WP: GOP Drops Work on Balanced Budget

[kskiska]

The timing seemed a bit discordant last week, when the House Judiciary Committee began considering a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, just as Congress moved to pass its fourth tax cut in as many years.

A week later, the committee has not finished its work on the legislation, and the GOP House leadership has decided to drop the issue indefinitely, fearing that any spotlight on the burgeoning deficit would backfire politically.

The balanced budget amendment was a cornerstone of the Republicans' "Contract With America" 10 years ago, and halting efforts to resurrect it has underscored party divisions over a budget deficit that will reach $422 billion this year.

Last year, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) promised Rep. Ernest J. Istook Jr. (R-Okla.) a vote on the amendment before the House adjourns for the 2004 elections. But before DeLay could push an amendment to a House vote, Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) demanded that his panel draft the legislation first.

Last Wednesday's drafting session turned into a fiasco, members from both parties said. Democrats ridiculed the GOP majority, which has controlled Congress and the White House for most of the past four years while record budget surpluses turned to record deficits. Even some Republicans conceded that their hearts were not in it. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said he had not taken it "as a very serious discussion."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60560-2004Sep29.html

[wysi]

1. Hmmm...

expensive wars + tax cuts + corporate welfare + balanced budget amendment = goodbye education and social welfare spending

[Zorra]

2. Republicans wanted a balanced budget? The "Borrow and Spend" party?

Wow, that's a new one - the GOP wanting fiscal responsibility.

Of course, they did quickly drop the idea, they simply have no idea how to balance a budget.

They must have realized that fiscal responsibility is better left to Democrats, who always manage our national fiscal affairs so much more wisely and prudently.

They'll wait for Kerry to get elected and follow his lead.

[Eye and Monkey]

3. They will lay the failure to balance on Dems, Kerry or not -

They're already practicing their lines.

Being that they're the party of accountability, and all.

[high density]

4. Nah, too busy planning for the next round of wars and tax cuts

It's sickening.

"Since 2001, overall government spending has risen 23 percent." -- And what do we have to show for it? A giveaway for the rich, a giveaway for the pharmaceutical companies, and a giveaway for the defense contractors.

[sonicx]

5. "Tax cuts account for 29 percent of the swing from surpluses...

to deficits over the past three years"

[The Zanti Regent]

6. What country is buying up more and more of our debt?

Could it be....


CHINA???????

[STL_Social_Democrat]

8. CHINA has disappeared as a topic of presidential campaign discussion

Why in the hell hasn't Kerry gone after Bush on China? Outsourcing,foreign debt,copyright infringement, ripping off patents...the list is endless. China is the second largest owner of American debt. In fact, we have become so dependant on China for everything that we would be economically crippled if China chose to break us. If the democrats ever wanted to become serious about winning in the south or with "raygun democrats" they would smash the GOP with China incessantly.

[54anickel]

7. Heart's just not in it anymore, sheesh! I'd like to try that line at my

job!!! (If I had one that is) Contract with America my a$$.

[Carolab]

9. Why don't they just give up this charade

and tell the Democrats they needn't even bother to report for "work" in the House or the Senate anymore