Welcome dear reader to the most intense nightly read anywhere on the sphere… The BitsBlog Nightly Ramble
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- SPENDING FREEZE: So Obama’s response to the anger he’s generated, is that he claims he wants a spending freeze on “many” domestic programs, says the New York Times: [2]
WASHINGTON — President Obama will call for a three-year freeze in spending on many domestic programs, and for increases no greater than inflation after that, an initiative intended to signal his seriousness about cutting the budget deficit, administration officials said Monday.
The officials said the proposal would be a major component both of Mr. Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday and of the budget he will send to Congress on Monday for the fiscal year that begins in October.
The freeze would cover the agencies and programs for which Congress allocates specific budgets each year, including air traffic control, farm subsidies, education, nutrition and national parks.Yeah, well, look at the rest of the details, as well:
The officials said the proposal would be a major component both of Mr. Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday and of the budget he will send to Congress on Monday for the fiscal year that begins in October.
The freeze would cover the agencies and programs for which Congress allocates specific budgets each year, including air traffic control, farm subsidies, education, nutrition and national parks.
Well, now if Obama says it it means it’s suspect right out of his mouth. So, parse the statements even a little and you’ see that the thing they don’t mention is that at what level they will be frozen If that seems needlessly critical, please consider the idea that we’ve just gone through the biggest spending increase in history. If in fact the spending is being frozen at that level, where is the savings?
Republicans were quick to mock the freeze proposal. “Given Washington Democrats’ unprecedented spending binge, this is like announcing you’re going on a diet after winning a pie-eating contest,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for the House Republican leader, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio.
Well, precisely. If Obama really thinks he’s going to be able to regain his polling numbers with this little maneuver, those inconvenient facts are going to jump up and bite him in the back side again.
There is this, also ; the spending reductions and he’s talking about would have to be agreed to by members of his own party in Congress, a party which has heretofore never been able to agree to any reductions whatsoever other than what reductions they were pleased to force on to the military prior to 9/11/01. Indeed, the far left is already raising hell about ANY cuts in governmental largess. Let’s just say the odds don’t look good for that happening.
And should we mention? Oh, I guess we can …. that candidate Obama was loudly critical of the idea of a spending freeze when John McCain suggested it [3] not so very long ago….
Now, I told you fourteen months ago when this moron got elected that he was going to be forced into facing reality . That takes none of the giggles of actually seeing it happen.
- ELLIE LIGHT: The mystery of Elle Light would seem to have been solved… maybe. She appeared on 1210/WPHT this monring during Mike Smirconish’s show and suggested she’s a healthcare worker who moves around a lot. (Sorry I Was in the truck at the time, plus it was a weak signal this morning here in Western NY state) Plasable statements and even comical given the healthcare connection, I suppose. But still, revealing of a lie at the center. Why is it that Obama supporters feel they ahve to do that in their support of him? (Update I see Ben Smith has more, including audio. ) [4]
- CHARLES JOHNSON SAGA: Dennis Prager has some comments [5] and advice for Johnson. MMCT to Prager, because he managed to put into words what I didn’t have the patience to express. He goes a little easier opn Johnson than I think is warranted, particularly as regards Stacy McCain, but it’s worth a read none the less.
- HEY, BARRY? YA FORGOT AN OPTION
Once again Doctor Krauthammer justifies my respect for him. - HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Belated Happy Birthday to Rick Moran of the Right Wing Nuthouse and Pajamas Media.