Democrats Confront Bush Over Bush Confronting Them On Spending…
Got that? Well, they’re mad as hell and they aren’t going to take it anymore. They want to spend, spend, spend and then threaten to raise our taxes:
Bush has requested $933 billion in overall spending for the government departments and agencies for fiscal 2008, and has vowed to veto any legislation that spends more, with the exception of about $4 billion for veterans programs.
But Democrats want to add $23 billion for domestic programs. Old-fashioned dealmaking would have the combatants split their differences. Instead, Bush and Capitol Hill Republicans are turning the screws on Democrats.
That $23 billion amounts to pork spending
But in a move that left some Congress-watchers scratching their heads, Democrats have given up much of what leverage they had by sending Bush the only spending bill he really seems to care about, a $471 billion budget for the Pentagon. There had been speculation they would hold the measure in reserve to try to force the White House to negotiate, but with that bill in hand, Bush is free to play hardball on the rest.
Democrats are so flummoxed that not only have they delayed getting bills to Bush to veto, they’ve held back bills he’s either going to sign or might be overridden on.
Some Democrats, like Obey, are taking seriously Bush’s threats to use vetoes to force them to stick to his overall “top line” meaning he will push harder for cuts elsewhere.
For example, if Bush signs the veterans bill, he says $4 billion would have to be cut from other programs. If Congress overrides Bush on the homeland security bill, perhaps $2 billion would have to be cut from other programs.
“They’re all interdependent,” said Rep. David Price, D-N.C., manager for the homeland security budget. “You don’t want to pass one bill if it gives you a worse problem with other bills.”
It sounds like a budget that gets used in households around the world. I have X to spend, therefore, if I increase my spending in one area, I must decrease spending in another to assure that I can pay my bills…that makes perfect sense, unless you are an idiot.
Could it be that the message has been made clear, go back to fiscal responsibility? I should hope so.
November 13, 2007 - 07:46 AM on November 13th, 2007
Yeah, interdependent as in deals cut for votes.
BUSH SHOULD VETO EVERYTHING!