August 11, 2026

Obama’s 2012 Budget Proposal is a Trip to La-la Land.

What would you say if I told you that the Obama Administration is proposing in a budget that cuts out spending to the equivalent to getting a penny off of your Wendy’s value meal?

Let’s be clear: for an administration that has had to deal with the worst economy in decades, the Obama Administration has proven an uncanny ability to live in La-la Land when it comes time to make a budget.

I don’t say this to attack the Obama Administration on its handling of the economy. Indeed, that might be seen as a different issue. Rather, I point it out because it is significant in that budgeting is how the executive branch sets its priorities for the coming year. As yet, over the course of his tenure in the White House, the President has not had a budget survive through Congress, even when his party controlled both the Senate and House.

Further, it is widely accepted by economists that once national debt exceeds 90% of GDP (gross domestic product or the value of everything a country produces in a year), “annual economic growth tends to be about one percentage point lower.” The current GDP for the US is about$14.58 Trillion. The current national debt is at $15.087 Trillion, or about 103.45% of GDP. [cont…]

From the WSJ: “Republicans and Mediscare”

The reality is that Medicare “as we know it” will change because it must. The issue is how it will change, and, leaving aside this or that detail, the only alternatives are Mr. Ryan’s proposal to introduce market competition or Mr. Obama‘s plan for ever-tightening government controls on prices and care. Republicans who think they […]

Could you say “President Ryan” in 2013?

Rep. Paul Ryan is thinking about running for the soon to be vacated US Senate seat in his state. I think he could do better. And so could America. We could draft him for the Presidency. In truth, a presidential run makes a lot more sense for Ryan than does a Senate race. Ryan is […]

“Do what I say (pass my budget), not what I do (ignore your budget).”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Our federal government is on the verge of shutting down. And President Obama wants Congressional Republicans to do what he says (pass his budget), not what he does (ignore their budget). The United States government doesn’t have a budget for fiscal year 2011, yet. If it doesn’t pass one by […]

While the world watches, the world’s largest debtor quibbles…

“The longer Congress fails to act, the more we risk that investors here and around the world will lose confidence in our ability to meet our commitments and our obligations,” Geithner said in a letter to congressional leaders. via Geithner warns U.S. to hit debt ceiling by May 16 | Reuters. Meanwhile, in Congress: A […]

When is $100 billion not enough?

When it’s non-security discretionary spending cuts from the budget. That’s when. Then it’s just not solving the problem. It’s pandering for the press and for constituents. The problem, and all the talk Washington, is the deficit and getting it back to a manageable level.  Republicans in an effort to keep campaign promises and reduce the deficit, are […]