Obama sends Congress $3.73 trillion budget

[Lasher]

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama sent Congress a $3.73 trillion budget Monday that holds out the prospect of eventually bringing deficits under control through spending cuts and tax increases. But the fiscal blueprint largely ignores his own deficit commission's view that the nation is imperiled unless huge entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are slashed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110214/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_budget

Liar. Obama's deficit commission didn't reach a consensus on any view. Therefore, views cited are those of individuals, not of the deficit commission.

[county worker]

1. If deficits were brought under control as in Clinton's term the repubs would

bring them right back as in Bush's term.

I don't understand the need to do what Obama plans. We could create more jobs, get rid of the tax cut for the wealthy, end the wars and cut defense spending. Those things would do more for the deficit without hurting the working class.

As it is, Obama would hurt the working class then the repubs would take us right back to where we started.

[Lasher]

2. A very good point, one that has occurred to me.

Republican presidents have been looking like good guys by lowering taxes and spending like drunken sailors. Their massive debt gets little notice until a Democratic president comes along. Then out come the deficit hawks, demanding fiscal restraint. Once stability is restored, along comes another Saint Ronnie of Reagan to cut taxes for rich benefactors while tripling the national debt.

All the same, good on Clinton for having the guts to raise taxes, resulting in lower debt and increased prosperity. His clear example has been almost completely ignored, however. Obama is playing the deficit reduction game, but lacks courage to do anything significant except play along.

And you are exactly right, we could end our deficits simply by eliminating the Bush tax cuts and the Bush wars. Here, see for yourself by playing the National Budget Simulation Game