"The pooh-poohing would be easier to take if the GOP had a real-world plan of its own."

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/its-the-gops-turn-to-be-serious-with-the-budget/2013/04/11/0d7afb08-a2d9-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html?hpid=z3

It’s the GOP’s turn to be serious with the budget
By Editorial Board, Published: April 11


snip//

But Mr. Obama has injected a courageous note of realism where the Republicans so far have shown none. He has proposed modest revenue increases, and by a reasonable method: capping the value of tax deductions in a way that does not diminish the incentives for charitable giving or homeownership. He has proposed modest brakes on the growth of Social Security and Medicare, to the horror of more rigid members of his party.

Some Republican leaders responded dismissively. The entitlement reform was too “modest” to justify the tax hikes, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said. House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (Wis.) said the Social Security reduction was simply “clarifying a statistic which does happen to save money.” The House Republican campaign honcho, Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), had the gall to accuse Mr. Obama of “trying to balance this budget on the backs of seniors” — this, after Republicans have spent months attacking the president for not reining in entitlements.

The pooh-poohing would be easier to take if the GOP had a real-world plan of its own. Instead, it pretends it can balance the budget without raising taxes — but also without ever specifying the details of the spending that would be decimated, discretionary or otherwise. Mr. Ryan and others so far have wanted credit for fiscal prudence without political cost.

Plenty of Republicans know better, and it’s time for them to step up. There are adults in the party who understand that revenue will have to rise, entitlements will have to be reduced and, for anything to be accomplished, the political pain of both will have to be shared.

It was encouraging to hear Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) repudiate Mr. Walden’s irresponsible statement Thursday and say that he was “encouraged” by aspects of Mr. Obama’s budget. We’ve heard similar sentiments from other Republicans, speaking quietly and off the record. Now that Mr. Obama has anted up, it’s time for them to be a bit louder.

[bowens43]

1. "Mr. Obama has injected a courageous note of realism?"

realism doesn't have to be stupid. Offering up SS was stupid and unrealistic.

We don't expect much from the cons. We had thought that Obama was better then that. He fooled us again.