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How much will Democrats be willing to cut to the federal budget for the rest of fiscal year 2011 to avoid a future government shutdown? It remains unclear. At a news conference today on Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) declined to offer a number in regards to how much Democrats would be willing to cut from the current budget.
"You don’t expect me to announce it right here?” Pelosi said. She continued, “Democrats stand ready to meet with Republicans half way on this, that would be fair.”
What is half way?
Democrats contend they have supported more than $41 billion in cuts to President Obama’s requested fiscal year 2011 budget. That $41 billion comes from a vote in December 2010, which called for the budget to operate at a continued spending freeze at fiscal year 2010 levels till March of 2011. In essence, the $41 billion dollars in cuts to Obama’s desired budget came from the fact that House Democrats took the 2010 budget into the first three months of 2011.
During the 2010 mid-term campaign, Republicans in their “Pledge to America” promised to cut $100 billion from President Obama’s requested fiscal year 2011 budget. In 2010, House Democrats failed to pass a budget for fiscal year 2011. Therefore, the government is currently operating under fiscal year 2010 levels.
Two weeks ago, House Republicans proposed to cut $61 billion from the current spending levels that fund the government. The GOP cut $747 million from the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program and $119 million from an educational grant to improve teaching amongst other things. When asked if Democrats would put forth a counter offer to the $61 billion dollars that Republicans want to cut, Pelosi said:
"What we have to do is get a fair shake for the American people. This is about who can cut more without any scrutiny or subjecting these cuts to the scrutiny of what they do. You may think you are cutting but you aren't saving because your cuts maybe very unwise when it comes to education. Nothing brings more to the treasury than investing in education. Republican cuts to education present a false economy. This isn't just about numbers in the amount of cuts; it's about what is cut."
When pressed further for a concrete number, Pelosi responded, "I'm not going to say that number, because I'm not approximating or conceiving or stipulating to any number.”
The inability of Democrats to suggest a dollar number for cuts to the current budget has invigorated Republicans. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring quickly sent out the following release after Pelosi’s press conference:
“It is remarkable that with families small businesses tightening their belts and a debt that stifles investment and private sector job growth, former Speaker Pelosi still has not offered a plan that cuts a single dollar from current federal spending levels. People deserve honest leadership, and a Congress that is serious about getting its fiscal House in order – not this unserious malarkey that Leader Reid and former Speaker Pelosi keep throwing around.”
Later today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) Pelosi, Sens. Reid (D-NV) and McConnell (R-KY) will meet with Vice President Biden to begin talks in an effort to try and agree a long term government funding bill for the rest of fiscal year 2011. It is unknown if Democrats will offer a dollar figure on how much they’d be willing to cut from the budget to appease Republicans. As of 3:30 pm ET, the figure stands at $0 on top of the $4 billion in cuts that was agreed to earlier this week to keep the government operating another 14 days.
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But again, thank you sooooo much Nancy for not doing a budget last year.
You have really made this fun. We get to play CR games every two weeks all year long, cutting, cutting and cutting. We could not have done it without you.
"astro-turf?!?!?!"
Nancy votes "Present" again.
Funny she didn't run away to an undisclosed location like the Democratic state senators did in Wisconsin.
Nancy votes Present? How can Nanc sit with a straight face and discuss fairness?
Spanky is correct, where was the fairness when Nancy didn't move forward under the rules of law to pass the budget? Now where does she get off talking about the cuts that need to be made? If I understood one of her recent comments attributed to her, she wasn't in favor of the $4B in the temp. spending budget that Harry Reid passed.
Safecracker,
How doe's she sit with a straight face?? Easy, when you've had enough face lifts, everything sort of gets locked into position. It takes a real strain to actually make a smile.
Edward, It is called Botox, and lot and lots of it!!!!
"Nothing brings more to the treasury than investing in education."
Translation from moonbat to English:
"Nothing brings more to Democratic campaign coffers, than bribing, er, investing, teacher's unions with money that does nothing to help children's education, but fattens the wallets of corrupt union officials..."
How can you look around this country and say something like that? I highly recommend watching the film "Waiting for Superman". Investment in education or not will determine the future of this country. The point is to invest intelligently rather than just throwing money at the problem. That film makes it clear what smart investing looks like. Not investing in education ensures the decline of American exceptionalism. Is that what you want?
So, tell me, Bob -- whose wallets do YOU fatten?
I mean, besides your own.
Anna,
Why do you have a problem with Bob fattening his own wallet? Isn't that the American dream - to be prosperous?
I always thought that people risked life and limb to come to this country to prosper. I'm quite sure they don't do it to so they can give it all back to the government.
Prosperous, yes. Robber barons, no.
And people risked their lives to come here for freedom from religious oppression and new opportunity, which is exactly what Bob is against for everyone except the very rich. In fact, take it away from everyone else and GIVE it to the very rich, which is what caused our economic debacle in the first place.
But rather than even acknowledging that the rich had a hand in this, Bob just blames everything on the unions, buying hook, line, and sinker into the BIG lie. And it's the big lie, not the unions, that is heading this country right for the cliff.
Next time you use a road, or a university hospital, or a public building of any kind, or a firefighter, or a police officer, or garbage collection, or a library, or visit a state or national park .... think about what you "gave back" to the government for that. And then, if you can actually get past that very selfish thought, thank someone for having had the foresight and the generous spirit to give those things to you.
You don't know what you've got till it's gone.
All right Bob - Robber Barron. That's swwwweeettt!
And AM - are you sure THAT is the "BIG lie?"
Are you sure? Positive? cause i"ve heard of a couple of other may qualify
Anna Molly,
All of this discussion re the Koch Bros actually got me interested in them and I did google them.
The father took a company from nothing to something, during a time of declining markets. Great job. And the sons took the company forward, increasing the profitability of the organization.
Now this is something to be studied in the business schools. If you libbies didn't dump on their involvement with politics, you should be praising them for a job well done.
Now how does Geo. Soros differ from the Koch Bros?
The Koch brothers created wealth for the country.
George Soros created wealth for himself.
JoAnnaSmith1--how did the Koch brothers create wealth for the country? Don't bite my head off-serious question.
Too easy, safecracker. Soros isn't out there deliberately trying to destroy the working class. The Koch boys are the CEO in the joke about the cookie.
AND there's only one of him. Or are you saying that one of him is worth two of the Kochs?
Now, I read out here somewhere that Soros created all that wealth for himself.
Well, if that's true, then why are all you conservatives so worried about him?
Me, too. ;-)
Hey Bob, allow me to translate the Republican position from Rightardese to English:
Cuts in the education budget allow more people to remain stupid and uneducated, thus increasing the Republican base of support! We will pander to their religious beliefs while stealing from them blind.
Anna Molly,
Soros does seem to have specific thoughts on the distribution of wealth, and specific thoughts on government and world government. I don't happen to share his thoughts, especially after the Magyar uprising and his particular participation.
No Anna, but you are sarcastically attempting to interject it into this conversation. Personally, I find all three interesting. But I don't happen to have the need to fixate on any of them. Not a thing you, I or the population can do about them.
Soros had the opportunity to make himself a millionaire several times over, and good for him. Good for the Kochs for expanding their network for themselves. Each party has, however, interjected themselves into the politican process, on either side of the political equation. You ask why conservatives are so worried about him; I ask you the same query about the Koch Bros.
Since the time immortal, one man or group of men have attempted to change governments, or forms of government to suit their individual belief system. It will never change.....some will control, some will attempt to control, some will attempt to create a new world order, and some will dictate the need to eliminate the opposition either through political methods or military methods.
And at the end of the day, neither you nor anyone else on this site can effect change. So we continue to debate one position or another, some continue to debaste the opposition verbally because that is all they do or are paid to do on this site, and the world goes on.
Ah yea safecracker the Kochs are just some hard working folks aren't they? You have to be freakin kidding me. You're right their father built the company from nothing. What have they done? Nothing, but use their power and money to try and get an advantage over others. Are you people so gullible that you think the Kochs care about about your sorry butts. They are pushing for these cuts because it helps their business. Koch industries are major polluters, so they send out their minions to try and de-fund the EPA and create the global warming is myth scheme on their TV station Fox news. They want to get rid of unions so they can short change their employees. So they send in their lackie Scott Walker to crush collective bargaining. Do you understand the Kochs are the men behind the curtain in the tea party. Who do you think paid to get all that started? If you do your research you will see everything that the republicans are doing today benefit the Kochs in some way. You people are so pathetically blind to what's going on it really makes me sick. You are too stupid to realize you are fighting for the rich and you will get nothing in return. What is wrong with you people? WAKE UP!!! I don't want to live in a country were I am a slave to a corporation, but apparently you do. Good luck with that.
We would consider that if all they had done was make money.
But they have gone beyond that to influence policy, to contribute to politicians that would advance the Koch causes. Allowing the Kochs to run their industries outside of pollution regulation among other things. In addition to manipulating regulations, these puppet politicians have also granted various Koch industries tax exemptions.
That's why we are concerned.
Interesting... the Republicans voted in lock-step to preserve billions in government subsidies to the oil companies, yet cut money from Women, Infants and Children.
That speaks for itself, and those that support them.
SBParrothead
Interesting... the Republicans voted in lock-step to preserve billions in government subsidies to the oil companies, yet cut money from Women, Infants and Children.
That speaks for itself, and those that support them.
Well, the GOP/TeaBaggers really eefked up this time. First, healthcare, cutting Veterans, Women, Infants and Children; what's next?
These top ten lists get tedious, and this one’s no different.
1. “This Land Ain’t Your Land, This Land Is MY Land”
Scotty and the Koch Brothers
2. “America The Profitable”
Moe Greenback and the Wall Streeters
3. “Take Your Job And Shove It”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
4. “Dead Man’s Curve”
Chris Christie and the Budget Cutters
5. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”
The Palin Family Choir
6. “Viva Low Wages!”
Wal Mart and the New Peasants
7. “It’s My Party And I’ll Cry If I Want To”
Long John Boehner and the Wailers
8. “Liar, Liar (Pants On Fire)”
Mike Huckabee and the Birthers
9. “He Got The Gold Mine And I Got the Shaft”
Glenn Beck’s Suckers
10. “(Here It Comes Your) 19th Nervous Breakdown”
Michele Bachmann and her Teabaggers
http://rightardia.blogspot.com/2011/03/ltsaloonorg-top-ten-neocon-republican.html
And my offering
Outside I'm masquerading
Glenn Beck &The tears of clown
Love this. May I pour you a Guinness? Brilliant.
Bev, That list... now that's funny! Long John Boehner... LMAO!
I doubt it. That's why he cries.
Bev, did it take you all day to come up with this, or did you cut and paste from another source?
Love it Bev.
safecracker
Bev, did it take you all day to come up with this, or did you cut and paste from another source?
Are you having problems with your eyes? Or is it you see and know not what you see? the link is after #10.
You're all always asking me for a paste job, So I thought I'd make you happy.
However, the last one is my own creativty.
@ Job1, thanks
@ devie that's a good one
how 'bout this... Long John Boehner who's his owner
@ Anna Molly
You and Fiesty are the best with quick the wit you; You can pour me a Guinness tomorrow at the Dew Drop. Can't wait to kick back and enjoy tomorrow.
safecracker
Just for you one more...
Why does Glenn Beck cry so much when he rants and raves?
Gotta ya didn't I safecracker?
Because he is not brave.
Just think I didn't copy and past either.
Spanky and Bob,
Your teachers, if you had any, are regretting involvement in your education. I guess your answer is you are a product of said teachers. Just made your argument for you regarding bad teachers. I think you two are just a couple of very bad apples. The type that take up all of a teachers time and rob deserving students of an education. I remember some Republicans throwing fits like two year olds last year and those Republicans are in power now and still blaming Nancy, the only working adult in the room, for their shortfalls. Can't drink and shtoop and run the house successfully. This is showing in their desperate attempt to blame everything on Ms. Pelosi still. Nice try Cantor. You are a product of your rich masters.
Wow.
Sounds a lot like a personal attack. What's the matter ANAB, just not comfortable [or is it equipped] to discuss the merits?
Question - does your answer change if I tell you I went to a private law school? How about a private college?
But other than that, fantastic analysis AnaB. I'm certain that all of your teachers are proud of you and that you are a very good apple.
Ah Spanky, you can't tell a libbie for Sacto much, what she wants to hear or nothing at all.
I wish both sides would quit issuing press releases and taking shots at the other side and simply sit down together and get this budget done so they can move on to other important work---like jobs.
LoL Exactly. I didn't see your comment when I posted mine, below, but it's nearly identical, except for the ranting in mine.
Excellent point, Steeler Fan. But don't hold your breath. "Image is everything", right?
Thank you Steeler, I hope they can come up reasonable solution to this countries problems. There has to be some common ground. We can disagree on how to help America out of this crisis but we must be in it together. We need to be more civil to each other. The media has made us more polarized the ever.
Well, republicans want to cut DEMOCRATIC programs whereas democrats want to see reductions in REPUBLICAN programs
But it's still just 12% of the total budget...
They'll be all sorts of programs on the chopping block as debt service payments near $1 trillion annually, and everything is cut to accomodate them...so, just do nothing.
Not too long a wait, either.
It's only about 10 years away, according to the CBO.
Pelosi needs to be committed. Somewhere safe away from where she can do no harm to herserl or others. She is MENTAL!
Nope WADE, Nancy isn't mental, she is just a normal California spending party liberal Democrat/RP. This is normal behavior for the majority of San Francisco. The rest of us who may be more conservative are like "brown shoes in a tuxedo party"
Wasn't it Nancy Pelosi who said that the way to create jobs was to provide unemployment compensation??
What?? No follow up Nancy?? No explanation??
This is someone who was instrumental in throwing away trillions of our tax dollars. And someone actually voted for this bimbo??
Is this a shoot-out at the OK Corral, or a budget negotiation? SIT DOWN already, EVERYBODY, and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. This is not a photo-op.
Repeat: this is NOT a photo-op.
And this is exactly why we shouldn't have had a debt commission. This is Congress's job, and only Congress can do it. And now, these weasels, on both sides of the aisle, have wasted a whole year without producing anything, and are about to waste even more time posturing.
Hey, I know. Let's appoint a commission to study why the debt commission didn't work.
Sheesh.
And I guess I need to give you the same vote I gave to Steeler Fan, AM!
But we can't appoint that commission to study the commission until we all go on the Sunday talk shows and explain why it's the other side's fault that we need the commission in the first place.
Doublesheesh.....
I nominate you to moderate that one, JoAnne.
Then poor, underpaid David Gregory can finally have a vacation. A permanent vacation.
Gee, thanks, AM, what did I ever do to deserve that? Hey, after the political guests do their posturing thing, can I pick my own round table members to come on and tell me all over again what the politicians just got done not telling me? I'll take you on one side and Spanky, Bob and True American on the other. Or does that give you an unfair advantage?
Hey Anna Molly,
Ersken Boles and his cohart did meet about the deficit and made a number of recommendations to President Dude-in-Chief. Let's see, has Obama rejected or accepted any of them?
That report is in the same White House room where they found Hillary's Whitewater billing records and the documents Sandy Burger stole from the National Archives. No one ever goes in there anymore.
Just in -
The Wisconsin state Senate passed a resolution ordering the 14 Democratic senators who fled the state two weeks ago to return to the Capitol by late Thursday afternoon or face being taken into custody by police.
LoL How many democrats voted for the resolution?
Zero, none, nill. They're not present, they're avoiding their jobs so they won't have to admit defeat on an issue that shouldn't be up for much debate in the first place. Their liberal friends got smacked around last November for being on the side of fiscal irresponsiblity, so they'd rather run and hide rather than choose between fiscal sense or propping up their beloved unions. Wisconsin simply doesn't have the money to pad the pockets of the teacher's union right now, so they'll have to take a pay cut like the rest of America. Time's are tough, it's time to tighten the belt and get realistic with the cuts that HAVE to take place or this country will drown in debt. Besides, collective bargaining isn't a right - it's a privilege that most other states don't even have. Now is not the time to indulge privileges, it's time to cut back.
Anna Molly
Let's see, where they not all on the road traveling? To run, is to avoid voting for a bill you know you can't stop.
Rep Pelosi will never agree to any cuts. She really thinks that food stamps are great stimulous for the economy, and extended UNEMPLOYMENT benefits are great for job creation. She doesn't have the slightest clue how much damage she and Obama did to the economy with their massive corrupt spending, unbelievable growth in goverment, and mountains of debt over the past two years. Neither of them has a clue! They just think you can tax, borrow, print, and spend forever!
Exactly valwayne,
What does this say about the people who voted for her?? She is an example of the few Democrats I would like to see kept around for ammusement purposes, and for something to point at when you want to teach your kids what NOT to vote for.
Kind of a training freak.
Unless that ruthless piece of crap can do it behind closed doors, behind everyone's back, she doesn't want anything to do with it... most worthless female ever.