that you were confused the last time I mentioned the party planks. If you are still unfamiliar, look them up, they are on the internet written by the party. That is where I read them.
  One other thing, and please correct me if I am wrong, but haven’t you attacked others here on the site for name calling? Calling us stupid for our voting practices, and I have yet to see a Libertarian candidate at our local polling station, there is little option. Frankly, if you are going to give advice, I suggest that you be the first to follow it. But, that option is up to you. I do after all say that you and anybody here has the right to free speech.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:23am
  you always have a choice. if people like yourself had the courage to vote Constitution Party in 2008, we wouldnt have had romney in 2012. And if you had the courage to vote Libertarian/Constituion Party in 2012, we wouldnt have people like Boehner/McConnell/McCain running the republican party.
  
  All it takes is for each person to be responsible and take a stand
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:37am
  SOY, They are not on our Polls either. I’ll look them up in our state to see what I can find. I would like to read more about them. As for the Libertarian party, I would have to drive through two other counties to get to the nearest location for a small group. And, it is in a much smaller city than the one that I live near. Since you are in Virginia and much closer to that cesspool of Washington DC, I can expect you to have more active parties, and groups available in your area. So, no, we do not have the option. BTW, none of them showed up in my polling station during the last national election either. Here you go again treating the rest of us as little children as you continue to lecture us….you know….the stupid people. On this subject you don’t know what you are talking about…..again. I am going to look up what I can find for the Constitution Party around here right now.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:53am
  SOY, Okay, looked up the Constitution Party in this state. There are three chapters here, but much further away. I did get a bit excited when the search engine opened and there was a mention of Judge Roy Moore who I respect very much. But, the link was just to the Wikipedia page on him. It merely contained the words Constitution and Party. I will do more reading on the Constitution Party and look up their platform though.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:57am
  i said nothing about joining a party. And they dont have to be working at the polls in order for you to vote for them. You have a vote and you are allowed to vote for anybody you want to
  
  you complain about being treated like a kid and lectured, but i make a pretty common sense statement and you take it in a whole different direction….so there you go
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:05am
  RJJ i can relate to SOY in that i get frustrated when people are dismissive of Libertarian Candidates because Libertarian principles seems like simple, obvious truths to us…
  I think man-kind is more or less inherently Libertarian.
  
  When you read the Constitution with Libertarian principles in mind, .. it all suddenly seems to make sense… to me anyway. I kinda feel like like its a Libertarian Do<ument…?
  Which makes me a Constitutionalist…. which is a specific type of Libertarian, i guess.
  
  I take the "self-evident" part of holding truths pretty literally…
  
  but while i think most people are Libertarian and don't even know it, i also think the frustrated Libertarians often make our ideals unappetizing to others because they're delivered in a scroll of frustrated venom…. and often put forth from a defensive position.
  Other parties have had more practice with the "Act like You've Been There" axiom.
  
  Libertarians need more Candidates that can articulate and teach.. and better marketing.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:08am
  SOY, let me rephrase that. THEIR NAMES HAVE NOT SHOWN UP AT OUR POLLS. Get it this time? Like I said earlier, we simply did not have that option. SO, THERE YOU GO! I am not going in a different direction, you don’t know what you are talking about when you tell me that I have such and option in my community.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:39am
  EAST, There are good number of very sensible Libertarians here, and as for you, I have always had a lot of respect. As well, I have a lot of respect for GHOST OF JEFFERSON, PROGRESSIVESLAYER, as well as others here. I have always been willing to read up on these parties and have done so in the past and will continue to do so in the future. In fact at this moment I have two tabs open with the search engine open for both the Libertarian Party, and the Constitutional Party. Have been reading a few links so far, and will continue to do so this morning. I’ve watched the Republican Party over nearly fifty years morph into what they have become today. So, I have a natural distrust when it comes to voting for another party for them to become part of the problem of the future. Once they get encrusted inside the beltway human nature tends to take over from common sense. I know, not immediately.
  Anyway, I have found myself to disagree with some of the Libertarian platform, but only parts of it. My beef with SOY is a personality conflict. When anybody here disagrees with him he tends to go berserk. Look at some of his posts here this morning. I have not yet gotten him to understand that in my community polling station there have been no Libertarians or Constitutional candidates on our ballots. But, he keeps telling me that I will always have a different option. I absolutely hate being lectured to by somebody who is several states away where he has that option.
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 11:50am
  I hear ya, RJJ.. but to be honest.. i didn’t grasp that you were implying as much from your 1st few posts, either.
  I thought you were saying that there were no Libertarian glad-handers outside of the voting zone making themselves seen?
  
  I have very few, if any, 3rd party options on my local NC ballots to choose from, and i wont vote for a write-in Candidate…
  Although, oddly enough, when i lived in CT, there were always lots of 3rd party candidates running for everything… ?
  
  Anyway… you’re big boys.. you’ll work it out. just wanted to nose-in with my 1/2 shilling.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:11pm
  EAST, went back and reread my posts. Both of you are right that I did not make myself clear. For that I am sorry. Got some family distractions going on right now. Also, they are not allowed to make an appearance at our polls. That would be considered campaigning. Considering that my polling station is on a highway there is really nowhere for anybody to stand around at the distance required. The area where the overflow parking goes is usually full of signs though, and that is private property where the owners are kind enough to allow the parking.
  Been meaning to ask what part of NC are you in? I spent a good amount of time from the ’70s to ’81 at Ft Bragg. Loved it up there.
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:48pm
  I am right in Raleigh.
  
  my Pops was 82nd airborne out of Bragg in 68.
  He moved his Construction Biz here in the 90′s because he loved the area.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 2:03pm
  EAST, Sorry to take so long to get back to you. Have been busy and also back on Mike Opelka story about Glenn’s dog. G.E.R is a real sack of dung isn’t he.
  Okay, I got there about nine years after your Dad then. Have been to Raleigh a number of times although it has been quite a while. Really enjoyed it there though.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:05pm
  @RJ
  “SOY, let me rephrase that. THEIR NAMES HAVE NOT SHOWN UP AT OUR POLLS. Get it this time? Like I said earlier, we simply did not have that option.”
  
  You have said before that you live in Alabama. I know for a fact that Libertarian Party was on the alabama presidential ballot the last two elections (i dont know about the other parties). In fact, libertarian or constitution party was on at least 48 state ballots…..So what you said was pretty much a lie
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 3:08pm
  and by they way RJ, the original topic of discussion was presidential voting and how voting 3rd party can teach the republicans to not nominate progressives – but then you somehow translate that as community politics…..That has nothing to do with what i said
  
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PA PATRIOT
Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:37am
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

GTFO HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA|
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HAAAAAAAA…….
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

HA
??????

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:44am
  PA PATRIOT, I hope to be able to read this budget in the near future. I bet that it is as fake….
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsBtuhWw7RM
  
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- AquamanSucks
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:50am
  Morning RJJ
  Sorry for the re-post.
  
  I saw your response to a troll. However I am starting to smell something funny around here.
  I wonder if we are all being played.
  What do your years on the street tell you?
  
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- circleDwagons
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:57am
  Plenty of sunshine, plenty of rope Zip a do dah
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 7:59am
  AQUAMANSUCKS, Good morning as well. I think that I can pretty well guess the post you mentioned. Need to go back and take another look. Oh yeah, we are being played. The good thing is this budget is destined to go to the house next. Hopefully, it will get chewed up there. The Senate Dem-wits slapped this thing together so rapidly for one reason. So, they could take off for their Easter holiday.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:00am
  CIRCLEDWAGONS, LOL! I like the way you think.
  
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- PA PATRIOT
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:22am
  RJ.
  Good one, Chevy is the king of “cool stupidity”
  I think Obama enjoys the original better.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcxYwwIL5zQ
  More emphasis on the “Bluebird of Happiness.”
  Is that not what happens when Mr. Smith goes to Washington?
  They cannot see the forest because of the trees. Those damn trees.
  
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- AquamanSucks
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:23am
  RJJ
  
  Sorry I did not make myself clear. I was talking about the trolling.
  Something is odd. I am starting to think there is more to it than meets the eye.
  I have been looking at things and they just do not add up.
  
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- AquamanSucks
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 8:32am
  I never paid much attention until I started my studies (:
  
  However I’m begining to look more in the wood pile than out of the yard.
  Can not quite put my finger on it but something is not making sense.
  
  Maybe it’s just me over thinking things. You know how us super heros get.
  
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- Zipit
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:08am
  Excuse me! But that would be ZIPIT-E- DOODA, to you fellers!!!
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:45am
  PA PATRIOT, Yeah, that is pretty much why I used the Chevy version instead. I’ve actually linked the original here when the scope of the story called for it.
  AQUAMANSUCKS, Okay, I see your point now. It does seem that some of our regular trolls have dried up for a while. Maybe the HuffPo is an easier place for them for now. Although, I occasionally take a peek at HuffPo and have seen a large number of conservative posts there recently. Other than that, I really have no idea what is going on. Pleasantly, WANGO has laid off lately, must have a new boyfriend that is occupying much of his time right now. I do wonder where the others are now. Of course TURDMONGER had to show up on one of the stories recently.
  ZIPIT, “Excuse me! But that would be ZIPIT-E- DOODA, to you fellers!!!” That was hilarious. Thanks.
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:35am
  RJJ… you don’t have to read the real budget.
  
  I haven’t read it- but i can summarize for you anyway:
  
  1. Steal as much money as possible from the American people.
  2. Spend more money than possible trying to destroy the livelihood of those same people.
  3. Blame the GOP when it inevitably fails.
  
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- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:51pm
  aquamansucks
  
  I am being censored.
  
  Two years ago Glenn Beck said 40% of theblaze content was critical of him.
  It was almost an encouragement for opposing viewpoints
  The criticism has always been less then 5%
  Last week he was complaining about liberals listening to him.
  He must think we are having an effect? as if that was even possible
  Glen Beck has always been thin skinned and vindictive.
  
  Now they don’t post 1/3rd of what I write.
  
  They’ve also changed the wording of some of my posts.
  
  I don’t know about anyone else.
  
  You can’t trust Glenn Beck!!
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on March 24, 2013 at 9:45am
  MBE..
  
  Many of my posts don’t show up, either. That’s why i started putting them on WordPad before posting.
  EVERY time my post failed to appear, i’d go back and review it’s content and EVERY time i found i used a word with c-u-m in in (like “docu-ment”or “circu-mstance”). Those posts will never post. They are automatically discarded. The editors have nothing to do with it.
  
  I have never had my words changed other than **** appearing in place of some naughty ones, and i’ve never heard anyone else make that claim, either.
  
  You call it “Censorship”. I say it’s sloppiness or ignorance on your part..
  
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