Republicans' Radical Plans for Budget Could Threaten the Economic Security of Millions

[marmar]

AlterNet / By Joshua Holland

Republicans' Radical Plans for Budget Could Threaten the Economic Security of Millions
Newly emboldened Republicans plan to use arcane House procedural rules for a scorched-earth assault against government spending.

January 5, 2011 |


Through new budget rules that are expected to pass on a party-line vote in the House this week, and an upcoming battle over raising the government's “debt ceiling,” the new Republican leadership is preparing to codify a discredited far-right economic agenda into law, forcing deep cuts to public spending at precisely the moment when the economy needs that spending to build momentum.

If the GOP wins the very public fights to come over the next year, it'll deliver a grievous dose of anti-stimulus to our painfully ailing economy. What's more, after a campaign season of fear-mongering about the federal government's budget picture and shrill calls for greater transparency in Congress, if they have their way, the Tea Party Republicans in the House will institute rules that would allow them to run up massive piles of new debt, with at best limited public debate.

It'll be up to us to make sure President Obama and Senate Dems don't cave before the onslaught to come.

Ryan's Rule

At the beginning of each new session of Congress, the majority party sets procedural rules that guide how legislation is to be crafted. Buried in the House's arcane rules is a measure that the non-partisan Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) calls, “a stunning and unprecedented provision” that would give the Chair of the House Budget Committee – widely expected to be Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP's top economic ideologue – previously unheard of power to dictate the terms of the House budgeting process. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/economy/149409/republicans%27_radical_plans_for_budget_could_threaten_the_economic_security_of_millions_/

[SoCalNative]

1. Here's hoping

every last one of them suffers nothing but ill fortune from this moment on until their hopefully premature deaths.

[VeryConfused]

2. These things need more MSM covervage

[MadHound]

3. Spreading the meme of Democratic helplessness, powerlessness,

Let's see, Democrats hold the Senate and White House. If these draconian cuts go through, it won't be just the fault of the 'Pugs, but also the Democrats who helped and enabled them.