Quick help, please.

[elleng]

Debating a Dem friend on FB, who doesn't appreciate POTUS as we do. In a post about lost teacher jobs, she wrote: ....'.it is very simple to turn around. All it needs is for the federal govt to send money to the states. . .'

I wrote: You know the House of Representatives controls the purse strings, right? and she responded: 'Well why is Obama going around boasting that he has cut federal spending? He mentions it proudly on TV and in speeches. Are you saying he lying when he does that?"

SO, Please help with examples of POTUS cuts in Federal spending, please.

Thanks.

[southernyankeebelle]

1. Well teachers are paid by the state I thought. Google it maybe you'll find out more.

[elleng]

2. Yes, teachers are generally paid by states.

She's asking for special, targeted teacher spending, I suppose.

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. Which is written ...

into special, targeted legislation drafted and submitted by Congress.

The President can only direct, through executive order, that an administrative/executive agency do this or that; but he cannot direct the spending to accomplish it.

[MADem]

10. Precisely! nt

[southernyankeebelle]

15. Well if she thinks its going to be bad with Obama good luck with getting Mittens to support her. It

isn't going to happen. Remember he loves firing people. Especially those state employees.

[elleng]

16. Of course!

She's responded with a bunch of links, which I haven't opened yet. MAYBE after dinner!

[southernyankeebelle]

18. Well tell her to vote against her own best interest and live with it. Make sure if Mittens

wins and she starts crying about it. Well you can say to her I told you so.

[elleng]

19. I suggested that she 'consider the alternative!'

[southernyankeebelle]

21. Good for you. Now if things don't go her way make sure you tell her I told you so.

[elleng]

23. Actually, belle, been trying NOT to pick fights with her;

this is the first time I've 'confronted' her; we were 'close' years ago, both supporting a different candidate, both still disappointed, but she obviously more than I am.

[southernyankeebelle]

33. Well I have been in your shoes with my own sister. Here is something I finally put into action

and it worked finally. Before we have any family get togethers I make sure to tell her that we are coming from out of town to visit and I want to enjoy everyones company but the first time conversation goes to religion or politics that will be when we leave and go home. She knows I will do it. It has worked. We enjoyed each others company especially without politics. For peace of mind put that in place and you will enjoy your time together. She will agree because she loves you enough not to want you to leave.

[elleng]

35. Nice plan you've got.

FUNNY that she and I have never met; cyber-friends. So I don't have to work out details as you have, just decide to respond or not to stuff she posts. I'm OK with that; don't need fights. Yesterday was quite enough.

[southernyankeebelle]

36. Oh sorry I didn't realize that and here I was trying to be helpful. LOL, HAHAHAHA

[elleng]

37. You WERE helpful!

Next, figure out how I could get my daughters to speak! (Not political or social problems, but emotional/mental ones, and I'm not optimistic.)
Thanks.

[southernyankeebelle]

38. Now that is another story for sure. Especially if they are young. You know nothing, do you hear?

LOL They know it all. Why even my 10 yr step-son thinks he knows it all (the little twit). He has the nerve to tell me I don't know anything. I laugh because he thinks he knows it all. Smart Alack that he is.

[elleng]

39. Not young enough,

and wish I'd been able to do something about developing problems when they were. 24 and 27.

I do recall thinking I knew it all. Later learned how extremely wise my folks were! (Daughters appreciated that, too, fortunately.)

[southernyankeebelle]

40. My mother would say small children small problems. Grown children big problems.

[elleng]

41. Yup.

[Motown_Johnny]

3. W cut funding to the states. Pres. Obama has cut some federal spending but not that

specific type of spending.

[elleng]

4. Have examples of what POTUS has cut,

like pentagon, federal employees, etc?

[rug]

5. Here's some info.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/13/news/economy/obama_budget_cuts/index.htm

[elleng]

13. Thanks. Using this.

[RedStateLiberal]

7. That is a false premise

Obama hasn't been boasting about cutting federal spending. He has mentioned the fact that spending growth under his admin is slow - contrary to the Repub claim of "out of control spending." He has proposed spending cuts to lower the deficit long-term but there is no "boasting that he has cut federal spending" that I am aware of.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Great (and completely accurate) Point! n/t

[elleng]

12. Thanks. Good one.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. Ask her ...

Why she is upset with the President when he specifically asked Congress to increase funding to the states FOR the teachers, police and fire personnel ... three times, in the last year; but Congress, including members of the Democratic Caucus, refused to do so.

[elleng]

11. Thanks. Good piece of my pending response!

Why? Dunno, but she has been for some time, calling him DINO. Have avoided engaging her in the past, but ready to get her some facts now.

[elleng]

14. THANKS, guys!

My response, quoting some of you. OK, I hope!

P.S., she also complained aboiut Duncan, and I of course AGREED with her about that!

'First, he doesn't boast, nor does he lie. He has mentioned the fact that spending growth under his admin is slow - contrary to the Repug claim of "out of control spending." He has proposed spending cuts to lower the deficit long-term, including NASA, USDA, and EPA. He specifically asked Congress to increase funding to the states FOR teachers, police and fire personnel three times, in the last year; but Congress, including members of the Democratic Caucus, refused to do so.
As to Duncan, I firmly agree; he is the worst, and I've written to POTUS about this several times.'

THANKS AGAIN! Y'all are INVALUABLE!

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. That's what friends are for ...

[DCKit]

20. You know I love you, but I'm going to be the bitch here.

Your friend (and I guess you) need to go back to high school civics class and relearn the responsibilities of the three branches of government. This is an ongoing argument I have with my teabagger sister - she believes the President is omnipotent. Umm, no.

Although Bush*/Cheney* were completely out of control, this President hasn't abused his office to nearly that degree, even after they set the precedent.

[elleng]

22. Sorry, DC, but you are wrong,

certainly about me. I am surprised about my 'friend,' and suspect that she essentially knows better; I certainly do know about the three branches, and the first thing I said to her was: 'You do know that the Congress holds the purse strings.'

Hot enough for you???

[DCKit]

24. Oh, I so want to drag your sorry ass out to the mountains.

You would love my Republican friends.

[elleng]

25. No thanks; don't think so

for one minute!
Married one, and for a while he 'pretended' to be strong conservative, but couldn't put up with W, AND knew Rubin was trouble. Smart, why I married him; bad part came later.

[DCKit]

32. OMG., I'm a gay Democrat. The worst thing you have to fear is my cooking.

I never thought I knew you better than you knew me, but i guess I did. You can come down and see me and the S.O. anytime. But like I tell my sisters, I've got the best husband ever.. I'm thinking you have a fine husband too

[elleng]

34. I have a horrible husband,

fortunately separated, and have a pretty good S.O. (who does most of the cooking! Pakistani style, and is essentially socialist.) Would be happy to meet you, and sample your cooking (!) or not! Can't scare me!

[DCKit]

28. I'll fight with you any day Ellen G. You are a wothy opponent, Unless you don't want to.

I've got a sister who thinks the ten commandents show up in her neighborhoood evey five days by the grace of God.

[elleng]

29. Have we 'fought,' DC?

Maybe 'disagreed.' Part of my job, you know!!!
The Constitution shows up in my HOME every day! (By the 'grace' of them Founders!)
And NATURE, here ALL the time. Very concerned about 'human nature,' as I think it destroys us, kind of like auto-immune conditions.

[DCKit]

30. Sparred, but lets not tell anyone else. Oh fuck, is this public?

Even if we did, it would be a fair fight.

We both need the cred. I like you so much i'd tell half of DU you kicked my ass. I think you'd do the same for me. You're a good egg Ellen.

[elleng]

31. OK, 'sparred.'

Like this?



'Nite!

[handmade34]

26. she is confused

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/message.pdf



KEY BUDGET FACTS

•In the Budget Control Act, both parties in Congress and the President agreed to tight spending caps that reduce discretionary spending by $1 trillion over 10 years. This budget reflects that decision. Thus, for all the priority areas we are investing in, difficult trade-offs had to be made to meet these very tight caps.
◦Discretionary spending is reduced from 8.7 percent of GDP in 2011 to 5.0 percent in 2022.

•Including the $1 trillion in discretionary cuts, the Budget includes more than
$4 trillion in balanced, deficit reduction so that, by 2018, we cut the deficit to less than 3 percent of GDP, stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio, and achieve primary balance.

•For every $1 in new revenue from those making more than $250,000 per year and from closing corporate loopholes, the Budget has $2.50 in spending cuts including the deficit reduction enacted over the last year.

•2012 Projected Deficit: $1.33 trillion, 8.5 percent of GDP; 2013 Projected Deficit: $901 billion, 5.5 percent of GDP; 2018 Projected Deficit: $575 billion, 2.7 percent of GDP; 2022 Projected Deficit: $704 billion, 2.8 percent of GDP.

JUMPSTART JOB CREATION

•More than $350 billion in short-term measures for job growth starting in 2012, including many planks of the American Jobs Act that we continue to call on Congress to enact plus some new job creation initiatives. They include:
◦Extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance benefits for rest of 2012.

◦An upfront investment of $50 billion from the surface transportation reauthorization bill for roads, rails, and runways to create thousands of quality jobs in the short term.

◦Continuing to allow businesses to write-off the full amount of new investments.

◦$30 billion to modernize at least 35,000 schools and $30 billion to help states and localities retain and hire teachers and first responders.........

[elleng]

27. Yes she is;

somehow 'anger' has caused or resulted in her confusion/frustration. Don't want to trace it back; she was a good progressive Dem, but now she seems to be angry. There are many such at DU, who just can't/won't recognize his intentions and honest efforts.

Bugs me, but don't dwell on it.

Thanks for the analysis, handmade.
Will bookmark it.