“Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.” But no compassion for the millions of American taxpayers who are paying for massive tax breaks for the rich?
4
Perhaps they could try imposing austerity on this President and his family, rather than the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
5
I guess its good to outline our concerns about this budget, but really, the republicans will refashion it to their wishes, which be much less drastic.
Any budget or tax bill based on trickle-down is proved wrong in effectiveness and is a bunch of hog wash. Any budget that cuts the arts, sciences, basic research, infrastructure, job creation, and social services will not fly with the public. Especially if it is designed to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
The country has grown beyond this. We know that the rich and that corporations do not pay their fair share. When they do, we will have a very good budget that reflects our principles.
Any budget or tax bill based on trickle-down is proved wrong in effectiveness and is a bunch of hog wash. Any budget that cuts the arts, sciences, basic research, infrastructure, job creation, and social services will not fly with the public. Especially if it is designed to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
The country has grown beyond this. We know that the rich and that corporations do not pay their fair share. When they do, we will have a very good budget that reflects our principles.
Mulvaney says: "“Compassion needs to be on both sides of that equation. Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
Or, to put it another way: "Yes, you have to have compassion for the family of the little girl who was killed by the speeding driver, but also you have to have compassion for that driver whose car is now in the shop because of the accident."
False equivalence, Mr. Mulvaney.
Of course, you said "equation", you didn't say, "both sides of the equation have to be equal."
Or, to put it another way: "Yes, you have to have compassion for the family of the little girl who was killed by the speeding driver, but also you have to have compassion for that driver whose car is now in the shop because of the accident."
False equivalence, Mr. Mulvaney.
Of course, you said "equation", you didn't say, "both sides of the equation have to be equal."
This budget is the very definition of neoliberal economics. It provides the money for the 1% to really grow the their economy while destroying the mechanisms needed to create a healthy vigorous economy that created the American that started to self destruct on Auigust 15 1971 when Nixon abrogated Bretton Woods.
Jobs are created in the America that middle income Americans,and Canadians cannot afford and leaves small cities, towns and villages without the ability to control their own destinies.
It is hello Walmart and Home Depot and good-bye Mom and Pop operations.
The High Priest of neoliberalism Thomas Friedman does a fine job in today's op-ed of describing the devastation that happens when a community's infrastructure no longer supports the economy that keeps the community leadership in the community.
It is not economic growth that is of fundamental importance to America it is a healthy and concerned community leadership and that leadership must be local not in New York, Atlanta or Bentonville.
Donald Trump and the GOP is what happens when a country fails to confront the real malaise that Carter talked about in the late 1970s and talks about the secondary problems that a strong local economy might easily fix.
The Trump budget does wonders for economies that don't need fixing and exacerbates the problems that need attention.
What is the good of being mayor if you can't send your children to college and can't afford a doctor?
What is wrong with being a good place to live?
Jobs are created in the America that middle income Americans,and Canadians cannot afford and leaves small cities, towns and villages without the ability to control their own destinies.
It is hello Walmart and Home Depot and good-bye Mom and Pop operations.
The High Priest of neoliberalism Thomas Friedman does a fine job in today's op-ed of describing the devastation that happens when a community's infrastructure no longer supports the economy that keeps the community leadership in the community.
It is not economic growth that is of fundamental importance to America it is a healthy and concerned community leadership and that leadership must be local not in New York, Atlanta or Bentonville.
Donald Trump and the GOP is what happens when a country fails to confront the real malaise that Carter talked about in the late 1970s and talks about the secondary problems that a strong local economy might easily fix.
The Trump budget does wonders for economies that don't need fixing and exacerbates the problems that need attention.
What is the good of being mayor if you can't send your children to college and can't afford a doctor?
What is wrong with being a good place to live?
4
In service to constructive dialogue, commenters at NYT (or any other news site for that matter) should be required to use their real entire name (unless stipulated otherwise in a particular article due to it's sensitive nature).
Thoughtless, tasteless, and cruel comments should be owned by those where now anonymity protects them. The CBC adheres to this policy and has consequently discussions that are far more civil and constructive.
Thoughtless, tasteless, and cruel comments should be owned by those where now anonymity protects them. The CBC adheres to this policy and has consequently discussions that are far more civil and constructive.
Trump knows his budget won't go anywhere. It is all bluff and smoke. Republicans want to keep their jobs and won't support this budget. So, all Trump has to do is say Republicans are the problem.
The only thing that may save us from rule by the rich, is resort to 1789 French solutions.
1
The spin doctors are back at it, assuring the masses that companies already taking advantage of cheap manufacturing overseas ALSO need lower taxes. Stonewall Ryan sponsored a commercial bragging about how the disaster RyanTrumpcare is going to improve coverage and make healthcare affordable for all. Democrats have not yet learned the art of making people think that they are getting what they want while shilling them. I used to have respect for Ryan not so long ago, at least he had some credibility. Now I have to add him to a long list of republicans who would have Hilary on a stick for a private server, but not once challenge the Trump campaign's connection to the Russians during the republican primaries. Yes, the GOP lost too! Trump is not the savior, so stop selling him this way.
Of course Trump's people (can we just forget the ridiculous notion that Donald J. Trump has one clue what's in this budget?) know it's DOA. This is political theater, not governance.
Yes, this outrageously Draconian budget stands zero chance of being passed into law. As with the first version of the AHCA, even the GOP alone would gag on the scorched earth nature of this proposal.
But please remember, this gambit is a tactic straight out of Trump's "Art of the Deal" playbook (and a negotiating tactic as ancient as prehistoric bazaars). Make your opening offer so ridiculously one-sided that you establish a psychological baseline - against which concessions towards "the middle" will "move the needle" - but still leave a final consensus much closer to the extreme positions of the initial, Draconian proposal.
Trump (and Mulvaney) have no illusions about this version of the budget being passed. This is just the opening move in a chess game.
Months from now, when no one remembers the outrageous obscenity which this initial proposal represents, we may perceive that the budget which is finally enacted appears "moderate" (given the protracted negotiations it took to achieve consensus) - but nevertheless is a budget which is only "20% less Draconian" than this original proposal.
So the poor, elderly, sick, disabled and chronically-unemployed will suffer only four-fifths of the evisceration of their federal benefits relative to this obscene, initial proposal - while the uber-wealthy will only reap 80% of the tax breaks which Mulvaney & Co. bestowed upon them in Round One.
This initial budget is a pure Trojan Horse. We the People need to "kill it with fire".
But please remember, this gambit is a tactic straight out of Trump's "Art of the Deal" playbook (and a negotiating tactic as ancient as prehistoric bazaars). Make your opening offer so ridiculously one-sided that you establish a psychological baseline - against which concessions towards "the middle" will "move the needle" - but still leave a final consensus much closer to the extreme positions of the initial, Draconian proposal.
Trump (and Mulvaney) have no illusions about this version of the budget being passed. This is just the opening move in a chess game.
Months from now, when no one remembers the outrageous obscenity which this initial proposal represents, we may perceive that the budget which is finally enacted appears "moderate" (given the protracted negotiations it took to achieve consensus) - but nevertheless is a budget which is only "20% less Draconian" than this original proposal.
So the poor, elderly, sick, disabled and chronically-unemployed will suffer only four-fifths of the evisceration of their federal benefits relative to this obscene, initial proposal - while the uber-wealthy will only reap 80% of the tax breaks which Mulvaney & Co. bestowed upon them in Round One.
This initial budget is a pure Trojan Horse. We the People need to "kill it with fire".
Trump's budget brought to my mind a quote from "Europe Central" by W.T.Vollmann: "Hitlerism, which is essentially Monopoly Capitalism..." this is what this budget resembles to me. It gives American Monopoly Capitalist free reign to treat the poor the way Hitlerites treated the poor, and all the other varied groups that they did not particularly care for, in any manner they choose. This is not Reagan 'trickle down," this is Trump "stomp down" economics; devoid of morality, conscience, compassion, or even common sense.
This is a "Though the Looking Glass" world of politics where it is good news that a budget proposal is DOA but good news for the crackpot who proposed it! As Alice noted "everything they do is like us except it is backwards." And now e should be happy that something may be terrible but it is not as terrible as originally proposed? Reminds me of the clever Clinton campaign theme that "everything that is up ought to be down and everything that is down ought to be up." It is not a spending addiction but an addition to making no sense in describing what ought to make sense. All we want is a plan and government which make sense, which cares for the least among us, which will defend us, which will protect the environment for this generation and posterity, ensure educational opportunity for all, ensure that retirement and health care are ensured, and do everything sensibly. This roller-coaster is not what we deserve, not what wars have been fought for, and not what ANY candidate for ANY office proposed. Good grief.
Mick Mulvaney says we must also consider those people shouldering the cost of all the social safety nets, invaluable research and agencies protecting the lives of all Americans. Let’s not forget the multi-millionaires and billionaires who wish to dump their heavy, heavy tax burden to support these hand-outs are currently multi-millionaires and billionaires. It seems to me that the very rich are doing just fine.
17
Republicans don't want people to have food stamps, affordable medical care, social security, or housing assistance from the government. Why?
These are "Democratic" values, and whether it was FDR and Social Security, or MediCare with LBJ, they detest allowing the government (That's us!) into the equation.
Partly because of an ossified Randian philosophy, but largely because they understand that when the government assists someone, that voter is likely to vote for a Democrat because, after all, it was the Democrats who championed social safety net legislation in the first place and fight to maintain it.
We have the surreal situation where Trump's cadre has, essentially, voted to deny themselves the very assistance they need on a daily basis. Will they notice before it's too late, or will the GOP feed them another ration of God, Gays and Guns theocracy smokescreen? Will Don the con's tweets distract them while Paul Ryan and company phases out their social safety net?
Hey average Trump voter. . We pay taxes. . well Don doesn't, but you and I do and that's how we take build and maintain a social safety net. Do you want to work the high wire without a net?
These are "Democratic" values, and whether it was FDR and Social Security, or MediCare with LBJ, they detest allowing the government (That's us!) into the equation.
Partly because of an ossified Randian philosophy, but largely because they understand that when the government assists someone, that voter is likely to vote for a Democrat because, after all, it was the Democrats who championed social safety net legislation in the first place and fight to maintain it.
We have the surreal situation where Trump's cadre has, essentially, voted to deny themselves the very assistance they need on a daily basis. Will they notice before it's too late, or will the GOP feed them another ration of God, Gays and Guns theocracy smokescreen? Will Don the con's tweets distract them while Paul Ryan and company phases out their social safety net?
Hey average Trump voter. . We pay taxes. . well Don doesn't, but you and I do and that's how we take build and maintain a social safety net. Do you want to work the high wire without a net?
21
Balancing the budget is usually the Republican Holy Grail only when Democrats are in the Oval Office. Reagan and the Bush combo nuked the budget. Is there any dire National need to give tax breaks to the wealthy? America will no longer be America if we have a permanent aristocracy. The wealthy avoid military service and couldn't care less about the infrastructure that the average American requires including public education. The plutocrats are the true welfare queens.
10
Americans are tired of having money taken from their paychecks to pay for others who don't contribute. Bottom Line. Go get a job or live on the street.
3
One of my brothers, a libertarian, has been saved by Medicaid, which pays his room and
board in a nursing home.
His two brothers are happy to have paid taxes that have saved him.
board in a nursing home.
His two brothers are happy to have paid taxes that have saved him.
1
Cuts to the NIH and CDC while spending billions more on the military. Reagan tried that and we got an out of control new virus (STD). Ever heard of HIV/AIDS? North Korean missiles and ISIS may not be as much of a threat as microscopic enemies. The viruses and bacteria will get us if we don't keep up with public health needs (including food safety and inspecting those factory farms and slaughterhouses).
7
There is a book that was written about this, the battle between fatal viruses and fatal bacteria and mankind using its intelligence to prevent fatal epidemics by viruses and bacteria. It was published in the 1990s. I do not remember the author but it was titled "The Red Queen"(an allusion to the nasty red queen in Lewis Carroll's Alice books).
Medical research is vital. Funding by the government is the best way to do this research. The lifespan of viruses and bacteria is so short they can and do evolve much fast than humans. Our only advantage is our brains and our science.
Cuts in this area by either Trump or the GOP is foolhardy and short sighted.
BTW, reducing health care access is another way the GOP will cause reduced privately funded medical research in the US because it reduces the market size of those who will be able to buy the advances and make the R and D profitable.
Short sighted all around. A return to a Charles Dicken's kind of world.
Medical research is vital. Funding by the government is the best way to do this research. The lifespan of viruses and bacteria is so short they can and do evolve much fast than humans. Our only advantage is our brains and our science.
Cuts in this area by either Trump or the GOP is foolhardy and short sighted.
BTW, reducing health care access is another way the GOP will cause reduced privately funded medical research in the US because it reduces the market size of those who will be able to buy the advances and make the R and D profitable.
Short sighted all around. A return to a Charles Dicken's kind of world.
1
Considering that Trump doesn't pay taxes and that most of his budget proposals favor the tax-avoiding one-percent, shouldn't the title be: Tax-Cheats First Budget? At least, that would be truth in advertising.
18
Well, austerity worked so well for the economies of Greece and Kansas, after all.
I get forcing austerity on a cash-strapped society, but we are by far the wealthiest nation in the world. It's not time for the wealthy to catch another break. It's time for them to step up.
I get forcing austerity on a cash-strapped society, but we are by far the wealthiest nation in the world. It's not time for the wealthy to catch another break. It's time for them to step up.
12
Wealthiest? Not any more nor per capita. Read folks.
This budget proposal should surely be an opportunity to question our ethics as a country. What do we want to stand for? What do we actually stand for? Peace and prosperity for all - not according to this budget. Do we want to continue to be victims of radical terrorism - then surely this budget continues that path. The further we move from equal opportunity the further down the road we go to disenfranchising the masses for the few one percenters and corporate America who is focused solely on short term profits and not ethicacy or long term viability of America. We've trickled down to a mere ghost of our former selves. We've trickled down to a mean-spirited raging populous. This budget does not make America great again; rather it weakens and destroys what is left of America!
6
Governments should not be a charity! Governments effectuate governing policy. Put money in the plate if you are so inclined. I do!
Great, let's assess the effectiveness of the program not just how much money we dump into it. We should start with the the military. I can't think of the last time they won a war or protected my freedom (as conservatives love harp on).
5
Lol. The West won Iraq I, Iraq II. Iraq III started under Obama and he surrendered.
The budget should reflect his vision for the country. If this budget is his vision, it is pathetic. Mulvaney says, the budget will take care of the needy. In other words, those who are not taken care of are not needy. The white house is packed with dead brains, who cannot understand what science is and how research advances. A six billion dollar cut in NIH budget is a fraction of the cost of fighter plane. We cannot win over the world with fighter planes and tanks or cruise missiles. We need to become very strong in science and technology to help those who want to help themselves. We watched cowboy movies too long that changed our mindset to prefer military over humanity.
5
Trump was silent on human rights violations with Saudis. Back in the U.S. his team unveils a proposed budget that, if it were to be enacted, imposes human rights atrocities at home.
A reminder for our elected officials:
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little. - FDR
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. - A Lincoln
A reminder for our elected officials:
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little. - FDR
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. - A Lincoln
5
Atrocities? Bizarre.
Americans old enough to remember Reagan are those that vote in the largest numbers. It didn't work then and it really won't work now. Back then I was a graduate student and one of the few not taken in by his media savvy ways but knew many who were. After Reagan's war on the everybody who isn't wealthy, there were hundreds of stories of Americans with families reduced to holding signs offering to work for food. The mentally ill were moved to "community" care another word for cutting costs. Even if you will not be directly financially impacted by this budget (i.e., you are not on Medicaid, receive food stamps, etc) your state will be shouldering new heavier burdens that will eventually hit even the well to do. The GOP are not magicians much less mathematicians - cutting funds does not make problems go away. They just get bigger.
5
Just reduce the amount given to Red states. That should solve the problem.
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-gov...
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-gov...
9
DOA or not, this Magna Cruel Billa encapsulates why Republicans can not be in power. They are just vindictively cruel. Most of these white men are wealthy. Why, exactly, are they so nasty, condescending, and dismissive towards people less fortunate than they've EVER been, to women, and the elderly, when you have so much? How can you have so much, and care so little about anyone other than yourselves? The fact that they even PROPOSE this death panel like banquet of spending cuts, combined with the actual death panelesque Trump "care" bill says all that needs to be said. Trump and republican voters ---- you are being thrown under the bus. The Democrats need to grow a pair and take out tv, billboard, and internet ads spelling out what these selfish people are proposing. Shine bright spot lights on the true nature of the party of the wealthy. Reverse robin hoods. Taking money from the poor and giving it to the rich.
3
Your "news" is all heavily editorialized; you would never have editorialized like this for Obama. The people know this. Why aren't you investigating the death of Seth Rich, the Clinton email scandal and the Clinton Foundation scandal? Where is the journalistic integrity and bravery?
1
I just want to applaud all the outrage I see in these comments. Makes me proud to be an American, something that's been very hard to do since November.
4
Message delivered from Trump budget to the elderly, poor, disabled, mentally ill, sick and injured:
You are too dependent; your lives don't have value. You don't deserve help. Please drop dead.
You are too dependent; your lives don't have value. You don't deserve help. Please drop dead.
4
Hear that sucking sound? It is the brain drain as educated, tax paying people are looking to move to Canada
6
Ryan and his cohorts continue to support a balanced budget, even though they know there's no chance of it happening in the near future, or for that matter even should hell turn over. Ryan's goal is the elimination of medicare and social security. He wants to replace these hugely successful and popular programs with something, anything, which will in the end benefit his rich friends. Ryan has no credibility; he knows it, but is pushing ahead, regardless. Meanwhile, he and his Republican crazies will continue to ply us with 'alternative facts.'
2
Maybe he should sell that silly gold chain to balance it out
1
Time to ramp up the pressure on this clown. There are going to be thousands of us marching all over the country on Sat. June 3 for the March For Truth (and boy do we need some truth in this White House!). Check to see if one is in your city https://www.marchfortruth.i... and please join in. This is the kind of pressure that will help drive this idiot out of power. Ned
1
Any tax cut to pretend to offer middle class families will be offset by increases in state spending to make up at least some of the most offensive cuts. The huge cut in transportation will require states to do more with less help from the Federal Government. What we really need is a higher minimum wage to get individuals free of government programs and a jobs bill to fund major infrastructure repair.
6
The challenge for congressional Republicans will be to enact spending policies that advance their desire to be more frugal without going so far that voters decide to restore budget power to the Democrats."
SERIOUSLY?
SERIOUSLY?
4
It's amazing that this budget depending so heavily on future growth also slashes R&D spending and investments in new technology. That is not the road to economic strength or good jobs.
8
Until the Republican party is ready to conduct a true and thorough analysis of how our defense spending results in fulfilling national security goals, they can't be taken seriously when it comes to fiscal priorities, budgets, and deficits.
7
Yes, this outrageously Draconian budget stands zero chance of being passed by the House or Senate. As with the first version of the AHCA, even the GOP alone would gag on the scorched earth nature of this proposal.
But please remember, this gambit is a tactic straight out of Trump's "Art of the Deal" playbook (and a negotiating tactic as ancient as prehistoric bazaars). Make your opening offer so ridiculously one-sided that you establish a psychological baseline - against which concessions towards "the middle" will "move the needle" - but still leave a final consensus much closer to the extreme positions of the initial, Draconian proposal.
Trump (and Mulvaney) have no illusions about this version of the budget being passed. This is just the opening move in a chess game.
Months from now, when no one remembers the outrageous obscenity which this initial proposal represents, we may perceive that the budget which is finally enacted appears "moderate" (given the protracted negotiations it took to achieve consensus) - but nevertheless is a budget which is only "20% less Draconian" than this original proposal.
So the poor, elderly, sick, disabled and chronically-unemployed will suffer only four-fifths of the evisceration of their federal benefits relative to this obscene, initial proposal - while the uber-wealthy will only reap 80% of the tax breaks which Mulvaney promised them in Round One.
This initial budget is a pure Trojan Horse. We the People need to "kill it with fire".
But please remember, this gambit is a tactic straight out of Trump's "Art of the Deal" playbook (and a negotiating tactic as ancient as prehistoric bazaars). Make your opening offer so ridiculously one-sided that you establish a psychological baseline - against which concessions towards "the middle" will "move the needle" - but still leave a final consensus much closer to the extreme positions of the initial, Draconian proposal.
Trump (and Mulvaney) have no illusions about this version of the budget being passed. This is just the opening move in a chess game.
Months from now, when no one remembers the outrageous obscenity which this initial proposal represents, we may perceive that the budget which is finally enacted appears "moderate" (given the protracted negotiations it took to achieve consensus) - but nevertheless is a budget which is only "20% less Draconian" than this original proposal.
So the poor, elderly, sick, disabled and chronically-unemployed will suffer only four-fifths of the evisceration of their federal benefits relative to this obscene, initial proposal - while the uber-wealthy will only reap 80% of the tax breaks which Mulvaney promised them in Round One.
This initial budget is a pure Trojan Horse. We the People need to "kill it with fire".
I don't believe any of these cries about fiscal crisis from the R's when they are adding $58 BILLION to an already bloated $600 BILLION so-called "defense" budget. Defense against who or what? The next closest country in terms of military spending is China, at about $108 billion.
We don't need that much money devoted to unnecessary defense against an enemy that doesn't exist. Take $300 billion and spend it on healthcare, infrastructure, and education. Those are the things that will make America truly strong. Stop planning for war and start planning for a successful country.
We don't need that much money devoted to unnecessary defense against an enemy that doesn't exist. Take $300 billion and spend it on healthcare, infrastructure, and education. Those are the things that will make America truly strong. Stop planning for war and start planning for a successful country.
6
bad call. only those craven folks, or those oblivious to the more or less human world, or those indulgent in ruthless greedy lives would say
we need compassion for "both" sides.
the rich need and deserve NO compassion. & the notion that they do
is merely a consequence of the overall tyrrannical character of
our socioeconomic structure--namely Capitalism--
a contrivance that works to ends which have NOTHING to do
with compassion for the poor, the downtrodden, etc etc.
it is simply fatuous to even suggest that
the rich need compassion.
heck, this makes me so mad i could 'spit'!
we need compassion for "both" sides.
the rich need and deserve NO compassion. & the notion that they do
is merely a consequence of the overall tyrrannical character of
our socioeconomic structure--namely Capitalism--
a contrivance that works to ends which have NOTHING to do
with compassion for the poor, the downtrodden, etc etc.
it is simply fatuous to even suggest that
the rich need compassion.
heck, this makes me so mad i could 'spit'!
4
Does anyone care about budget deficits?
Republicans? Democrats? Trump?
At this point, it seems like we’ve simply come to some collective agreement that deficits and debt no longer matter. That is typically a strong indicator of an empire in decline.
Republicans? Democrats? Trump?
At this point, it seems like we’ve simply come to some collective agreement that deficits and debt no longer matter. That is typically a strong indicator of an empire in decline.
1
Democrats come the closest - tax and spend, especially domestically, is much more fiscally conservative than DON'T tax, and spend. Trump is just out there, with no interest in anything but being on TV. R's only seem to want to pump tax dollars into defense contractors, who immediately hide their money overseas. Spending on infrastructure and other domestic programs at least gets people shopping locally.
2
If the republicans want to impose austerity they can start by paying for their own health insurance, give up their government pensions and impose higher taxes on the rich and the corporations making record profits.
9
The US Government has done nothing since 9/11 but pour billions into the military. Our roads, schools, infrastructure, already in bad shape 16 years ago, has been completely ignored. Additionally; we have financed a vast, nefarious spy structure, uselessly, it seems, intercepting billions of e-mails a day. We are also using huge amounts of money on baloney like "face recognition". This all to the seeming delight of Republicans who seem very happy to gut our education system. But, without bright kids coming up, what will be our future?
4
Yesterday, the Trump administration sent to Capitol Hill a budget request for FY 2018 that zeroes-out all funding for international family planning and reproductive health programs, proposing to eliminate a critical health program. These changes would be felt by women and girls who are left without recourse to find alternative means to protect themselves against unplanned pregnancies—many of which will now result in unsafe abortions. Eliminating U.S. assistance for international family planning and reproductive health programs would result in 3.3 million more abortions; 15,000 more maternal deaths, 8 million more unintended pregnancies, and 26 million fewer women and couples receiving services.
This is a cruel change and most likely a bi-product of the support by the Christian community's support for Donald Trump. While it is likely that this budget will arrive DOA, this support mechanism for women throughout the world will not be restored and will lead the unnecessary deaths.
This is a cruel change and most likely a bi-product of the support by the Christian community's support for Donald Trump. While it is likely that this budget will arrive DOA, this support mechanism for women throughout the world will not be restored and will lead the unnecessary deaths.
1
Trump's budget: Sickening, shameful and a betrayal of American core values.
5
treabeton, don't make the mistake of tarring only Trump and leaving the rest of the Republican Party unscathed. Some of them may be publicly squawking about his budget now, but don't be surprised if Congress comes up with a budget that winds up looking pretty similar to this. His budget priorities are closer to the Republican mainstream than some Republicans would like to admit.
2
Why do Republican austerity plans always look like a giant bonus to the rich? What kind of austerity is that?
Are the majority of Republican voters really asking for their incomes, their benefits, and their rights to be cut?
Are the majority of Republican voters really asking for their incomes, their benefits, and their rights to be cut?
5
Let's start austerity with ALL federal employees being required to work till 67 to 70 years old before they can collect their pension like Social Security recipients and having federal employees also having to wait till 65 to get Medicare they should get no other medical in retirement that the broad public doesn't get
When politicians speak of "austerity," they are asking others, not themselves or their backers, for sacrifice. Let's look at Paul Ryan's favorite author:
"It stands to reason that where there’s sacrifice, there’s someone collecting sacrificial offerings. Where there’s service, there’s someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master." Ayn Rand
"Apes don't read philosophy"
"Yes they do. They just don't understand it." -A Fish Called Wanda
"It stands to reason that where there’s sacrifice, there’s someone collecting sacrificial offerings. Where there’s service, there’s someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master." Ayn Rand
"Apes don't read philosophy"
"Yes they do. They just don't understand it." -A Fish Called Wanda
4
Yes, this budget SHOULD be a public relations disaster; but how do you convince Trump’s hard-core supporters that they will lose big-time if Congress ever passes this horror of a budget? Trump’s voters still believe that Trump will fight for them, and that the people who will lose their Medicaid or Social Security disability payments are the UNDESERVING POOR who are parasites sucking at the public trough.
I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for the hard-core Trump admirers to figure it out. Unfortunately, by the time they do, they will have suffered irreparable losses, and I won’t be nearly as sorry about their plight as I should be.
I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for the hard-core Trump admirers to figure it out. Unfortunately, by the time they do, they will have suffered irreparable losses, and I won’t be nearly as sorry about their plight as I should be.
4
Said Paul Ryan: the “last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget.”
Translation: It seems that President Obama never figured out, as Mr. Trump and Mr. Ryan have, that all it takes to balance a budget is to add a single line, titled "Extra Revenue Generated by the Miracle of this Budget." Fill in whatever number you need and, voila, a balanced budget. "Nobody knew" these things could be so easy!
Translation: It seems that President Obama never figured out, as Mr. Trump and Mr. Ryan have, that all it takes to balance a budget is to add a single line, titled "Extra Revenue Generated by the Miracle of this Budget." Fill in whatever number you need and, voila, a balanced budget. "Nobody knew" these things could be so easy!
3
Some of my friends voted for Trump and the general belief among many is that all of these proposed cuts will not apply to them. Rather those who "game" the system who aren't as deserving as them lose their "handout" while they keep theirs...... The attitude is "I got mine, and the heck with everyone else......."
3
McConnell would say that trump's top political priority is to make himself a one term president.
2
I believe Trump should receive exactly the same amount of support from Democrats as Obama received for eight years. It is only fair.
4
This is so simple taking from the poor and giving it to the rich. $1.8 trillion in Medicaid alone. Wheel those seniors and baby's out to the gutter.
2
Republicans militantly (and heartlessly) oppose 'entitlements' while extolling 'personal responsibility.' Ironically, their most loyal constituents demand the former (when they are the beneficiaries) while eschewing the latter (when called upon to exercise it).
3
Was it not George H.W. Bush who came up with the description for this kind of "trickle down" budget ? I believe he called it "Voodoo Economics"
3
Russia's primary goal in interfering in our electorate process was to disrupt our democracy. Secondarily, Putin wanted a malleable operative in the White House. Clearly they where successful on both accounts Instead of opposing the infiltration and destruction of our political system, a majority of the republican team has used this as an opportunity to have an intellectually challenged rubber stamper sign off on what amounts to a hateful array of policy.
2
The only question I have is, what do you prefer to eat, cat food or dog food?
3
Can Paul Ryan stop running against Barack Obama.
He's such a whiner.
As a fellow Catholic, I am appalled at his ignorance of the mandates of charity.
Good things he wasn't the Samaritan who came upon the needy man lying by the side of the road. He'd walk right on by to share a rich meal with an old wealthy pal.
Revolting!
He's such a whiner.
As a fellow Catholic, I am appalled at his ignorance of the mandates of charity.
Good things he wasn't the Samaritan who came upon the needy man lying by the side of the road. He'd walk right on by to share a rich meal with an old wealthy pal.
Revolting!
3
That "Taxpayer first" = "Rich people first."
1
Simply, the Democrats need to find a way to make serious political hay of this, and beat the right over the head with it till we rid America of the blood-sucking wing of crony capitalism.
Just imagine if Bernie were only a decade or so younger.
Just imagine if Bernie were only a decade or so younger.
2
The Trump administration makes no sense.
Trump's proposed Budget is music to the ears of J. Beauregard Sessions - less assistance to the poor, leading to a higher crime rate, leading to more people (primarily minorities) in private jails owned by Republicans . . . another form of slavery dressed-up in an orange jumpsuit.
3
I have a feeling headlines like the one for this article are an expression of the continued disbelief at the incompetence and absolute inanity of the Trump Administration. This level of buffoonery beggars the imagination.
1
"Chaos," we hear, is what Bannon wants. That's why they released the Muslim ban on a Friday night, that's why they release a ridiculous budget which has us up in arms this week. Now all we need to do is figure out the rest of the strategy. Is it to exhaust us, or to push something else through somewhere we're not looking.
By the way, that Carrier factor Trump "saved?" Just announced 600 job cuts by Christmas.
By the way, that Carrier factor Trump "saved?" Just announced 600 job cuts by Christmas.
13
I grew up in Indianapolis, I knew it was a con job from the start. As you'll recall, the president of the local union called Trump out as a fake, and while Trump congratulated himself on this great deal making skills, the very same company completely closed the other factory they had in Indy and moved the whole operation to Mexico.
There you have it.
There you have it.
1
A thoroughly harmful budget proposal that fortunately has no chance of being passed.
5
It is impossible to take any GOP pretense of fiscal conservatism seriously until their own sacred cow of "defense" spending is subject to the same sort of scrutiny. The American public has never received a reasonable explanation -- probably because there is no reasonable explanation -- as to why the United States finds it necessary to spend more on the military than the next five (or is it six) top-spending nations combined. And on a more practical level, no real progress on fiscal restraint is actually possible while the millstone of military spending remains hung about the neck of the American taxpayer. Pretty much all other discretionary spending is peanuts by comparison.
So let's be clear. Any politician of either party who seeks my support for spending cuts must first explain why the defense budget should not not be the first to be subject to some serious axe-swinging. Like it or not, until that happens, there's no point -- be it political, ethical or fiscal -- in discussing anything else.
So let's be clear. Any politician of either party who seeks my support for spending cuts must first explain why the defense budget should not not be the first to be subject to some serious axe-swinging. Like it or not, until that happens, there's no point -- be it political, ethical or fiscal -- in discussing anything else.
12
And unfortunately this country's economy since WW2 has been driven in large part by military spending for weapons, and exports as the worlds largest arms dealer. Nice arms deals for Saudi Arabia anyone! I'm sure Trump found a way to personally get (think son in law) a piece of that action :-/
What a mess we're in with no reasonable people in place or on the horizon capable enough to lead the country from either party. The ship of state is clearly rudderless and taking on water.
What a mess we're in with no reasonable people in place or on the horizon capable enough to lead the country from either party. The ship of state is clearly rudderless and taking on water.
When someone says "the American public has never received a reasonable explanation" for this or that, what they mean is "I have never received a reasonable explanation" for this or that. We constantly hear that the American public deserves a good debate about such-and-such. What a lot of nonsense. The American public is too busy watching television to engage in a debate about which they know next to nothing in the first place.
America's military budget is massive because its commitments are likewise massive; though as a percent of GDP it's been bigger -- and perhaps again should be bigger. America is a global power that seeks to maintain its dominance and uphold its vision of order, which has prevailed for decades and has been fantastically beneficial for both Americans and the majority of mankind. The dreamy liberal notion that peace and tranquility would ensue in the absence of America is beyond ridiculous. If the United States vanished from existence, I promise that you wouldn't like the way the world looked.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-price-of-power/article/533695#!
"Would it not have been better, and also cheaper, to have sent larger numbers of forces initially to [Afghanistan and Iraq] and brought about a more rapid conclusion to the fighting? The point is, it may prove cheaper in the long run to have larger forces that can fight wars quickly and conclusively, as Colin Powell long ago suggested, than to have smaller forces that can’t."
America's military budget is massive because its commitments are likewise massive; though as a percent of GDP it's been bigger -- and perhaps again should be bigger. America is a global power that seeks to maintain its dominance and uphold its vision of order, which has prevailed for decades and has been fantastically beneficial for both Americans and the majority of mankind. The dreamy liberal notion that peace and tranquility would ensue in the absence of America is beyond ridiculous. If the United States vanished from existence, I promise that you wouldn't like the way the world looked.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-price-of-power/article/533695#!
"Would it not have been better, and also cheaper, to have sent larger numbers of forces initially to [Afghanistan and Iraq] and brought about a more rapid conclusion to the fighting? The point is, it may prove cheaper in the long run to have larger forces that can fight wars quickly and conclusively, as Colin Powell long ago suggested, than to have smaller forces that can’t."
1
Can we please stop blaring that the repubs 'won' the house and senate. They did that starting w/ the 2010 mid-terms. I was of the understanding that in November they actually suffered net losses in both chambers (just not nearly enough)...
10
Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard. -H.L. Mencken
6
When you examine the line by line cuts AND additions... it's so easy to see how self-interest laden and cherry-picked this budget is. We haven't lost all of of our optical care yet GOP.
6
Every member of Congress who wants to slash SSDI should have to go visit a Kidney dialysis center. When you have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) you are assigned a standing 4 hour long appointment 3 times a week. Miss two appointments and your are dead. The only alternative to hemodialysis is a kidney transplant. The wait list for a transplant is 10 years long.
Trump's budget plan is unAmerican and a national disgrace. Shame on the GOP.
Trump's budget plan is unAmerican and a national disgrace. Shame on the GOP.
15
Speaker Ryan: one man certainly well-beyond his pay grade!
21
The photo says it all, except one word is missing, it should read:
"Wealthy Taxpayer First Budget"
There is austerity, but that usually means that everyone shares the pain. In this "budget", the poor, the middle class, the disabled and the elderly share all the pain, while corporations and the wealthy get large tax cuts. Also, those, in the middle class, will see taxes rise, if they itemize.
This "budget", like the recently House passed health bill, will do so much damage to a majority of Americans, it is criminal. This throws the most vulnerable of our society under the bus; plain and simple.
Do not get me wrong, I believe that people must work, if they are capable. But, there are a lot of people who can't. Getting on Social Security disability, for example, is a tedious and painful process. Most people are initially denied, they have to get an attorney to help them out. It can take sometimes two years.
Medicaid, as a senior, you get sick, you run out of money, you sell your assets and that gets you on Medicaid. Obamacare did not fix this problem; you can still die destitute. Now, cut Medicaid, you might as well bury people alive.
Anyone, with common sense, in Washington (there are a few), should not only walk away from this, but should condemn anyone supporting it. And those who support this should be called out by name and plastered with TV ads.
Fro so the so called most advanced country in the world; it becomes more third world like everyday.
"Wealthy Taxpayer First Budget"
There is austerity, but that usually means that everyone shares the pain. In this "budget", the poor, the middle class, the disabled and the elderly share all the pain, while corporations and the wealthy get large tax cuts. Also, those, in the middle class, will see taxes rise, if they itemize.
This "budget", like the recently House passed health bill, will do so much damage to a majority of Americans, it is criminal. This throws the most vulnerable of our society under the bus; plain and simple.
Do not get me wrong, I believe that people must work, if they are capable. But, there are a lot of people who can't. Getting on Social Security disability, for example, is a tedious and painful process. Most people are initially denied, they have to get an attorney to help them out. It can take sometimes two years.
Medicaid, as a senior, you get sick, you run out of money, you sell your assets and that gets you on Medicaid. Obamacare did not fix this problem; you can still die destitute. Now, cut Medicaid, you might as well bury people alive.
Anyone, with common sense, in Washington (there are a few), should not only walk away from this, but should condemn anyone supporting it. And those who support this should be called out by name and plastered with TV ads.
Fro so the so called most advanced country in the world; it becomes more third world like everyday.
11
"It would most likely hurt some of the very voters in rural and economically distressed corners of the nation who catapulted Mr. Trump to the White House and Republicans to control of the House and Senate."
It will definitely hurt those voters but cuts to the social safety net won't cost the GOP anything. This type of thinking is too rational given our irrational political system.
GOP "policies" have been anti-poor and anti-social for quite some time. The difference now is decades of right-wing propaganda and a terrible public education system have created a class of Americans for whom facts and reality don't matter, The poor GOP voters don't care about their foodstamps and/or can't see that the GOP wants to take away their foodstamps. They just don't want those "other, undeserving poor people" to get any assistance.
It will definitely hurt those voters but cuts to the social safety net won't cost the GOP anything. This type of thinking is too rational given our irrational political system.
GOP "policies" have been anti-poor and anti-social for quite some time. The difference now is decades of right-wing propaganda and a terrible public education system have created a class of Americans for whom facts and reality don't matter, The poor GOP voters don't care about their foodstamps and/or can't see that the GOP wants to take away their foodstamps. They just don't want those "other, undeserving poor people" to get any assistance.
5
Trump's "budget" is just a negotiating trick. Offer a viciously draconian proposal and then the Democrats will think they are at least better off with any innocuous Republican moderation of the proposal.
I hope and pray the Democrats are smarter than that.
I hope and pray the Democrats are smarter than that.
10
"Taxpayer First"? Who is NOT a taxpayer? Every person in the United States pays sales and gasoline taxes, taxes on cars and telephone service, alcohol and tobacco, and who knows what else. You can't draw breath in this country and not pay tax. The title of this budget is just another way of dividing "us" against "them."
11
I wonder if Mulvaney attends a house of worship and if it is insured by FDIC?
6
He's a Christian.
Come on Republicans! Man up! Have the guts to say what you really mean and what your actions betray you as! That taxpayer first sign really means Billionaires first. Corporations first. Millionaires, if you can bow and scrape enough, first. The taxpaying American middle class- dead last.
8
Greetings
Former CIA Director just testified B4 Congress, that the Russians use the U.S. press & broadcast media to disrupt the U.S. Government. It is widely reported that most of the U.S. media is anti President Trump. Apparently, Russians greatly infiltrated the U.S. press and broadcast media.It is widely reported that a multi billionaire, Dem/commie hindy is financing the far left/Dems/commies press and the broadcast Dems/commies. I do not understand why the multi billionaire Dem/commie does not run for President. That is, instead of financing Dem/commie hired political hacks to attempt to denigrate President Trump. President Trump an American Patriot, won the Presidency. I am sure with the help of the Russian commies a Multi Billionaire Dem/commie would have received substantial far leftist votes.
Former CIA Director just testified B4 Congress, that the Russians use the U.S. press & broadcast media to disrupt the U.S. Government. It is widely reported that most of the U.S. media is anti President Trump. Apparently, Russians greatly infiltrated the U.S. press and broadcast media.It is widely reported that a multi billionaire, Dem/commie hindy is financing the far left/Dems/commies press and the broadcast Dems/commies. I do not understand why the multi billionaire Dem/commie does not run for President. That is, instead of financing Dem/commie hired political hacks to attempt to denigrate President Trump. President Trump an American Patriot, won the Presidency. I am sure with the help of the Russian commies a Multi Billionaire Dem/commie would have received substantial far leftist votes.
1
Many in the poor and middle class are the hardest working people in the US. Given the stereotypes that portray them as lazy and irresponsible, it is difficult to have any real dialog in Washington. In the US there are uneducated men, like lumber yard workers and brick masers, who worked with their hands all day for 30 years for almost nothing and are now viewed as moochers. Many have pre-existing conditions from the type of work they have done their entire lives. This is the face of the newest villain.
There are so many people who were laid off before retirement age, but could not obtain similar work due to attrition to younger workers or skill deficits. Many of these people must take lower paying jobs that may not come with health insurance and other benefits most of us take for granted. If they have pre-existing health conditions, this increases their financial burden. Their real crime is not planning for the technology boom.
We need problem solvers in Washington. Thus far, all we have are politics, Trump included. He has made no attempt to solve health care issues. He parrots the same Rhetoric, but just louder and more forceful than the current crowd. Asking CEOs to bring back jobs, then handing them tax cuts does not count.
We need leaders to work to solve problems regardless of their ideology. Stop using the "worst case citizen scenario" or "the lazy American villain excuse" to avoid EVEN making an attempt to solve real American issues.
There are so many people who were laid off before retirement age, but could not obtain similar work due to attrition to younger workers or skill deficits. Many of these people must take lower paying jobs that may not come with health insurance and other benefits most of us take for granted. If they have pre-existing health conditions, this increases their financial burden. Their real crime is not planning for the technology boom.
We need problem solvers in Washington. Thus far, all we have are politics, Trump included. He has made no attempt to solve health care issues. He parrots the same Rhetoric, but just louder and more forceful than the current crowd. Asking CEOs to bring back jobs, then handing them tax cuts does not count.
We need leaders to work to solve problems regardless of their ideology. Stop using the "worst case citizen scenario" or "the lazy American villain excuse" to avoid EVEN making an attempt to solve real American issues.
4
The operative word in the title of this article is 'Try'. We will see some of the strongest opposition of any bill written in the past six years. We will see advocacy groups and Americans in general, come out against an 'austerity' budget which destroys the health care of our citizens, the environmental health of our planet and the safety net for our most vulnerable...children and the elderly. Clearly, the GOP has not gotten the memo: The Democrats are energized and the Republicans are in survival mode. The ultimate question for the GOP will be: Is it worth shutting down the government and owning that event, just to achieve some unrealistic and ungovernable goals accomplished in this hyper-political environment?
I doubt it.
I doubt it.
1
Trump's unwittingness has proven his best defense in Russia-gate. It is on full display in this budget, which is so preposterous and politically-impossible that it actually helps both the GOP membership and leadership in Congress. It permits them to ignore vast patches of childish ideas that would otherwise pit the GOP's seriously disparate factions against each other internecine warfare that no one sees any benefit in.
1
Cut it all. if you keep protected people from the consequences of their votes they will never learn. Let the Trump states take it in the teeth. Let people get hurt. Pain is a powerful teacher.
9
"Trump’s Budget Is D.O.A. That’s Good News for Trump"?
Remember the quainte olde dayes when someone in power actually tried to accomplish something -- especially something GOOD for the nation! -- rather than posture for their base and see how many outrages and personally self-rewarding deals they can slip through the legislature?
Remember the quainte olde dayes when someone in power actually tried to accomplish something -- especially something GOOD for the nation! -- rather than posture for their base and see how many outrages and personally self-rewarding deals they can slip through the legislature?
9
I'm a middle class EPA employee. I work hard to make the air everyone breathes cleaner, healthier. Trump's proposal to slash EPA's budget by 31% and eliminate more than 3,000 staff is appalling and extreme. Not only do I fear for my young family's financial stability, I fear for the millions of Americans who live in areas that do not meet federal health-based air quality standards and who will suffer a diminished quality of life under this proposal. Please support a fully funded and fully staffed EPA by calling your congresspeople and letting them know you oppose this disastrous and unhealthy budget.
20
After all this time how can anyone not know that this is a game to Trump? He loves this! Much like offering $2M for a $25M property his opening move is an outsize and ridiculous floor from which he can negotiate. They'll be able to say "we were able to KEEP half the funding for Meals on Wheels" when what they'll do is now have a white knight argument when they cut the program in half. What they pass will be a nightmare, but it'll seem like a blessing in comparison to this.
This is not a budget, it never was, it's a negotiation tactic.
This is not a budget, it never was, it's a negotiation tactic.
6
This is the difference between the real estate business and public policy: Trump's opening budget gambit is on the record, and it's sure to be used against him politically. Bottom line: he wanted to punish the people who voted for him. In that sense, it's horrible negotiating strategy.
It may be a game to Trump, but it's deadly serious to the people whose lives would be deeply harmed if this budget were enacted. He'll discover just how serious in the 2018 election, if he lasts that long.
It may be a game to Trump, but it's deadly serious to the people whose lives would be deeply harmed if this budget were enacted. He'll discover just how serious in the 2018 election, if he lasts that long.
1
Ridiculous, this is in no way a reflection of the priorities I look for in my country's services. There is plenty of wealth to go around, but let's stick it to the poor and the middle class! The Democrats have to change the narrative and they have to repeat the bullet points of this crazy budget over and over again come the 2018 congressional elections. Are there no workhouses, are there no prisons?? We really have become a mean-spirited, angry country. But, i am hopeful that there are more people of generous nature than there are of mean-spiritedness. Well, I can only hope that is the case!
1
“This budget might as well have been written in Moscow or Beijing. They are the true beneficiaries, since if enacted this budget would lead to an American pullback from much of the world...", says Max Bergmann, an Obama-era State Dept. employee.
Geo-politically, those are exactly the tasks of the Trump administration -- to set America on a path of retreat from its role as the only global super power, and to create space for our traditional adversaries, China and Putin's Russia, to step in and fill the vacuum created by Trump's 'America First' retrenchment strategy.
Domestically, and equally troubling is the (Mis)Administration's apparent intent to shred our safety net programs, thereby completely abnegating the promise made in his dystopian inaugural address: "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer... I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never, ever let you down."
Trump's FY18 budget, entitled "A New Foundation for American Greatness," would, as Sen. Franken states, “...balance the budget on the backs of the American middle class and would make life much harder for families and seniors...likely send[ing] our country into an economic free fall.”
Like budget proposals of other Republican presidents, Trump's budget is based on "voodoo economics," assuming an unfathomable 3 percent annual growth rate. And, like the budgets of his predecessors, the only clear beneficiaries are the top 1 percent (including him).
Geo-politically, those are exactly the tasks of the Trump administration -- to set America on a path of retreat from its role as the only global super power, and to create space for our traditional adversaries, China and Putin's Russia, to step in and fill the vacuum created by Trump's 'America First' retrenchment strategy.
Domestically, and equally troubling is the (Mis)Administration's apparent intent to shred our safety net programs, thereby completely abnegating the promise made in his dystopian inaugural address: "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer... I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never, ever let you down."
Trump's FY18 budget, entitled "A New Foundation for American Greatness," would, as Sen. Franken states, “...balance the budget on the backs of the American middle class and would make life much harder for families and seniors...likely send[ing] our country into an economic free fall.”
Like budget proposals of other Republican presidents, Trump's budget is based on "voodoo economics," assuming an unfathomable 3 percent annual growth rate. And, like the budgets of his predecessors, the only clear beneficiaries are the top 1 percent (including him).
1
Mulvaney asking for our compassion for those rich enough to spare a buck for those left behind by our deeply unequal, and unfair, capitalistic system, is risible, if not cruel and hypocritical. Remember the wise words of Louis Blanc (not Marx's), "from each according to his/her talents (and means), to each according to his/her needs"? That is true justice, compassion notwithstanding. Have you, 'dear' republicans, become so unnecessarily stupid to have forgotten that your salaries are paid for by the poor's efforts, some by the middle class...and hardly any by 'the rich and powerful' as their 'loopholes' evade fairness, responsibility, and humanity?
2
"Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die." was about the only phrase ever uttered by former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien that I ever agreed with. In his use, heaven was a metapgor for government spending & services, death referring to taxpayers willing to pay the bill.
Honestlt, there is zero interest in America to balance the federal budget. Republican priority is tax cuts for predominantly wealthy, and I doubt that many Democrats even consider deficit spending a problem.
And so it is with divided American government... The truth is that personal tax cuts which began with President Bush Jr. were irresponsible, and it's also true that growing government debt is absolutely unsustainable.
No nation in recorded history has been able to borrow to finance military costs with no tangible economic benefit. Neoconservative nation building by recent right and left administrations is a recipe for economic disaster.... Meanwhile, domestic infrastructure needs continue to be ignored, or were completely avoidable... Ie. The Flint, MI water crisis.
Plenty of wealth in America, but Americans deserve so much better value when deficit spending is chosen, & must demand better spending choices. Taxes and debt are limited, scarce resources.
Attract business with globally competitive tax rates, & be thankful you then have personal incomes to tax.
Honestlt, there is zero interest in America to balance the federal budget. Republican priority is tax cuts for predominantly wealthy, and I doubt that many Democrats even consider deficit spending a problem.
And so it is with divided American government... The truth is that personal tax cuts which began with President Bush Jr. were irresponsible, and it's also true that growing government debt is absolutely unsustainable.
No nation in recorded history has been able to borrow to finance military costs with no tangible economic benefit. Neoconservative nation building by recent right and left administrations is a recipe for economic disaster.... Meanwhile, domestic infrastructure needs continue to be ignored, or were completely avoidable... Ie. The Flint, MI water crisis.
Plenty of wealth in America, but Americans deserve so much better value when deficit spending is chosen, & must demand better spending choices. Taxes and debt are limited, scarce resources.
Attract business with globally competitive tax rates, & be thankful you then have personal incomes to tax.
3
Gordon:
Excellent points. Thanks.
Excellent points. Thanks.
“Compassion needs to be on both sides of that equation. Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
The idea of cutting vital services for low and middle income people to finance huge tax cuts for the very wealthy is the antithesis of compassion. Making sure that those with the least get less so those with the most can have more is the Ebeneezer Scrooge approach to governing.
Sorry, Mr. Mulvaney, but I have no compassion for billionaires. Your view of "compassion" is one of the most twisted views of governing that I have ever witnessed.
The idea of cutting vital services for low and middle income people to finance huge tax cuts for the very wealthy is the antithesis of compassion. Making sure that those with the least get less so those with the most can have more is the Ebeneezer Scrooge approach to governing.
Sorry, Mr. Mulvaney, but I have no compassion for billionaires. Your view of "compassion" is one of the most twisted views of governing that I have ever witnessed.
Duh - this is a feint to the extreme to make the congressional "compromise" seem less extreme and more palatable.
1
Each state is free to raise state taxes and provide social benefits that are tailored to each state's populations. Liberals should stop crying and recognize that federal taxes are going down, and that each state is more powerful to provide directly to its citizens.
Your federal taxes are NOT going down, unless you are north of $500,000/year. For one, they will increase spending on the military, without even explaining why, and removing any and all oversight that might showcase waste and inefficiency. Buy General Dynamics, Boeing, and Blackwater stock now, but don't think if you're poor that you'll get any kind of support or a break.
Keep in mind those in the populous and prosperous blue states pay more in federal taxes than the less-populous and less-prosperous red states who spend the money. Farm subsidies, anyone? When will the Feds stop funding that boondoggle? Let Kansas fund their own farmers through state taxes, I say! Then watch the businesses leave 'cuz their taxes are too high.
Keep in mind those in the populous and prosperous blue states pay more in federal taxes than the less-populous and less-prosperous red states who spend the money. Farm subsidies, anyone? When will the Feds stop funding that boondoggle? Let Kansas fund their own farmers through state taxes, I say! Then watch the businesses leave 'cuz their taxes are too high.
5
Vote progressive in 2018 so that we in the lower and middle economic classes can have our country back.
4
The Republicans are only there to enrich themselves.
The rest is all smoke, mirrors, and razzle dazzle. Paul Ryan would steal the pennies from the eyes of a dead man.
The first move of this Congress was to dismantle the ethics committee.
These people are thieves.
The rest is all smoke, mirrors, and razzle dazzle. Paul Ryan would steal the pennies from the eyes of a dead man.
The first move of this Congress was to dismantle the ethics committee.
These people are thieves.
7
What a poor politician. Why not submit a budget embodying campaign promises? Half a trillion for infrastructure, 12 billion for the stupid wall, no cuts to Medicaid, etc. It would be equally DOA but would thrill his base.
SAD!
SAD!
A shameless money grab by Trump for Trump. Although I don't watch, Fox Alternative Facts Network is surely convincing its no information voter base that Trump is working for them tirelessly and the budget is a shining example of His love. Blissfully go to sleep Fox viewers, drift off on a sea of peace. When you awake you will find that the ones who paid for and orchestrated your slumber; the Koch Brothers, the dictator at heart Donald J. Trump, Sheldon Adelson, Rupert Murdoch, boy human car wreck Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and many, many others will have conveniently slunk away, the murder of you, your family and your supposedly beloved country complete. Sorry. There is a price to be paid for hiding your head in the sand and, trust me, you will be the one to pay it. It says so right there in the budget.
3
Can we please have compassion for the wealthiest individuals? It's been tough for them. A person in a wheelchair getting benefits are clearly taking advantage. The republicans hiding in the cloak of Christianity is something to behold.
4
The GOP will hide the maximum damage to innocent people.
Don't believe a word they say.
Don't believe a word they say.
1
At last! The rich and the poor will have equal opportunity to steal bread, live under bridges, and die in the gutter. What a country!
1
I hope the budget includes a line item to buy a personality for Mulvaney, Lord knows the man needs one.
2
To the right, under the bus.
1
What this budget proves, is that Trump, more so than any other Republican in history, understands that the GOP is a remarkable coalition of the very rich, and the very stupid.
19
We know the regime has NO compassion. Doesn't matter why. We know the regime's goal is to create a Russian satellite country. We know their playbook (Trump's who should land in jail soon enough) is to kill non-rich off.
I'm a senior on disability. It was the hardest decision I had to make in my life not many years ago. The cost of living (for SS) has had a negative COLA for some time now. A $2 increase for anyone on disability means they will die soon and sooner. I will not survive a cut for long. We are being killed off by the kleptocracy and the oligarchs. That's what loyalty's for - making the rich richer and killing off the real Americans who care about our demise and the demise of our country.
Put the regime and GOP on disability. Put them on SS and make them live off it. Naw, that's only for people who have NO power and who can't fight. GOP - prey on the elderly, poor, middleclass and get rich by our taxes while they pay nothing.
I'm a senior on disability. It was the hardest decision I had to make in my life not many years ago. The cost of living (for SS) has had a negative COLA for some time now. A $2 increase for anyone on disability means they will die soon and sooner. I will not survive a cut for long. We are being killed off by the kleptocracy and the oligarchs. That's what loyalty's for - making the rich richer and killing off the real Americans who care about our demise and the demise of our country.
Put the regime and GOP on disability. Put them on SS and make them live off it. Naw, that's only for people who have NO power and who can't fight. GOP - prey on the elderly, poor, middleclass and get rich by our taxes while they pay nothing.
3
“At least we now have common objectives,” Speaker Paul D. Ryan said, noting that the “last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget.”
A flat out lie, Mr. Ryan. If I recall, President Obama offered your predecessor a pretty sweet deal if the GOP would agree to $1 in new taxes for $4 in spending cuts. President Obama was willing to accept the political damage in the best interest of the country. Of course, Mr. Boehner like the rest of the GOP, having whored themselves out to Grover Norquist and the radical right, put party over country once again.
Nice try, Ryan, but we didn't forget.
A flat out lie, Mr. Ryan. If I recall, President Obama offered your predecessor a pretty sweet deal if the GOP would agree to $1 in new taxes for $4 in spending cuts. President Obama was willing to accept the political damage in the best interest of the country. Of course, Mr. Boehner like the rest of the GOP, having whored themselves out to Grover Norquist and the radical right, put party over country once again.
Nice try, Ryan, but we didn't forget.
20
But was President Obama's offer really in the best interest of the country? The spending cuts, in all likelihood, would have further hampered what at the time was a very halting recovery from the Great Recession (unemployment was above 9% for much of 2011, when the budget negotiations took place). His proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare would have cut the legs out from under the New Deal and the Great Society.
The Republicans should have taken the 2011 deal because it would have crippled the Democratic Party, probably for a long time. Every Democratic Senator and Congressman who voted for it would have faced a primary challenge. President Obama himself would have faced a primary challenge in 2012. Mitt Romney would have taken office as the 45th President in January 2013 with Republican majorities in both houses of Congress. In retrospect, it was mind-bogglingly stupid for the Republicans to turn down the deal that President Obama offered them.
The Republicans should have taken the 2011 deal because it would have crippled the Democratic Party, probably for a long time. Every Democratic Senator and Congressman who voted for it would have faced a primary challenge. President Obama himself would have faced a primary challenge in 2012. Mitt Romney would have taken office as the 45th President in January 2013 with Republican majorities in both houses of Congress. In retrospect, it was mind-bogglingly stupid for the Republicans to turn down the deal that President Obama offered them.
Hillary Clinton is looking pretty good about now, isn't she? I can't believe Trump supporters actually fell for that line he gave them, "I will always stand behind you and I will never let you down." Well if even an iota of this budget goes through that he proposed, those are the exact people that will be left behind.
7
The one who was really offering them something meaningful and not status quo, was Bernie. Hillary was status quo, incremental at best.
Finally, Repuiblicans have a budget that represents their world view: moral and financial bankruptcy, combined with magical thinking. Trump's budget might be "dead on arrival," but there will be plenty of zombies carried over to whatever is finally approved.
10
What I would like is to not only eliminate waste within entitlement programs but to think through how to not support people who truly could work if they set their minds to do so. I just finished reading an article re a homeless man who was taught to code, made $10K after expenses from an app, refuses to touch the money, still lives homeless, is not interested in rejoining society. I have myself reached out to help at least 10 impovershed people -- none of my efforts helped. I arranged for jobs and they did not show up. I provided green and it got wasted. I arranged for babysitting and it was refused. Why do some poor people want to stay in that state and how do we separate them from those who truly cannot take care of themselves and need our help?
4
@Easternwa-woman - you can always find examples like that, especially in a country this size, but it shouldn't drive policy (be a factor, but not drive it).
Let's say we were just getting around to installing fire departments around the country. I could show you examples of people who refuse to put in smoke detectors or take other small precautions. Should we not respond to their 911 calls, or underfund fire departments in those neighborhoods? The philosophy on the right would be HECK NO - don't spend my taxpayer dollars on them!
The idea that the Feds should not do anything for anybody on the outside chance they could do it for themselves shows not only a lack of compassion, but just doesn't make America great in any way.
Let's say we were just getting around to installing fire departments around the country. I could show you examples of people who refuse to put in smoke detectors or take other small precautions. Should we not respond to their 911 calls, or underfund fire departments in those neighborhoods? The philosophy on the right would be HECK NO - don't spend my taxpayer dollars on them!
The idea that the Feds should not do anything for anybody on the outside chance they could do it for themselves shows not only a lack of compassion, but just doesn't make America great in any way.
3
These people obviously have other problems. Physical ability is one thing, but the mental ability matters too. Being able to code doesn't mean being able to function socially. I think it's unfair to say they "want to stay in that state".
1
I hardly think an unnamed article of dubious reality or your outreach to 10 people you name as "impoverished" for some sort of jobs you concocted can characterize the reality of people living in poverty in this country. This is the same old lie that Ronald Reagan, who began this current cycle of conservative ascendancy that is now ending, about welfare mothers in limousines.
3
This reminds me of the House Committee hearing I watched on C-span, wherein the budgets for scientific research for this upcoming budget were being discussed with witnesses from NIH, CDC et al. were testifying.
Those witnesses testified politely that the past budgets were insufficient to continue to protect us from future disease outbreaks like ebola, and less necessary, future research for new antibiotics to to counter drug-fast illnesses.
One of those members in favor of holding the line and reducing research, made sure to ask the panel about certain cancer research about the cancer that his family member had. He asked the panel to get back to him, and they promised to do so.
There are adjectives that include hypocritical self-interest. Many of those that support this proposed budget are the same way. The average wealth in Congress is over $1 million per person. Many of them became millionaires since they were elected to Congress. Therein, lies the truth.
Hats off to the others, whether wealthy or not, who have the philosophy of decency to those in our country who believe others less fortunately who also deserve a chance at a decent life.
Those witnesses testified politely that the past budgets were insufficient to continue to protect us from future disease outbreaks like ebola, and less necessary, future research for new antibiotics to to counter drug-fast illnesses.
One of those members in favor of holding the line and reducing research, made sure to ask the panel about certain cancer research about the cancer that his family member had. He asked the panel to get back to him, and they promised to do so.
There are adjectives that include hypocritical self-interest. Many of those that support this proposed budget are the same way. The average wealth in Congress is over $1 million per person. Many of them became millionaires since they were elected to Congress. Therein, lies the truth.
Hats off to the others, whether wealthy or not, who have the philosophy of decency to those in our country who believe others less fortunately who also deserve a chance at a decent life.
5
Reality check nothing last forever party of unaccountable spending must end. Means no more spending on personal cell phones for government use an any branch of government which was imported to usa. People need wake up realize our jobs where exported not because it was cheaper but to make closer an more profitable for companys too. Governemnt is rewarding companys to out source jobs by buying those products with taxs collected from those who unemployed. Untill government stops its spending spree for all jobs wont return that pay taxs to government. Budgets dont work with dont have people paying taxs an jobs pay living wage. We are own worse enemys unfortently we have zero accountabilty in washington agun
1
It should be almost obvious that everything that Trump proposes is ill thought, ill devised and has very little, if any, substance behind it. That much should have been apparent from day one of his desire to run for presidential office.
Let us reject everything Trump, let alone his budget. He is basically just a freeloader who wants to use the state's infrastructure to maintain his lavish lifestyle, while remaining in the limelight long enough to drum up additional business for his family. it is hugely insulting that our tax $ support this man and his family.
Let us reject everything Trump, let alone his budget. He is basically just a freeloader who wants to use the state's infrastructure to maintain his lavish lifestyle, while remaining in the limelight long enough to drum up additional business for his family. it is hugely insulting that our tax $ support this man and his family.
10
Both this budget and the proposed tax plan represent another attempt by "conservatives" to redistribute wealth from the poor and middle class to the wealthy.
9
Hooray for Trump! This is exactly what Jesus Christ wants us to do! I think... wait... let me go read the bible again.......
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave." Leviticus 25:25, 35, 39
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave." Leviticus 25:25, 35, 39
79
I always wonder why politicians like Mr. Mulvaney insinuate those receiving any type of public assistance must be leaching off of society. His comments illustrate a basic belief that those on food stamps, disability, medicaid or other social safety net programs must be lazy, dishonest, or both. However, Mr. Mulvaney and his ilk seem perfectly comfortable with the shameless waste that occurs in the DOD (slush fund anyone?). Why isn't he as troubled by the failure of the DOD to pass an audit and implement the cost savings (125 billion dollars of them) laid out in the recent study - that the Pentagon tried to hide? Instead, they are rewarded with a 10% budget increase. As a tax payer - who Mulvaney famously feels must be consulted-I am more upset about paying for goodies for the rich and allowing for continued inefficiencies at the DOD than I am about a Mom getting an extra 100 bucks a month for food stamps. We all want fraud, waste and abuse reduced in social service programs, but this budget pulls the rug out from under those most in need. These proposals are particularly devastating for the elderly and rural poor. I have never had to take advantage of thee programs, but I am willing to contribute to the safety net - who knows what the future may bring. Mulvaney apparently has the philosophy that "budget discipline" applies only to the least among us.
22
Mr. Mulvaney seems like the person who would take the last crumb from his own mothers plate if it would give a boost to the richest among us.
2
What the United States needs is a reasonably strong third party to the left of the Democrats that can use its influence to broker deals between the other two parties.
In Canada and i know we have a parliamentary system but we have had for decades, a reasonably strong and a times very strong third party. Most all progressive legislation, health, justice, environment, education etc has been pushed by this party that a times holds the balance of power in Parliament. This forces the other two major parties to work with them for middle of the road legislation.
A third party in the US with a reasonable number of seats in Government could have the chance to become a moderating voice willing to work with the GOP or the Democrats to stop the insane partisanship that infuses the halls of your Senate and the House.
In Canada and i know we have a parliamentary system but we have had for decades, a reasonably strong and a times very strong third party. Most all progressive legislation, health, justice, environment, education etc has been pushed by this party that a times holds the balance of power in Parliament. This forces the other two major parties to work with them for middle of the road legislation.
A third party in the US with a reasonable number of seats in Government could have the chance to become a moderating voice willing to work with the GOP or the Democrats to stop the insane partisanship that infuses the halls of your Senate and the House.
4
Obama never presented a budget on time and only got one passed. Obama added over $10 Trillion to our national debt with nothing to show for it- no new bridges tunnels airports etc. Obamas last budget was a ridiculous joke that no one took seriously.
The NYT and the democrats want a sovereign debt crisis to bankrupt the American middle class.
The NYT and the democrats want a sovereign debt crisis to bankrupt the American middle class.
2
Tell the whole story. Obama kept the country out of a Depression.
19
That’s pretty funny William, considering Obama proposed more than five infrastructure budgets to Congress -- and they wouldn’t consider any of them.
From day one of the 2010 mid-terms, Congress openly vowed to sabotage anything he proposed. Funny how your selective memory.
From day one of the 2010 mid-terms, Congress openly vowed to sabotage anything he proposed. Funny how your selective memory.
2
we want the hedge fund managers to pay their share of income tax..if you spend it like income instead of investing it, it's income...and let's raise the ceiling on Social Security taxes...and create smart tax policy that rewards companies that actually invest in US infrastructure and US operation of their firms.
2
For years, the republican agenda has been to gut any kind of safety net for Americans. From job training to food stamps and even thoughts of privatizing social security, it's all about less taxes for the monied ruling classes.
Since his supporters get their info from Murdoch propaganda, they will continue to blame the wrong people.
The dumbing down of this country has already happened.
Now, the republicans will reap what has been sown. They will implement austerity measures to insure less taxes for the 10 per cent and trumpers will blame Hilary/ Obama..
Since his supporters get their info from Murdoch propaganda, they will continue to blame the wrong people.
The dumbing down of this country has already happened.
Now, the republicans will reap what has been sown. They will implement austerity measures to insure less taxes for the 10 per cent and trumpers will blame Hilary/ Obama..
9
We have the wrong notions of national shame. When terrorists outwit us, it's national shame. When our Olympic team gets few gold medals, it's national shame. But when millions of our nationals die needless deaths, we don't see that as national shame; we see that as their individual problem. Well, if our neighbors' problems aren't ours, in what sense are we one nation?
117
Until we as a country address healthcare and it's out of control costs, nothing will change. The President's Son in Law Jared Kushner as detailed in yesterday's NYT's, gets rich off Section 8 Federal Housing vouchers but he hates government. The "Rent Seekers" in our country all feed off the government they hate.
10
Budget suggestion: get rid of the tax cut for rich folks. Taxpayers are not more valuable than other members of society. The GOP may like to rank people by income, but I do not.
3
How is this news, or analysis even? There will be some back and forth, then the budget will pass. That's how government works. Sorry, this story DOA.
1
When will we hear about the true crooks getting the Austerity they deserve. The Private banking system. They created debt with fraud and computer entries. Why do the working people need Austerity?
3
One must admire Republicans who give middle-class tax dollars to the rich and impose austerity, even severity, on the poor and working class.
That kind of resolve in the face of public outcry is something to remember.
That kind of resolve in the face of public outcry is something to remember.
6
Trump's budget might be DOA, but it is still a statement of values.
17
The drama of reality TV has taken over the budget process. As in 1950s monster movies, you make it big and light it on fire.
3
"Let them eat cake" - DJT
7
It better be "the most beautiful fantastic piece of chocolate cake."
As the Republicans on Capitol Hill wrangle their unchristian, 1%-friendly budget out, just remember that they are operating as a small ideological club that has become unrepresentational even of their own voters, much less being representational of America as a whole. Republicans are no longer a representational party, regardless of any voter's romantic notions about the sanctity of his or her vote. The bollard-encircled Capitol Building is their clubhouse. Secret handshakes abound, and please check your electronic devices at the door.
3
Cuts to food and healthcare for needy children, to help clear a pathway for a massive tax boon for the 1%.
These are the "values" you voted for red America? These are the "values" you want to impress on the rest of us?
These are the "values" you voted for red America? These are the "values" you want to impress on the rest of us?
16
The farm subsidies will not be enacted and were never meant to be. The cuts to the poor will be modified to make the cruelty less severe. The cuts to medical research are up for grabs. Tax cuts for people who don't need tax cuts will be part of any deal that's reached, and its costs will swell the deficit as they always do.
Tradition.
Tradition.
4
It is getting clearer by the day. Republicans know they are in a demographic tailspin, so they are going to swing for the fences in the hopes of getting even a little, because we've been taught "compromise" is always appropriate. But even a little of this budget would be catastrophic. And while they're at it Republicans will try to write in voter suppression and control our courts into the future to hold on to some scraps of power in the years to come.
The only thing to be done about it is loud, energetic, equally committed resistance. From us all. It won't be enough to get rid of Trump -- we need to purge these heartless thugs from our government once and for all. Consider where your time and money ought to go right now. Carefully.
The only thing to be done about it is loud, energetic, equally committed resistance. From us all. It won't be enough to get rid of Trump -- we need to purge these heartless thugs from our government once and for all. Consider where your time and money ought to go right now. Carefully.
8
Yolanda, aside from a few precious decades between the 1940s and early 1970sl, of fond remembrance, this is the way American has always been; it was set up that way.
2
By redefining compassion as the naked advancement of the interests of the plutocratic class at the expense of the elderly and the indigent, Mulvaney has crisply articulated the Republican political philosophy in a nutshell.
15
If we have to listen to US billionaires bemoan the fate of some citizens of the US and world, I would suggest listening to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
Gates has said he would leave a trust fund of $10 million to each of his children, and attempt to give the rest away making the lives of as many as he could better. Clearly, an inheritance tax is not something he opposes. (FYI, the current estate taxes so many Republicans want to eliminate allow over $10 million to be passed on to children taxfree for any couple willing to spend at most a couple of thousand dollars to set up simple trust.)
Buffet is the author of the Buffet rule stating that it is wrong that rich people, like himself, could pay less in federal taxes, as a portion of income, than the middle class, and voiced support for increased income taxes on the wealthy. Including Social Security payments and medicare taxes (that cap, sparing the wealthy), we tax high income people less than middle class people today, and Republicans are determined to increase the share of national taxes paid by the middle class while reducing taxes on the wealthy and benefits to the rest of us.
Why do Republicans in Congress and in the Trump administration rush to do the bidding of only the most selfish, and sadistic of our wealthy? Why do they ignore the better advice from the two men who have been the most successful of our wealthy? Why should any of us vote for them?
Gates has said he would leave a trust fund of $10 million to each of his children, and attempt to give the rest away making the lives of as many as he could better. Clearly, an inheritance tax is not something he opposes. (FYI, the current estate taxes so many Republicans want to eliminate allow over $10 million to be passed on to children taxfree for any couple willing to spend at most a couple of thousand dollars to set up simple trust.)
Buffet is the author of the Buffet rule stating that it is wrong that rich people, like himself, could pay less in federal taxes, as a portion of income, than the middle class, and voiced support for increased income taxes on the wealthy. Including Social Security payments and medicare taxes (that cap, sparing the wealthy), we tax high income people less than middle class people today, and Republicans are determined to increase the share of national taxes paid by the middle class while reducing taxes on the wealthy and benefits to the rest of us.
Why do Republicans in Congress and in the Trump administration rush to do the bidding of only the most selfish, and sadistic of our wealthy? Why do they ignore the better advice from the two men who have been the most successful of our wealthy? Why should any of us vote for them?
8
We have voters out there that worry too much about some people getting things they don't deserve, believe me there are people like that in our society, and they will always live poor lives because they are always asking for a handout and making excuses for why they don't have anything, but for everyone of these people there are ten people asking for a hand up and if they get this they will live successful productive lives, and those people will be an asset to our country.
1
good point: there always seems to be enough money for war (which is itself a profit venture for the Daddy Warbucks class)...
but in those halycon days of the 1950s that seem so popular with Republicans, we had all those things and more...
plus a 90% top marginal tax rate. now, it's nominally about a third of that and typically much, much less.
go figure.
but in those halycon days of the 1950s that seem so popular with Republicans, we had all those things and more...
plus a 90% top marginal tax rate. now, it's nominally about a third of that and typically much, much less.
go figure.
5
I don't care if the trump budget is DOA. We have to hang this "Final Solution" for the poor around the neck of every single republican and then tie them back to trump. Campaign in the rust belt, the rural areas and make them understand what trump and company are trying to do. Beat them (trump/republicans) over the head with this evil monstrosity of a budget and when they are bloody and laying on the floor, beat them some more.
2
Ryan says our last President never even tried to balance the budget? He forgets how he got his new job, as Ways and Means Chairman, by stabbing Boehner in the back. Then we watched Ted Cruz shut down to government to promote his crusade against Planned Parenthood, right? So as he continues to reign as Speaker of the House (and next in line after Trump and Pence go to the gallows), we pause to ponder how HIS budget, balanced on the assumption that repealing Obamcare would create an economic boom for us all, wrapped in secrecy until virtually the day of the vote, ignored its 17% support among "the people" with his guidance for their "legislature."
Paul, do you suppose we ought to pay down some of those trillions in bonds we sold to let the War in Iraq "trickle down" to the people you want to die outside the hospitals, lose their schools, and watch their fixed incomes disappear under the interest rates---BEFORE we balance the budget by reducing the taxes of corporations and their owners?
And he doesn't think Comey is a "nut job." Isn't that insubordination?
Paul, do you suppose we ought to pay down some of those trillions in bonds we sold to let the War in Iraq "trickle down" to the people you want to die outside the hospitals, lose their schools, and watch their fixed incomes disappear under the interest rates---BEFORE we balance the budget by reducing the taxes of corporations and their owners?
And he doesn't think Comey is a "nut job." Isn't that insubordination?
3
Trump has shown that he wants to eliminate anything that constitutes a safety net for the poorest 90% of the country. And most of the GOP agrees, and would go along with all of this if they didn't have to answer to the voters back home. No wonder many are avoiding their constituents. Of course the more money they get from the Koch Brothers et al, the less accountable they are to voters. It's going to be a bloody revolution.
2
Mulvaney says, “Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.” I'm one of the folks who's been paying for it for most of my adult life, and I'd a lot rather see my payments go to help people in need, schools, parks, libraries, and the like than funneling my money to Exxon-Mobile, Haliburton, and the other dirty crooks who are driving the current administration.
190
The problem the GOP faces here is: how do you cut social welfare benefits for non-whites, while keeping those same benefits for whites? They do have enough fawning media spreading disinformation to possibly pull it off.
3
It's just obscene on every moral and human level to have so many zeros and decimal points, but to prioritize war machines and social spending on the rich at the expense of human lives at the middle and bottom of the scale.
Tax 3rd, 4th, and 5th homes out of existence.
Tax the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 100 million out of existence.
Tax the people that will not miss another zero or decimal point.
You, as a human being do not have a right to 10's of thousands of square feet to live in, while people do not have any money for food, medicine or shelter.
Freedom is not to use the planet at all of our expense.
Tax 3rd, 4th, and 5th homes out of existence.
Tax the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 100 million out of existence.
Tax the people that will not miss another zero or decimal point.
You, as a human being do not have a right to 10's of thousands of square feet to live in, while people do not have any money for food, medicine or shelter.
Freedom is not to use the planet at all of our expense.
6
Every time I see a GOP budget, I think of an entity liquidating itself. Not taking care of the equipment properly; not sharpening employee skills; shareholders grabbing what they can, while they can; not planning for the future.
But Trump presenting a liquidation budget brings a whole new dimension, since he seems to be better at it than any past president in my lifetime.
But Trump presenting a liquidation budget brings a whole new dimension, since he seems to be better at it than any past president in my lifetime.
2
Release of the Trump Budget is a terrorist strike aimed at striking fear if the working class and poor, threatening their very survival.
2
I call my senators and state representative daily, stating that I am against this proposed budget, and I make it clear that a tax break would actually benefit me. But because of how immoral and disgusting it is, I voice my concern over the proposal. I urge all readers to do the same.
as has been mentioned before, America is already great... and especially so for the rich.
but the very rich always want MORE.
Yet the Republicans castigate drug addicts when they are the same personality types themselves.
but the very rich always want MORE.
Yet the Republicans castigate drug addicts when they are the same personality types themselves.
2
There are numerous examples of fairer, more efficient, and less complicated tax systems of various types (income, corporate, consumption, property, estate, etc.) around the world. To cite one example, 160 countries employ a VAT; we’re the only OECD country that does not. Ah, but then we’re “exceptional”. Then there’s the issue of what to spend tax revenues on: Health care for all? Affordable college education? Infrastructure? Or, alternatively, a more bloated “defense” system, a border wall, or to give a break to the needy rich. We are exceptionally misguided.
4
A VAT is made fairer in many countries by exempting or reducing the rate on certain categories of goods, for example food or energy. It also usually supplements, not replaces, more progressive additional taxes on, for example income - often without the U.S. system’s exemptions, deductions, credits, and other carve-outs.
2
"Arbeit macht frei": why not just give this budget a real title that exactly captures its tone and underlying motives.
8
For the poor and the middle class - no health care, no food, no housing, no education. For the rich and GOP - no regulations, no taxes, no morals. Making America Great Again. Perfect.
15
bad call. only those oblivious or who indulge in ruthless greedy lives would say we need compassion for "both" sides.
the rich need and deserve NO compassion. the notion that they do is merely a consequence of a overall tyrrany of our socioeconomic structure--namely Capitalism, whose ends nave NOTHING to do with compassion for the poor, the downtrodden, etc etc. it is fatuous to suggest the rich need compassion.
heck, this makes me so mad i could 'spit'.
the rich need and deserve NO compassion. the notion that they do is merely a consequence of a overall tyrrany of our socioeconomic structure--namely Capitalism, whose ends nave NOTHING to do with compassion for the poor, the downtrodden, etc etc. it is fatuous to suggest the rich need compassion.
heck, this makes me so mad i could 'spit'.
But this worked so well in Kansas!
7
Is there anybody out there who would care to bet on who will benefit most from a "Trump Budget"? Poor people? Rich People? Corporations? We are fortunate that the budget has no chance of passing as is, but you might enjoy some new ways of "weasel-wording" as the GOP tries to explain who would benefit. I bet at least one of them will mention "Reagan" and/or "trickle-down"................and assign all blame to Obama.
5
Just typical heartless Republican nonsense from people who profess to be Religious. Screw the poor, screw the working class and give tax breaks to Millionaires and Billionaires. Just bad human beings.
4
While "Compassionate Conservatism" was the Trojan Horse approach, I think we're seeing the "Great Negotiator" approach here. Offer 10 cents on the dollar, and then settle for 50 cents. Of course, you could overplay this hand and get no deal at all.
1
Mick Mulvaney is the aberration here. The last time South Carolina's 5th District was Republican was 1883. He's up for re-election in 2018.
2
Of course we need more money for the military. In no time at all we will be heavily involved up to the necks of our troops in a land war in the Middle East.
2
If I lined my cat's litter box with this budget, he would look at it and say "Well that's
redundant."
redundant."
3
How can tRump not have empathy to his fellow disabled Americans? He himself is handicapped; he's deaf, dumb and blind. Deaf because he doesn't really "hear" anything, dumb because he's just plain dumb (not speechless because that he isn't), and blind because he really doesn't see what does not pertain to him and him alone.
4
In my opinion, the only hope for Republicans to have any credibility in any upcoming elections is to step up and separate themselves boldly from the reactive and incompetent President, VP Pence and this crazy administration of deceit and denial. For the Democrats the only hope is to bring your best to the table and drop any overly socialist or feminist priorities and focus on sensible human priorities of fairness and balance for all and regain strength and credibility. No Hillary Clinton voice in the forefront regardless of her abilities as she is toxic to this time of national crisis. There's no time to debate that. Sanders and Obama are working in their own ways and I'd like to hear more from Sanders, Franken and other tough forthright voices of experience,strength and hope. The world's a mess. Climates going to consume us faster and worse than thought, leaving us literally with less to consume. Investigation hopefully will provide what is needed for impeachment.
Indictments of others would be good.
Indictments of others would be good.
5
What is an "overly feminist" priority? Feminism means the sexes are treated equally -- the very definition of balance. I'm having trouble grasping how that balance could in any way conflict with sensible human priorities. Can you explain?
Hello, They are synonymous
“At least we now have common objectives,” Speaker Paul D. Ryan said, noting that the “last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget.”
With no Republican help President Obama saved the financial industry and its masters from collapse, the auto industry from bankruptcy, prevented a second Great Depression, kept America "safe" from terrorist attack, eliminated Bin Laden, brought life saving healthcare insurance to millions of Americans, presided over a scandal free Executive Branch for 8 years, reduced our tax deficit, achieved a record 75 months of jobs growth for Americans, and much more.
And Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan did what during those eight years?
With no Republican help President Obama saved the financial industry and its masters from collapse, the auto industry from bankruptcy, prevented a second Great Depression, kept America "safe" from terrorist attack, eliminated Bin Laden, brought life saving healthcare insurance to millions of Americans, presided over a scandal free Executive Branch for 8 years, reduced our tax deficit, achieved a record 75 months of jobs growth for Americans, and much more.
And Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan did what during those eight years?
391
Obstructed Obama every step of the way. Obama could have achieved a lot more if they would have helped him a little. For example, Obama proposed an infrastructure bill that was soundly rejected by the Republicans. Now, Republicans want to spend a lot more on infrastructure and because they are proposing it, it is now a good idea instead of a bad one.
AMEN!
I'm not sure we are talking about the same Pres obama. If I remember right he and his admin let Lehman Bros collapse, he didn't keep GM from going bankrupt, ( he poured money into the union coffers) and cheated millions of American people out of their GM STOCK. Ford didn't receive a dime from the govt because of their good management. As far as terrorist attacks I guess the half dozen or so of terrorist killings of innocent people here at home don't count. Bin laden I'll give you but we never did see a photo of him, did we. Scandal free executive branch, how about operation fast and furious, maybe spying on journalists doesn't count, Lois leaner , IRS, Benghazi killings, Holder held in contempt, should I go on or is this enough.
Now we will see how Pelose and Shummer respond during the next 8 years
Now we will see how Pelose and Shummer respond during the next 8 years
Expect the imminent second coming of Ayn Rand, who will anoint Paul Ryan and Mick Mulvaney and will offer to all her opus magnum "The Virtue of Selfishness."
15
Here's a budget idea, Congress: Freeze extraneous travel for Trump. He's spent approximately $26M traveling to Mar-a-Lago -- enough cash to pay the bill for 4k Medicaid recipients.
29
This is the cruellest budget in history. It reeks of greed and neglect of the most vulnerable in our nation. The 1% minions devised this to enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us poor schlubs, the schlubbiest of which are the blinkered Trump voters, who will suffer the most.
Sad.
Sad.
13
Obama and the Democrats could not pass a budget even while controlling both houses. From 2009-2016 every Obama budget was rejected. Some failed by votes of 98-0 and 99-0. Of course, no mention of this by the NYT.
How's that attempted deflection workin' for ya?
Funny "Taxpayers First" since Trump doesn't pay taxes.
7
Cruel and shameful. Ignorance, greed, and callousness on steroids. Shouldn't even be touted as legitimate budgeting for a nation, by Congress, by the "experts", by the media.
3
I think we need to rethink some of our programs however I fail to see why we need so much military spending and a border wall. If it's America first we can cut the military and still defend our borders.
2
Voters who live in Red States just need to block out an hour or so of your day, every single day, to contact (and contact, and contact and contact, and contact, and...) your elected Congressional "representatives" to express your displeasure with their budget, and "health care", and whatever other plans they come up with. AND inform them that you will NOT be voting for them, ever again. And, start developing more responsible/responsive candidates NOW, and VOTE for them when the time comes. There's plenty of blame to go around for the disaster we find ourselves in, and apathetic/uninformed citizens bear part of that blame. Red Staters - STOP voting for people who clearly intend to screw you!
7
I can't wait to see what masterpiece the Republican House produces this time. I wouldn't trust these people with safety scissors. Their one advantage is that anything is better than the Mulvaney/Trump proposal. You almost need to assume the President's budget was intended as a political stunt. Now the White House and Congress are engaged in a cock fight to see who takes the blame. Democrats naturally. Deficit hawks like to talk big when it's not their lives and livelihood on the chopping block. Push comes to shove though, they're all just pork and no action.
Give the power back to the Democrats. At least they're honest about deficit spending. They also aren't as venomously spiteful in their political targeting.
Give the power back to the Democrats. At least they're honest about deficit spending. They also aren't as venomously spiteful in their political targeting.
5
This is a GOP plan that no politician in their right mind would support. But Trump is not in is right mind and has no problem shafting millions of the less fortunate for the advantage of the fortunate.
6
The title they put on it . . . A New Foundation For American Greatness . . .is a pathetic display of shameless self promotion and hype. It feels like Madison Avenue is trying to turn this country, which they probably do anyway. Most people know when they're being sold a phony bill of goods which is why salesmen are held in such low regard, right below lawyers. They could have saved a few bucks and just slapped a leftover Trump/Pence bumper sticker on it. At least try and show a real understanding of what frugality means.
2
Hopefully the millions of printed pages used to communicate this worthless "budget" will be recyclable into something more useful. Like bathroom tissue.
7
How coincidental that Trump was out of the country & "out to lunch"when this draconian budget was introduced. Meanwhile at home, Mulvaney & Ryan make reprehensible statements of Dickensonian proportions.
4
Trump could save the country a lot of money and help the environment if only he would stop printing massive documents that he knows are headed straight to the trash.
6
The Republicans will only spend as little as possible to buy enough votes to stay in power. I have a suggestion. Let's start by eliminating useless members of Congress. I'll volunteer mine (Darrell Issa) and his good partner in crime, Duncan Hunter. Let's drain the swamp under the Capitol and plant grass instead. I'm sure the voters of CA and CO will be happy :-)
4
It's time to move Trump and his band of sychophants out of the White House.
Let the impeachment hearings begin.
Let the impeachment hearings begin.
1
This administration will propose and if they get their way, carry out a budget where it is two scoops for Trump/his big business friends and one or no scoops for everyone else. If you weren't born or married rich forget it, you don't get a key to the club. That is the new America.
98
You have no idea of what it is you're talking about. Reality isn't what you feel, dear. The republicans were not the party who lost 6T unaccounted for dollars in the Defense budget. They inherited that from Clinton and now Obama. These politicians are the slaves of the finance industry who calls the shots. Trump is an outsider who was opposed by everyone. That should tell you that the powers that you rails against, the powers that be, are not happy with Trump because he could actually change things for the better. Cosmic disclosure is at hand.
NIMBY. Republicans are all for draconian cuts as long as the don't negatively impact their voters. Notice I used the word "voter" rather than "constituents." All they care about is keeping their jobs.
2
Taxpayer First? I certainly hope that false slogan doesn't represent the President personally.
5
people keep gobbling up sugar covered donuts, too. they know it's unhealthy but they just can't help themselves. it's part of the reptilian brain, like the GOP.
1
Definitely tired of winning.
4
The Republicans refuse to acknowledge that Medicaid is actually an entitlement that keeps hospitals open. Hospitals are probably the largest, and best paying, employers in most rural Congressional districts. These cuts will lead to hospital closures and the loss of income tax revenues from hospital employees.
The deficit could be resolved by returning the capital gains tax, the estate tax and the income tax to Clinton era levels. Also, in the name of fairness, closing the carried interest loophole. Why do these ideas never occur to conservatives?
I would be thrilled to see a return of Clinton-era growth. The Republicans are lousy economic stewards and never seem to learn that tax cuts do not promote growth. Look no further than Kansas for an example of the true cost of Republican tax-cut mania.
The deficit could be resolved by returning the capital gains tax, the estate tax and the income tax to Clinton era levels. Also, in the name of fairness, closing the carried interest loophole. Why do these ideas never occur to conservatives?
I would be thrilled to see a return of Clinton-era growth. The Republicans are lousy economic stewards and never seem to learn that tax cuts do not promote growth. Look no further than Kansas for an example of the true cost of Republican tax-cut mania.
24
When will people learn that austerity does not work?
5
This isn't "austerity"! It does impose draconian cuts for the poor, but you cannot call a budget with billions in tax cuts for the rich "austere"! If it were a truly austere budget, the military would be cut, oil depletion allowances and support for extreme exploitation of resources would be eliminates, and taxes at the high end would go up dramatically to ensure that the programs that keep America functioning keep going. These people don't want a strong America. They want money, now, and lots of it, so they can try to hide from the looming tsunami of collapse.
7
The definition of austerity is NOT taking money from the working class and giving it to the uber rich. That definition would fall under the concept of class warfare. I think it's time that a non-partisan research group be given the task of telling us if "Trickle Down" economics works, and to what degree. Either prove that this idea works, and I mean really works, or it goes on the scrap heap of failed ideas forever. Put your money where your mouth is, or shut-up. This manipulated term has done nothing except devastate the working class of this country. We all know that the real job creators are the middle and working class, we all know they are the back-bone of America, and dollar for dollar their demand outstrips the leisure class by (?) what. Tell us, tell us if a hundred billion dollars in the hands of the working classes would create more jobs than the same amount of money in Swiss Bank Accounts. I dare you.
6
There was another time in history where one country's policy was to rid their population of defective, debilitated and undesirable people by force. Trump will do it through tax cuts.
3
Financial eugenics.
7
“Compassion needs to be on both sides of that equation,” he said on Tuesday. “Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
One of the most disgusting self serving quotes ever.
I have paid well over 2.5 million in taxes in my life, had no kids in school, never received unemployment etc. and I do not feel abused. Need to get out my towel and hankie. Boo hooo for me, what an abusing world. Please give me some compassion ....
What unadulterated drivel.
One of the most disgusting self serving quotes ever.
I have paid well over 2.5 million in taxes in my life, had no kids in school, never received unemployment etc. and I do not feel abused. Need to get out my towel and hankie. Boo hooo for me, what an abusing world. Please give me some compassion ....
What unadulterated drivel.
32
Austerity? Seriously? While the President and his family rack up millions in travel expenses? While we finance Trump Towers & Mara Lago? Austerity? They do not care about us. They do not care about protesters. We are like cockroaches. The only thing we are good for is to work as wait staff and cleaners of their mansions and resorts. They seem to be ignorant of the state of our country. Will they be calling the military they are building against the rioters when things really go loud?
14
Mary, the Trumps import their Mar-a-Lago workers from Haiti and Romania on H-2B visas because “getting help in Palm Beach during the season is almost impossible.”
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/20/the-foreign-workers-of-mar-...
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/20/the-foreign-workers-of-mar-...
I sincerely hope this budget created by Pumpkin Head to pass "as is" by GOP leading House thus every single blessings to be given to those who still support him. Hallelujah !
2
This is a tax cut for the wealthy, and Mulvaney is using the very few who game the system as wholesale propaganda to sell it nationwide.
Despicable.
Despicable.
4
When was the last time Congress passed a real budget? Haven't we been operating on "continuing resolutions" for years?
2
The purpose of this obscenity of a budget is to make the next one seem OK in comparison. And that one will be only slightly less extreme. Just as we have become inured to the daily crazy output of our so-called President, we will end up "thankful" the final budget is not that first budget. What a world...
7
Why are they increasing spending on the military? We already have an army bigger that the next 7 armiesCOMBINED. NO ONE IS ATTACKING US!!! If they did, that type of army couldn't fight it. and they haven't won a war in 70 years!!! We are giving up our retirement, our children's education, our health to pay for a military that doesn't do, and never will do anything sucesfully. Except make a few families that make a lot of moeney from it, richer than anyone has ever been n all of history!!
5
Because John McCain wants it. He said this budget doesn't give enough $$ to the military.
We are such a screwed up country. Lord help us.
We are such a screwed up country. Lord help us.
Indeed! And worst of all, none of this extra budget for the military will go to pay for housing, rehabilitation, long term care, or employment support for spouses. It's all going to bomb makers. Disgusting.
3
And we haven't won a war in over 70 years. Funny how that works isn't it?
“At least we now have common objectives,” Speaker Paul D. Ryan said, noting that the “last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget.” I think Congress must be experimenting with new math if Trump's proposal, with a $2 b hole and assumptions that are unrealistic is characterized as a proposal to balance the budget.
4
This just states the obvious that Trump and Mulvaney hate America and all Americans. Trump and Mulvaney, especially hate the poor and not well-to-do Americans, the Americans that turned out enmass and voted for him in November of 2016.
3
"America Last - WhiteHouse.gov"
1
All my NYT Co-Commenters - We are in for a rough patch.
Here's how Americans work - they need to FEEL what happens when Republicans do what they preach. Even though they've owned the purse strings for years, they hid behind Obama as the reason things aren't going swimmingly.
The great thing about Trump being elected is that they now own everything (except the media, especially with Fox being Ailes-less and O'Reilly-less) - they can't do "nothing" any more. If we don't let them enact their plans, they will blame the left - I live in Kansas - where the Governor's reason the economy here isn't growing is that we just haven't given it enough time. Keep cutting the wealthy peoples' taxes until we are actually PAYING the wealthy to exist, and maybe - just maybe - they will start hiring people or create businesses.
It is tragic that millions may die or the country continues its move into banana republicanism, but only then will a big enough crack form in the fortress of unfettered capitalism and demonization of public support to let us get back to being human.
Here's how Americans work - they need to FEEL what happens when Republicans do what they preach. Even though they've owned the purse strings for years, they hid behind Obama as the reason things aren't going swimmingly.
The great thing about Trump being elected is that they now own everything (except the media, especially with Fox being Ailes-less and O'Reilly-less) - they can't do "nothing" any more. If we don't let them enact their plans, they will blame the left - I live in Kansas - where the Governor's reason the economy here isn't growing is that we just haven't given it enough time. Keep cutting the wealthy peoples' taxes until we are actually PAYING the wealthy to exist, and maybe - just maybe - they will start hiring people or create businesses.
It is tragic that millions may die or the country continues its move into banana republicanism, but only then will a big enough crack form in the fortress of unfettered capitalism and demonization of public support to let us get back to being human.
3
How about the idea the the white Republicans want to take us to an US version of apartheid before the whites become the minority? They want the money, the power, all of the perks. We get nothing. Literally nothing.
We can't let this happen. #resist
We can't let this happen. #resist
1
Agree - the "Donor" half of the Republicans, who drive the actual policies (1%'ers) will ensure that the USMC is engaged on their behalf if it comes to a revolution. The "Voter" half of the party will just have to suck it up, and they'll blame the Progressives for holding back the less-successful white folks, keeping the 99%'ers fighting among themselves.
This bill is useless as a spending document, but it is invaluable as an indication of the priorities of the Republicans. Picture a world where we spend billions on walls to keep people out, and have failing bridges that keep people from moving around. His biggest lie is that the American people will benefit from having the private sector own the transportation system, even if it starts with the rest areas on the freeways.
11
Ouch! Are The Donald and Mick proposing to privatize the transportation system? That would be disastrous for everyone. We would quickly see toll roads return to the system and each state could potentially impose boundary fees as well. Businesses would have to pay more to have their trucks move across the country and that increase would be passed on to consumers. Vacationers would cut back on their travel plans which would hurt the tourism industry. Non-toll roads would see an increase in traffic which would increase wear and tear on those roads. That increased damage would require an increase in maintenance which would be picked up by states and then passed along to consumers as increased gas taxes and other taxes. States would also approve more bond issues to maintain these roads. Where's the win from this plan? I don't see it.
1
"President" Trump's "Already-at-Zero Deductions Taxpayer First" - the rest of us underneath their feet.
3
...and still not a jobs bill anywhere in sight, yet coal miners and factory workers are still supporting Donald with all their might.
Watching people demand their own demise is nothing short of stunning.
Watching people demand their own demise is nothing short of stunning.
255
Let's face it, Chantel....Grand Old Poison successfully drowned America's IQ in a bathtub of white spite the last 35 to 50 years and Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy has rendered Republistan permanently brain-dead.
The Whites R Us political model is a great way to drive the country off a right-wing cliff.
The Whites R Us political model is a great way to drive the country off a right-wing cliff.
4
There's a book about it -- What's the Matter with Kansas?
1
they are waiting for kellyanne to conjure up some alternative jobs.
1
Why the surprise that a party headed by a man who publicly maligned--in an extremely cruel way--a reporter (or is that "enemy of the state"?) conjured up this plan? Trump is on record that women over 35 are no longer of interest to him.
It also is no surprise that he wants to cut Medicaid, which covers the bills for something like 75% or more of those in nursing homes, the majority of whom are women.
And even in NYC the mass transit system has fewer than 20% of its stations able to accommodate those with (mobility) disabilities. When we can't see or engage with fellow citizens with disabilities, or who reside in nursing homes, or are isolated for other reasons, it's that much more difficult to develop compassion. Apparently at least for Republicans.
It also is no surprise that he wants to cut Medicaid, which covers the bills for something like 75% or more of those in nursing homes, the majority of whom are women.
And even in NYC the mass transit system has fewer than 20% of its stations able to accommodate those with (mobility) disabilities. When we can't see or engage with fellow citizens with disabilities, or who reside in nursing homes, or are isolated for other reasons, it's that much more difficult to develop compassion. Apparently at least for Republicans.
5
Mr. Mulvaney just spend one week making beds and cleaning up your hotel rooms or one week picking lettuce in a hot field or one week cleaning up a patient in a nursing home. I could go on and on. I am sure on Sundays you and your family go to church and believe in Jesus.
Well sir, what would Jesus say about your concern for "compassion on both sides."
You are a PHONY MR. Mulvaney, a destroyer of poor people lives.
Well sir, what would Jesus say about your concern for "compassion on both sides."
You are a PHONY MR. Mulvaney, a destroyer of poor people lives.
13
When it comes to bleeding quite a lot of people dry, this scheme certainly does top the trump university scheme.
4
Tax cuts do not stimulate the economy. That is a fallacy. The wealthy who benefit from tax cuts will horde their savings, and the economy will remain fallow. Provide resources or tax relief to the economically stressed lower and middle classes, and they will immediately put those resources back into the economy. We need to shift the discussion from "trickle down" to "Bubble Up"
16
Capitalism does not work when there are those who are so greedy that it cause deep inequality that causes revolutions. When will (R)'s learn that greed is NOT good?
5
Your slanted reporting is a shame to our country. Everybody in the U.S. does not hate Donald Trump. He won the election because this country wanted him instead of his opponent who has been proven to be a criminal. Not a perfect man..maybe far from it, but he is our President, get over it. Let the man do his job. Give him a chance. If he doesn't do the job then we can get rid of him. The short time he has been in the White House he has done extremely well compared to the same time of other presidents in the last 30 years. Thanks hearing me out and for reading my opinion.
Best regards,
Just an average American, loving his country.
Best regards,
Just an average American, loving his country.
Firstly, Donald Trump DID NOT win the popular vote = FACT. He is incapable of doing his job based on the antics of the first 120+ days and lack of appointments needed to run the machine called USA = FACT. "His Opponent" was NOT proven to be a criminal based on the facts of now-fired James Comey's FBI investigation = FACT. In fact, what he has achieved is completely dividing the country, embarassing and compromising the international stance of the country and opening the violent hatred of Pandora's Box of inhumanity.
5
Some flaws in your argument:
1. Hillary Clinton is NOT proven to be a criminal. By his own words, though, Trump is guilty of obstruction of justice and, perhaps, treason.
2. Trump was elected by less that 1/2 of the less than 60% of Americans who voted. Thus, he was elected by about 25% of eligible Americans. As I am sure you know, he lost the popular vote. By over 3 milliion votes. And we will be sure to sign up those who didn't vote and get them to the polls for Democrats in 2018.
3. He has done well with what? A bunch of Executive Orders that mean nothing? His health care plan? Dead in the water? The wall? Dead in the water, not in the budget. Mexico paying for his wall? HAHAHAH!! Jobs?? Those jobs he touts all of the time were arranged by Obama, and Carrier is offshoring more than the 800 or so jobs he bragged of keeping. Lock her up? Fail. Stock market?? Crashing, more every day. Housing starts?? Worst start in years.
Here are some successes:
Sharing Israel's secrets with Russia? Success.
Trying to stop the intel agencies from investigating him? Success.
Obstruction of justice? Success.
Being the lowest rated President at this point in his term in history? Success.
And rather than being an average loving American, you seem like a typical Trump cult member.
Sad.
1. Hillary Clinton is NOT proven to be a criminal. By his own words, though, Trump is guilty of obstruction of justice and, perhaps, treason.
2. Trump was elected by less that 1/2 of the less than 60% of Americans who voted. Thus, he was elected by about 25% of eligible Americans. As I am sure you know, he lost the popular vote. By over 3 milliion votes. And we will be sure to sign up those who didn't vote and get them to the polls for Democrats in 2018.
3. He has done well with what? A bunch of Executive Orders that mean nothing? His health care plan? Dead in the water? The wall? Dead in the water, not in the budget. Mexico paying for his wall? HAHAHAH!! Jobs?? Those jobs he touts all of the time were arranged by Obama, and Carrier is offshoring more than the 800 or so jobs he bragged of keeping. Lock her up? Fail. Stock market?? Crashing, more every day. Housing starts?? Worst start in years.
Here are some successes:
Sharing Israel's secrets with Russia? Success.
Trying to stop the intel agencies from investigating him? Success.
Obstruction of justice? Success.
Being the lowest rated President at this point in his term in history? Success.
And rather than being an average loving American, you seem like a typical Trump cult member.
Sad.
9
So you approve of deep cuts in Medicaid and huge tax cuts for the rich? If you ARE "an average American" you have ~$16K in credit card debt (and interest is no longer deductible) and a mortgage of ~$132,000. You earn around $50k and pay $8-$10,000 per year for your personal healthcare insurance. You will NOT get a tax cut, and your premiums will go up if Congress manages to repeal the ACA, because they aim to put more money in the hands of insurance companies--your money, not theirs! If lose your job, you will lose your insurance too. Don't look for help from Medicaid, because it will be largely extinct for anyone above abject poverty. Don't bother with a vacation because the National Parks Service will be gone, and most national parks will given over to oil rigs and refineries. Hope you don't have kids, because sending them to school will either mean grossly underfunded public schools or grossly expensive "charter" schools. If you live in a city and a disease breaks out, you will be more or less on your own, and you won't see it coming because the budget cuts deeply into the ability of the CDC to track, monitor, and manage disease outbreaks. You say we can get rid of him if he doesn't do the job. Do you think that scares him? by the time we are able to vote him out, he will be several times more wealthy than he was before. And the damage he does between now and then take years to undo, if we can ever. If we "just give him more time", what other disasters will we face?
5
Brand as a taxpayer first budget it seems the only taxpayers they're concerned with is Mr. Trump and his friends
3
Trusting Republicans on a tax bill? Last time they passed a bill in the house they misled us that people with preexisting conditions would be protected.
But what was true was a heart patient or a cancer patient might sign up for insurance, yet their treatment might not be covered. Sneaky trick, there, GOP.
Earlier in May, Frank Clemente, Director of Americans for Tax Fairness, explained all this nonsense---->
"The math behind the Republican healthcare repeal plan: Subtract healthcare from 24 million people. Add $600 billion in tax giveaways, mostly for the wealthy and corporations. Multiply out-of-pocket costs for senior citizens by 5. Divide all Americans. This equation didn't work out the last time they tried it, and it still doesn't work today. That's why Republicans in Congress wanted to exempt themselves and their staffs from their own lousy plan while refusing to wait for the Congressional Budget Office to estimate its costs."
But what was true was a heart patient or a cancer patient might sign up for insurance, yet their treatment might not be covered. Sneaky trick, there, GOP.
Earlier in May, Frank Clemente, Director of Americans for Tax Fairness, explained all this nonsense---->
"The math behind the Republican healthcare repeal plan: Subtract healthcare from 24 million people. Add $600 billion in tax giveaways, mostly for the wealthy and corporations. Multiply out-of-pocket costs for senior citizens by 5. Divide all Americans. This equation didn't work out the last time they tried it, and it still doesn't work today. That's why Republicans in Congress wanted to exempt themselves and their staffs from their own lousy plan while refusing to wait for the Congressional Budget Office to estimate its costs."
1
Was this whole thing just a negotiating ploy? Put up something extreme and then pull back a bit and claim that you gave in?
2
Republicans would be wise to just pass continuing resolutions indexed to inflation until after he is removed from office along with Pence, Ryan and Tillerson who are all implicated in trumprussia and the cover up. When Democrats are in control of congress again in a year and a half we can have a serious budget written by serious people who know policy and can do 4 function math. Leave the important work for people who know what they are doing.
But they won't. They will continue to flail around making a giant mess.
But they won't. They will continue to flail around making a giant mess.
Conservatives just make a mockery of public policy and government- everyone honest knows that the only policy that would raise economic growth and the standard of living is to raise workers wages and reinforce the financial safety net programs- giving money to people who need and will spend it on goods and services- the focus of the last 40 years on ever increasing profits for owners only allows 10% of the population to grow wealth-people who don't really need it to improve their lives!
1
There will be no austerity in the Trump Towers in New York City, Istanbul, Manila, Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, Ramat Gan, West Java, Seoul, Panama, Mumbai etc. nor the Trump white house aka Mar-a-Lago.
Confusing Trump's budget proposal as President with Trump's personal, family and corporate income tax and business holdings benefit is the essence of an immoral unjust conflict of interests.
Confusing Trump's budget proposal as President with Trump's personal, family and corporate income tax and business holdings benefit is the essence of an immoral unjust conflict of interests.
3
"you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it” -- that would be the blue states, which pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal aid. Compassion for blue states is to enact drastic red policies?
4
I looking over the interactive display of what has been cut from various programs, I have not seen where Congress is cutting the 5% taxpayer match from their 401k plans nor any change to the taxpayer funded pension plans for members of Congress.
6
It's a well-worn page out of the GOP playbook, convince the lower income and middle class voters that tax cuts for the wealthy will create trickle-down prosperity for all. And Trump enhanced and took it to an entirely new level by injecting a mix of bigotry and nationalist pride. It was a "tremendous" con game run very successfully by an expert grifter.
While doubtful the GOP will embrace the most draconian cuts in the budget proposal, Fox News and other Trump sycophant media outlets are already hard at work selling it to the Trump base. And this hardcore base won't kick up much resistance, they firmly believe without any cynicism that Trump cares deeply about them and is actually looking out for them with tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
While doubtful the GOP will embrace the most draconian cuts in the budget proposal, Fox News and other Trump sycophant media outlets are already hard at work selling it to the Trump base. And this hardcore base won't kick up much resistance, they firmly believe without any cynicism that Trump cares deeply about them and is actually looking out for them with tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
107
If Democrats have any plans to win in 2018 they need to start the truth and consequences of Trumpism and GOP's lambs to the slaughter plan for America. Number of death increases, drug abuse increase, unemployed, lost jobs, increased wealth to the .05%, lower taxes on rich, higher taxes and higher medical bills for middle class, etc.
After this administration's no doubt ignoble end, this crop of GOP legislators will be remembered as collaborators of the Vichy stripe. I don't blame Trump; his policies are merely a comic book version of the standard GOP line. Hopefully this is their last hurrah, but the Democrats better come up with a better appeal than "not Trump," or else they will continue to tank nationwide. How about an actual populist economic platform focused on inequality and single-payer?
1
After reviewing the budget cuts as impacts indicted in a below article, I find little wrong with the proposal. More will be saved when they clean out the non-productive and overpaid Government Employees.
"Overpaid, non productive government employees", that would be the Trump administration.
3
Even when the GOP loses they win. Their standing routine is to start with outlandish proposals and pound the table for weeks. This almost never works but when the dust settles the needle has inched a little further right than where it started. Now we live in a country where the center is right-of-Reagan and people like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are anomalies in the left wing party.
1
It does not go unnoticed that the Republicans are giving the first draft budget a DOA based on their 2018 re-election chances. There is power in the vote, we just have to make sure that does not go unnoticed.
1
If religion was to be my reference in how to care for people, I would choose Jesus's political platform to follow...Feed the poor, heal the sick, fight the money changers, treat man..woman..and child equally, don't preach any particular religion but instead a connection to God.
5
Democrats should still hang these proposals around the Republican's necks in 2018 regardless of whether they are passed into law.
Just take any part of it and say in campaign commercials:
"I stand against my opponent who's party calls for -------."
Just fill in the blank with the worst of this budget.
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
If I say I propose that we should drown puppies but it is never implemented, I still said it. It now defines me.
Every draconian line of this budget is a rope for hanging in 2018.
Use it Democrats!
Just take any part of it and say in campaign commercials:
"I stand against my opponent who's party calls for -------."
Just fill in the blank with the worst of this budget.
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
If I say I propose that we should drown puppies but it is never implemented, I still said it. It now defines me.
Every draconian line of this budget is a rope for hanging in 2018.
Use it Democrats!
12
David Koch’s Libertarian Platform 1980
TO BE ABOLISHED:
Department of Energy (DOE)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA)
Federal Communications Commissions (FCC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Federal Reserve
Social Security
Welfare
Public Schools
Taxation
All branches of the military accept the Army
Does this sound at all familiar?
With the Koch's family history with Stalin and Hitler...this should come as no surprise. Also, with the Koch’s attempting to overthrown the Iranian Government for money reasons, these meetings shouldn’t come as any surprise.
TO BE ABOLISHED:
Department of Energy (DOE)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA)
Federal Communications Commissions (FCC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Federal Reserve
Social Security
Welfare
Public Schools
Taxation
All branches of the military accept the Army
Does this sound at all familiar?
With the Koch's family history with Stalin and Hitler...this should come as no surprise. Also, with the Koch’s attempting to overthrown the Iranian Government for money reasons, these meetings shouldn’t come as any surprise.
8
I believe that the investigation of the Russian influence into the presidential race should also include investigating any illegal activity into any inappropriate influence or force used on Electoral College voters to vote for Trump. If one were to “plot” how to place a particular person into office, besides attacking the mass media, in all of its forms (which it has proven to be true that Russian hackers did exactly that) to include Fox News’ fake information barrage combined with the GOP’s (Government Operatives for Pay) doing their part into the manipulation of particular target groups within the US population combined with Gerrymandering and Voter restrictions…wouldn’t you have also attacked the Electoral College members as well. The plot might not attack all of them but definitely the electoral members who historically have been deemed to vote Democrat. ..why would you waste time/money/energy into influencing the already afflicted voters. The influence would be in the forms of bribes (would show up in bank accounts, houses/land being paid off, kids college being paid, new cars, medical bills being paid off, extravagant trips, large sums of money showing up in bank accounts). The influence would be in the form of threats endangering the Electoral College members themselves, their family or their friends. After all, the Electoral College is where the real weirdness in the voting process took place. The taking over a nation, a coup, would not be a trivial thing.
2
"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
--John F. Kennedy
--John F. Kennedy
17
Is Trump just the useful idiot of the GOP ideologues in concocting these hateful budgets or is he simply masterminding his own tax windfall while the getting is good. Talk about bad choices.
7
Both!
Couldn't help but notice that the sign behind the podium says, "President Trump's " Taxpayer First Budget.
He just HAS to put his name on everything! I'll bet that there was an argument about having it done in golden ink.
And Taxpayer First !? First what?
Talk about damaging a brand....
He just HAS to put his name on everything! I'll bet that there was an argument about having it done in golden ink.
And Taxpayer First !? First what?
Talk about damaging a brand....
13
Boy, over the last 40 years we've tried this tax cut builds economies nonsense over and over again and have plenty of history to prove that it doesn't work. Too, not a single credible Economist agrees that it does.
20
Trump and his cronies don't care about anything but making more money for themselves off the backs of most Americans. They are heartless human beings who are trying to make America great again for the rich.
29
Why are there 10 Million more people on food stamps now than in 2007? I though we had full employment and a great economy under Obama. The answer is that Obama thought that massively increasing welfare rolls would buy more votes. People are sick of our wallets being raided to buy votes for democrats. This is why we elected Trump and is a result of sickness over 8 years of the incompetent Obama and his constant lying.
Welfare rolls were expanded to cover the huge increase in unemployment after the financial crisis, resulting in mass unemployment and the loss of housing. This was not really a 'liberal' policy so much as the solution to a humanitarian crisis.
I agree that we can tighten the criteria for welfare and the obligation for able bodied people to work to receive financial assistance.
I agree that we can tighten the criteria for welfare and the obligation for able bodied people to work to receive financial assistance.
1
Do you personally know anyone of food stamps? Maybe you should look around and actually talk to some of them. The ones I've known were either elderly, handicapped or struggling to live with a job that barely pays their rent.
Would you want to be in their shoes?
Would you want to be in their shoes?
Somehow this double-speaking administration will convince the down-and-out coal miners that the 1% billionaires are deserving of their"compassion".
After all, up is now down and black is now white in this crazy mixed up world of trump.
After all, up is now down and black is now white in this crazy mixed up world of trump.
23
Think about this; Rich people got rich by saving money and skimping on spending. They will horde the tax cuts profits. Poor people will spend the money growing the economy.
25
Think about this: the income of a typical wall st hedge fund manager for one year of dismal earnings is probably enough to rescue NY's subway system. Obviously these people need more money to invest overseas.
3
It's a pyramid scheme, picture it, millions of People at the bottom shell out their life's savings, people at the pencil tip top reap all the benefits. Totally unfair perhaps America is a land of unfairness, our founding fathers did not foresee.
1
Rich people get rich in one of a few ways.
If they are Gates, Jobs, Musk, Cuban...they make money by inventing something new, and by being very savvy in their marketing of what they have
If they are like Rockefeller they inherit wealth and manage it well.
If they are like orange they inherit a fortune, mismanage it, but use lawyers to rip off their victims.
But your analysis is fundamentally correct. Rich people will not spend massive tax breaks. They may buy a new gold commode or another yacht, but they will look for places to invest that money where it will give the highest short term yield. That investment is wherever that happens to be, whether in the US creating a housing bubble economy like we got with the Bush tax cuts, or in "Asian Tigers" and junk bonds like we had under Reagan.
If they are Gates, Jobs, Musk, Cuban...they make money by inventing something new, and by being very savvy in their marketing of what they have
If they are like Rockefeller they inherit wealth and manage it well.
If they are like orange they inherit a fortune, mismanage it, but use lawyers to rip off their victims.
But your analysis is fundamentally correct. Rich people will not spend massive tax breaks. They may buy a new gold commode or another yacht, but they will look for places to invest that money where it will give the highest short term yield. That investment is wherever that happens to be, whether in the US creating a housing bubble economy like we got with the Bush tax cuts, or in "Asian Tigers" and junk bonds like we had under Reagan.
1
Republican leaders: Compassionate not. Caring not. Analytical not. Honest not. Pro-woman not. Inclusive not. For all citizens not.
Christians absolutely NOT. When will that mantel be destroyed? Only when they are called non-Christians loudly and clearly.
Christians absolutely NOT. When will that mantel be destroyed? Only when they are called non-Christians loudly and clearly.
16
These people have one job: getting themselves reelected. Nothing else matters.
1
Kansas. PEROID.
20
An article so typical of the times awful Political Desk, a piece of politics as theater criticism and sports writing style. A count of how many "gotshas" and an unthinking acceptance of the idea of a "balance budget" as the Holy Grail of "sound government." No attention is paid to the effect of polices being promoted, the interests being served, or the people who will suffer. Republicans alleged intentions and goals as they state them are taken at face value, when they are simply absurd, or as Larry Summers has written, ludicrous. These are the same "balanced" article that were written under Reagan and George W. Bush. What a waste of space: the political desk of the New York Times. SAD!!
4
There are innumerable article on the NYT detailing how the proudly hurts various constituencies including not only lengthy text, but colorful charts for those who no longer like to read.
It's helpful to remember that both parties share a desire, expressed in that quaint Victorian phrase, to "grind the faces of the poor." The Republicans do it to benefit the rich, The Democrats are too disorganized to remember or admit why they do it. We have an underclass in this country abandoned by the elite. Trump spoke to them in a way that neither party cares to match.
1
Trump LIED to them in a way that no one should want to match.
1
"At least we now have common objectives..." Paul Ryan on the House, Senate, and Executive branch objective to take from the poor and redistribute to the rich. When the coming class war really starts we must remember who started it.
25
The Republicans and their president, are devoid of compassion, ethics and heart!
Flip the House in 2018!
Flip the House in 2018!
35
If we the people are in a true democracy, we can make it happen.
1
We can have war, or we can have healthcare.
We can have war, or we can have a clean environment.
We can have war, or we can have national parks.
We can have war, or we can have a middle class that will reduce the need for a social safety net.
We can have war, or we can engage the world with trade and diplomacy and principle. We know how the current administration stands on trade and diplomacy and principle.
We can have war, or we can have a clean environment.
We can have war, or we can have national parks.
We can have war, or we can have a middle class that will reduce the need for a social safety net.
We can have war, or we can engage the world with trade and diplomacy and principle. We know how the current administration stands on trade and diplomacy and principle.
40
Nobody wants war but a sure way to have one is to demonstrate weakness to the bullies of the world, like Iran and North Korea. Obama botched every single foreign policy decision he made and the reason is quite simple, he never had a job in his life and looked at everything through the prism of his radical left wing buddies and mentors. His 8 years goes down as the most incompetence in leadership ever demonstrated.
Even if all you say were right, this administration would win on incompetence hands down.
2
“Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
isn't this the flaw in the reasoning of the gop? these two groups are not mutually exclusive. people move on and off government assistance as their fortunes wax and wane. the people paying taxes now may very well need help later on, or have had help in the past.
that's the point. helping others, we help ourselves. this seems lost on the gop.
isn't this the flaw in the reasoning of the gop? these two groups are not mutually exclusive. people move on and off government assistance as their fortunes wax and wane. the people paying taxes now may very well need help later on, or have had help in the past.
that's the point. helping others, we help ourselves. this seems lost on the gop.
23
Unless it affects them, their friends, or families directly, they have no empathy or sympathy for the less fortunate.
You happily gave 55% of everything you make to the military. Armies and navies that never win wars. You are in $20 TRILLION in debt because of military spending. Yet you whine about 3% of your taxes feeding the poor, taking care of the elderly and providing you a safety net if you ever need it. You get ZERO from the military. They do not keep you safe. They do not win wars. They do nothing for you and you never mention them at all.
1
I am so glad someone made that point.
When I was unemployed for about a year during the depths of the recent Recession, I received subsidized healthcare. I have been back working full-time for the past 3+ years and am happy for my tax dollars to help cover the healthcare of some other unfortunate soul.
When I was unemployed for about a year during the depths of the recent Recession, I received subsidized healthcare. I have been back working full-time for the past 3+ years and am happy for my tax dollars to help cover the healthcare of some other unfortunate soul.
4
Austerity and sacrifice for whom? The GOP is economic racism. The wealthy will not suffer.
20
Austerity?? By the GOP? What a joke Who is bringing this austerity and compassionate cliches up again? More media blitzes by the GOP. Will the Democrats never learn the art of media control? They are outdone decade after decade.
119
Austerity is the opposite of spending and will impede the economy with no way to get to the fantasy of three percent growth.
2
The democrats need to start the campaign now. Advertise the cruelty. Act like the republicans and vilify THEM. It's the one thing they are good at, vilification
1
All President Budgets are DOA, why do them? Harry Reid kept the Senate from passing a budget that would get reconciled with a Republican House budget for years, and our nation floundered along drifting into bankruptcy. This Trump blueprint is poor. Best thing the Republicans could do would be for Ryan to kill the Hastert Rule (he was a deviate anyway unless we now condone pedophilia) and let the sane people in both parties govern! Naugh, never happen.
Paul Ryan's comment is exactly who he is, " Steal from the poor and give to the rich"
After reading this proposed budget the only cuts were made to the tax paying little guy and departments that protect the wellbeing of the people and planet.
Social Security has been paid for by the people and invested. We pay taxes on that money that we have earned as it is received . No different than an IRA account. So government wants to take a piece of that for who? Same with Medicare. Between paying for Medicare Part B, supplements for a health policy and drug plan for two we pay over $600.00 a month and it increases every year! What happened to the campaign promise of leaving it alone. If anything it should be improving with the cost of living.
Time to go after Ryan's and McConnells cushy retirement plan from a job that is suppose to be representing the people. That would save the country plenty.
After reading this proposed budget the only cuts were made to the tax paying little guy and departments that protect the wellbeing of the people and planet.
Social Security has been paid for by the people and invested. We pay taxes on that money that we have earned as it is received . No different than an IRA account. So government wants to take a piece of that for who? Same with Medicare. Between paying for Medicare Part B, supplements for a health policy and drug plan for two we pay over $600.00 a month and it increases every year! What happened to the campaign promise of leaving it alone. If anything it should be improving with the cost of living.
Time to go after Ryan's and McConnells cushy retirement plan from a job that is suppose to be representing the people. That would save the country plenty.
4
Reading the details of the proposed budget and the republicans call for austerity I was shocked how cruel and short sighted these so called "men" really are. They want a Russian economy; an oligarchy and a oppressed and poor citizenship; slaves, if you will. The Republicans are the enemy of the people. There is simply no other way to see it at this point unless you stick your head in the sand and refuse to look. They must be defeated in every upcoming election or we will have no country left to defend.
7
Yes, just like healthcare, they never mean what they say, nor do they mean what they do. They just throw everything up in the air and see what sticks, then go back to their tea party overseers and do their bidding. These people have no business in running the government.
2
$2 Trillion accounting error. Proudly pointing the middle finger towards the establishment; taking away health kids' care, nixing cancer research and increasing starvation. I'm not speechless, but out of breath. Pure incompetence.
16
These Republicans are diabolical. It's a lie that Trump and his minions are helping low or middle income families left behind by this economy.
What they have in store are huge tax cuts for the rich. Welfare for corporations. Extra money for the wealthiest. Who don't need it.
Dismantling health care for the rest of us, Republicans want to do something big---and that is to finalize the largest ever transfer of money from average Americans to the richest of the rich. Low income families--much worse off.
Millionaires rake in 79% of the tax cuts. To pay for this bill, Republican slash Medicaid. And cut tax credits meant to help a moderate income family afford health insurance/health care---which they are making much more expensive.
People with high incomes won't have to pay their Medicare Payroll Tax--- Republicans plan to undermine Medicare. Everything this bill does brings less money into the Treasury. They really are blowing up our government. President Trump hasn't even read the bill. Or the last one. Or the one before that. He won't do it. No interest. No stamina. This is President Bannon on steroids.
What they have in store are huge tax cuts for the rich. Welfare for corporations. Extra money for the wealthiest. Who don't need it.
Dismantling health care for the rest of us, Republicans want to do something big---and that is to finalize the largest ever transfer of money from average Americans to the richest of the rich. Low income families--much worse off.
Millionaires rake in 79% of the tax cuts. To pay for this bill, Republican slash Medicaid. And cut tax credits meant to help a moderate income family afford health insurance/health care---which they are making much more expensive.
People with high incomes won't have to pay their Medicare Payroll Tax--- Republicans plan to undermine Medicare. Everything this bill does brings less money into the Treasury. They really are blowing up our government. President Trump hasn't even read the bill. Or the last one. Or the one before that. He won't do it. No interest. No stamina. This is President Bannon on steroids.
5
The challenge of right-wing politicians has always been how to deliver the goods to their rich campaign donors while convincing the "base" to vote against their own economic interests. Republicans rely on Americans to be good law-abiding sheep, and to smile while they are being financially fleeced. Small pockets of consciousness and resistance offer hope. Like the students of Trump University who were so enamored with Mr. Trump they paid to study him. In time, many of them woke up to the fact that they were being fleeced. They organized with one another and fought back. They won, and Mr. Trump lost. Today, Americans should look to their example, and fight back for healthcare and a decent budget that delivers the goods to average American families, not the swamp of Goldman Sachs executives and country club leisure class.
16
I don't understand why the .1% don't want a sustainable economy. Sure, they'd pay more in taxes. But they would still be able to afford a 200 ft. yacht and a fleet of Jaguars. Paying more taxes would make no discernable difference in their lifestyles. But they would sit atop a thriving, stable country that supported their continued ability to be rich without fear of the future. As it is, they are perched precariously atop a crumbling country with a rage-filled population that will eventually get out the pitchforks. Or perhaps they know this and simply don't care? I suppose their private security forces will dispatch the marauding citizenry with ease. The ultra-rich appear to be willing to destroy the country to have an extra billion dollars.
45
"Let them eat cake." - Marie Antoinette "Let the damn kids die." - Donald Trump.
28
I hope that the rank and file Trump supporters out there in PA, WV, OH, WI, MI, and the entirety of the "heartland" are taking following the budget machinations very closely. I have 3 questions for you:
1) How does almost a trillion TRILLION, dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations (including an estimated $4Billion savings for the Trumps) help reduce the deficit?
2) How's that "cut taxes and reap the economic miracle of unburdening the 'job creators' " working out in Kansas?
3) Can you afford to pay for mom's or dad's nursing home when Medicaid won't or can't?
Are we Great Again, yet?
1) How does almost a trillion TRILLION, dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations (including an estimated $4Billion savings for the Trumps) help reduce the deficit?
2) How's that "cut taxes and reap the economic miracle of unburdening the 'job creators' " working out in Kansas?
3) Can you afford to pay for mom's or dad's nursing home when Medicaid won't or can't?
Are we Great Again, yet?
86
This is up there with one of the most contemptible statements I've read in a while:
"Compassion needs to be on both sides of that equation,” he said on Tuesday. “Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
While I strive to be a compassionate, empathetic and kind person to everyone, the asymmetric comparison of an individual who cannot afford shelter, food or healthcare, relative to a person whose tax bill prevented him/her from buying a vacation home is more than a little obnoxious.
"Compassion needs to be on both sides of that equation,” he said on Tuesday. “Yes, you have to have compassion for folks who are receiving the federal funds, but also you have to have compassion for the folks who are paying it.”
While I strive to be a compassionate, empathetic and kind person to everyone, the asymmetric comparison of an individual who cannot afford shelter, food or healthcare, relative to a person whose tax bill prevented him/her from buying a vacation home is more than a little obnoxious.
519
dont you think that if the government was more efficient and those not deserving did not receive such services that folks who actually need services would have a better existence? or should we just continue to push money into an abyss?
Well, the GOP has a lot of experience at "obnoxious", don't they?
well... the middle class and working poor pay most of the taxes... so there is a perverse truth to the statement...
Republican Mantra:
Feed the Greedy
Starve the Needy
Feed the Greedy
Starve the Needy
29
Trump and the GO/Tea see the Social Safety Net as "evil entitlements" forcing Americans (I guess, mostly, Children, Elderly the Disabled regarding Food Stamps) to "mooch" off the system.
However no where ... no where ... do I see Corporate Welfare even being discussed by the Republicans. No where do I see Lindsey Graham say this about the Military Budget. That the U.S. spends more for the Military than THE NEXT 9 COUNTRIES ... COMBINED! Who are we protecting ourselves from? Forget that the Pentagon "misplaced" Trillions of Dollars that is rarely spoken about in Right-Wing circles!
I remember a few years ago Paul Ryan, when asked about getting the Rich to pay more in taxes and he stammered, "Class Warfare". I agree with Paul Ryan. Class Warfare has been perpetrated against the Middle-Class and Poor for decades and, in my opinion, don't think the "Great Unwashed" are going to put up with it any longer.
However no where ... no where ... do I see Corporate Welfare even being discussed by the Republicans. No where do I see Lindsey Graham say this about the Military Budget. That the U.S. spends more for the Military than THE NEXT 9 COUNTRIES ... COMBINED! Who are we protecting ourselves from? Forget that the Pentagon "misplaced" Trillions of Dollars that is rarely spoken about in Right-Wing circles!
I remember a few years ago Paul Ryan, when asked about getting the Rich to pay more in taxes and he stammered, "Class Warfare". I agree with Paul Ryan. Class Warfare has been perpetrated against the Middle-Class and Poor for decades and, in my opinion, don't think the "Great Unwashed" are going to put up with it any longer.
1
The driving influence in our leaders lives. Nothing about jobs.
Donald Trump is a Hitler worshiper (Mein Kampf & Hitler’s Speeches): Has said he “loves war” “we have nukes, why don’t we use them” and now wants to increase military spending along with increasing our nuclear stockpile and abilities.
Steve Bannon (the alt-president) is a Strauss and Neil Howe (general theorists) worshiper: Strauss and Neil argued that American history operates in four-stage cycles that move from major crisis to awakening to major crisis. These crises are called “Fourth Turnings”. Bannon, in interviews, speeches and writing — and especially in his embrace of Strauss and Howe — he has made clear that he is, first and foremost, an apocalypticist. Bannon believes that war is inevitable.
Paul Ryan worships Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged): Rand’s thinking is “sorely needed right now” because we are “living in an Ayn Rand novel”, “the reason I got involved in public service,” that he makes it (Ayn Rand) “required reading in my office for all my interns and my staff,”
Ayn Rand:
“I ask them if they believe in God. And if they say they do-then, I know they don’t believe in life.”
Donald Trump is a Hitler worshiper (Mein Kampf & Hitler’s Speeches): Has said he “loves war” “we have nukes, why don’t we use them” and now wants to increase military spending along with increasing our nuclear stockpile and abilities.
Steve Bannon (the alt-president) is a Strauss and Neil Howe (general theorists) worshiper: Strauss and Neil argued that American history operates in four-stage cycles that move from major crisis to awakening to major crisis. These crises are called “Fourth Turnings”. Bannon, in interviews, speeches and writing — and especially in his embrace of Strauss and Howe — he has made clear that he is, first and foremost, an apocalypticist. Bannon believes that war is inevitable.
Paul Ryan worships Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged): Rand’s thinking is “sorely needed right now” because we are “living in an Ayn Rand novel”, “the reason I got involved in public service,” that he makes it (Ayn Rand) “required reading in my office for all my interns and my staff,”
Ayn Rand:
“I ask them if they believe in God. And if they say they do-then, I know they don’t believe in life.”
1
Ayn Rand proved she was not just an insipid self-involved hypocrite but was a believer in social safety-net programs once she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Your articles contending that the Republican party will push back on Trump's Budget are fantasy. The GOP wants us to THINK that it has the best interests of ALL Americans in mind. Sadly it does not. The GOP spent the last 25 years or so growing a deep bench of elected officials at the city, county, state and federal level, people who are just plain mean spirited when it comes to the less fortunate. Republican fiscal conservatives claim fiscal responsibility when in fact, a small group of very rich people want more for themselves. Add ALEC to draft common extreme language, add total control of all branches of government at every level, add the vile, not fair and not balanced Fox News, and what we have is a well thought out, well done agenda turned into action by a group, the Republicans, that has no intent of giving up all that has been gained through extremely hard work. The Trump budget will mostly be adopted, Obamacare will be repealed. The result will be disastrous unless enough Republicans risk their political futures. Unfortunately, the first goal of all elected officials is to get re-elected. The campaign money lost by Republican members of Congress when they anger Trump/McConnell/Ryan would cause them to lose their jobs. This will not end well for America.
1
This troubled planet is a place of the most violent contrasts.
Those who receive the rewards are totally separated from those who shoulder the burdens.
It is not a wise leadership.
Here on Stratos, everything is incomparably beautiful & pleasant.
While on the surface, the harsh life in the mines is instilling a bitter hatred.
Those who receive the rewards are totally separated from those who shoulder the burdens.
It is not a wise leadership.
Here on Stratos, everything is incomparably beautiful & pleasant.
While on the surface, the harsh life in the mines is instilling a bitter hatred.
1
The dirty little secret Paul Ryan forgets to mention is that Republicans have been more than comfortable with large deficits as long as they get their "pork." Somehow, the wolf-in-sheep's clothing GOP became associated with fiscal austerity when the opposite is true.
It's time the Dems did their homework and show how Republicans attached expensive riders, just as the Dems did, to budget-related bills to bring home their bacon. They are buried deep but they are all their in the Congressional Record.
And the slogan Mulvaney so proudly displayed should be amended to read: "Wealthy Taxpayers First, Last and Always."
It's time the Dems did their homework and show how Republicans attached expensive riders, just as the Dems did, to budget-related bills to bring home their bacon. They are buried deep but they are all their in the Congressional Record.
And the slogan Mulvaney so proudly displayed should be amended to read: "Wealthy Taxpayers First, Last and Always."
The Administration's budget is so draconian, unrealistic and, according to several analyses I have read, mathematically wrong, that it won't stand a chance in Congress.
So what is proposed in the House and Senate can't possibly be any worse, right? But it can still be relying on the same tried and not true trickle down nonsense espoused by Republicans for years. It can still rest on the false dichotomy of "deserving" and "undeserving" recipients of government benefits, riling the same people who shouted "lock her up" at Trump rallies.
We must continue to challenge these amoral and untenable solutions to the economy and not settle for, "gee, it's not as bad as Trump."
So what is proposed in the House and Senate can't possibly be any worse, right? But it can still be relying on the same tried and not true trickle down nonsense espoused by Republicans for years. It can still rest on the false dichotomy of "deserving" and "undeserving" recipients of government benefits, riling the same people who shouted "lock her up" at Trump rallies.
We must continue to challenge these amoral and untenable solutions to the economy and not settle for, "gee, it's not as bad as Trump."
1
If the taxes on he rich and big corporations could be put back where they were in the 1950's this country would be solvent in no time. But the rich and the big corporations, with the help of Republicans like Reagan and Bush, managed to have their taxes cut to the bone and that's when the country started its downhill slide. You can't take a trillion or two trillion dollars out of the country's revenue and still pay its obligations and therefore you get into deficit spending. Things will Ionly get worse with Trump because he will be one of the chief beneficiaries of the the new proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. If the middles class and the sick and the poor think they're bad off now they haven't seen anything yet. This country is in for some really dark days ahead and unless the greed of the rich and the big corporations and their Republican employees can be reined in we're (the 90% who aren't rich) are in for really bad times.
1
Less to the needy, more to the rich and the most expensive military in the history of the world then back into an unrealistic growing GDP number to produce unrealistic growing annual tax revenues. "Voila", the budget balances! Who would have thought!
Certainties with President Trump's proposed budget are tax revenue will be reduced and the rich (including himself, family, advisers) will receive a greater benefit than everyone else. His growth projections to offset the reduction in taxes have been determined by nonpartisan experts to be unrealistic.
Likely, Mr. Trump will be wrong about growing tax revenues and the rich investing into more jobs in our country, rather than putting the money in their investment accounts, and deficits will increase. If so, taxes will likely not be raised since 208 in Congress and 45 in the Senate, all Republicans, signed a Pledge not to damage the "Republican brand" by raising taxes. These Republicans placed their self-interest and that of their party above the interest of our country. They offer no safety net for our country.
These 253 Republicans must rescind their Pledge, and Elected Politicians must stop mismanaging our country for their self-interest, that of their party and special interest contributors.
Elected Politicians must be held responsible for the irresponsible $20 Trillion in national debt and $100 Trillion in future, unfunded liabilities they created and force US taxpayers to service and pay.
http://usdebtforum.com
Certainties with President Trump's proposed budget are tax revenue will be reduced and the rich (including himself, family, advisers) will receive a greater benefit than everyone else. His growth projections to offset the reduction in taxes have been determined by nonpartisan experts to be unrealistic.
Likely, Mr. Trump will be wrong about growing tax revenues and the rich investing into more jobs in our country, rather than putting the money in their investment accounts, and deficits will increase. If so, taxes will likely not be raised since 208 in Congress and 45 in the Senate, all Republicans, signed a Pledge not to damage the "Republican brand" by raising taxes. These Republicans placed their self-interest and that of their party above the interest of our country. They offer no safety net for our country.
These 253 Republicans must rescind their Pledge, and Elected Politicians must stop mismanaging our country for their self-interest, that of their party and special interest contributors.
Elected Politicians must be held responsible for the irresponsible $20 Trillion in national debt and $100 Trillion in future, unfunded liabilities they created and force US taxpayers to service and pay.
http://usdebtforum.com
1
Hey New York Times, you're leaving too many questions unanswered in these budget stories. Who is behind these draconian cuts? Kushner? Ryan? Bannon? Who is feeling emboldened enough to recommend cuts that go against Trump's campaign promises? Or did Trump willingly lie on the campaign trail to get into the White House? If so, how does he plan to keep his base as they will suffer the most under this budget?
And what about some research on the states that have tried this Republican approach (Kansas and Wisconsin come quickly to mind). Why not do some stories on their progress with these types of budgets to give an indication of what we can expect? We know this budget is dead on arrival, but we also know that it will have severe cuts to programs and tax cuts to the rich. What will that do to our economy? To the people who voted for Trump?
And what about some research on the states that have tried this Republican approach (Kansas and Wisconsin come quickly to mind). Why not do some stories on their progress with these types of budgets to give an indication of what we can expect? We know this budget is dead on arrival, but we also know that it will have severe cuts to programs and tax cuts to the rich. What will that do to our economy? To the people who voted for Trump?
2
Anyone who follows politics in any serious way knows Republicans will always wreck the economy, try their best to damage anyone out of the top 1%, base policy on fictions and nonsense.
But Orange is absurd even among Republicans.
But Orange is absurd even among Republicans.
2
Anyone who expected a different kind of budget from this administration is either crazy or naive. This budget exemplifies exactly why people vote Republican. Voters agree that the 1% should pay fewer taxes, while the middle class and poor should pay more. Voters realize that sacrifices must be made on the way to balancing the budget. However, that sacrifice must not come from the richest; it must come from the poor and middle class. It's the Republican way, and it's no secret. If you vote Republican, then this is the budget you asked for.
1
If it was possible for them to keep the funding levels the same for rural white people and cut it for everyone else, they would do it. But instead, they've convinced rural white people to believe simultaneously that they are slugs and also that they are part of the rich man's club. It's quite an accomplishment.
3
Where did we go wrong??
Invading Iraq
Credit default swaps
Invading Iraq
Credit default swaps
4
A Republican budget moves the US closer to being more like these countries:
Gabon - Abundant petroleum and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the most prosperous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa ... However, because of inequality in income distribution, a significant proportion of the population remains poor.
Equatorial Guinea - It is the richest country per capita in Africa,[13] and its gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita ranks 43rd in the world;[14] However, the wealth is distributed very unevenly and few people have benefited from the oil riches ... The UN says that less than half of the population has access to clean drinking water and that 20% of children die before reaching the age of five.
India - In 2015, the Indian economy was the world's seventh largest by nominal GDP and third largest by purchasing power parity.[15] However, it continues to face the challenges of poverty, corruption, malnutrition, and inadequate public healthcare.
Trump supporters: Be careful what you ask for - you may get it.
Gabon - Abundant petroleum and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the most prosperous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa ... However, because of inequality in income distribution, a significant proportion of the population remains poor.
Equatorial Guinea - It is the richest country per capita in Africa,[13] and its gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita ranks 43rd in the world;[14] However, the wealth is distributed very unevenly and few people have benefited from the oil riches ... The UN says that less than half of the population has access to clean drinking water and that 20% of children die before reaching the age of five.
India - In 2015, the Indian economy was the world's seventh largest by nominal GDP and third largest by purchasing power parity.[15] However, it continues to face the challenges of poverty, corruption, malnutrition, and inadequate public healthcare.
Trump supporters: Be careful what you ask for - you may get it.
2
I don't agree with the priorities for this budget. It's important to remember that the budget changes suggested can only happen if Congress actually votes for individual departmental appropriation bills that include the cuts. The likelihood of that happening is, in my opinion, pretty low. Congress has barely been able to even pass an actual departmental appropriation bill for many years (a few times a Defense appropriation has passed). Mostly they just vote for continuing resolutions or large overall budget bills that just move last year's funding forward with some adjustments. There are budget cuts made but it's much harder to write in specific program cuts in these large appropriations. It's especially hard since these bills are usually done at the last minute and often to avoid a government shut down.
17
I don't think that's the point of the outrage. What is so disgusting and demoralizing is that this is the Republicans' fantasy budget. What kind of country do they think we will have if all those people end up living on the street. Maybe driving around in bullet-proof limos is their MO but, honestly, that is what they will need if they ever get their budget wishes. Too many people have guns and are angry. And, no doubt, many of them depend on the government for some sort of financial support. And, no ,I don't think they are takers necessarily. But I do think they (we) will be fighting mad if what little we have is taken away to make available funding for massive tax cuts for the rich.
Here's the pattern we seem to be in. Voters elect Republicans who trash the economy and bring us to the brink of financial ruin. Then, the voters elect Democrats to repair the all too evident and predictable resulting damage. In gratitude, voters then elect Republicans who begin the cycle anew, as if their prior policies never occurred.
Groundhog Day...American Style.
Groundhog Day...American Style.
43
Guess this is the typical Republican Party, at least in its new, ugly clothes, of getting people to say of the final, still deeply anti-working American budget, " hey, it could have been worse!"
1
The silence from the "pro-life" movement and their political handmaidens is deafening. Let's cut services to disabled kids whose parents chose "life", let's cut off funds for nursing homes for seniors who don't chose euthanasia.
9
Austerity.....except of course for the bloated war-mongering Pentagon budget.
5
It would be worth your time and effort to google "The Power Elite" by C Wright Mills. And "The Promise" as well.
Written in the 1960s & both excerpts, each clearly elucidates significant aspects society: how the power structure works (the wealthy, the military, and the corporations) as well as how imperative it is to look at history & biography to understand oneself & the world they live in. Both emphasize the societal impacts on the individual, & offer valuable insight on the role of the individual.
Mills, a sociologist, was not welcomed as he wrote eloquently, clearly about social forces in accessible terms understandable to regular people. He spoke a truth that those in power would not want commoners to understand.
These are my thoughts; I'm not an expert. These readings, especially "The Power Elite" encourage me to remember how so much of what happens to an individual is shaped by larger forces.
Those in high level positions--who in their ignorance do not realize or are not interested in understanding long term, unintended consequences--who dismantle social programs, rather than seeking to revamp them--create more problems, more sick people, more poor and disadvantaged, more uneducated.. the very people they "claim" are the "cause" of societal ills.
No wonder they bash those in education. An uneducated society is easier to rule over, to make fearful and suspicious, and bend to their wishes.
Sad.
Written in the 1960s & both excerpts, each clearly elucidates significant aspects society: how the power structure works (the wealthy, the military, and the corporations) as well as how imperative it is to look at history & biography to understand oneself & the world they live in. Both emphasize the societal impacts on the individual, & offer valuable insight on the role of the individual.
Mills, a sociologist, was not welcomed as he wrote eloquently, clearly about social forces in accessible terms understandable to regular people. He spoke a truth that those in power would not want commoners to understand.
These are my thoughts; I'm not an expert. These readings, especially "The Power Elite" encourage me to remember how so much of what happens to an individual is shaped by larger forces.
Those in high level positions--who in their ignorance do not realize or are not interested in understanding long term, unintended consequences--who dismantle social programs, rather than seeking to revamp them--create more problems, more sick people, more poor and disadvantaged, more uneducated.. the very people they "claim" are the "cause" of societal ills.
No wonder they bash those in education. An uneducated society is easier to rule over, to make fearful and suspicious, and bend to their wishes.
Sad.
6
Trump's budget makes draconian cuts to programs and benefits for Americans that even those who only follow Fox "News" will notice they will be badly hurt
So, why did Trump's administration put their name on a bill that so harms its base? Has Trump decided/concluded he will be a one term President? Are we seeing a Rope-a-Dope strategy between the White House and Congress? Get people all riled up over draconian provisions and then make them feel almost relieved when somewhat less draconian provisions are substituted? Get Democrat representatives in the House and Senate to punch themselves out fighting cuts that Ryan and McConnell never expected to become law - but leaving Democrats too wasted to effectively oppose less draconian cuts to science, medicine and other federal investments that actually make this country great - less draconian damage to the air we breathe, the water we drink - or too wasted to oppose minor cuts to Social Security that create a precedent for greater cuts in next year's budget?
Our military doesn't need $50 billion more per year. We don't need a wall that people can go over & under. We do need to develop, rather than to give to China by default, a clean energy industry that creates jobs and revenue. We do need to protect the paltry 3% of U.S. land that is protected so Americans have some escape from industrialization. We do need to invest in education and supporting work so our population is productive
Let's not fall for a Trojan Horse
So, why did Trump's administration put their name on a bill that so harms its base? Has Trump decided/concluded he will be a one term President? Are we seeing a Rope-a-Dope strategy between the White House and Congress? Get people all riled up over draconian provisions and then make them feel almost relieved when somewhat less draconian provisions are substituted? Get Democrat representatives in the House and Senate to punch themselves out fighting cuts that Ryan and McConnell never expected to become law - but leaving Democrats too wasted to effectively oppose less draconian cuts to science, medicine and other federal investments that actually make this country great - less draconian damage to the air we breathe, the water we drink - or too wasted to oppose minor cuts to Social Security that create a precedent for greater cuts in next year's budget?
Our military doesn't need $50 billion more per year. We don't need a wall that people can go over & under. We do need to develop, rather than to give to China by default, a clean energy industry that creates jobs and revenue. We do need to protect the paltry 3% of U.S. land that is protected so Americans have some escape from industrialization. We do need to invest in education and supporting work so our population is productive
Let's not fall for a Trojan Horse
6
The whole idea that America needs austerity should be ridiculed on both economic and political grounds. America has a strong economy that is the largest in the world. There is no real economic problem that America has that austerity will help. Austerity is the way that you beat down the American economy. Austerity is the way that you inject carnage into the economic lifeblood of the nation. "Austerity" is a tired excuse for cutting social programs for the needy and lowering taxes for the wealthy. Do you really need more austerity in your life? If not, please make sure that your Representatives and Senators understand that. Make sure they understand it very well.
10
Total incompetence.
How do these Republicans continue to get millions of people in this country to vote against their own personal best interests?
I continue to be amazed.
How do these Republicans continue to get millions of people in this country to vote against their own personal best interests?
I continue to be amazed.
14
"Austerity" . . . just more degradation of the meaning of words, of concepts. When the GOP talks austerity, it's austerity for the poor, the politically powerless, working families, and much of the middle class. But under GOP "austerity" there's never any diminishment in the government structured welfare that redistributes greater wealth every year to the already wealthy.
12
Tax cuts meant to inspire "Trickle-Down economics" is fantasy. The reality is that the wealthy invest in "Emerging Markets", Global enterprises, and offshore accounts, everywhere but here in America. The reality of tax cuts is Trickle-OUT economics and was almost always that way.
Tax cuts will merely deprive our own economy as they did in the past.
Anyone who is unwilling to pay taxes without demanding cuts from Republicans is unconcerned with the welfare of the nation.
Tax cuts means the exodus of American wealth. You can't demand three percent growth and expect it if you also issue tax cuts that result in the export of wealth.
Yesterday's American business is now in another nation and not counted in the GDP.
Tax cuts will merely deprive our own economy as they did in the past.
Anyone who is unwilling to pay taxes without demanding cuts from Republicans is unconcerned with the welfare of the nation.
Tax cuts means the exodus of American wealth. You can't demand three percent growth and expect it if you also issue tax cuts that result in the export of wealth.
Yesterday's American business is now in another nation and not counted in the GDP.
4
Supply side economics- failed
Trickle down economics- failed
Voodoo economics- failed
George W. Bush tax cuts- failed
Laffer curve economics- failed
Austerity economics- failed
Trump Casinos- failed
Christie economics- failed
Hoover economics- failed
Brownback economics- failed
Scott Walker economics- failed
Mulvaney budget proposal ?????
No matter what the Republicans call their latest "plan", their economic plan will cause pain to the many and benefit the very few.
Trickle down economics- failed
Voodoo economics- failed
George W. Bush tax cuts- failed
Laffer curve economics- failed
Austerity economics- failed
Trump Casinos- failed
Christie economics- failed
Hoover economics- failed
Brownback economics- failed
Scott Walker economics- failed
Mulvaney budget proposal ?????
No matter what the Republicans call their latest "plan", their economic plan will cause pain to the many and benefit the very few.
14
Is it possible that Representative Earl L. Carter, Republican of Georgia is the only honest hypocrite in the House?
Cut all you want but NIMBY. Even better, cut all you want in the other Party's backyards but leave ours alone.
Cut all you want but NIMBY. Even better, cut all you want in the other Party's backyards but leave ours alone.
2
Please do not say that Mulvaney and his old GOP crew in Congress are fiscal hawks. They push austerity only when the Democrats hold the White House. When there is a GOP president, they pass huge tax cuts that explode the deficit.
7
Mr. Mick, the signs you stood before when making your presentation should have read: the so-called president's RICH PEOPLE FIRST budget.
To quote Representative Joe Wilson: YOU LIE!
To quote Representative Joe Wilson: YOU LIE!
2
His budget will "impose austerity"? Really! Will a tailor be brought into The White House to reduce the size of Kushner's pockets?
5
America's official Anti-Christ political party is doing its ungodly best to ensure that as many Americans as possible 'meet the Lord' as quickly as possible.
GOP 2017
GOP 2017
26
Trump's budget may stand no chance of being enacted, but Democrats should make sure that no one forgets that he proposed punishing the very people who elected him.
304
likewise the House members who voted for the AHCA
1
He is truly a disgusting egomaniac. In my nearly 80 years, I have never spoken this way about any president. Sad for our country.
1
The sad thing is that these people in rural areas that supported Trump just don't get it. They don't get it that their already pee pour hospitals are going to take a hit along with Medicaid and many other issues. My grand-daughters husband went to emergency and was sent home with a plastic bag to throw up in and died a few hours later from a brain aneurism. He should of been kept for observation. I saw a comment on a Trump supporter's face book that congress needs to get rid of Nancy Pelosi. Nancy Pelosi isn't the one wanting to take things away from people. It's Paul Ryan that wants to do away with Social Security, Medicaid and numerous other things that benefit people in rural areas.
1
My sister is severely mentally handicapped, legally blind and is heavily dependent on SSI. (Medicaid) We are very lucky that she is in a facility which takes decent care of her, but there is no guarantee that it will continue.
I have compassion for my sister and others like her; not so much for the Kochs and Mercers who will be getting the tax break. I am utterly outraged by this budget--what is wrong with Republicans? I have never voted for them, but I used to respect some of them.
Seriously, what happened to your party and why aren't those of you who are relatively sane fighting back? (Looking at you, Susan Collins, who is a fig leaf for McConnell et al)
I have compassion for my sister and others like her; not so much for the Kochs and Mercers who will be getting the tax break. I am utterly outraged by this budget--what is wrong with Republicans? I have never voted for them, but I used to respect some of them.
Seriously, what happened to your party and why aren't those of you who are relatively sane fighting back? (Looking at you, Susan Collins, who is a fig leaf for McConnell et al)
334
The kochs have donated 100's of millions to finance cancer research. Mike blumberg reminded us of this fact on sixty minutes.
I'll answer that.
What happened was Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld got into The White House when Gerald Ford was president. They sank their teeth into any area where they saw weakness and took personal advantage of it. They believed then (who knows what they believe now) that by capitalizing on weakness, they themselves personally made things better. Bing bong, bing bing bong, Voo-Doo Economics was born. Trickle down that George Bush Sr. denounced until he was offered lots of room to play with the Carlyle Group, and other little goodies that would benefit him and his investors.
So, LS, this is where the special interests became, in republican's minds, a positive factor in The United States equation. It gave us Erik Prince's Blackwater, it gave us Haliburton, Blackstone, intercontinental fracking, it gave us oil spills in the Gulf, and it gave us Trump, the epitome of Citizens United over We The People.
What happened was Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld got into The White House when Gerald Ford was president. They sank their teeth into any area where they saw weakness and took personal advantage of it. They believed then (who knows what they believe now) that by capitalizing on weakness, they themselves personally made things better. Bing bong, bing bing bong, Voo-Doo Economics was born. Trickle down that George Bush Sr. denounced until he was offered lots of room to play with the Carlyle Group, and other little goodies that would benefit him and his investors.
So, LS, this is where the special interests became, in republican's minds, a positive factor in The United States equation. It gave us Erik Prince's Blackwater, it gave us Haliburton, Blackstone, intercontinental fracking, it gave us oil spills in the Gulf, and it gave us Trump, the epitome of Citizens United over We The People.
1
Compassion is a quality that the GOP has in abundance for itself, its rich donors, the rich corporations that fund its campaigns and no one else. The average American, whom they claim to care about, can count on little or nothing being done for them during this administration. We can count on the GOP attempting and possibly succeeding in impoverishing more of us, denying more of us access to a better life, telling us that we are not worth anything if we aren't rich, and listening very closely to the NRA as it pushes for more guns to be sold.
GOP = Greatly deficient Overconfident Parasites.
GOP = Greatly deficient Overconfident Parasites.
13
Aside from the amusing contradiction so nicely captured by the Georgia congressman Carter -- "cut the fat, but fund every one of my local pet projects!" -- there is a deeper challenge to any effective and humane revision of the Federal budget: too many of the expensive waste is hidden, or wrapped into beneficial or necessary programs in ways that makes it terribly hard to sort out. The Defense budget is by far the most obvious: the vast spending on systems that don't work and aren't needed while soldiers are underpaid and barracks are unprepared are there, but who wants to be "against our men and women in the armed forces"? But many other wasteful initiatives are below the public's radar and dependent on arcane provisions and quiet back-room deals. Every effort to cast light or shame waste has shown that it is alway more tempting to highlight things that sound silly to the average voter, even though they are are not expensive and may actually be useful. Real big budget busters remain in the shadows... starting with major tax giveaways that distort our economy (employer health care deduction, nearly unlimited mortgage deduction, accelerated expensing deduction), but going far beyond into the arcana of departmental budgets.
14
Poor people are losers. Disabled people are losers. Injured and sick people are losers. We all know how Trump sees these folks. He genuflects before Saudi kings and magnates. Tax cuts for winner. No help for losers.
17
Talking to allies has been met with bi-partisan approval since time immemorial. I missed your point.
Bottom line: The Trump crisis continues … and the Republicans are bankrupt of ideas.
Americans are alarmed and confused about their future and are effectively leaderless.
The reality is that the “to do” list keeps growing and getting longer and longer, and nothing is being done !!!
Meanwhile, the White House is in its usual cycle of damage control from the incompetent decisions by their boss.
America’s social fabric and economy are at risk here.
Does America have to endure four years of this nightmare from hell ???
Americans are alarmed and confused about their future and are effectively leaderless.
The reality is that the “to do” list keeps growing and getting longer and longer, and nothing is being done !!!
Meanwhile, the White House is in its usual cycle of damage control from the incompetent decisions by their boss.
America’s social fabric and economy are at risk here.
Does America have to endure four years of this nightmare from hell ???
16
The crisis has been going on since Clinton, then Bush II, Obama, and now Trump! It is a project of the socialists, moderate left, conservatives and alt right financed by zealots and useful idiots!
Trump's budget may push the Congress further to the right which in turn will push the American voters further to the left. Trump is like the caustic material you pour down a clogged sewer drain to dissolve the muck that has backed up the toilet. Time flush out the Congress and make America great again.
7
Every single item of work-product put out by this administration is so extreme as to be a guaranteed and epic fail. In every category. At least we've got their insane predictability going for us at this point. But they won't last. They're only renting their offices. And they shouldn't even bother to unpack.
8
They don't care if it passes. They only care that they can tell their voters they kept their promises by proposing these budget items. They will blame Congress for not passing Don The Con's budget. As long as they can push the blame to Congress, Don The Con's minions will see it as a win. He tried, but the Washington DC swamp kept him from succeeding. It's never about the actual outcome. It's always about the appearance of making the effort.
Interrupting the slide Left is, in and of itself, a positive development. I point to the inexorable increase in the wealth gap, the acknowledgement that the US is no longer the most prosperous nation and the complete failure to even address the fact that our rate of growth seems irrelevant to the political class.
„They are all for reining in spending but want to make certain that their home-state priorities are walled off.“
This is the text book definition of hypocrisy. They all know that theses cuts are extremely hurtful, in many cases plain deadly, and thus not workable, yet the red states feel that as long they are spared the brunt of these ideological, not logical, measues, they are free to spread the terror of chopping lives down like a lawn trimmer.
Hopefully this spookiness will be over soon once the head clown is back in town and has to face the impeachment music along with his enablers. Remember Ryan, once the proceedings begin, you can reiterate: “At least we now have common objectives.”
This is the text book definition of hypocrisy. They all know that theses cuts are extremely hurtful, in many cases plain deadly, and thus not workable, yet the red states feel that as long they are spared the brunt of these ideological, not logical, measues, they are free to spread the terror of chopping lives down like a lawn trimmer.
Hopefully this spookiness will be over soon once the head clown is back in town and has to face the impeachment music along with his enablers. Remember Ryan, once the proceedings begin, you can reiterate: “At least we now have common objectives.”
5
“At least we now have common objectives; the last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget”, said the Speaker for the Princes of Absolute Darkness, Paul Ryan.
The GOP Death Panel's objectives - if enacted - would kill many Americans and the American economy by collapsing the economy, limiting healthcare access and by cutting the safety net in a thousand different places.
The good news is that a small number of millionaires and billionaires would get a nice tax cut.
"Drop dead, America !"
"Take two tax cuts and call me from the morgue."
GOP 2017
The GOP Death Panel's objectives - if enacted - would kill many Americans and the American economy by collapsing the economy, limiting healthcare access and by cutting the safety net in a thousand different places.
The good news is that a small number of millionaires and billionaires would get a nice tax cut.
"Drop dead, America !"
"Take two tax cuts and call me from the morgue."
GOP 2017
79
Greece is no longer considered a successful country.
Here's the dirty little secret of this budget.
The GOP is pushing tax cuts for the rich. For every dollar of tax cuts for the 1% much it will wind up in the hands of lobbyists to give to GOP candidates for reelection. Additionally extracting more concessions from the GOP beneficial to the 1%.
There is simply too much loose money sloshing around Washington and our lawmakers are for sale. Until we get the money out of politics nothing is gonna change for the middle class.
The GOP is pushing tax cuts for the rich. For every dollar of tax cuts for the 1% much it will wind up in the hands of lobbyists to give to GOP candidates for reelection. Additionally extracting more concessions from the GOP beneficial to the 1%.
There is simply too much loose money sloshing around Washington and our lawmakers are for sale. Until we get the money out of politics nothing is gonna change for the middle class.
22
I agree - except that it's not a secret and it's definitely not little.
Yes we need an amendment to the constitution:
Corporations are Not People and Money is Not Speech.
Corporations are Not People and Money is Not Speech.
Absolutely correct replies. Your obviously thinking voters.
But, for various reasons more than one half of all voters simply do not pay any attention to the details or much less care about issues brought up by politicians and vote for them for all the wrong reasons.
There is ample evidence of this; why did Kentucky's "dumb as a box of rocks" overwhelming vote for the obvious nonsense Trump was peddling during the election. This budget, if enacted, would decimate those same poor Kentucky voters.
Perhaps they liked his orange hair?
But, for various reasons more than one half of all voters simply do not pay any attention to the details or much less care about issues brought up by politicians and vote for them for all the wrong reasons.
There is ample evidence of this; why did Kentucky's "dumb as a box of rocks" overwhelming vote for the obvious nonsense Trump was peddling during the election. This budget, if enacted, would decimate those same poor Kentucky voters.
Perhaps they liked his orange hair?
Regarding the President's proposed budget math, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers averred, “This is a mistake no serious business person would make.” This should surprise nobody. Donald Trump is not, never has been nor ever will be a "serious business person." Nor is he a serious president or leader. Still, we ignore the serious risk of his presidency bat our peril.
7
Please don't quote Larry Summers to criticize Trump. Summers is another corporate hack that helped wreck the economy with such great legislation as ending Glad Steagall and legalizing derivatives. Every Democrat is not on our side.
2
No argument here, McGloin. Still, that particular quote from Summers rings true for me.
1
McGloin is right. Bill Clinton's misguided team brought in deregulation.
Another person in this comments section described this budget as vampire economics. I concur. There is no semblance of charity, kindness or Christianity in this proposed budget.
The Republican version of Jesus would vote for this budget. The Jesus I learned of when I was raised as a Catholic and whose example I later sought to personify as a member of the Jesuit religious order as a young man would *not* support this budget.
The GOP excels in hypocrisy.
The Republican version of Jesus would vote for this budget. The Jesus I learned of when I was raised as a Catholic and whose example I later sought to personify as a member of the Jesuit religious order as a young man would *not* support this budget.
The GOP excels in hypocrisy.
9
Charity is different than social policy. Write a check to Catholic Carities and the difference should be apparent immediately.
It appears that our President's budget model is based on the North Korea model. In North Korea, since the hated Americans could attach at any moment, all the money goes to the military and what few crumbs are left over go to the rich friends of the leader. With our President's constant drumbeat of fear, fear of everything, let's give the military more and more money. It's good for the military and it's good for those who own the military contractors. You know those friends of the President that are owned by the few. No investment in families, healthcare, the arts, clean air and water and education. You know those things that are for all of us and that made us the best country in the world.
2
The US spends 3.5% of GDP on its own defense.
“We’re going to have insurance for everybody,” Trump said. “There was a philosophy in some circles that if you can’t pay for it, you don’t get it. That’s not going to happen with us.” People covered under the law “can expect to have great health care. It will be in a much simplified form. Much less expensive and much better.”
2
This is one very valuable role that the Republican Party has served for corporate capital for decades. The Democrats have often benefited politically, as voters groped for a modicum of sanity. But a venal Bill Clinton and DLC saw how they could personally profit, and the Dems too have drifted ever rightward. This leaves a huge vacuum that progressives have failed to fill. Sanders made clear that there is hope, though.
3
Sanders is not a Progressive. He is a socialist.
Yes, Sanders proved both, that you can raise enough money to ruin a presidential campaign without donations from the rich, and the People will vote for a "socialist."
These are very important lessons, along with his main message that we are controlled by a global oligarchy.
We can take or government back, if we are willing to try.
These are very important lessons, along with his main message that we are controlled by a global oligarchy.
We can take or government back, if we are willing to try.
2
The way to rein in spending is to invest in good jobs making taxpayers, and increasing the minimum wage. Medicare For All would also put more money in people's pockets, therefore raising income so higher contributions to government revenue. Even though there would be separate income based health insurance financing, premiums, co-pays, and deductibles would be eliminated. The savings once fully implemented would drop 400 to 500 billion out of insurance expenditures.
So this presents a choice. The GOP thinks punishing people is a good incentive to do better rather than giving lower earners proper tools to do better.
As always, the biggest problem is too many problems. Government however takes on collective concerns and individual rights while society has to provide good paying jobs and services to keep each citizen content and healthy.
So this presents a choice. The GOP thinks punishing people is a good incentive to do better rather than giving lower earners proper tools to do better.
As always, the biggest problem is too many problems. Government however takes on collective concerns and individual rights while society has to provide good paying jobs and services to keep each citizen content and healthy.
1
What are you taking about?
Many Americans remain blissfully unaware of the social goods that the Federal government produces -- weather forecasts, censuses, land management, public health....The list is very long and very rich. It is the fate of these social goods that is at stake in this budget cycle. It is no exaggeration to say that if the Trump proposals are enacted, the United States will have moved a long way towards to the feckless Federal government of the early 1900s. All the programs successive administrations developed to serve and support a modern industrial economy will have be on their way to the scrap heap.
13
Too many people do not remember a time when weather forecasters could give them 15 minutes warning when a tornado was coming or when public health officials could not contain a disease outbreak. This complacency had lead to a real belief that these services are no longer needed.
1
Yes, this is the mission our politicians (including the centrist Democrats) have been on for decades, giving away the national wealth.
Thanks for this article. The box with the detailed breakdown of which programs were being cut or in a few cases increased, and the analysis with quotes from Mr. Mulvaney and folks on Capital Hill, were particularly informative and helpful in gaining a broad brush understanding of where this administration's priorities are.
It is unclear how funding for specific agencies is being cut in this more detailed budget analysis; perhaps the Times could provide that breakdown, along with details on cuts targeted to specific programs per agency. That information, coupled with the chart provided in this article, would provide additional necessary insight.
Good job...
It is unclear how funding for specific agencies is being cut in this more detailed budget analysis; perhaps the Times could provide that breakdown, along with details on cuts targeted to specific programs per agency. That information, coupled with the chart provided in this article, would provide additional necessary insight.
Good job...
"At least we now have common objectives" Speaker Paul Ryan said".....When will we be rid of a Congress who thinks we should all have to live in a third world country?
10
They need a pull as well as a push to make this work.
Right now, workforce participation is at about 63%, compared to 66% in 2007. If enough decent-paying jobs could be created to pull an additional 3-4% of the working-age population into the work force, then the reductions in benefits would be offset by increases in earned income.
The plan is to increase job availability by reducing regulations, reducing illegal immigration, and jawboning employers to hire in the US. Wages would have to go up somewhat, but there may be room for that it the economy starts to grow.
Right now, workforce participation is at about 63%, compared to 66% in 2007. If enough decent-paying jobs could be created to pull an additional 3-4% of the working-age population into the work force, then the reductions in benefits would be offset by increases in earned income.
The plan is to increase job availability by reducing regulations, reducing illegal immigration, and jawboning employers to hire in the US. Wages would have to go up somewhat, but there may be room for that it the economy starts to grow.
1
Jonathan, there are forces at work that your suggestions will not address. Workforce participation is more driven by demographics (aging America) than unemployment. So, your plan requires nearly 100% employment to work. Good luck with that. Reducing regulations also will not work. Regulations such as clean air and water actually help create good paying jobs. For example there are far many more good US jobs in renewable energy (solar, wind) then in fossil fuel extraction such as oil and coal. Your suggestions would actually increase our reliance on fossil fuels and the constant military spending needed to maintain their security globally.
2
@Ted - If you look at the BLS detailed statistics by age group, you will see that people in the 55-64 age range actually have a higher workforce participation rate than the younger segments.
Men ages 25-34, in particular, have an unusually and unexpectedly low rate of participation.
Men ages 25-34, in particular, have an unusually and unexpectedly low rate of participation.
If I could wave a magic wand, I would require that every member of Congress shadow a middle income or working poor constituent full-time for one week. Most are utterly clueless as to how this country punishes the non-wealthy and erects roadblocks to progress at every corner. Serf-level wages, absence of humane employment policies, obscenely expensive healthcare, out of reach college costs exacerbated by unnecessarily high college loan interest, unaffordable child care and schools that are underfunded, and on and on.
I am lucky to be among the highest percentages of income earners. As a result, I see firsthand how the wealthy have made out like bandits in recent years and wouldn't miss a dime if they had to pay more in taxes. Our already reduced tax burden hasn't created more jobs - just more trusts that ensure descendants will never have to work a day in their lives. Due to life experiences and volunteer work I do, I also get to see how stretched and stressed our middle and lower income earners and their children are. Trump's budget and today's Republican party are cruel and destructive to we, the people.
I am lucky to be among the highest percentages of income earners. As a result, I see firsthand how the wealthy have made out like bandits in recent years and wouldn't miss a dime if they had to pay more in taxes. Our already reduced tax burden hasn't created more jobs - just more trusts that ensure descendants will never have to work a day in their lives. Due to life experiences and volunteer work I do, I also get to see how stretched and stressed our middle and lower income earners and their children are. Trump's budget and today's Republican party are cruel and destructive to we, the people.
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J.-
Beautifully said. Thank-you
Beautifully said. Thank-you
"At least we now have common objectives,”
-Speaker Paul Ryan
Let's try to re-phrase that a little. "At least now we have common disarray". They're about as unified as a pack of hyenas. Snapping at each other, double dealing and the like.
Remember when the real party of unity was in power and passed the ACA? Hard work, but thorough and open.
This Administration and Republican Congress will likely get little done of any consequence and by 2018 with a little luck the Democrats will take back the House.
By the way, where's Bannon? Something tells me he had a hand in this abomination of a so called proposed budget by the also so called Executive Branch
-Speaker Paul Ryan
Let's try to re-phrase that a little. "At least now we have common disarray". They're about as unified as a pack of hyenas. Snapping at each other, double dealing and the like.
Remember when the real party of unity was in power and passed the ACA? Hard work, but thorough and open.
This Administration and Republican Congress will likely get little done of any consequence and by 2018 with a little luck the Democrats will take back the House.
By the way, where's Bannon? Something tells me he had a hand in this abomination of a so called proposed budget by the also so called Executive Branch
56
Where's Bannon, you ask? He's behind the 'Wizard-of-Oz' curtain, pulling all the strings.
The U.S. Is simply not to be a country for young, poor and ill people. It will be the home of the free and wealthy, those brave and evidently self-sufficient "haves" who, don't worry, will tend the amber waves of grain.
17
This article falls into the same old scam the Republicans pull every time they control the government. They pretend they are going to cut spending, but actually, they only cut some tiny budget items for the poor, while slashing taxes on the rich.
It won't be until Democrats are in power that they start screaming about deficits again, and blaming Democrats for the bills they ran up.
And global corporate mass media will pretend it's the Democrats and entitlements that are bankrupting the country, and Democrats will barely fight back at all. This is the fifth or sixth time I'm watching this movie in my lifetime, but does this article mention that Bush blew the budget out of the water on both the tax and spending sides? Not a peep.
It won't be until Democrats are in power that they start screaming about deficits again, and blaming Democrats for the bills they ran up.
And global corporate mass media will pretend it's the Democrats and entitlements that are bankrupting the country, and Democrats will barely fight back at all. This is the fifth or sixth time I'm watching this movie in my lifetime, but does this article mention that Bush blew the budget out of the water on both the tax and spending sides? Not a peep.
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Pure evil toward America. Seems like the confederacy lives on.
35
Why is it that the term austerity is never used in the same sentence when speaking about big business or the wealthy? What happened to the Republican credo of balancing the budget and reducing the national debt? What's wrong with increasing taxes on the wealthy and start giving the middle class a tax break we so desperately need? The cost of living, cost of healthcare, raising children and college tuition is taking most, if not all, of our earnings which impacts the overall economy. When wages have been stagnant for quite some time our purchasing power becomes reduced also. The budget needs to put more money in the hands of the middle-class and a little less in the people that can afford it. That's how our society can progress towards a better place for all.
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This the same kind of "trickle down" budgeting that Reagan carried out, but on steroids. It makes no moral sense, drives up the deficit, and gives tax breaks to billionaires. It is a political statement, but has nothing to do with real planning for America's future. Donald Trump's economic team is radically right wing, and radically wrong.
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Everything you say is on target... but Budgets are COMPLEX. Unless we can EFFECTIVELY educate and enlighten our neighbors, they will turn a blind eye out of ignorance.
2
.. but as they will tell us, "we" elected them.
Why do Trump’s voters continue to support programs that are against their own self-interests?
1
It looks like Trump's budget wasn't worth the paper on which it was printed. The paper should be recycled. The budget ideas should not be.
17
The Trump budget like Trumpcare brings life-threatening "carnage" to our most vulnerable and needy citizens in a most callous and cruel attempt to destroy the "social safety net" to provide more "massive" tax cuts for the American oligarchy that is our Executive branch. It goes well-beyond "voodoo economics" into what is truly vampire economics.
29
The Trump GOP Congress has the same goal as its leader Trump: cut spending to harm the poor with less or no health care and worse food and lower middle classes to fund tax cuts for the rich and unnecessarily increase defense spending. Oh, and the Trump GOP also want to degrade water and air quality.
The biggest threats to Americans aren't ISIS or Russia. It's the Trump GOP.
The biggest threats to Americans aren't ISIS or Russia. It's the Trump GOP.
235
Don't be so harsh on tRump, Demosthenes, he is taking Marie Antoinette's (apocryphal) advice and practicing what she preached, he eats cake, with two scoops of ice cream. Now there's a patriot!
Dear GOP: in the words of YOUR Presidential Apprentice- " Losers".
45
Will Democrats fight back with everything they have, legislatively, and at the grassroots, or will they continue to retreat to the right as they have done for 25 years?
45
They don't retreat to the right. Like the Republicans they follow the marching orders of their donors. It was showboating Chucky Schumer that wanted to raise the taxes on the rich except for the Wall Street rich that donated to him. There are two Schumers in every state. Massive immigration to drive down wages which transfers working Americans' money to their employers and investors. Then tax breaks on the money these donors make as a result of the lower wages. Unfortunately the New Democrats, the Bill Clinton ones, are all in on this.
McGloin- as I am typing this comment I'm listening to an interview with Rep Jim McGovern who represents most of Worcester County, MA. He is absolutely apoplectic over this budget. So yes, some are concerned. Our biggest problem is the continued re-election of lawmakers like Ryan and McConnell who prove time and again that they couldn't care less for their constituents and the perils they face. Yet these people send them back to DC year after year. How do we change this?
John- not all elected officials are evil or owned by corporations. Our MA slate of representatives is great. Do you have a problem with Elizabeth Warren, labeled the most liberal in the senate? Bernie Sanders? Tulsey Gabbard? Adam Schiff? We need to start electing people who work for us. Until we can convince voters that we deserve to have our voices heard in DC nothing will change. Painting all of our elected officials with the same brush just further demoralizes us. It's very easy to see how your senators and representatives vote. Knowledge is power. If more voters truly knew how their elected officials voted, either for or against their constituents needs, we would be a far better country but disparaging all is damaging and leads to the apathy we are seeing now where 50% of us don't even bother to vote.
John- not all elected officials are evil or owned by corporations. Our MA slate of representatives is great. Do you have a problem with Elizabeth Warren, labeled the most liberal in the senate? Bernie Sanders? Tulsey Gabbard? Adam Schiff? We need to start electing people who work for us. Until we can convince voters that we deserve to have our voices heard in DC nothing will change. Painting all of our elected officials with the same brush just further demoralizes us. It's very easy to see how your senators and representatives vote. Knowledge is power. If more voters truly knew how their elected officials voted, either for or against their constituents needs, we would be a far better country but disparaging all is damaging and leads to the apathy we are seeing now where 50% of us don't even bother to vote.
1
this budget is going nowhere at all. neither is our current direction as as country. we have a boss that is so polarizing that ennui will be the main output of this administration. the GOP leaders are bereft of spine in telling truth to america. the corporate tax rate is not being paid by any of our corporations and they cry they are being overtaxed. well sorry fellas. if business is not going to pony up why should we the workers keep supporting our bosses. i mean how can general electric keep paying nothing year after year and keep posting profits. really. REALLY? these are questions that new leaders are going to have to solve. i am grateful to be only 17 months away from my medicare. but this budget is nothing to fret over. it is not going anywhere.
20
We must continue to fight as hard as possible until such time as Democrats return to power.
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"...[the] “last president never proposed, let alone tried, to balance the budget. [Speaker Paul D. Ryan said]"
Gee, I wonder if that was because he was trying to save the nation from the Financial Meltdown of 2008, precipitated by Republican policies of deregulation of the financial sector, coupled with their preference for lack of oversight?
Gotta love republican liars; their motto on obfuscation - "go big or go home".
Gee, I wonder if that was because he was trying to save the nation from the Financial Meltdown of 2008, precipitated by Republican policies of deregulation of the financial sector, coupled with their preference for lack of oversight?
Gotta love republican liars; their motto on obfuscation - "go big or go home".
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Paul Ryan seems to have a problem with his memory. None of Ryan's budgets, even with all of his "magical thinking" on economic growth, ever balanced.
5
Bush handed Obama more than a trillion dollars in off budget spending for a war based on lies, and a collapsed economy that cut tax receipts by about another trillion. But according to Republicans were never supposed to mention Bush.
(And don't try to blame the Democrats for the war, a majority of them voted against it, or the recession, with one term of control of one house where none of the Democrat's ideas became law compared to seven and a half years control of both congress and the presidency.)
Republicans blew the debt out of the water, starting with Cheney's announcement that "deficits don't matter'"
(And don't try to blame the Democrats for the war, a majority of them voted against it, or the recession, with one term of control of one house where none of the Democrat's ideas became law compared to seven and a half years control of both congress and the presidency.)
Republicans blew the debt out of the water, starting with Cheney's announcement that "deficits don't matter'"
6
The line from Mick Mulvaney about needing to have compassion for both sides makes me wanna puke.
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There was a cartoon that had a king on a throne, leaning forward and glaring down at a wretched peasant, and saying, "Try to see things from my point of view."
I'd at least respect Mulvaney if "the taxpayers" included middle class or less, or people who make the living by wages.
I'd at least respect Mulvaney if "the taxpayers" included middle class or less, or people who make the living by wages.
Your heart doesn't bleed for the poor billionaires?
2
If only these lawmakers had insight into their contribution to the problem. As each congressional leader and senator attempts to satisfy their constituents, a reasonable budget for the country is nearly impossible. We live in a heterogenous country and those with the loudest voices or those with the greatest direct access to local congressional leaders and senators should not win. A budget should be based on values. Reading the budget it appears military domination trumps all and caring for less fortunate children (mostly due to luck and circumstance) is near the bottom of the list. When pragmatism and compassion comes first that is the leader I'll be voting for.
11
OH PLEASE. The budget is 2/3 entitlements. We are awash in poverty programs. This is merely an attempt to tip the balance slightly toward taxpayers.
1
Here's a perfect example of why the Mulvaney budget is going nowhere. Peter Roskam, a very conservative Congressman from the Chicago suburbs, came out against the cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Mulvaney/Trump budget will reduce the funds for this project from $300 million to zero. Other Republican Congressmen will applaud "reducing spending" but not necessarily in their home districts. It will hurt their constituents, and they are aware of who will be voting in the next elections. However, they don't seem to be at all concerned with how the budget will hurt people in other Congressional districts, especially those districts in urban areas represented by Democrats.
58
You mean even a conservative Republican from the Chicago suburbs wants to drink clean water? Who would have guessed?
"But Republicans on Capitol Hill may seize the moment to impose some austerity of their own without going nearly as far as Mr. Mulvaney or Mr. Trump would like."
Oh really? This is the GOP. Never underestimate the greed of a GOP legislature, headed by Ryan(!) and McConnell(!!) behind closed doors, lubricated with a great marketing team.
The marketers did what they needed to do: reject the maximum-whackadoodle budget proposal to look sane. With expectations of sanity duly cratered, the GOP can now put forward a merely halfway-maximum-whackadoodle budget that still wrecks Medicaid, reproductive rights, and so much more. Your current poverty will seem opulent when they're through.
Voted for them? Congratulations, you're about to get them. Good and hard.
Oh really? This is the GOP. Never underestimate the greed of a GOP legislature, headed by Ryan(!) and McConnell(!!) behind closed doors, lubricated with a great marketing team.
The marketers did what they needed to do: reject the maximum-whackadoodle budget proposal to look sane. With expectations of sanity duly cratered, the GOP can now put forward a merely halfway-maximum-whackadoodle budget that still wrecks Medicaid, reproductive rights, and so much more. Your current poverty will seem opulent when they're through.
Voted for them? Congratulations, you're about to get them. Good and hard.
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It was Obama, following Geithner's lead, who went austerity during a major recession. Revisionist history and short memories are nice. Obama's phony homeowner bailout which was designed from the get go to be a charade. Zillions from the backdoor Fed to the entitled class, while Solyndra and phony homeowner bailouts for the 99%. Blowhard Summers and a banker's best friend Geithner had Obama's ear and contributed to the suffering of the US populace.
You very conveniently forget who got us into the mess in the first place - that would be the Republicans and a Republican administration - the recession was CAUSED by them. While you point to one - ONE - alternative energy company that failed, you conveniently don't mention the pillaging of the taxpayers by too-numerous-to-count businesses, most of which are owned by the Republican one percenters - does the name "Koch" ring a bell? Where was your outrage when the banksters refused to provide those bailouts to the middle class? That was fully aided and abetted by the Republicans. Because, you know, "strangulating regulations".
So despite your rant, it is the Republicans who are to blame for nearly every aspect of the recession.
So despite your rant, it is the Republicans who are to blame for nearly every aspect of the recession.
9
It seems that you conveniently forgot who eliminated Glass-Steagall and even more importantly legislation to regulate derivatives. It was Brooksley born against the Clinton triumvirate of Summers, Greenspan and Rubin (who was negotiating a Citibank job which benefited from unregulated derivatives). There was also their buddy Geithner, the worst Treasury Secretary in our history, who was in the background of that lynching. Brooksley Born went on to get the Profiles in Courage award, while those "economic leaders" have been shown to be the charlatans they are. All of the other stuff did happen under the Bush administration but it never would have happened without Democratic support. Obama did help the middle class. If training your lower wage foreign born replacement is the kind of help you like.
To all you Trump voters, some of whom are my friends and relatives - ask yourself what The Donald, or the Irish Undertaker Ryan, or any of the rest of them want to do for you and your family.
Your only question at the mid-terms should NOT be whether the candidate is an R or a D or and I, but what is that candidate going to do to you and your family. How will your hard earned tax dollars be spent.
Think:education, health care, clean water, health air, jobs. Think how those with no voice, the disabled and our very senior citizens will fare.
Look askance at yet more cuts for the overfed titans at the top.
Your only question at the mid-terms should NOT be whether the candidate is an R or a D or and I, but what is that candidate going to do to you and your family. How will your hard earned tax dollars be spent.
Think:education, health care, clean water, health air, jobs. Think how those with no voice, the disabled and our very senior citizens will fare.
Look askance at yet more cuts for the overfed titans at the top.
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It was Obama who wanted to cut SS during the Simpson Bowles Cat Food Commission. How soon we forget. It was Obama, during the recession and up until he left office, who kept pushing for more foreign born tech workers and accountants, etc. to replace US workers at lower wages. The West Coast construction workers now make less than they did 40 years ago as a result of unfettered immigration. Obama pushed as hard as he could to make US citizens unemployed. As long as one doesn't look at the labor participation rate or the lower wages caused by massive immigration everything is fine. As long as we don't look at the people being driven from the middle class as a result of their reduction in wages caused by immigration, everything is dandy. It was Obama who was pushing for the job killing TPP. People gambled and voted for Trump hoping he would put an end to the carnage in labor. With Hillary it was no gamble, she was going to try bring in as many foreign born as she could to eliminate one's job. Voters had horrific choices.
Poor and middle class voters on the right have been convinced that they should sacrifice their own self interest for the good of the country. It's really quite noble.
Unfortunately, the billionaires they coddle with subsidies, tax cuts, and wars to protect corporate interests, never sacrifice anything for the country or anyone else, and the Republican base respects that.
Seems like a raw deal to me.
Unfortunately, the billionaires they coddle with subsidies, tax cuts, and wars to protect corporate interests, never sacrifice anything for the country or anyone else, and the Republican base respects that.
Seems like a raw deal to me.
6
Obama did try to play with SS true. But the other things you say about immigration being the prime cause of lower wages and unemployment is just fantasy. That dog won't hunt.
Massive immigration doesn't move jobs offshore. Coal Mines don't close because of immigration. Companies look at labor as just another piece of the cost of doing business. If corporations can reduce labor costs they will do it. Nothing odd about that. That's capitalism. How could you possibly extrapolate that the TPP would be job killing? No one could estimate that. As far as I can estimate we have had 5 or 6 years of non governmental job growth.
Massive immigration doesn't move jobs offshore. Coal Mines don't close because of immigration. Companies look at labor as just another piece of the cost of doing business. If corporations can reduce labor costs they will do it. Nothing odd about that. That's capitalism. How could you possibly extrapolate that the TPP would be job killing? No one could estimate that. As far as I can estimate we have had 5 or 6 years of non governmental job growth.
6
It's obvious how the United States has dug itself into such a deficit and debt hole: Washington politicians of both parties have been unwilling to rein in any spending that would adversely affect their home districts. They talk a big fiscally conservative game, but the fear of losing the next election drives the bus, which is headed over a cliff. Are there any Congressional patriots out there who would champion budget cuts that might hurt their constituents? Not bloody likely.
5
If we were to raise the income cap on entitlement payments just a little, the budget problem world be solved.
The size of the US debt compared to the GDP is not exorbitant.
The whole deficit tantrum is an excuse for tax cuts for the rich and budget cuts for everyone else.
The problem is not that there is no money. The problem is that the wrong people have it.
The right never screams about massive give always like wars to enrich global corporations, or the FED giving away trillions to global banks.
If the poor stole all the money, they wouldn't be poor, they'd be billionaires.
The size of the US debt compared to the GDP is not exorbitant.
The whole deficit tantrum is an excuse for tax cuts for the rich and budget cuts for everyone else.
The problem is not that there is no money. The problem is that the wrong people have it.
The right never screams about massive give always like wars to enrich global corporations, or the FED giving away trillions to global banks.
If the poor stole all the money, they wouldn't be poor, they'd be billionaires.
6
A budget has two elements: revenue and expense. The reason we have a deficit is that politicians, particularly those of one party, have pledged not to raise taxes therefore leaving the problem to be solved only through reducing expense. Most will only agree to cut someone else's programs, making it nearly impossible to work from only one side of the ledger. Furthermore, beyond merely not increasing taxes, they have slashed taxes without matching spending cuts that have grown the deficit that are now accruing accumulating interest expense. It is those tax cuts that are mostly responsible for the current debt.
2
"Drain the swamp?" I thinking that in 2018 we're simply going to flush.
52
Yes and a full 5 gallon flush not one of those 1.8 liter flushes. And we'll stand over the bowl to make sure they all go down.
14
Where do we begin here...as Yogi taught us, deja vu all over again.
When republicans are in control, they chop some money off of social welfare programs and give it to the military and vice versa when dems. are in power.
Having said that, this group of reps. in power are trying to repeat the 2nd worst eco downturn in our history in 2008.
The formula? let wall street run wild, deregulate everything, create hugh deficits, give massive tax breaks to billionaires and scrimp on social programs.
Learn from history or forever be condemned to repeat its' worst mistakes.
Apparently the pain in 2008 wasn't great enough. We are ready to do it again.
When republicans are in control, they chop some money off of social welfare programs and give it to the military and vice versa when dems. are in power.
Having said that, this group of reps. in power are trying to repeat the 2nd worst eco downturn in our history in 2008.
The formula? let wall street run wild, deregulate everything, create hugh deficits, give massive tax breaks to billionaires and scrimp on social programs.
Learn from history or forever be condemned to repeat its' worst mistakes.
Apparently the pain in 2008 wasn't great enough. We are ready to do it again.
30
Democrats have not cut military spending.
4
I don't have the stats on hand McGloin, but they generally do a bit or at least don't increase it as much as the reps.
If you mean, big cuts, I agree...the dems usually nip at the military budget, don't slash it.
If you mean, big cuts, I agree...the dems usually nip at the military budget, don't slash it.
1
"This is the quandary for many Republicans: They are all for reining in spending but want to make certain that their home-state priorities are walled off."
It's always been this way and Mulvaney would do well to educate the president on this. But the other thing that gets me about the new "austerity" is how it's been proven ineffective. Heck, they wrote a whole book about it--"What's the Matter with Kansas?: Wisconsin, home of Paul Ryan, has been similarly depressed by huge tax cuts that led to job losses, not gains.
And now Mulvaney wants to impose the failed experiment of these and other states on the entire nation. It's a foolhardy approach: The way to make America great is to invest in its future, not reward the captains of industry at the expense of the struggling middle and lower classes.
His unbelievably callous statement that "compassion needs to be on both side of that equation" will, I think, anger a lot of people, not just Democrats.
Does he really think Americans need to have compassion for billionaires--particularly those who gained their wealth through favored tax treatment and loopholes-- who pay an infinitesimal drop of their income on taxes that spell the difference between life and death for the nation's struggling poor and disable elderly?
It's always been this way and Mulvaney would do well to educate the president on this. But the other thing that gets me about the new "austerity" is how it's been proven ineffective. Heck, they wrote a whole book about it--"What's the Matter with Kansas?: Wisconsin, home of Paul Ryan, has been similarly depressed by huge tax cuts that led to job losses, not gains.
And now Mulvaney wants to impose the failed experiment of these and other states on the entire nation. It's a foolhardy approach: The way to make America great is to invest in its future, not reward the captains of industry at the expense of the struggling middle and lower classes.
His unbelievably callous statement that "compassion needs to be on both side of that equation" will, I think, anger a lot of people, not just Democrats.
Does he really think Americans need to have compassion for billionaires--particularly those who gained their wealth through favored tax treatment and loopholes-- who pay an infinitesimal drop of their income on taxes that spell the difference between life and death for the nation's struggling poor and disable elderly?
315
They won't cut spending, only taxes on the rich. They'll worry about deficits again when Democrats are in power.
17
As a 1%er who spends about 50% of my income in taxes, you have no idea what you are talking about. I'm sick and tired of being your piggy bank. Go Mulvaney.
1
DRS:
Is that taxable income or gross income?
A 50% rate on a high taxable income, after you've taken all the deductions, exemptions, expenses, etc. off the gross income seems reasonable to me.
Is that taxable income or gross income?
A 50% rate on a high taxable income, after you've taken all the deductions, exemptions, expenses, etc. off the gross income seems reasonable to me.
Mulvaney wants equal compassion for those who have the money and those who don't. How does that make sense?
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It makes sense to every loathsome, wealthy crank since Scrooge.
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Republicans keep hammering that investments spur growth. But yet they do everything they can to not invest in America. They will not invest in the societal and physical infrastructure that will make America great. They just want to pad the pockets of their super rich constituents. That's what this budget does and that's what all of the Republican opponents to would love to do if they could get away with it. We will end up with a Mulvaney light budget. The red state voters will cheer that we are making progress. Unfortunately, the fruits of that progress will always be just around the corner. Just give it a little more time, they say. They have been saying that for nearly 40 years.
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