Balanced Budget Amendment anyone?

[finnbow]

Does anyone actually believe this to be a good idea? I think it is yet another cynical attempt by the GOP to get the backing of uneducated goobers. This is from the same party who deliberately shit-canned House "pay-go" rules to pass Bush's tax cuts.

Robert Samuelson has a pretty good piece explaining why and how it's a bad idea.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...g.html?hpid=z2

[CarlV]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I think it is yet another cynical attempt by the GOP to get the backing of uneducated goobers.

Indeed.
Well, didn't they get their masses to fall for the increasing the debt to give tax breaks for rich last year and now this year it is life or death to eliminate their entitlements?
Me likey waffles...and Koch

Carl

[finnbow]

Even the American Enterprise Institute says how friggin' ridiculous this idea is:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...y.html?hpid=z1

[d-ray657]

Samuelson isn't exactly a bleeding heart. He is one of those whose lip curls every time he is forced to repeat the word "entitlement."

To be fair, I have never seen anyone from the AEI embrace Keynesian economics as much as that writer did. Ornstein identifies himself as a centrist, and it a close friend of Al Franken. Maybe he is one of the people the AEI trots out every once in awhile to show that it's not a one trick pony.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

Campaign Fodder, and yet another ridiculous scheme.

A "Balanced Budget Amendment".
And what happens if the budget doesn't balance out under the auspices of a BBA?
What? Djs Gun Monkey pops out of a bag and blows their heads off?
A BBA would be every bit as effective as the "Debt Ceiling" or another one of those simpleminded pledges.

Spare me.

Dave

[merrylander]

Note that we are the only country that has a debt ceiling, others manage to be reasonable without silly rules.

[piece-itpete]

I'm against limiting various powers, be it term limits or budgets.

But both parties have proven themselves completely irresponsible, and in the case of SS at least criminal if not protected by government.

Pete

[JCricket]

hmm..................

BBA.................

Let's see. The BBA will be a presidentially appointed panel that has power over congress and the judicial branch. The board will consist of the bush guy from the savings and loan scandel, an executive from the two largest oil compainies, and Senator Ryan. Bush Jr. will be chair person.
Nancy Pelosi and her choice of 6 other individuals will write the rules and regulations of how the budget is to be handled. They will also oversee the panels actions.

Karl Rove is media spokes person for the group.


Sound like a plan?

[piece-itpete]

Evil.

Perhaps we have finally reached the failure point of being able to manage a democracy as a people.

Pete

[Dondilion]

Thanks for the link, Finn.
I agree with Samsuelson a BBA: can deepen recessions: the constitution should not be used as an economics manual.

Historical Perspective:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_Budget_Amendment

Damn! After reading wiki the Obama spending looks awful!