Republican Budget Follies:

[TayTay]

The "plan" from the new Hooverites: http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/04/gop-presents-budget-alternative.html">(From USA Today)

Some of the features:

-- Rescinding the newly passed economic stimulus package in 2010, except for unemployment insurance for those who have already lost their job;

-- Repealing the latest budget and freezing a freeze in non-defense, non-veteran spending;

-- Converting Medicaid into an allotment to states. Reforming Social Security and Medicare, including "means testing" for drug prescription benefits.

-- Simplifying the tax code. Taxpayers would have a choice of keeping the current system, or choosing one that would tax couples making $100,000 (or individuals making $50,000) at a10% rate and taxing those above at 25%. The plan would include what Ryan called "generous" personal and standard deductions;

-- Cutting corporate tax rate to 25% as a job-creating measure;

-- Increasing offshore oil drilling;

-- Placing a moratorium on all earmarks.

So, in a time of great national stress and crisis, the Repubs have basically said FU to anyone in America who needs help.

[PDJane]

1. Excuse me, but .....

why would you expect anything else from the republicans?

They are playing to the rich 10% or so, and it's their standard deal.

That simplify the tax code meme is fine, if what they are doing is progressive. This is NOT progressive.

[TayTay]

4. Yeah, but it is a pretty good sampling of the Republican mind

And puts into sharp relief our differences with these people.

They fundamentally believe that only people who don't need it should be helped. That is their philosophy in a nutshell. Oh, and raise the defense budget cuz you can never be paranoid enough.

[liberal N proud]

2. What is it these morons don't understand?

[w4rma]

3. Reality in general. They don't understand reality. Or they do and are just evil. (nt)

[TayTay]

5. I vote for evil

Though it was a close race between "evil" and "lacking any sense of human morality." What the hell, evil is easier to fit on a bumper sticker.

GOP: Greed Over People

[JohnnyRingo]

6. I'm always amused by that theory that lowering corporate taxes inspires them to hire

Like a pizza shop owner would look around and say "I don't need anyone else here, but I got a tax cut so I'll hire someone to sit at the counter".

As if GM cites high taxes as the reason for plant closings, or a cut would allow them to add a shift at the Hummer plant.

Republican Fantasyland may be short on roller coasters, but the kool-aid stands are on every corner. I would think visitors should be getting tired of the One Trick Pony Rides too.

[TayTay]

7. I agree with you

They trotted out a freeze on spending, the one thing that there is near unanimous agreement among economists that would be ruinous to the economy and make recovery much, much harder.

They want to get rid of Medicaid and "outsource" it to the States, as a prelude to killing it. They want a flat tax, which is about an un-progressive as you can get and they want more tax cuts. (I think tax cuts is the knee jerk reaction to everything. "OMG, we were just attacked by pirates who have taken the Statue of Liberty hostage. Congressman 'Publican do have a response to this devastating attack? "Why yes, this would not have happened if the Democrats had given everyone a tax cut.")

Good thing no one takes them seriously.

[Winterblues]

8. This is hilarious

The only item in the Stimulus that Republicans Governors don't want is extended unemployment benefits and this is the only item in the Stimulus bill the House GOP wants to keep. Talk about a house divided....

[Johonny]

9. imagine the economic collapse that would follow

the passing of any of these things. How sad a human being do you have to be to support these current republicans.