The President unveiled his 2012 budget this morning and it was an eyebrow raiser for folks on both sides of the aisle; certainly for us on the right. I’m not sure if the numbers are accurate, but the “deficit” part of the budget was said to be $1.65 Trillion.
How can it be that we talk about deficit reduction, form a deficit reduction advisory commission, speak to the excessive deficit in the State of the Union address then produce this budget?
I agree that the Deficit Reduction Commission suggested some painful options, but I suspect there isn’t much low hanging fruit. That bi-partisan panel offered both parties an entrée to the options we have in dealing with these tough choices. The President passed on his opportunity to demonstrate responsible leadership. Now we have to try a different strategy.
There is an important date approaching next month where the Congress has to authorize raising the debt ceiling. In order for the President to put our country deeper in debt, the Congress has to agree to it. Could failing to do this be likened to pulling an Emergency Brake?
I am not in favor of raising the debt ceiling. I don’t care what the ramifications might be; this is not a good idea. This should be our line in the sand.
I’ve heard some suggestions regarding what will happen if there is no approval. I would only suggest that the President and his Cabinet meet with their smartest people to start adjusting their budgets accordingly. There will need to be some prioritization of spending to maintain essential services while ramping down and mothballing less essential services.
This may be the only tough language they understand.
In my own family, I’ve been told I was guilty of enabling bad behavior. I won’t deny it’s possible. I know how painful it has been for all the parties involved to change our ways. But, my enabling was as unacceptable as the bad behavior.
I understand that my family situation is not really interchangeable with our Federal Government, but we all understand how difficult it is to take on difficult challenges knowing that the outcome might be very painful for everyone concerned. But if we truly care about our family members, we do it anyway.
I am in favor of using the bi-partisan Deficit Reduction Commission’s report as the guideline for tackling this problem recognizing that the only meaningful solutions will mean altering retirement plans for millions of Americans; myself included. What choice do we have?
Let’s all bite down hard on that leather strap and get on with the procedure!
Maybe if our elected officials can muster the courage to tackle this issue they might also look at the IRS, DSHS, DOE and the EPA!
No Loss for Words 
Get my copy “Understanding the Federal Budget for Dummies!”
by Steve DanaI have to be honest; I have never spent a minute analyzing the Federal Budget. Like most of our elected officials, I have been willing to leave the heavy lifting to “someone else” and trust that things would work out. I guess I have been okay with passing it first then finding out what was in it later.
It’s difficult enough struggling with dedicated funds, enterprise funds and inter-fund transfers of local budgets. How on earth could any elected official understand the ramifications of voting “Yes” or “No” on the Federal Budget?
Is there a book at Barnes & Noble called “Understanding the Federal Budget for Dummies”?
Doesn’t that indicate that we have made the process too complex when our elected officials don’t even know what they are approving?
So how do we simplify the legislative process so that our elected officials at least understand what they are voting on when their leadership asks them to do so? And that might be the real issue; voting a particular way because you are “asked” to do so or suffer the consequences.
Or, do our legislators have too many committee assignments requiring that members of congress be “up to speed” on more numerous topics or more sophisticated topics than they can understand? Is the work more intellectually challenging than they can handle?
How do we reduce this down to a point where most of us could understand what is going on? Is it reasonable for us to want bills coming out of our state legislatures and the congress that the rest of us can understand? I think that would be a good first step.
Then maybe make sure that bills with budget implications be adequately labeled so everyone knows when they approve it that there is a financial component.
The thought of understanding what’s going on here boggles my mind.
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