How many times does one need to say it before people who are supposed to have their fingers on the pulse of the country "get it"?
In February 2010, and again in August 2010 I urged both Houses -- when Democrats still controlled them -- to bring the Ryan budget to a vote. There would have been two possible outcomes: either Republicans vote for it and the battle can be joined by pointing to a specific vote by individual members; OR, Republicans vote against it, in which case it is revealed for its lack of seriousness and the entire party is exposed (once again) to be hypocrites.
I also urged the relevant committees to hold hearings. Big hearings. Televised hearings. Letting both policy experts and people from all walks of life who would be impacted by the Ryan budget testify. Build a record.
And, have the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation score it.
Then, bring it to a vote. Today, in part because the Democrats did not bring the Ryan budget to a vote before the midterms, and thus allowed Republicans to speak in vague generalities about cutting the deficit and failed to show what Republicans intended to do to the country, the Democrats control only the Senate -- and that only because Republicans ran some raving loonies in Delaware, Colorado and Nevada.
So, Senate Democrats were given a reprieve. Now, they need to bring the Ryan budget to a vote. Record carefully how each of the Republicans up for re-election in '12 and '14 votes. And then, challenge the House to do the same.
This year, bringing the Ryan budget to a vote also enables the president to get each one of his potential opponents on the record as to how they would have voted on it and, if passed, whether they, as president, would have signed it.
The Democratic campaign committees (DNC, DCCC, DSCC) send a constant barrage of solicitations for money.
But, why should anyone send them money if they do not adopt the simplest, costless strategy to shine klieg lights on why electing Democrats is so important?
P.S. Count me as one who believes that "Demography is destiny."
go Obama!
Politically as a matter of getting things done, it's irrelevant. And so is everything happening in Congress vis a vis the budget. They're fighting over how much to increase the budget, when really the budget needs to be cut 30% from LAST YEAR.
But, I am always leery of putting my trust in the intelligence of the public. I understand that this plan would let all see exactly where the Republicans are coming from. They are coming from a position where the 2% would run what's left of America. I can see that, and I'm already having a hard time trying to figure out why others don't.
If the Tea Party really thinks that this plan will solve a deficit and put America on track for prosperity, then I think we have a bigger problem in basic math among the general population, than was thought earlier.
So, okay, if the Ryan budget proposal goes for a vote, it may be good. It also may be our worst nightmare.
Some blue states are losing electoral votes and seats, but those people may be moving to red states and making them bluer faster.
Mike
I'm all in favor of bringing the Ryan budget to a vote. Let's all get behind this. Call your congressmen and tell them we are with them on this and put it to a vote!
Oh what wishful thinking.
I’ve got a real good idea, lets all get together and put on a play. Sorry wrong movie.
No, I’ve really got a great idea, why don’t we call our congressmen (you only need to call one group and you know who they are) and have them put together a budget that tells us how they are going to solve our huge financial mess, they created.
What are you proposing - doing nothing?