Politics

Senate Defeats GOP House Budget Plan

Senate Defeats GOP House Budget PlanWASHINGTON (AP) — Joined by several moderate Republicans, Democrats controlling the Senate rejected a controversial House budget plan for turning Medicare into a voucher-like program for future beneficiaries.

Five Republicans joined every Democrat in killing the measure, which calls for transforming Medicare into a program in which future beneficiaries – people now 54 years old and younger – would be given a subsidy to purchase health insurance rather than have the government directly pay hospital and doctor bills.

Democrats said the GOP plan would “end Medicare as we know it,” and they made it the central issue in a special election Tuesday in which Democrats seized a longtime GOP district in western New York, rattling Republicans.

Several moderate Republicans joined every Democrat present in opposing the stringent House plan. They were Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Tea-party favorite Rand Paul of Kentucky opposed plan from the right since it doesn’t actually balance and would add trillions of dollars to the U.S. debt.

Republicans faulted Democrats controlling the Senate for failing to offer a plan of their own.

Republicans immediately forced a vote on President Barack Obama’s February budget proposal, which opened to chilly reviews in February for failing to aggressively tackle issues like the long-term future of benefit programs like Medicare and Social Security. Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the plan.

Democrats staged the votes to put Republicans on record regarding a plan by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

Critics point to a nonpartisan analysis by the Congressional Budget Office predicting the House Medicare plan would pay a shrinking share of seniors’ insurance premiums over time and would lead them to either choose policies that offer less generous coverage or force them to pay thousands of dollars a year in higher premiums to maintain the coverage currently offered by Medicare.

The votes won’t come on the various budgets themselves but instead on motions to simply begin debate on them.

Under Congress’ arcane budget process, a budget plan is not actual legislation but a nonbinding blueprint that sets a framework for future legislation. While it sets goals for raising or lowering taxes and imposing spending cuts, in most years the vote on a so-called budget resolution is mostly symbolic. In many years, that follow-up legislation is simply a round of appropriations bills.

With the House and Senate controlled by different parties, there’s no hope for a final compromise between the two chambers.

In fact, Democrats have pulled the plug on the budget process for now, awaiting the results of negotiations between Vice President Joe Biden and senior lawmakers in both parties that are aimed at producing an agreement on a package of spending cuts exceeding $1 trillion over the coming decade. The cuts would be packaged with must-pass legislation to permit the government to keep issuing bonds to finance its operations and keep its promises to investors in U.S. debt as it faces a deficit of $1.6 trillion this year.

The Biden-led talks are expected to take several weeks or longer as an Aug. 2 deadline for raising the so-called debt limit looms.

The decision by Democrats to not advance a budget spares them from a process that would expose rifts within the party over taxes and how far to cut spending on federal benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad originally drew up a plan heavy on spending cuts – with a 3 to 1 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases – but ran into opposition from liberals like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

But Conrad’s latest plan relies more on tax increases to meet a goal of cutting projected deficits by $4 trillion over the coming decade. He might be able to get that plan approved by the Budget Committee, which is stocked with party loyalists, but it would likely fail on the floor due to opposition from party moderates.

The Democratic stall on the budget spares Democrats from a full slate of politically difficult votes.

Republicans have been blasting Democrats on a daily basis for their failure to produce a budget, saying they‘re failing to live up to their responsibility as the Senate’s majority party.

“At a moment when our debts and deficits threaten the very future of our nation, Democrats have no excuse for proposing no vision of their own,” said Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

The top Republican on the Budget panel, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, hasn’t offered an alternative, either, though conservative Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Paul offered stringent plans that would bring the budget into balance.

Comments (236)

1 2 3 ... 5
  • liberalsarealiens
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:13pm

    Wait! isn’t that the whole idea here? To change it to something that will work and not go broke? To be a Democrate is to be an moron! They simply MUST remove the MULE BLINDERS! Unbelievable!

    Report Post » liberalsarealiens  
  • Teaparty Senior
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:13pm

    I don‘t know about you fo lks but if it’s a choice between trusting Paul Ryan or Harry Reid … it’s a no-brainer. The greatest gift that I can give my grandchildren is not fortune. It is the gift of self-determination (freedom). They can be poor or they can be wealthy … it is their choice whether they learn enough from their mistakes to become successful.

    I’ll find a way to survive for their opportunity. It’s that simple! I’m 68 years-old. I care less about leaving them an estate than I care about bequeathing them them freedoms that I have had.

    Wake up, America! Obummer is eating our grandkids’ cake. He’s too busy hob-knobbing with the Queen to visit the citzens of Joplin. It’s all about Him and not about you.

    Peace Bro’

    Report Post » Teaparty Senior  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:32pm

      Joplin should be declared an“OBAMA FREE ZONE”.

      Report Post »  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:06pm

    i cannot wait for these intitlements go under it will be funny for you fools who want to make a political issue over a real problem i want to watch you loose it all cant wait

    Report Post »  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:04pm

    @calijohn: Once again your information is wrong! Check the facts. The national debt in 2000 was $5.7 Trillion, the number you’re quoting was a “projected surplus” that never came to fruition. Liberals have been telling that lie for over a decade. So much so that they actually believe it.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:02pm

    “Democrats said the GOP plan would ‘end Medicare as we know it.’”

    Yes, it would. And the time is long overdue for a change; time to step into the 21st Century and face reality. We were warned about this mess 35 years ago, and no one did a thing.

    Worse, the Demosaurs aren’t going to budge now, either.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:29pm

      If you really are an upstate New York Conservative you know from tthis morning’s newspaper just how popular this Medicare killing stuff is with the voters. It just cost the Republicans a Congressional seat in a district that’s so Red they voted for that nitwit Carl Palladino last year. It’s not that we’re so spoiled we won’t make any sacrifices for the future financial security of the country. We just think that Medicare should be the last thing on the chopping block, not the first. Certainly not before tax cuts for rich people who have used all their extra money to make jobs in other countries instead of here, or a bloated inefficient military designed to invade and conquer other continents when our most dangerous enemies are low budget terrorists who can work out of apartments and box vans and are more vulnerable to intelligence and law enforcement methods.

      Report Post »  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:47pm

      @Chet Hempstead

      Not my district, so I had no say with a vote.

      Much as some wish to declare this special election was somehow a ‘referendum’ on a national proposal, it isn’t. The area covered by the 26th District is largely suburban and rural. I don‘t have a breakdown and won’t bother; again–it’s not my district.

      The term for the Dem is what–18 months? Big deal. She ran on being a supporter of Obamacare. But the electorate is fickle, and things can change. I can‘t see any kind of ’referendum’ either way. It is what it is–for the moment.

      Medicare isn‘t being ’killed’. Realistically, it needs to be changed. The Pubs offered a handout to people under 55 (I’m 53)–another giveaway. Nothing changed much, really.

      Medicare is not sacrosanct. We were warned decades ago about this and now the time has come. I‘m fine expecting to work until I’m 70 or older, and that’s just reality. I’m comfortable with it.

      What I’m not comfortable with are politicians who keep shafting you and me.

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • j_blaze14
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:40pm

      CHET THEHEMPSTEAD “Certainly not before tax cuts for rich people who have used all their extra money to make jobs in other countries instead of here”

      you are wrong. lower taxes for the job creators (today known as the rich) means it is more profitable for them to do business here instead of elsewhere. we have one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world and that is the ONLY reason jobs are going overseas. it takes a very large investment to move your company abroad, thats how high the tax burden is here. if we lower taxes or eliminate them, the economic growth here will be so fast and large we would not know what to do with all our wealth. instead of us earning and spending it the government steals it and wastes it. bottom line.

      think about it, since the rich are so “greedy”, if they got a huge tax cut what would they do with all the extra money?… make more! to do that, hire more people, open more offices, buy them more stuff to do their jobs with (true investment), pay them more so they don’t go across the street to the other booming competitor that now also has lower taxes. it would be a beautiful thing. it works every time it is tried, what we are doing now FAILS every time it is tried. look around.

      Report Post »  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:14pm

      UpstateNYConservative
      This is the first time a Democrat has won in that district for 40 years, and she won by telling the voters that her opponent had voted for the Ryan plan. You say “the electorate is fickle,” but they weren’t until this year.

      j_blaze14
      This isn’t a matter of theory about what would happen if we gave them a huge tax cut. We did give them a huge tax cut, and they did nothing for anybody in this country but themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:37pm

      j_blaze14
      You’re right about one thing, we would be able to lower the corporate tax rate and lower the deficit IF we could close all the loopholes that let companies make money in this country while incorporating out of a mail drop in another country. Guess which party keeps voting against closing those loopholes.

      I don’t see any downside to raising the personal tax rate on the wealthiest Americans back to what it was during the Clinton administration. It would make a dent in the deficit and cutting personal tax rates has never paid for itself in job growth. That’s a bug lie that they just keep telling over and over again but the math doesn’t back them up.

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:00pm

    ENDING MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT IS THE WHOLE POINT!
    Can’t get Doctors, can’t sustain it, Abused and corruption. 80 Bullion a year is pilfered and stolen our Seniors!
    ENDING it as we know it is the whole Point~!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • GulfPeg
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:58pm

    Even Bill Clinton is on Ryan’s side. Clinton even went as far as to say that the health care reform (I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s Obamacare) was monstrous and could not represent such a big part of the economy and that Medicare has to be looked into!

    Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:59pm

      Bill is working on the sidelines to position Hilary for her run next year. Bill was always smart enough to realize which way the political wind was blowing…and right now, blowing marxist smoke is NOT the way to go!

      Report Post »  
  • workinghard
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:52pm

    Good job Dems! Way to show leadership. Your house is burning down and they are busy worrying about how much water to use. You morons! Medicare either gets cut now or later. Way to vote for later when the options will be even fewer! The same morons that voted for these idiots will be crying foul when they find out someday there is no medicare.

    Report Post »  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:08pm

      and only then will i laugh my ass off

      Report Post »  
    • 5410amh
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:21pm

      Most of the GOP senators who voted with the democrats were no surprise. But Rand Paul I thought he was better than that. Well those are all GOP senators that need replacing.

      Report Post »  
  • ANTI-WHATEVER
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:50pm

    Woo-Hoo!,..The spendind orgy goes on!! A round of cash, on the house!

    Report Post »  
  • lizaz
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:48pm

    All of the democrats who are running in 2012 voted against this budget plan as well as both Independents, Lieberman and Sanders, and RINOs Snowe and Scott Brown. All of the above are running in 2012…..so be sure to keep that in mind……we aren’t so far away from the election and we really need to get control of the Senate, as well as the WH, or the democrats will continue to sink us further into debt, with no way to return. God help us!!!

    Report Post »  
  • jeff.cooper
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:41pm

    Of course Rand Paul is going to vote Nay on the measure because it is a continuation of federal money grab and give, so I get that. On the other hand, Brown-MA, both Collins and Snow of ME, and Murkowkski-AK are RINO’s who have been siding with Democrats way too often, and today’s vote is just another example of this.

    Report Post » jeff.cooper  
  • BONETRAUMA
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:40pm

    Snow Murkowskki,Brown and Collins. Turds

    Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:56pm

      Murkowski isn’t a conservative….she’s a former RINO who was put back in office by the progressives

      Report Post »  
  • quicker
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:38pm

    This reminds me of the ant and the grashopper.People who hard hard to put away,and people who want to take it away.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • ripley
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Are people really so dumb that they don’t realize Obamacare is going to “end Medicare as we know it”? Not to mention how it is going to end the best healthcare system in the world as well.

    Report Post »  
    • quicker
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:46pm

      It already s .my wife is a nurse,she doe`s the medicare and medicad,She says they have already started with the cut s .By the way she works in a nursing home.She told me medicare no longer pays for I.Vs and some other things .She said it made her job harder .

      Report Post » quicker  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:49pm

      Stop trying to make sense, you’re talking over thier heads.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Don’t you just love all the liberals that come to this site to get the truth and then try to tell us that it is us that is wrong. What a bunch of losers.

    Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:12pm

      What truth, this site is nothing more than a tbagging freak show I come with popcorn to wht the idiots play.

      Report Post »  
    • j_blaze14
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:19pm

      yeah, like the vote in ny was against the ryan plan in any way. the fake tea party democrat that ran as a third party had nothing to do with that, right? and the dem that won was against obamacare and the 500b it takes out of medicare. let them keep psyching themselves out and keep hoping for the best, then in 2012 when they are defeated we can hopefully fix all this progressive mess.

      Report Post »  
    • Whirled Peas
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:59pm

      encinom
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:12pm

      What truth, this site is nothing more than a tbagging freak show I come with popcorn to wht the idiots play.

      *******************************
      Try this on for size… pour yourself a Cold Duck on crushed ice, light up a Swisher Sweet or Rum Crook, turn off the lights to let the glow of the monitor provide the ambiance lighting in your basement, and put your feet up on the desk (don’t damage the keyboard). Relax, sip the Duck, gently inhale the smoke, and reflect on your recent comment and all your previous comments and seriously ask yourself “Why am I Sofa King stupid?”

      Report Post » Whirled Peas  
  • momprayn
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:32pm

    Well, I thought we already knew any kind of Consv. solutions would not pass the Senate bc we don’t have control of them……yet. So none of this is surprising; however, I think it‘s great it’s obvious we are trying – love Ryan. Plus, hopefully the Repubs/Consv. will learn some lessons…..more about how the Dems work (don’t they know yet?), the great need to learn how to communicate/educate the public about these things — they are really bad about that….not enough step up in obvious ways (calling a Press Conference, etc.) to explain the facts that the Dems have lied about. Where are all the Repubs. that should be out there backing Ryan boldly and loudly. Also they need to be out there explaining what really happened in NY. Tea Party – you need to really be more than diligent in checking people who call themselves TP candidates and aren’t & then expose them loudly. I hope they are learning – this is too serious to mess up this time.

    Report Post »  
    • shazam3
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:15pm

      The GOP got suckered by Paul putting all their eggs in front of the Dems to throw crap and the MSM to lie about it’s worth. Look at what happened in NY. The GOP should let the DEMs propose everything. What‘s aggravating is they won’t even propose a budget. I’d have every major GOP in front of the TV to demand a budget, and show the public, but they won’t and when Obama cancells the Congress they will throw their hands in the air and wine…

      Report Post »  
    • csinnm
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:13pm

      prayin’ with you, mom.

      Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:32pm

    I want to know the names of the five republicans that voted against the bill. We need to find out who voted against it.

    Report Post »  
    • BONETRAUMA
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:41pm

      read the article…

      Report Post »  
    • VerySeniorCitizen
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:42pm

      @ HEAVYDUTY

      The moderates voted against it – but that isn’t the story.

      Why did Rand Paul (the biggest Tea Party Senator) vote against it?

      Have you noticed that even the Newt and Tpaw are also running from Ryan’s bill as fast as they can?? And with last nights NY 26th District‘s Dem win maybe the Republicans should take notice that Ryan’s plan is a non-starter!

      Report Post »  
    • SMALL GOVT
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:53pm

      @heavyduty

      do you even read any article?? that just goes to show that you hop on here just to spew your incoherent dribble and im sure you’re not the only one…

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:29pm

    The power hungry would rather destroy this whole country rather than fix what’s wrong and give up some power and control. Oh yes we will remember Harry and Mitch and Scott, you bet we will and we will not be still any longer.

    Report Post »  
  • tifosa
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:27pm

    EXCELLENT move by Reid!! :)

    Report Post » tifosa  
  • Whostolemypig
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:21pm

    The liberals will play their silly games until they get what they want, everyone including the nation equally poor. Start building you mud nuts now, the Chinese will be buying up the lumber and bricks from all the current housing. Obama thinks that if a mud hut is good enough for his granny it’s good enough for you.

    Report Post »  
  • RLTW
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:20pm

    Progressive mind set. Why should we fix it when we’ve worked so hard to make if fail, and when it does will just blame the GOP anyway.

    They don’t want to fix the system, what they want is to destroy it all, and rebuild it in their own sick image.

    Don’t worry people we’ll only lose most of our freedoms in the end.

    Report Post »  
  • starman70
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:20pm

    Medicare and Social Security will be there for me and my family. If we don’t do something, it won’t be there for our children and grandchildren because America will be BROKE. There ain‘t no easy answer but if we don’ tdo something, well you fill in the blank. We must:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

    You fill it in.

    Report Post »  
    • snidley-whiplash
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:34pm

      Fill it in…………………………….Get rid of the damn Federal Reserve and let the people keep what they earn.
      Checks keep being written by Congress to create more debt. This allows the basta*rs at the Federal Reserve to print more money out of thin air. If this keeps up, which it will, the dollar will go down in flames and than what will those on welfare do.
      God Bless America and if your smart you will all prepare for the worst. Keep them loaded and unlocked.

      Report Post » snidley-whiplash  
  • daavidruth93
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:17pm

    May be it is time to end this and come up with a better plan. WE ARE BROKE! Something has to change whether you like it or not. If you don’t take the time now and fix it there will be nothing at all!

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:12pm

    “as you know it”…is going bankrupt.

    Report Post »  
    • SARAHISTHEONE
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:47pm

      I never thought I would admit but the American electorate are getting dumber and dumber. I remember what America was and it isn’t this. Just think about who they elected. More than that how come his polling numbers are still up there. Doesn’t that tell us anything. There are no real Americans left. I have never been so disgusted in my whole life. The moderates must go! I hope Sarah Palin runs and shoves it up all their sorry asses!

      Report Post »  
    • Trying to Remain Calm
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:03pm

      You know SARAHISTHEONE I kind of agree with you. The American electorate is getting dumber and dumber. At least that is what I thought after last November’s midterms, but after last night’s special election in NY, I think there is hope for America.

      Report Post » Trying to Remain Calm  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:17pm

      @ SARAHISTHEONE

      That would explain 20110 and the advance of the idiot tbaggers, but it appears as if the American people have awoken to that mess. Of course it is only the remaining fools that still support 1/2 term Palin and crazy Bachmann.

      Report Post »  
    • Oldphoto678
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:08pm

      I hope she runs too. It will be great to see her lose.

      Report Post »  
    • Oldphoto678
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:10pm

      Palin 2012 – 2012 1/2

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:16pm

      Even though IMO Ryan’s plan has faults, it does recognize problems with our government. Most people are lazy and won’t verify if something is true. They would rather take someone’s word for it!

      Report Post »  
  • booger71
    Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:09pm

    Remember Senators, voters and actual taxpayers have a long memory.

    Report Post » booger71  
    • Revere1
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:11pm

      I wonder if Gingrich will have any comment on this, given the controversial statements he made about it earlier. http://www.elephantwatcher.com/2011/05/gingrichs-campaign-off-to-rocky-start.html

      Report Post » Revere1  
    • AKMIIKEUS
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:14pm

      @Booger

      We all have long time memories. Democrats, Republicans, what’s your point?

      I think the voters last night spoke and voted against the Established Republican party in Upstate New York.
      Don’t mess with Medicare. Sorry Ryan, Next.

      Report Post » AKMIIKEUS  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:17pm

      i wonder who the 40 are that voted to end medicare and give tax breaks to millionaires?

      Report Post »  
    • Non-sequitur
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:18pm

      “Remember Senators, voters and actual taxpayers have a long memory.”

      I’ve read a lot of absurd stuff on this site, but this is in the top ten for sure. History proves that voters do not, in fact, have a long memory.

      Report Post »  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:30pm

      People are clueless and think medicare will always be funded. I guess it will be cut when money runs out then. Let the pain and suffering escalate until Americans wake up. One word of advice-Take Obama out by any means(of course peacefully). How much pain can America take?

      Tempers Fly

      Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:33pm

      It’s truly amazing what goes on in that place. what’s the alternative plan to fix this mess? And of course, let’s make sure we send billions of $ to other countries as our own people are suffering from the loss of their homes from natural disasters like floods, tornadoes and the like. I just can’t get me head wrapped around the idea of taking our citizens money from taxes and helping some other country that dislikes us, when our own people who paid the money go homeless. Wonder how many homes in Joplin, MO a billion $ would buy? How many jobs would that create to build them?

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • sWampy
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:35pm

      CaliJOHN, spread those lies, I know you only have a few cards to play, lies, race bating, class warfare, voter fraud, and name calling, but come on. Giving people under 55 an option is not killing it, and cutting taxes on the middle class isn’t cutting tax on millionaires. If your supreme leader is so good for poor and an enemy of the rich, why have the net worth of the upper 1/2 of 1% in this nation doubled under Obama, while the net worth of the lower 90% have been cut on average by 1/3 under him?

      Report Post »  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:38pm

      ^______^______^
      True, but just as many will forget. Look at ‘10 elections it wasnt as big as many think b/c all the household names like Reid, Pelosi, Boxer, McCaine etc etc are still in power. Nothing will ever change, no bills to stop the out of control spending will ever come to light until EVERY single politicians is removed from office.

      This thing as most GOP sponsored bills has little chance of getting through the socialist controlled Senate. Even if it did get passed BHO would veto it as there is no way he will allow the GOP to get any agenda of theirs moving to stop his move to destroy this nation!

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:38pm

      Revere1
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:11pm
      I wonder if Gingrich will have any comment on this, given the controversial statements he made about it earlier.
      ________________________
      Gingrich was proven right last night in NY 26 and today. Ryan’s plan to kill granny is toxic. Even Rand Paul sought fringe right cove rto vote against it.

      Report Post »  
    • tifosa
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:40pm

      Info out so far CALIJOHN is that those voting against the Ryan bill were all the Dems, Snowe, Collins, Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Scott Brown. 40 Republicans voted for it and two R’s abstained.

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:47pm

      @calijohn:I love when you guys make that ridiculous argument. As if placing a tax on people will pay down the debt. I’ll bet if that tax credit was available to you, you’d be all over it. Why insist on feeding a government that can’t live on $10 billion dollars a day? Do you realize that under Obama’s budget, if you took all the profits of every Fortune 500 Company you’d have enough money to pay the debt for 6-7 weeks? That’s how much this government wastes and more importantly is a clear sign that spending needs to be cut. This administration is like a tape worm, keep feeding it and it will kill you.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:51pm

      swampy
      taking the top tax rate down from 35% to 25% isn’t helping anyone but a couple making $1 million or more.

      Report Post »  
    • tifosa
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:51pm

      Addendum: CALIJOHN Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-NY Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) did not vote.

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • calijohn
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:52pm

      2000 – $768 billion surplus
      2008 – $11.4 trillion debt

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:54pm

      @Booger 71:

      Indeed we do remember, and come ‘12 there will be some major explaining and most likely some major firing going to happen across the land for the Senate.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • tifosa
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:00pm

      And finally, CALIJOHN: here they are: Lamar Alexander (TN), Kelly Ayotte (NH), John Barrasso (WY), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Richard Burr (NC), Saxby Chambliss (GA), Dan Coats (IN), Tom Coburn (OK), Thad Cochran (MS), Bob Corker (TN), John Cornyn (TX), Mike Crapo (ID), Jim DeMint (SC), Mike Enzi (WY), Lindsey Graham (SC), Chuck Grassley (IA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Dean Heller (NV), John Hoeven (ND), James Inhofe (OK), Johnny Isakson (GA), Mike Johanns (NE), Ron Johnson (WI), Mark Kirk (IL), Jon Kyl (AZ), Mike Lee (UT), Richard Lugar (IN), John McCain (AZ), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Rob Portman (OH), James Risch (ID), Marco Rubio (FL), Jeff Sessions (AL), Richard Shelby (AL), John Thune (SD), Pat Toomey (PA), David Vitter (LA), and Roger Wicker (MS)
      Pulled that from http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/senate_medicare/?rc=tw2

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:12pm

      We elected a bunch of two year olds!!!! “You can‘t have your budget if I can’t have mine!” Now it’s the Democrats who have to suffer blocking this budget! At least Repubs HAD a Budget!!!!! It’s all about who has the bigger “package”! What a F’in joke!!! We are doomed due to career politicians!

      Report Post »  
    • freekazoid
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:20pm

      We can never get rid of Olympia Snow or Susan Collins.. As to why they dont tunr democrat is beyond me. I wish that Maine would just go for being a blue state true and true and stop voting in these clowns. I despise these 2. Now on the other hand we cna vot eout Scott brown just get a third candidate in there ( tea party and siphon off his votes and let taxachuessettes go back to being a democratic state .. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PUT IN A TEA PARTY PERSON IN TAXACHUESSETTES. It work for the 26th district of New york.

      Report Post »  
    • 1me2ao
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:21pm

      no they dont..

      Report Post »  
    • John Crapper
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:22pm

      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 6:52pm

      2000 – $768 billion surplus
      2008 – $11.4 trillion debt

      @Calijohn:
      in 2000 Debt was 5.7 trillion
      when Dems took over in 2007 debt was ~9 trillion
      It is now over 14 trillion
      The fact that you think we had no debt in 2000 would be laughable if it wasn’t so scary.

      Report Post »  
    • booger71
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:40pm

      I think the voters last night spoke and voted against the Established Republican party in Upstate New York.

      Sorry, that seat has always been a RHINO seat. It makes no difference who they elect there.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • booger71
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:41pm

      I’ve read a lot of absurd stuff on this site, but this is in the top ten for sure. History proves that voters do not, in fact, have a long memory.

      I said voters that are ACTUALLY TAXPAYERS. Big difference.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • booger71
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:44pm

      2000 – $768 billion surplus
      2008 – $11.4 trillion debt

      Almost half the debt since 2009 when nobama was crowned king

      Report Post » booger71  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:47pm

      the election of Murkowski proves that US elections are fixed.
      http://floydreports.com/fraud-remains-the-benchmark-of-alaskan-elections/

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:49pm

      They can change it now while the program still has some life left in it. Or they can lose it altogether after the government falls apart…..CHOOSE.

      Report Post »  
    • Marengo Ohio Patriot
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 7:54pm

      ummmmm end medicare as we know it?????
      AINT THAT THE FREAK”N IDEA???
      einstein!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • D0ntTread0nMe
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:10pm

      I wish I could say I was surprised but I’m not and so the fight rages on.
      http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com

      Report Post » D0ntTread0nMe  
    • Evileye
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:11pm

      When a Hog has all four feet in the trough
      he will not move until the trough is empty
      And I don’t care what political party he belong to.
      no one will give an inch until the system is bankrupt
      then they will blame the other hog for getting more than his share of the slop

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:40pm

      first, the new plan would not effect anyone over the age of 50. Sure those 49 and under will have to plan better for retirement, but so what. Cuts need to be made, and entitlements need serious reform. We knew the libs and progressives in the senate would vote this down because all they are interested in is spending money WE DON’T HAVE. When my expenses go up or my income goes down, I have to make cuts so I can pay the bills. Some of the cuts hurt more than others, but they have to be made. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAVE A LONG MEMORY AND SENATORS, ELECTION TIME IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. Remember what we did in 2010. We will repeat it.

      Report Post »  
    • mill
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:49pm

      I do not know how we can survive…

      And yes, voters do have long memories..

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:12pm

      booger71 posts:

      2000 – $768 billion surplus
      2008 – $11.4 trillion debt

      Booger, hello! Do know was the US President was between those years? FYI: Bush. You may remember that he conquered Iraq, which cost America trillions, not to mention the thousands of dead Americans. And oops no WMD, the justification for the war and trillions spent. Now Iran is the major power in the Middle East. That didn’t work out so well.

      Bush put into place an unfunded Medicare prescription bill which drove up the deficit. Mostly, he reduced taxes, which bloated the deficit and did not increase job creation.

      When Obama took the oath of office, the economy was worse than than any period since the Great Depression. And the deficit was soaring from legislation and the pointless war Bush gave the country.

      That’s a deep hole that Obama inherited friend.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • metasib
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:18pm

      @AKMIIKEUS

      NY 26 was lost because a longtime democrat with nothing but contempt for the good people of this district, committed, with an arrogant disregard of law, an intentional act of fraud by putting himself on the ballot as a Tea Party candidate.
      It seems to me that it may be time for an attorney in this area to, not only do the right thing by using whatever legal path necessary to prosecute this intentional election fraud and disdain for the will of the people, but also to connect the dots to any others who were involved. It will also send a strong message to others contemplating similar action in 2012 elections that We the People will no longer stand for this kind behavior and that yes, there are consequences for their actions.

      Report Post »  
    • kraphtsman
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:25pm

      The Senate Dems and their four Rino allies have proven, once again, their total lack of leadership or honesty in dealing with the impending collapse of Medicare (as well as Social Security). They haven’t produced an actual budget in the last two years, and have yet to advanced a single idea (other than calling for raising the federal debt limit) on how to save EITHER of these entitlement programs, let alone the economic survival of America.

      If all of them were to suddenly drop dead, we’d be a much better country.

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:46pm

      Our Country would be better off, if we could FIRE everybody else’s senator…Sound like a plane to me…

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • MiketheTrucker
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 9:50pm

      What?!!!!! This can’t be……………………… oh yeah, the demoRATS still control the Senate, for now.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:32pm

      metasib, I’ll just ignore you conspiracy that a their was a “spoiler” in the election, same as ignored Rush Limbaugh’s open call to a national audience for Republicans to switch parties and vote in the Democratic party for Hillary Clinton (”Operation Chaos).

      The fact is a heavily Republican district, who would normally vote Republican, voted anti-Ryan, anti-kill Medicare. You can fabricate a conspiracy to explain the loss of your candidate, but the facts or more simple. Even in a reliable red district, a Republican financed by deep pocketed rich people, who outspent the Democrate 2:1 lost the election. You can believe your conspricacy idea, or you can believe the simpler, obvious conclusion: your candidate was rejected based on her support for the Ryan plan.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • m r 2 dux
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:44pm

      Do many of you even read the thread before you post? My Senator, Rand Paul, voted against the Ryan plan because it DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH in reducing spending. We elected him to go to DC, cut the spending, and help us run Maobama out of town. He can’t cut the spending if Mitch (sadly my other senator, hopefully soon to be EX senator) and the other RINOS just keep rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Good move, Rand. At least you have some principles to stand on.

      Report Post »  
    • Rightsofman
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:00pm

      So our legislators prefer to have the whole system collapse under its own weight. Their grandchildren will build monuments to them I’m sure.

      Report Post »  
    • Galvanized
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:01pm

      JZS, actually it was calijohn that first brought up the 2000 and 2008 debt numbers.
      There are also numerous responces to those numbers, most showing calijohns reference to those numbers indicate an ignorance of what those numbers mean, or a flagrant effort to distort their meaning. Your rhetorical question twards Booger71 indicates your use of these numbers is the same as calijohns.

      Lets move on to the next subject, WMDs. Yes, WMDs where used as an excuse to attack Iraq. If you want a specific date I welcome and encourage you to look up for yourself when the US started bombing Iraq, but I can tell you for certain it happened under President Bill Clinton. President Bush did follow it up by sending troops to ensure a stable government in Iraq going forward. I guess he could have just appoligized to Saddam Hussein for america being an arrogant nation (or was that an aggressive nation, sorry I cant remember what Obama accused us of).

      Next, what part don’t you like? the idea of expanding government with a medicare prescription bill or that it was unfunded, because I’ll use the same reason plus more to rally against the (non) affordable health care act called Obamacare.

      Just because you fail to comprehend how a tax cut can positively effect economic growth doesn‘t mean it didn’t happen.

      Report Post »  
    • ThaBufe
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:14pm

      @CALIJOHN
      http://www.craigsteiner.us/articles/16
      Stop propagating lies please. Furthermore, it‘s a logical fallacy and downright dishonest to suggest that anybody who’s pissed about Obama‘s debt was okay with Bush’s. In other words, disliking Obama does not mean you loved Bush, to suggest otherwise is complete idiocy.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:51pm

      Galvanized, frankly I stopped reading your post when you said Clinton bombed Iraq. Clinton went after OBL in Afgansistan with cruise missiles. You say you “know for sure” that Clinton bombed Iraq. In that case, you can link to some information, from any news source anywhere, to support your claim. Please do, and then I’ll read the rest of your post and ask you where you got that information, information unheard by the world until you posted it.

      Galvanized, I’m still, at my age, surprised to hear posts like yours. “Clinton bombed Iraq.” Are you quite together? Your post is coherent though, which makes me wonder.

      You’re a college kid right? Doing a reverse troll kind of thing? If so, pretty good. If not…

      Report Post » jzs  
    • DADA
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 12:10am

      JZS, “Booger, hello! Do know was the US President was between those years?” Yes from 5.7 to 11 trillion a little over 5 trillion added to the debt in 8 years. Obama has added 3 in 2 years. Lets see…do the math Mr. Genius…That would be 12 trillion in 8 years. More than double when Bush was President. Bush was bad on fiscal discipline. Obama is more than twice as bad. Time to get the debt under control. I blame Bush for increasing the debt and now Obama has made it FAR WORSE.

      Report Post » DADA  
    • GuitarGod
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 1:21am

      Let’s see medicare as we know it is unsustainable. So exactly why is making it sustainable is a bad idea?

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IDGAe5pl-I

      Report Post » GuitarGod  
    • Galvanized
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 7:36am

      JZS, President Clinton’s address to the nation on December 16, 1998 began with this line.

      “Good evening. Earlier today, I ordered America’s armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq”

      This was THE VERY FIRST LINE verbatum, according to the transcript I found on a PBS site today and previously on a CNN site. Again I will state “I welcome and encourage you to look up for yourself”.
      Do you neeed to know how I knew (besides provididng this information to other liberal non-believers). At the time President Clinton was involved with the Monica Lewinsky debacle trying to define what the word “is” is, it appeared he used Iraq (at least partially) to distract people from focusing on the Monica issue.

      I don’t know your age, but I would hope you where young at the time this happened, thay may allow some excuse for getting these facts wrong.

      This isn’t about me, its about getting history right and how best to address our nations problems.

      I do hope you realize I’m providing this information so together we can confront our nations problems united by correct history.

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:05am

      Not medicare,
      It medicaid that would take the biggest hit.
      And it‘s not medicare that is the largest entitlement it’s medicaid,
      Madicare growth as been running right along at about 15%
      Medicaid has been doubling every two years for the last two decades.
      Medicare will be their to take care of our seniors
      Medicaid will be revamped to control to bleeding it will only be offered to LEGAL citizens and there will be co-payments .

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:15am

      JZS
      Show your ignorance some more won’t you

      The first fiscal year for the U.S. Government started Jan. 1, 1789. Congress changed the beginning of the fiscal year from Jan. 1 to Jul. 1 in 1842, and finally from Jul. 1 to Oct. 1 in 1977 where it remains today.

      To find more historical information, visit The Public Debt Historical Information archives.

      Date Dollar Amount
      09/30/2010 13,561,623,030,891.79
      09/30/2009 11,909,829,003,511.75
      09/30/2008 10,024,724,896,912.49
      09/30/2007 9,007,653,372,262.48
      09/30/2006 8,506,973,899,215.23
      09/30/2005 7,932,709,661,723.50
      09/30/2004 7,379,052,696,330.32
      09/30/2003 6,783,231,062,743.62
      09/30/2002 6,228,235,965,597.16
      09/30/2001 5,807,463,412,200.06
      09/30/2000 5,674,178,209,886.86
      Those are the actual U.S. debt numbers starting from the end of Clinton till now.
      Here’s the amazing part Obama has aquired over 4 trillion in debt in less than 3 full years. And Bush aquired just ober 6 trillion in 8 years. Obama is on pace to lapse Bush in under 5 years and will more than double Bush if re-elected.
      LEARN SOMETHING OR STFU

      Report Post »  
    • BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 9:56am

      Warning to all Congress Members. We, the people, paid into Medicare and Social Security (retirement and SSDI, not welfare SSI), and it IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT! It is an insurance and pension program. DO NOT RIP US OFF, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

      Throw all the bums out. Here’s the TEA PARTY theme song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXvRDmM5Zx4

      Report Post » BJColter Country Music Iconoclast  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:10am

      Good…the GOP Medicare cut would result in seniors, who paid their Medicare premium all their life, being denied coverage which would result in their early death. Interestingly, the GOP budget does not cut Washington bureaucrats in either salary or employment. Obama care would do the same thing by using a more devious method devised by evil Democrats in Washington. Can you imagine the emergency rooms at hospitals getting all the seniors for treatment after they can no longer afford insurance coverage. In the end, hospitals would pay and doctors would go largely unpaid leading to a complete breakdown in health care. The only way to get cooperation from the citizens is for Washington to cut themselves by at least 50% first. After that, we could look at all the government waste and eliminate unnecessary vote buying programs. After that, we could look at what is essential for our lives. After that we could try to make Social Security and Medicare more efficient to save money. Only as a last resort should we renige on long held promises that have been made to all the citizens out there who have worked hard all their life and paid their dues.

      Report Post »  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:21am

      have you noticed that the Dems (statists, socialists, communists, progressives) DON’T have a plan. They just bash the Republicans; Oh, yea forgot…“tax the rich”; and “power to the pesants” and all that rot. Remember; if it has a “D” after it’s name on the ballot it is DONE. Wipe them all out; up and down the ballot; make 2010 look like it was a Democrat victory…..Vote them ALL out.

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 ... 5

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love