Jan
9
2013

URLs du Jour

2013-01-09

  • Crazy Frog Michael Tanner has some "fiscal facts of life". It's a good big-picture look at the dire financial straits of Your Federal Government. As probably everyone reading this already knows: the Democratic mantra of "raise taxes on the rich" is a non-solution; we have to cut spending. But:

    Domestic discretionary spending amounts to 18 percent of all federal spending. Interest on the debt amounts to another 6 percent, but that is essentially untouchable. This leaves defense (19 percent) and entitlement programs, notably Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which consume 46 percent of federal spending. (Another 11 percent goes to other entitlements, homeland security, and a few additional categories.)

    That is why it is so disappointing that Republicans are working to undo the sequester for defense spending, while President Obama is keeping entitlement reform off the table. Frankly, there is no way to balance the budget or reduce the debt if 71 percent of the budget (defense plus entitlements plus interest payments) is uncuttable.

  • As far as strategy goes, I liked this suggestion, addressed to Speaker Boehner, from Patterico, so I'm just going to post the whole darn thing.

    They want to play the “no negotiation” game? Obama, Mr. Stimulus, wants to blame CONGRESS for overspending?

    Fine. Here’s what you do.

    You draw up a budget that has what you want. No more whining about what the other side will agree to. Just figure out what you want and then pass it.

    And then approve nothing else. Whatsoever.

    You have the House. You have the spending power. Obama is blaming YOU for not exercising it wisely.

    And he’s right.

    So raise the debt limit. And then pass what YOU think is a defensible budget.

    If the Democrat-controlled Senate and the Democrat president won’t pass it, that’s on them.

    The debt ceiling is not a way to make a stand because it’s suicidal and you know it. So raise it.

    And then, pass exactly what you want. If they’re going to blame you, then you vote only for a bill you feel comfortable taking FULL responsibility for.

    Dammit. Take a stand for once in your life. Why are you doing this job if you’re not going to take a stand?

    What he said.

  • At the Oatmeal, Matthew Inman relates a story from his youth: "When your house is burning down, you should brush your teeth." Especially recommended for cat owners.

  • Justified returned for its fourth season last night, so I'm as happy as the Bird whose nest is heaven'd in the heart of purple Hills. We didn't see much of Art Mullen, Raylan's boss, however. To make up for this deficiency, here's episode 4 of Nick Searcy's Acting School (with a brief cameo from Timothy Olyphant):

    You know you've made it when you have actual bitches to do your bitch-slapping for you.