"A SLOW, HANGING CURVE... When congressional Democrats taunt their Republican colleagues about lacking ideas, substance heft, and specific policy proposals, Dems know they'll have an advantage either way.

Either the GOP will produce nothing (in which case Republicans are the "party of no" with no new ideas), or they'll produce an actual plan (in which case Dems can point out how deeply crazy Republican proposals really are).

Take this week, for example. President Obama unveiled the administration's budget, and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the ranking member on the House Budget Committee in consultation, released a budget blueprint of his own. The Republican's budget plan is, as we talked about the other day, more than a little radical.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/02/game_on_3.php?ref=fpblg

First, it calls for big cuts in Social Security benefits for everyone currently under 55 years of age. On top of the cuts it also calls for privatizing Social Security.

Basically the exact plan President Bush tried in 2005. Next, it calls for the full privatization and phasing out of Medicare. It'll be replaced by a system of vouchers in which instead of getting Medicare you get a voucher to buy un-reformed private insurance (with benefits that fail to keep up with growing health care costs).

Weirdly, with all that, the draft GOP budget doesn't get the federal budget into surplus until 2083, which seems like a pretty long time. But isn't this sort of a big deal? House Republicans are poised to run in 2010 on slashing or abolishing the two most popular federal government programs -- Social Security and Medicare.

More http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/arc..._02/022250.php

GOD you people are pathetic.

Either way, the Republicans are basically being told that they are " dismissed ".

Too bad a whole bunch of Democrats are going to be " dismissed " from office soon.

without actually seeing the proposal myself (and not hearing one sides take on it) I have no clue whether it's good or bad. But since the Dems want to exclude the Reps from discussions, why shouldn't they present an alternative plan?

THIS IS SO BIZZARO WORLD!

The GOP are not interested in negotiating...where have yall been? Excuse me? ALL the GOP has done is obstrust and delay...and THIS is the plan the GOP have to offer the voters in this year's election? REALLY? 2083 (that bad by the way) to restore the debt to a surplus? REALLY? How about the GOP HC plan? It costs more then the current bill and insures only 3 million more and does not get the HC industry in line.

I cannot believe what you people are saying...it's as if you ONLY listen to AM BS and FOCKS shillschit...I mean really...JTC. The GOP have no vialbe plans...if they did you guys might have something to post other than vague or lame denials of the situation.

The GOP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMV44yoXZ0

how does the Dems not wanting to invite the Reps to their reindeer games (aka the healthcare discussions) negotiating?

As far as I know....the GOP budget might be insane, but until I see it for myself, I don't know. I don't like Obama's plans either.

I'm with you Kim. I haven't seen anyone really try to "negotiate" with the "other side".

What I see is a room full of pots and black kettles

I agree Davey. I'm not for either side because I see both sides saying nanny nanny boo boo to the other. How does that help this country?

It doesn't. As long as people listen to the partisan BS, all we're gonna get is more partisan BS.

which is why I would rather see the budget proposal for myself to decide and not listen to what one side says over the other. Both sides will put their own slants on them

http://www.gop.gov/download?folder=budget&file=gop-budget.pdf pretty long though. A synopsis of what they "claim" it does is here http://www.gop.gov/solutions/budget

Davey...I saw that one too, but IMO it's not official. It's the GOP's side of it

I think that PDF is about as close as you're going to come for now.

my bad Davey, I think you are right.

A SUMMARY
THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
GOALS OF THE BUDGET

* To Restore Growth, Jobs, and Economic Leadership. It supports a vibrant free-market
sector by limiting the size and scope of government; it provides for low taxes and a
competitive tax code; and it promotes a robust, diverse energy network that is under
Americans’ control.
* To Control the Nation’s Debts. It halts the borrow-and-spend philosophy that brought
about today’s economic problems, and puts a stop to heaping ever-growing debts on
future generations – and does so by controlling spending and not raising taxes.
* To Fulfill the Mission of Health and Retirement Security. The budget reforms the health
care marketplace by making quality coverage affordable and accessible for every
American regardless of pre-existing health conditions. It reinforces the decision-making
of patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats; and it reforms Medicare and
Medicaid to make them sustainable. The budget also advances the cause of strengthening
Social Security without affecting those at or near retirement, but does not assume any
savings from these reforms.
* To Preserve the American Legacy of Leaving the Next Generation Better Off. The budget
assures continued prosperity for today’s children by controlling debt and taxes, and by
rewarding work, saving, investment, personal responsibility, and individual initiative.

I haven't read the whole thing yet, but let's just say it is off the wall and ridiculous....shouldn't both side propose a plan and then work together to make the final proposal....or am I dreaming?

Na, what should happen is we should boot the lot of them out and find some people who can think like accountants instead of lawyers.

you are dreaming too

Yes but it's a pretty dream

jeez

is there ever a possibility of discussing politics or washington without this constant din of copied and pasted op ed pieces

okay okay okay we know you think bush and republicans are evil. you made your point eons ago

they probably dont like you very much either

Nope.

Too many sheeple have been ingrained with what they " should " think and just go with that. Rather than think for themselves.

I'm seeing some signs of people waking up to what's being done. Maybe some day ...