Be careful what you wish for: balanced budget

[bluestateguy]

A lot of Democrats, and Democratic candidates have lobbed pointed criticisms at the administration for fiscal recklessness and soaring budget deficits. As of now, the Republican response had been 1) we are at war and 2) deficits are no big deal. These sure weren't the arguments we heard from Republicans in the 1990's. They seemed almost hysterical about the need to balance the budget and slash spending lest the world come to a catastrophic end. The more we continue to harp on the evils of a budget deficit the more we ultimately play into the other side's hands--especially if * wins. "You guys want a balanced budget," they'll say, "OK, were going to slash Medicare, raid Social Security, cut veterans benefits, abolish entire departments and emasculate regulatory agencies." And they will say that we asked for a balanced budget!! Do you folks actually think they will even contemplate rolling back their precious tax cuts for the rich or harming one hair on the head of their beautiful defense budget? If you believe that, I invite you to come to Republican controlled Texas, where some people will literally die because of the budget cuts enacted by our facist legislature.

[revcarol]

1. You're right. As I listen to the "blue dogs" on TV and as I hear

from at least one presidential candidate, I think: Where will they make the cuts to get an even close to balanced budget? And I shudder for the older people, the children, the vets, the people needing low-cost housing, and the environment...

[w4rma]

2. Cut Bush's tax cuts and we will most likely have a balanced budget

That is a majority vote, no filibuster allowed.

But then again, Bush has also increased overall government spending.

[dsc]

3. Life is about choice

The best is that we have a balanced budget and those programs. If we have to choose between those programs and a balanced budget then we choose the programs. That is a no brainer. But just 3 years ago we had surplusses and those programs. It isn't like we are talking about a mythological time or place here.

[unfrigginreal]

4. It doesn't have to be all cuts

I'd almost gaurantee that if a Democrat gets elected there will be a tax increase. There has to be, and it has to skewed to the upper brackets even more than Clinton's was to make up for the ridiculous tax cut offered by Bush and supported by our Democratic friends in congress( one of the worst votes that I've ever seen by a Democrat in my lifetime...running about tie with the idiots that voted to give Bush carte blanche on the war.)

My concern with this is how the candidate handles it in the election cycle...personally I hope they lie like hell to get elected(no tax increases) and then do the right thing.

[bluestateguy]

5. Taxes

Clinton was actually very honest about raising taxes on the wealthy in the 1992 camapaign, but he added the 4.3 cent gas tax in 1993. The Republicans will say "he wants to raise taxes." Our candidate should say every time "on the rich." Still, Clinton did not face a Republican Congress that like the legislative Republicans in Texas, California and Colorado "No Taxes! WAAAAAAAHHHH!!! WAAAAAAH!!!" The new Democratic president may ask for new taxes on the wealthy, Congress will say no and it will be a good old fashioned 1980's/1990's style BUDGET FIGHT.

[unfrigginreal]

6. Great Idea

I love your idea of "on the rich" every time the repuke whines that "he wants to raise taxes." Agree about the congress too. I'm just hoping enough GOP are implicated in Wargate that we'll see a Democratic congress in '04 as well.