Republicans have full control, let's balance the budget finally

2001400ex

Oh wait, it's gonna take 10 years? And in the backs of the poor and elderly, while the defense budget gets an increase.... What could go wrong there?

House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price, R-Ga., and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., plan to produce blueprints that would balance the budget within 10 years — without raising taxes.

Instead, they will propose major spending cuts to programs such as Medicare, health care subsidies, food stamps and the Medicaid program for the poor and elderly to produce a budget that's balanced. Such cuts, if actually implemented later, would likely slash spending by $5 trillion or so over the coming decade from budgets that are presently on track to spend almost $50 trillion over that timeframe.

"If we're going to have a lower (defense) number than the president of the United States is proposing, we have no credibility on saying that we are committed to defending this nation — not when every service chief, every witness before our committee says it will devastate ... our ability to defend the nation," McCain said. "You can't do that and claim that you care about national defense."

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/gop-offer-budget-blueprint-medicare-070808130.html

HoustonHusky

We should just keep spending $1 trillion more a year then we take it. No problems there.

And are they actual "cuts", or are they just cuts in the 8-10% year over year growth rates (to something like 3-5% increases).

I know you don't actually know this...

2001400ex

HoustonHusky said:

We should just keep spending $1 trillion more a year then we take it. No problems there.

And are they actual "cuts", or are they just cuts in the 8-10% year over year growth rates (to something like 3-5% increases).

I know you don't actually know this...

I don't know this, but yet, you think we spend a trillion more than we take in every year. Got it.

AZDuck

This is a gift to the Dems

topdawgnc

The Executive Branch, and the VETO super majority rule both disagree with your title.

HoustonHusky

2001400ex said:

HoustonHusky said:

We should just keep spending $1 trillion more a year then we take it. No problems there.

And are they actual "cuts", or are they just cuts in the 8-10% year over year growth rates (to something like 3-5% increases).

I know you don't actually know this...

I don't know this, but yet, you think we spend a trillion more than we take in every year. Got it.

Why would I think that? Let's see...

2009 - $1.4 trillion
2010 - $1.3 trillion
2011 - $1.3 trillion
2012 - $1.1 trillion
2013 - $0.7 trillion
2014 - $0.5 trillion
2015* - $0.6 trillion (estimated to go back up, and that's before bringing in reality which is that there is no chance in hell we have almost 4% GDP growth and all the other optimism).

Figured out the answer on the "cuts" yet? Didn't think so...

HFNY

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

sarktastic

14 year old Honda's don't maintain themselves. Sometimes you have to convince Mom to take your atv to the dealer so someone with skills can repair it.

RaceBannon

Add budget hawk to hondo s resume

2001400ex

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

HFNY

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

2001400ex

HFNY said:

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

Welfare has already been cut. Or did you miss the memo?

We need to either raise taxes, cut from everywhere, or do both. That's how you balance a budget. You don't cut from welfare and add to defense.

AZDuck

HFNY said:

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

The fuck?

What "overly generous benefits" would those be?

Swaye

AZDuck said:

HFNY said:

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

The fuck?

What "overly generous benefits" would those be?

There is not one benefit I received in 21 years of service that was "overly generous." Though reduced price booze was nice.

RaceBannon

Thank you for your service

Fire_Marshall_Bill

Chatch can afford to pay more in tax than all of you combined. So raise taxes on the rich.

puppylove_sugarsteel

Ex, learn how congress works. And what real man would ever support a cut to defense?

HFNY

How did they cut welfare?

And yes, I think they should freeze defense spending for a few years (even with low inflation, it would be a "cut" in real / inflation-adjusted terms).

As for military benefits, and as I understand it, dependents (wife / children) do not have to pay any co-pay whatsoever. I have also heard elective surgeries (such as boob jobs) are much less than they should cost. I could be wrong though since it's just what I recall hearing (obligatory don't twist).

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

Welfare has already been cut. Or did you miss the memo?

We need to either raise taxes, cut from everywhere, or do both. That's how you balance a budget. You don't cut from welfare and add to defense.

HoustonHusky

Hey Hondo...defense spending is only about 20% of the total budget. How again is cutting that going to fix the overall spending problem?

And you ever figure out if they were actually "cutting" like you were claiming (i.e. lying...or like they actually did to the defense budget), or are they just slowing the rate of growth?

And now lets watch Hondo continue to gurgle...

AZDuck

HFNY said:

How did they cut welfare?

And yes, I think they should freeze defense spending for a few years (even with low inflation, it would be a "cut" in real / inflation-adjusted terms).

As for military benefits, and as I understand it, dependents (wife / children) do not have to pay any co-pay whatsoever. I have also heard elective surgeries (such as boob jobs) are much less than they should cost. I could be wrong though since it's just what I recall hearing (obligatory don't twist).

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

You're not too knowledgeable about the budget are you?

Did you know that defense has already been cut? And did you know that they are already (wisely) looking at trimming the overly generous benefits that military spouses receive?

And exactly what "corporate welfare" would you like to cut? The devil is in the details.

2001400ex said:

HFNY said:

"On the backs of the poor and elderly"

I always find that talking point especially stupid because it's as if anyone who uses that phrase forgets that we are talking about massive government programs, which are uniquely vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse.

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Social-Security-Watchdog-I-See-Dead-People

Or how about food stamps, whose budget has increased nearly 50% under Obama and abuse is rampant particularly since the program has grown?

thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/26/74-Billion-Food-Stamp-Program-Budget-Crosshairs

As for Medicare, fraud is so widespread that about 10% of all Medicare billings are fraudulent and it even has its own Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_fraud

And for Medicaid, Social Security Disability fraud has also been an increasing problem:

reformssdinow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fraud-SSDI.pdf

So don't you think if each of the budgets are trimmed it will sharpen the "minds" at these departments to hasten their work on rooting out fraud and abuse? Or will they prove that bureaucrats are mostly lazy pieces of shit who maintain the status quo of letting our taxpayer dollars walk out the door?

Because there's no fraud, waste, or abuse in defense? No corporate welfare we can cut?

Here's my point. Cut from everywhere. You don't read well.

Welfare has already been cut. Or did you miss the memo?

We need to either raise taxes, cut from everywhere, or do both. That's how you balance a budget. You don't cut from welfare and add to defense.

@HFNY you were good enough to respond.

Here's the deal. If you want a capable all-volunteer, deployable expeditionary military, you will need to either (1) pay them wages commensurate with their worth in the job market, or (2) get innovative with benefits.

The US military has traditionally chosen (2), because it is cheaper in the long run.

It is true that spouses and dependents get no-copay access to Tricare. Tricare is *not* a traditional health plan. If you are near a military base and there is an available military practitioner, that is who the dependent is going to see. Only if there is no availability on the installation will Tricare refer to an outside provider, and then Tricare reimburses physicians at rates that would make Medicare blush. Like 10% of billed fees, in my experience.

Remember that career military are making 65%-85% of what they could be making in the civilian economy, and that because the military makes them move every 2-4 years their spouses are typically unable to have careers. So they are stay-at-home moms or they make do earning far below their capabilities. Many spouses with professional certificiations and college degrees work in entry-level jobs or volunteer positions on military installations because they aren't able to find work at Fort Pigsknuckle, Kentucky.

So you want them to make copays?

Tricare uses excess capacity of military medicine when and where it exists, and pays so poorly on the outside that it isn't accepted by many providers in the civilian economy.

There was a time in the mid-Iraq war when the Army was training a bunch of residents in plastic surgery because of all the IEDs and burn cases, and they would get them to log hours with elective surgeries, which were reimbursed at Tricare (bargain-basement) rates. But this was the Army getting paid to train its plastic surgeons. That's what I call a win-win, and that program's done for now anyway.

People look at the military benefits package and get all jealous, but they forget about the moving to Nowheresville, Arkansas every 2-3 years and the low pay without even factoring in much longer hours than civilians and a training schedule that wears out bodies. Even pencil-pushers and file clerks go out and train in body armor and strain the hell out of their bodies. There's a good reason military members are eligble for retirement after 20 years. I got out of my "strenous" MOS six years ago, and they're going to put some titanium screws in my back next month. Guess what? I will be eligible for Army, VA, and SS disability. And I will have earned it.

I don't get worker's comp, I don't get to sue my doctors if they fuck up, and I don't get to quit if I don't get along with my boss. Also the military happily exempts itself from workplace safety regulations and the right to organize.

AZDuck

@HoustonHusky - the problem is that once you take military spending and entitlements like Social Security, Medicare and what-not off the table there is very little discretionary spending in the federal budget.



This chart is a few years old but it is pretty similar to what we have been for the last 40 years or so. Only 18% of the Federal Budget is non-military, discretionary spending. Military spending is a huge chunk, but one that is pretty necessary in a world where our allies aren't meeting the NATO budgeting standard.