Government

‘Sen. Tea Party’: DeMint Drives Conservative Direction on Debt & Deficit

DeMint Directs Tea Party Drive on Debt, Deficits

AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — He calls himself Sen. Tea Party.

That almost says it all about Sen. Jim DeMint‘s role on the nation’s political scene in these nervous days of debt limit warfare and pre-election posturing.

But unlike the fractious movement as a whole, DeMint is specific and focused on what change, exactly, he wants: passage — not just a vote — of a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. Without it, he says, no consideration should be given to raising the nation’s borrowing limit. Even, he says, if the country runs out of money for paying all its bills after Aug. 2.

The larger problem for DeMint is the government’s $14.3 trillion debt, the equivalent of $46,580 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.

“That is the threat, not a debt ceiling, but the debt,” the South Carolina senator told a tea party audience this week at a Capitol Hill rally.

DeMint’s preference for conservative principles over compromise — and his success last year getting tea partyers nominated over some GOP party favorites in last year’s elections — have vexed Republican leaders. Some in the GOP complained that while DeMint’s activities may have won like-minded conservatives several seats in Congress, they also enabled Democrats to keep some vulnerable seats and maintain their majority.

His insistence on a balanced-budget amendment as part of any debt deal was the inspiration for several House Republicans — some of them also from South Carolina — to force Speaker John Boehner to pull his own debt-ceiling proposal and amend it to their liking so it could win passage in the House Friday evening. Within two hours, the Senate rejected it. Six Republicans joined all of the majority Democrats in doing it.

Earlier in the week, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, the Republicans‘ presidential nominee in 2008 and one of the party’s biggest maverick, disparaged the tea party by name and DeMint implicitly for acting is if a balanced-budget amendment could be passed as part of a debt-ceiling increase under such a tight deadline.

“Maybe some people (who) have only been in this body for six or seven months or so really believe that,” said McCain, a balanced-budget amendment supporter himself. “Others know better.”

DeMint’s support for like-minded candidates in GOP primaries has boosted his influence in the party since his election to the Senate in 2004. Earlier this month, moderate Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine co-authored an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal with DeMint, giving her re-election campaign some conservative credibility in the face of a challenge from the right. Sen. Orrin Hatch, who watched his fellow Utah Sen. Robert Bennett fall to a tea party challenge in 2010, is actively courting the populist movement more than a year out from Election Day.

And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, long an unapologetic defender of the special spending “earmarks” that DeMint deplores, switched and embraced the earmark ban now in effect.

The man behind the revolutionizing is a 59-year-old grandfather who used to play drums in a band called Salt and Pepper but now sticks to the guitar. His mother once ran a school of dance and decorum out of his boyhood home in Greenville, S.C. He has little use, however, for many Washington rituals — backslapping, small talk, Sunday shows or fancy dinners with other political players.

The former marketing executive, educated at the University of Tennessee and Clemson University, has been in Washington since 1999 but says he dislikes politics and will not run for a third Senate term. Washington’s titans have not embraced DeMint, either.

In his new book, “The Great American Awakening,” DeMint writes of feeling unwelcome for years after his arrival in the Senate, including at a 2009 GOP caucus meeting in which he urged his colleagues to shake up the institution’s cherished seniority rules.

More-senior senators got better shots at inserting federal dollars for home state projects into spending bills. DeMint was opposed to earmarks. Many of his GOP colleagues shunned him.

“‘You can’t change the Senate,’” a colleague told DeMint.

Frustrated, DeMint formed a fundraising committee for supporting candidates he considers true conservatives — and outing those he considers weak-kneed Republicans. His Senate Conservatives Fund ranks his colleagues on their positions. He considers the years of George W. Bush’s presidency an embarrassment because, even with a Republican in the White House and the GOP in control of both houses, the government drove up spending and debt.

“I decided my work could no longer be with other senators,” DeMint wrote. “I would have to work with the American people to elect a new class of senators who would help me to stop the spending, debt and the expansion of the federal government.”

He began building up GOP primary candidates who embraced his view of true conservative values: free trade; opposition to earmarks; a commitment to cut spending. The result was that these tea party (Taxed Enough Already) candidates took out some veterans in the primaries. Sen. Robert Bennett in Utah was defeated in a party convention by now-Sen. Mike Lee; Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware, a former governor, was defeated by Christine O’Donnell.

McConnell’s preferred candidate for Senate in Kentucky, Trey Grayson, was defeated for the GOP nomination by DeMint’s pick, now-Sen. Rand Paul.

Not all of the candidates backed by DeMint won Senate seats. O’Donnell lost to Democrat Chris Coons in Delaware. Underdog tea party candidate Joe Miller upset incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski in Alaska’s Republican primary, but Murkowski came back as an independent candidate and kept her seat in the November general election.

DeMint said he didn’t care that some candidates he helped catapult to primary victories lost the general election, or that perhaps, as his Senate colleagues bitterly noted later, that those losses cost Republicans a Senate majority. He says he’d rather be in the minority than an unprincipled majority.

So when the House on Friday passed Boehner’s debt limit bill with changes that would require Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment before the next time Congress has to raise the debt limit, DeMint still voted against it in the Senate. The change also wasn‘t good enough for four of South Carolina’s five Republican House members, who, like DeMint, insisted that Congress first pass the constitutional amendment as a condition for any debt-ceiling increase.

“Principled conservatives may disagree on this matter, and I respect their opinion,” DeMint wrote, “But I believe America cannot wait any longer before we get serious about balancing the budget.”

Comments (147)

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  • nysparkie
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:01pm

    Someone has to be at the wheel. DeMint is as good as anyone.

    Report Post » nysparkie  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:17pm

      DeMint is fine, but the BBA is such a ridiculous distraction. It doesn’t work at the state level, it won’t work at the federal level. Tea Partiers need to reject this notion and demand they focus on the spending and elimination of programs.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • airforcec-130
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:40pm

      We served TEA last year; we’ll be serving TEA next year; the only thing missing are more people to understand we won’t let this country nor the people who want to save us from imploding down.YEA, USA……

      Report Post »  
    • Iman Barak Hussein
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:54pm

      let the whole dam thing crash and burn if the commie democrats don’t approve a bal-budge amend.

      Report Post » Iman Barak Hussein  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 4:31pm

      DeMint is one of the best, not just as good as any. Hands down the most Reagan-like of any congressman or pres candidate we have now.

      Report Post » BSdetector  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:02pm

      @ hauschild, Ain’t it the truth… I’m still hoping for DeMint/Bachmann 2012. Guess it isn’t in the cards, tho.

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • gracentruth
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:57pm

      I agree on the necessity of a balanced budget amendment; however that takes years. The immediate issue is – stop focusing on debt ceiling – leave it the same or reduce it in the budget that we should be working on now. No Obamacare, back to the Constitution. Do not bow to the marxists.

      Report Post » gracentruth  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:48pm

      @ AIRFORCEC-130

      Good post! Count me in!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • freeus
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:54am

      McCain is disappointing, demonizing the Tea Party. Who are you, and who are the real villains, Senator McCain? Senator DeMint is a courageous principled American.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:34am

      Poor McCain thinks we care what he thinks. The only reason he rose to importance was because he chose Palin as his running mate, he was failing before that. I’ll stand with Jim Demint as he seems to be the only one in DC who has common senses. We will break the back of this Country if we keep going down the same road to bankruptcy. Ask anyone who keeps charging & spending and can’t pay bills.

      Report Post »  
    • johnannegalt
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:33am

      DeMint is not backing down, but a few others aren’t, either. Bachmann is only “holding strong” because she knows that (for once) she cannot afford to vote FOR the debt ceiling increase.

      http://markamerica.com/2011/07/31/bi-partisan-war-on-the-tea-party-and-sarah-palin/

      Report Post » johnannegalt  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 8:20am

      5 senators and 30 house of representative s are Tea Party members. That‘s 35 total members out of 535 that’s a total 6.5% of the total congressional make up. So the Republican and the Dems. want the saddle this fiasco solely on their shoulders….Why.
      Because the Tea party is the beginning of the end for the two progressive party status quo…..It’s simple as that.
      The bigger point is why did it have to come to this and how was the debt allowed to get this far out of hand…….Answer is simple Progressives…the debt didn’yt appear over night ..no it‘s was a drawn out Progressive increase set forth by two party’s that had the same same goal crush us with debt to bring the U.S. into a Global Government system. Now some of the politicians themselves are unknowing pawns for the ultra-weathy who lobbist pull the strings behind the scenes the others are onboard with it. The Tea party candidates are the anti-global government politician and there for mneber on both sides must try to villify them. And we’re seeing this when Republican say the 6.5% tea partys members of Congress are running the other 93.5%.
      When the truth is the Tea party members won‘t vote for business as usual and give the government another blank check on the backs of tax payers that’s it no guns to heads no threats….The other 93.5% can vote however they want and live with the consequences of their actions. But they can’t hide it because Tea Party Candidates will get the information to the public

      Report Post »  
  • Kondratievwave
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:58pm

    just got back from charleston, sc, loved the state and the people. DeMint is a breathe of fresh air.

    Report Post » Kondratievwave  
    • foxchick242
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:34pm

      I went to Charleston in May and I fell in love with the city. My husband and I visited Jim DeMint’s office and we talked to his staff member. He was really happy that the Senator had supporters in the North-East :)

      Report Post »  
  • sweathog1948
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:57pm

    I never new that much about Demint I wish he was the Senator of Oregon.
    I know they keep saying they need more time to pass a balanced budget amendment but WE THE PEOPLE do not trust them to pass it later. Looked at Congress ratings lately?
    I say take what ever time it takes to pass a balanced budget amendmentt. The Rep. have the Dem. rigtht where they want them if they would open their eyes and see. Next year not only the Prez will be running for office but other Congressmen also will be running. This is the perfect time to pass the balanced budget amendment, NOW.

    WE THE PEOPLE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK NOW!!!!!!!! We do not want Progressives,or Socialist, we want our REPUBLIC.

    Republicans either get in and get dirty and get the job done or we will VOTE YOU OUT and put someone else in their that has the backbone it will take to get the job done.Your FREE LOADING days are over.

    Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:21pm

      sweathog1948

      I appreciate your stance and your enthusiasm, but please don’t listen to the BBA lie. It’s a distraction. Look up your own state’s Constitution. I bet money you already have a BBA in your state Constitution.

      Then look at how much debt your state has. 49 of 50 states already have a BBA in their Constitution. If that’s true, why are so many states so deep in debt?

      They don’t work. They’re meaningless. You can’t control spending through legislation. You can only control spending by remaining vigilant and staying on top of your Reps.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:54pm

      I used to live up there. I remember that corrupt bastard senator Mark Hatfield!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • BS61
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:03am

      Jaycen – What do you suggest besides vigilance? We need an amendment and controls.

      Report Post »  
  • Valerius Poplicola
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:54pm

    Such a bummer he will not run again? All the good ones bail.

    Report Post » Valerius Poplicola  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:51pm

    More impotent bluster. Folks, when will it sink in that the 2011 election did not change Anything?

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:01pm

      What 2011 election?
      You have a bad attitude. Go depress the Huffpo’s

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:18pm

      It was the start of a rising wave. Obviously, Conservatives aren’t going to get far with just 1 house of Congress. We keep working and we don’t give up.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • peter469
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 4:38pm

      Model82A1- do you live under a rock. If it weren’t for the Tea Party, the 9-12 groups and the true conservatives that gave the House back to the Republicans we wouldn’t be having this discussion. We would have had a rubber stamped rise in the debt ceiling and probably have to do it again next year, what with the spending this Administration has been doing. We NEED a balanced budgement amendment to keep Congress honest. It does have to have a clause that will allow us to borrrow money or raise the % of revenues versus GDP in the event of War or some other catastrophic emergency OR with the approval of 2/3′s of he House AND the Senate. All increases should have a time limit after which they must be reauthorized again by 2/3′s of both houses otherwise we revert to the original limitations of the Balanced Budget Amendment.
      It is the very idea expressed by Obama that increases in the debt ceiling have mostly been a rubber stamp approval that has gotten us into the mess we are in. It is not a Republican or Demcrat problem, “a pox on both their houses”, it is OUR problem. We have allowed our government to fly on autopilot for too long, before we crash we need to take back control and teach them how to fly again.

      Report Post » peter469  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:56pm

      @ JAYCEN

      I agree. Don’t give up. Let’s get the Oval Office and the Senate too!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • BS61
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:23am

      We are talking about the debt instead of Obama’s bloated budget! And seeing that we are foiling his plan to destroy us, I‘d say don’t be giving up yet. The Tea Party will not give up!

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:46am

      It was all I could do to watch Reid, Schumer, & the other joker lying about everything and smearing the Republicans. Guess they think we‘re all a bit dense and don’t realize how much some of us despise them for their lies and smears against a Party who cares what happens to our wonderful America and trying to restore the damage done by this President in his 2 1/2 years.
      Bring back businesses to this country, stop hiring union thugs, let Boeing build in So. Carolina and to hell(o) with unions; think about what’s good for America for a change, not your personal pockets, this meaning the Democrats in office who have their hands out for anything corrupt.

      Report Post »  
  • grimessb
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:50pm

    A balanced Budget is needed, but is not enough. I don’t know all the means by which a balance would be achieved but a trigger needs to be in place to cause a look at paying down of principle of debt. The reality of Debt needs to be addressed as well perhaps as a second amendment. Congress should be told via constitution that it must address the debt in order to pay down principle.
    Programs need to have safeguards/triggers what ever to tie income to programs which force programs to self adjust without an act of congress. Entitlements need self regualtion. Reciepts vs obligation and a serious look at placing funds in a ‘savings’ account that will allow for todays money to grow to tommarrows value at least to some degree and these funds need to have iron clad protection against future congress’s from barrowing on it. The constitution needs to address the reality of todays entitelments. Such as Congress shall creat no program that will obligate future congress without that congress explicit concurance. so the result is if a program is created it must sustain itselfs meaning it will kill itself or deminish in size because the program cannot sustain itself. Now if the program is worth continuing then the future congress can address it to make it work but the same result if the fix is not really a fix. This could be a third amendment.

    Report Post »  
    • neveragainadem
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:36pm

      “entitlements need self-regulation”:

      One of the comment I read had the great idea of making entitlements like a student loan where you are responsible to pay back what you borrow. This may not work on all programs like healthcare , but certainly would for welfare. It would certainly make people think twice before they sign up for assistance.

      Report Post » neveragainadem  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:45pm

    Ones like Senator McCain and such of the progressives old guard, among the Republicans and the Democrats have failed to fully grasp that the old ways are dead, the paradigms have shifted and the new means of being held accountable and responsible for ones actions by the people has made a comeback in the House.

    DeMint and the new freshmen of the House and Senate are demonstating that; and indeed are holding strong in the face of immense pressure of the “do it the way it always has been done” class of the old guard.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Look4DBigPicture
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:36pm

    We have some phenomenal leaders like Jim DeMint in the Republican Party, but we’re doing a terrible job of broadcasting their message. While most of us were working hard to support our families (thinking everyone else was doing the same), a socialist propaganda machine was spewing lies and deception to those most easily persuaded.

    Thank God for DeMint and other leaders like Ron Paul and the Tea Party Organizers … they‘ve awakened us to what’s really going on in our country. It’s time to take away the power from the socialist addicts and get back to our principles which made this country so great. It won’t be easy, but these socialists need to be cleansed from their addiction in order to see how dysfunctional and destructive they’ve become. (tough love, folks … tough love)

    Report Post »  
    • fatjack
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:43pm

      DeMint is one of two politicians in Washington that I trust, the other one is Bachmann.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • better red than dead
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:58pm

      So I’m… addicted to socialism? Interesting.I thought of it as more of a economic political philosophy.

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • sweathog1948
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:10pm

      Hey I have an idea. Every town has a newspaper. Why not right letters to the editor. I mean flood the place with WE THE PEOPLE speak your mind about a balanced budget and anything that would bring back our great country to us..Take it across the U.S., Alaske, Hawaii, leave no stone untruned. Is any one with me???????????????????????????

      Report Post »  
    • jackbauer
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:24pm

      @ sweathog1948 I‘d be there with you but they wouldn’t publish it in my city’s paper. The editorial page is edited to contain pretty much all progressive liberal drivel.

      Report Post » jackbauer  
    • BS61
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 6:10am

      I remember hearing DeMint and Pence interviewed by Glenn Beck on that first 9-12 march and DeMint saying that it was like sieeing the calvary! He said that he and Pence have been voting against Bush big budget and social plans alone. And he was smiling ear to ear. What a guy!

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 9:01am

      TO: RedDead—You make excellent points, a BBA looks good to many because of the lack of ethical leadership in Washington. The dumbocraps are a crack party looking for a fix, with the brown clown leading the way from behind.

      Report Post »  
  • Jack2011
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:35pm

    “Sen. John McCain, the Republicans‘ presidential nominee in 2008 and one of the party’s biggest maverick, ”
    _______
    Maverick? More like MOUSE.

    What is maverick about GO ALONG TO GET ALONG? If the democrats created a bill saying all Americans would go to hell, McCain would tweek it a bit & sign it just to keep the peace.

    What is maverick about having NO PRINCIPALS. And his daughter – Megan the self-admitted “Progressive Republican” follows in daddy’s footsteps.

    I will never forgive Sarah Palin for supporting this “RINO maverick” in 2010.

    Democrats NEVER criticize each other & the “maverick” stood on the senate floor and called fellow republicans hobbits.

    WORSE – McCain suffers from “Napoleon Complex” CONSTANTLY trying to prove his LACK of stature & manhood by sending soldiers into WORTHLESS UNCONSTITUTIONAL WARS.

    Report Post »  
    • Look4DBigPicture
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:53pm

      So much has come to light in the past couple of years, that it’s unlikely Sarah would support John McCain today. Had the Republican Party supported Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul, the outcome would have been much different, and the country would be in a much better place.

      Although McCain was a lousy choice in 2008, look on the bright side … we probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to know Sarah Palin had McCain not been on the ticket. Sarah has been Lady Liberty to the Conservative Movement, and our country is becoming strong again because of her.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:55am

      Agreed! Whatever Sarah Palin does politically, she will always be a force for what’s good in America. As for McCain, that creepy little daughter of his would turn me off anything he supports, because she must have learned this socialism from her father, and perhaps her ice cold looking mother.
      God Bless America, and let‘s get it right in 2012 before we’re all begging in the streets for a handout.

      Report Post »  
  • Beckett
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:34pm

    Can we get a Demint/Mo Brooks ticket?

    Report Post »  
  • Dauntless
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:29pm

    This article proves Tea Party Conservatives are correct about default and Obama/Dems have been lying. But I can guarantee you, Dems and Obama supporters will not read it.

    http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/801-economy/174447-moodys-neither-plan-protects-the-nations-aaa-rating

    Report Post »  
    • TRILO
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:48pm

      Don‘t forget to add the Republicas that claimed to be Tea Party conservatives when they ran for office and the old establishment RINO’s who are also lying. Many of those Tea Party members caved on their principal and passed a bill that did nothing for the long term debt problems of this country. Just because they added the Balanced Budget requirement to the bill. Give me a break. They know this will take years and that they will continue to pass debt limit increases and offer up fake budget gimmicks the entire time it takes to get the amendment passed. There were only 18 members that held true to their belief; 4 of the 22 changed votes to no after they knew they had enough RINO’s to pass the amended Boehner bill. We need to stop making this a Dem/Rep issue. It is a question about principals.

      Report Post » TRILO  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:04am

      This REALLY a matter of ” What’s best for America,” not the pockets of those who feed off the lobbyists who buy their votes. I‘m just as furious with the RINO’s, just look at that Brown from Mass., what a disappointment he was. I’m beginning to believe it is true, politicians become liars and are in politics for themselves and their own pockets rather than in it for the good of the Country.

      Report Post »  
  • Classical Liberal
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:27pm

    The man is absolutely correct of course. A balanced budget ammendment is very much like the enhanced security needed on the border. We need to stop the bleeding in order for any healing to occur.
    The Dems are squirming every time they say they disagree with a balanced budget ammendment. Even the most liberal Americans become confused and ask “why?”. They are trying to appear like a lion on a hill, but they are really just a weasel in a corner.

    Report Post » Classical Liberal  
    • better red than dead
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:35pm

      The reason you wouldn’t want a balanced budget amendment is because it makes absolutely no economic sense and completely ties your hands during a recession/depression where tax revenues drop.

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • EP46
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:47pm

      @better red than dead
      duhhh….when you lose a job or go bankrupt do you go BORROW more money from CHINA? America put the first man on the moon, surely we can learn to live within our means. If revenue goes down, that means the ENTIRE nation is having to tighten their belt, and the government should do likewise, not just spend, spend, spend.. It is TAKE YOU MEDICINE NOW and suffer….or wait and have a terminal illness …Simple.

      Report Post »  
    • better red than dead
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:01pm

      @EP46

      Honestly, China owns a relatively small portion of our debt. The government itself and the American public hold the majority.

      But the second point is the big one – the living within our means, tighten belts argument. Why is unemployment so high? It‘s because there isn’t enough demand for the goods and services that these jobs create, because everyone has “tightened their belts.” The only organization that CAN spend more than it takes in right now is the government. Ideally, it would invest in some major projects to employ thousands of Americans, who could then use their money to buy goods and services in the private sector. As soon as that was balanced again, the recession would be over and THEN the government could start looking at deficit reduction strategies.

      Otherwise, you’re just going to hurt the economy more.

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • 2smart
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:24pm

      @better redthandead, you state that a relatively small portion of our debt is with China. Prove It! Where did you get this fact, out of thin air. Approx. 40% of EVERY dollar is borrowed, it really doesn’t matter who the lender is. What matters is we owe it and it needs to be paid back. Your children, grandchildren and possibly your great grandchildren will be paying this back. If you were born yesterday, you owe approx. 45,000.00 dollars. Is that sound policy?

      Report Post » 2smart  
    • better red than dead
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:29pm

      @2SMART

      The Chinese central bank owns about $1.2 trillion in US treasury bonds. The total US public debt is 14.3 trillion. Ironically, the US government itself is holding most of the debt. Here’s a good visualization. (You have to scroll down a bit).

      http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/28/us/charting-the-american-debt-crisis.html?ref=politics

      Really do try to educate yourselves on simple facts surrounding these issues, people.

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • Classical Liberal
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:59pm

      How the hell does a balanced budget “tie our hands”? The government’s lie that you can spend yourself out of debt was foolish and has only deepened the recession.

      You have to have rocks in your skull to believe a damned thing this administration slings at you. For example: 1.2 trillion is a huge amount of money to owe, even for a country as prosperous as our own.

      The balances budget amendment is the first step on the road to reform. Next is the tax code, social security, federal pensions. We can finally off the dept. Of education and stop worthless spending like throwing money at NPR. It will be bad for the hard left but we know crocodile tears when we see them.

      Report Post » Classical Liberal  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:05pm

      Oh snap! Someone got PWN3D!

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • Gnostyk
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:14pm

      I can’t think of anyone who more needs to have their hands tied than the current Congress–unless it’s Obummer, whose hands want to extract the cash from the pockets of those who provide jobs and keep America working.

      Report Post » Gnostyk  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Jobs, jobs! The only way we‘ll get more jobs is for the gov’t to back off and let private industry do it’s job. As long as the gov’t agencies tie the hands of our job makers, the more they hold off. How good was Obama’s stimulus? What a farce that program was for the Country. Might as well have given each person a few thousand dollars rather than paying many thousands for each job Obama manufactured and the minuscule number of jobs created by this horrid mistake of his.

      Get off the backs of industry so they can get to work, and hopefully come back to our shores instead
      of other countries where they can work without government interference. Consider: what’s the difference with them working and sending the stuff back home or just work here and sell here? Sure,
      I agree we need some coaching, but our Gov’t is trying to be mom & pop over everyone’s rights.
      Drill baby drill.

      Report Post »  
  • inferno
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:26pm

    Some idiot talking head made the comment about the new TEA party people in congress, that campaining is different from governing. If during the campaign you espouse one conviction, does it mean you are expected to abandon that conviction once elected ? That’s exactly what has gotten us to where we are today. Whether or not an agreement is reached, US credit is going down the tubes because of the debt. The a–ho–s who do “govern” the country, have reached the end of the road
    when it comes to borrowing and printing more money. Whatever the outcome of this debacle, we will be in worse shape if they agree. That’s the way the system works.

    Report Post »  
  • broach
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:23pm

    Being from S.C. I have had the chance to hear him speak at a couple of tea party rally‘s shake his hand and look into his eye’s and unless I‘m the biggest fool I think the man is honest and has deep root’s in his belief’s.I commend him for standing strong. It’s time to throw out are have a coming to Jesus moment with Washington. My advice to Sen. DeMint is stay strong there are alot of people behind him.

    Report Post » broach  
  • Katydidnt
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:22pm

    It is not the Tea Party‘s fault that O’Donnel and Miller did not get elected. The establishment Republicans refused to support them financially and otherwise. We were supposed to gather around the winner and support them when we lose, but if they lose they will cut the candidate off at the knees.

    We lost the Senate because Mc Connell and others would only support their buddies. They were more loyal to their friends then to the will of the American people.

    Report Post »  
  • joe1234
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:20pm

    LOVE DEMINT!!!

    mccain is an orc.

    Report Post » joe1234  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:16pm

    Let Me Tell You Something
    Monday on his radio show Glenn Beck said the debt ceiling should be raised.

    Stop Stop
    Mr. Beck says do your homework.
    He also says he wants to be your leader in changing the entire world.
    How can he change the entire world when his ideas about just this one country are so wrong, ie. the debt ceiling?
    If Mr. Beck is your leader, there is no more reason to do your homework. A Glenn Beck follower will just do whatever the leader says.
    I hope the rest of you are realizing that Mr. Beck is wasting your time.

    Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Ah look at the crap coming out of a adolph obamma water carrier. Hurry up little one master needs more water. Now back to the basement and get some more talking points from your slave master

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:28pm

      you know.. you don’t have to agree with someone 100% to know their “shootin” straight…as far as Glen saying he wanted to be our leader, seriously, he said that..can‘t say that I’ve ever gotten the feeling Glen wants to lead anybody…I think…that Mr. Beck is a patriotic American…not perfect, afterall he is a mormon.. :^)…but he cares about our country…as I do.

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:31pm

      Nice try Liz. We are not blind followers to anything except the constitution. And BTW, Glenn predicted ALL of this years ago. Just because you believe something it doesn’t make it true. How disappointed you must be that your choice and annointed one has been such a collosal failure, thus the anger and denial. You bought it, you broke it, now get the hell out of the way and let those with knoweledge and skills fix this mess!

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 4:52pm

      Let Me Tell You Something
      On more than one occasion Mr. Beck has stated that he has been waiting for a leader to step up and no one has, so now he is stepping up to become the leader. He then called for listeners to follow him. He said on one of his shows this week that his listeners should subscribe to his video web service for 5 years so that they will be prepared. His goal: Change the World (and raise the debt ceiling).
      Stop Stop
      As regards to Mr Beck’s prescience, he constantly contradicts what he just said., often in the same sentence.
      Stating my opinion that Mr. Beck is a charlatan does not make me a President Obama supporter, who I didn‘t vote for and whose presidency I don’t support.
      Wise up patriots.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • monkeymom
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:38pm

      MBE – maybe you should just not listen to Beck, and leave others to make their own decisions. Seems like your mind is made up – no use wasting any time/effort discussing these things with you.

      Report Post » monkeymom  
    • ConservativeFirst
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 1:23am

      MBE.

      If you actually listened to Glenn, instead of using anti-Glenn talking points, you would know that he encourages people to NOT take his word for anything, research it yourself, and come to your own conclusion. He doesn’t even agree with his co-hosts on everything. It is what makes the show interesting and thought provoking. He doesn’t expect anyone to follow him or take his word for anything.

      I have to say that most of what you claim that he said it taken out of context……

      Report Post »  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:14pm

    We have a balanced budget amendment in california it dosent work . do any of you not think adolph obamma would not just throw a balanced budget amendment to the floor if its in his way. HE SURE DOES IT WITH OTHER LAWS HE DOSENT LIKE JUST SAYING

    Report Post »  
    • Look4DBigPicture
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:01pm

      If a balanced budget amendment is in the Constitution, there will be legal grounds to impeach a president who has gone off the rails by carelessly spending Americans money. If California doesn’t have the good sense to impeach their governor then shame on them.

      Report Post »  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:45am

      impeachment are you on drugs do you not no who the hell eric holder is these people will toss any law in there way if they choose to do so

      Report Post »  
  • Micmac
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:11pm

    RINO McCain…please go home, or switch parties. Many R‘s are D’s in elephant clothing (think Romney). DeMint, keep it up. This is just the start of a greater movement and it will gain momentum as time passes and the older D’s stop voting, and the youth that voted for NoBama still can’t find employment in 2012. Just keep pressing and DO NOT back down. A downgrade may be what it takes to get our country back from all the trust fund socialist wannabes. Just don’t cave. As Beck talks about, think about our founding fathers and what the USA would be today if they “compromised.” Let’s make history!!!!

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
    • Grannie4news
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:45pm

      I totally agree with you on McCain. I went to his website and e-mailed him about what I thought of him. Everyone else should do the same. Fill up his mailbox. Democrat Donkey or GOP Elephant?
      He is a Jack A-s-s with a trunk for disguise.

      Report Post » Grannie4news  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:08pm

    The will and the actions of WE THE PEOPLE demand that they don’t do anything without a balance budget agreement.

    Report Post »  
  • olddog
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:07pm

    If he runs We Will Vote for him…. We can’t pay our bills now, so we borrow money from another country and have been doing it for years, that is Total Lunacy.. If you can‘t afford it Don’t buy it.., Anyone with Any Common Sence know this will have to stop… If you were a bank, would you loan america money??

    Report Post » olddog  
  • lylejk
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:05pm

    I know it’s getting ugly, but does it really make since to raise the debt ceiling to get these yahoos to spend even more. They got to reign in the spending. Got to, of course, pay the bills too so I’m in favor of the 2 tier plan. If they don’t overspend, they won’t need phase 2. Of course the real solution, is below (will keep on posting it until I see someone in DC listen). :)

    The Solution

    First of all, we have to understand that we are going broke. My solution: we got to recall all our military from all foreign lands (and I mean all) and cut it by a third to a half and the remaining troops main mission should be guarding the borders as they are Constitutionally demanded too. Now that would save a heck of a lot of money. Let the rest of the world take care of their own business; we can no longer be the police force of the world. Domestically, I would eliminate the Income tax and IRS and go to a National Sales Tax model. Less entities to collect from so that will further reduce the need for government workers saving more money. Also, before we even had income tax, we got most of our money from tariffs and other fees. Repeal NAFTA/GATT and bring the tariffs back. Short term, things will cost more. Long term, the jobs will return (they have too if companies want to sell their goods to us at a reasonable cost to them). NAFTA/GATT just gave them incentives to leave. That’s my take; want to hear yours.

    Report Post » lylejk  
    • Steve
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:18pm

      Agreed. Now we need about 500 politicians to get on board and the media to stop distorting the message.

      Report Post »  
    • Micmac
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:19pm

      When NAFTA was talked about and then passed my stomach sank. At that time I asked people to name one advantage it did for us that was substantial….no responses. Just another example of politicians slamming the American worker/business.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
    • lylejk
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:03pm

      Now you know why I’m a Conservative Independent and not a Republican. It pretty much started with Clinton and the Republicans passing NAFTA/GATT during a Christmas low time (so Republicans should blame the Democrats for doing the same cr@p). Voted Perot and Peroutka the last 4 elections. Held my nose tight to vote for McCain (and wouldn‘t have voted at all if it wasn’t for Palin) since I knew the alternative was (and still is) unthinkable. I wish we had a 3rd party. A true We the People party who consists of true conservative hawks, but the 2 parties are literally in bed with each other (Matalin and Carville anyone?) and stopped any true patriot outside these two parties to run. For the sake of our nation, I will indeed hold my nose one more time to make sure BO doesn’t win again, but it doesn’t look pretty for the Republipukes. Demoncrats are beyond a lost cause imo. :)

      Report Post » lylejk  
  • better red than dead
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:05pm

    What are the signs that the deficit is too big? Rapid inflation, skyrocketing bond yields, or a crowding out of the private sector. None of this is happening. In the near future, the deficit could be reduced by fixing the three lasting policies that caused it in the first place – the Bush tax cuts, the wars in the Middle East and Central Asia, and the general revenue loss from the recession.

    Severe spending cuts right now are only going to make the economy worse, not better. You say, “Americans are tightening their belts, so the government should to!” But guess what? Nobody buying goods and services (or making investments) is exactly why nobody has a job.

    Report Post » better red than dead  
    • Micmac
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:13pm

      Typical left-handed false sylogism.

      Report Post »  
    • Classical Liberal
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:21pm

      *Bush tax rates. Fixed that for ya! Hope ya like flat tax rates!

      Report Post » Classical Liberal  
    • better red than dead
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:23pm

      Which part was false? To simplify;

      The deficit, status quo, is not of grave concern assuming we can recover from the recession.
      Drastic spending cuts stand to hurt the economy significantly through further loss of aggregate demand.
      Therefore, drastic spending cuts should not be sought at this time.

      Report Post » better red than dead  
    • oudbob
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:35pm

      You don’t get it? This spring it was reported that by 10:00 am. if the DOW was falling the FED was buying. The Stocks, inflation, and interest rates are all being manipulated by the Government to look sound. They are not, and neither is our Government.

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:19pm

      Let’s all open up 10 new credit cards, charge them up to the max, give the bills to our children and grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. This is the DEMOCRAT budget that no one has seen for two and a half years. They can’t put this charade in writing or even BRTD, and the rest of the Progressives might actually see the light. Probably Not
      Shut DC down

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:03pm

    Max Keiser on the current budget in pass
    http://www.infowars.com/max-keiser-america-will-lose-its-sovereignty/

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • jim
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 12:57pm

    DeMint for president.

    Report Post » jim  
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